Save our rail lines

To the editor:
    I would like to respond to the East Machias man’s comment on saving 233 miles of railroad track, which was in the Bangor Daily News on April 14.
    This bond does not just keep the rail lines thriving, it also keeps other things thriving, thoughout all of the state. He thinks spending $14 million to save 750 jobs makes no sense. It is this type of thinking that makes a lot of people think that there are two “Maines”, but in reality there is only one Maine. It is not only the jobs at stake here, but the rail lines. Once they are removed, they will not return. So let’s stick together so we can move forward to put Maine back on track.
    As an elected official for Houlton and a taxpayer, economy development was and still is very important to me. Without economic development, there will be no growth. Losing 750 jobs would hurt the infrastructure of not only the county, but the state, putting us in the wrong direction. The trickle down effect from losing 750 jobs, I believe as a state, we cannot afford. We need to focus on keeping the jobs we have, but trying to create more jobs.
    So I say to all the voters of the state of Maine, voting “no” to save the rail lines, not only affects northern Maine, but the entire state as a whole. This fall, vote “yes” to keep the rail lines. I believe this bond should be Mainers helping Mainers. After all, we have everything to gain as a great state.
Carl Lord Jr.
Houlton