MILT THOMAS
The Indian River County Commission this morning unanimously approved a motion by Commissioner Solari to create a $2.7 million fund to fight All Aboard Florida and “protect the community.”
The fund will be established to cover legal expenses in fighting the high speed rail project that is almost universally opposed by Indian River County residents. The motion, approved by a 5-0 vote this morning, calls for the county to reserve $500,000 this year and then budget $1.1 million in each of the next two fiscal years.
The discussion began with a request to speak under public discussion items by anti-All Aboard Florida and anti-Seven50 activist, Susan Mehiel, regarding “the county’s efforts to fight AAFand in support of the county setting aside funds for the legal efforts to stop the train.”
Commissioner Solari had scheduled to speak about “the status of All Aboard Florida and our commitment to preserve our community” under commissioners matters, but followed up Mehiel’s comments to say, “I am prepared to spend one percent of our annual budget, or $2.7 million as a fund to protect our community.”
After making his motion it was seconded by Commissioner O’Bryan. In the discussion that followed, Commissioner Zorc asked if the $2.7 million would be contributed by each of the affected Treasure Coast counties. Commissioner Solari heard that a request would be made at the Martin County Commission meeting for $1 – $1.4 million, but that he was not so hopeful about St. Lucie County, adding that this was not going to be and one-to-one match.
The County Commissioners voted 5-0 in favor of the $2.7 million fund.
All Aboard Florida plans to run 32 daily high-speed trains between Orlando and Miami with an intermediate stop in West Palm Beach. Trains would speed through the Treasure Coast up to 110 miles per hour using existing Florida East Coast Railway routes that run through Sebastian and Vero Beach in this county. The first leg is planned for 2016.
Editor’s note: Today the Martin County Commission has agreed unanimously to fund legal action against All Aboard Florida up to $1.4 million. This action was taken a few hours after the Indian River County Commission approved $2.7 million to fight the proposed plan.
All Aboard Florida Vice President of Corporate Communications, Lynn Martenstein, issued the following statement: “By their actions today, the Indian River and Martin County commissions have decided upon a negative course of action regarding their engagement with All Aboard Florida. The company is hopeful that a more positive and productive forum can be found. We remain open to exploring a future station to serve communities in the Treasure Coast, and bring the direct economic benefits of this important new transportation system to area residents and visitors. A good example of a positive dialogue can be found just up the coast. Brevard County has recently undertaken a productive process that could lead to its securing a future station.”
Indian River Guardian 
I am personally happy the Indian River County Commissioners are willing to fight All Aboard Florida and its negative impact it will have on all of us. According to reports they are willing to spend up to $2.7 million, however they have not done the right thing by our lagoon. Why they are willing to spend $2.7 million in fighting against the railroad, but will not authorize $50,000 on cleaning up the lagoon is a mystery to some of us. Both projects should be funded by the county.
I find it hard to believe that our county commissioners are willing to spend $2.7M of our taxpayer dollars to try to keep FECRR from putting more trains on tracks it owns. Even if they are successful, which is highly doubtful, it would be a short term siolution to what has been a long term problem. Spend the money where it will provide an achievable long term solution – build a bridge.