Group hears pluses of Norfolk Southern McCalla hub plan

McCalla residents A in favor of a $112 milA lion Norfolk Southern railA road hub -- and a few who remain undecided -- were able to hear from some of those behind the project at a meeting Monday night.

[AustellGeorgiaRe sident]

Cool. The State is behind this, the city is behind this so now the Norfolk Southern can make lots more money at your expense. The NS did the same thing to us a few years ago. Before they built one of these in Austell, we could commute on US78-278 easily but after the trucks starting coming to the NS intermodal site all that ended. Now its like a goal line stand between the Tide's defense and the Bulldog's Hershall Walker, pushing and shoving, blood and sweat. Hope you enjoy what you've got coming your way. We sure do, NOT

[JEFF -MCCALLA RESIDENT]

The residents are still not convinced this plan is a good move for our community. The
EPA has not granted permits at this time. We certainly appreciate you making sure that is done properly. I would prefer for them not to be issued at all.
I do not feel this area should even be considered for this project. There have been issues in the past preventing residents from making very small changes, such as removing Cattails
from a family Pond. This was done in the name of Wetland Preservation.
We enjoy a State Park just moments down the road, a couple of Historic Sites, We are also in the edge of a National Wild Life Refuge, and A National Forest.
I DID NOT MOVE HERE TO BE NEIGHBORS WITH A NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAIL HUB.
Yes this hub would be in an Elementary Schools Backyard, literally. It would also be a few miles from a Middle School and a High School as well as neighbors to a Christian
Daycare Center. This project should be located in a existing industrial community not someone's neighborhood.