BY KEITH BENMAN, Times of Northwest Indiana
kbenman@nwitimes.com
It may not have the fireworks of Hillary vs. Rudy, but proponents of extending South Shore rail passenger service plan to use techniques of major political campaigns to get their message across.
That includes enlisting the help of community organizers such as Greg Bales and environmental groups that may see the 51-mile rail addition as a solution to urban sprawl.
"We need this train, so we can grow up and not out," said Bales, a 22-year-old Munster resident who recently started Citizens for the Extension of the South Shore Line.
Bales describes himself as the "grassroots" wing of the new Chicago South Shore Connections, which right now consists mainly of long-time proponents of the West Lake Corridor extension.
"We want to reach out to everyone in Northwest Indiana, because this has benefits for everyone," said Karen Lauerman, director of marketing and communications for the Northwest Indiana Forum.
So far, Chicago South Shore Connections has made its arguments before municipal councils in Whiting, Portage, Crown Point, and Cedar Lake, Lauerman said.
The group hopes to visit every municipal council in Lake and Porter counties, as well as chambers of commerce, Rotary Clubs and just about anyone who will listen, according to Forum CEO Vince Galbiati.
"Wherever there are civic and business communities we can talk to, we'll go," Galbiati said.
The group will use direct mail and brochures to get its message across and will consider an ad campaign. All of it will be funded by donations from an array of business and civic groups and individuals, Galbiati said.
He would not say how much has been raised so far, who has donated, or what the fund-raising goal is. But a campaign to promote commuter rail in Austin, Texas, was bankrolled with $3 million, Galbiati said.
Public support is needed, because the 51-mile extension would require at least $350 million in local funds. State Rep. Chet Dobis, D-Merrillville, has been paving the way for legislation in that would authorize some type of tax to raise that money over the life of the project.
"Most folks have been saying don't come here until you are ready to help yourselves; well, we are ready to help ourselves," Dobis said.
Any local tax would not go into effect until federal funds are secured, Dobis said.
U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky , D.-Ind., wants to secure up to $500 million in federal funds for the extension.
Visclosky's office is working with Chicago South Shore Connections and other groups to promote the project because it holds economic and environmental benefits for the region, said Visclosky spokesman Justin Kitsch.
"It shows there's broad commitment to South Shore service, because it will help improve the quality of life in Northwest Indiana," Kitsch said.
The South Shore extension is part of the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission's long-range transportation plan, according to NIRPC executive director John Swanson.