Rail Foe uses false information in attempt to sway the public opinion against Port of Seattle and BNSF rail operator

Yesterday, an effort was made to plant a news release on these pages by an anonymous author attempting to legitimize his/her comments by using a false name, false telephone number and a false email address. The news release was sent to at least one other local blog and it was in opposition to the Port of Seattle and operations on the BNSF rail/trail.

The dubious news release was authored by Western Rail News Network of Portland, Oregon, an entity which does not exist. Well, if it does exist, it is doing an excellent job of hiding. A search of ”Western Rail News Network” on Google, Yahoo and Live search engines turns up bupkis. The news release was sent from a non-existant email address, newsflash@westernrailnewsnetwork.com with the statement, “Please do not reply to this email. Email sent to this address cannot be answered.” The domain name westernrailnewsnetwork.com is not even registered. You can purchase it yourself if you like.  Even the telephone number the author listed is false: it connects to a phone booth in Oregon.

Whomever attempted this ploy has gone to great lengths to hide his/her identity and to front as a “news network”. The issue of the Port of Seattle’s BNSF operations may be worthy of legitimate attention, but this tactic can only leave a bad taste in the reader’s mouth. Any persons or groups which share common cause with this charlatan would best distance themselves. Points of view need accountability in order to attain legitimacy. The charlatan’s news release may or may not contain fact. I do not care to investigate it further.

Anyone attempting such tactics should be exposed for what they are and they should be marginalized. Making false statements in an effort to sway public opinion is wrong and it needs to be condemned. The trail advocates need to shun this sort of activity in their ranks. There is no place for it in the arena of ideas and such tactics need to be condemned by all. The Seattle Transit Blog has posted the news release from the so-called Western Rail News Network here (comment number 6). I will not repost it on these pages.

The shady “author” was responding to this recent press release by the Port of Seattle:

Port to Begin Negotiations for Freight Rail Operator

BNSF selects GNP/Ballard to serve Snohomish County shippers

The Port of Seattle announced today that it will begin negotiations with GNP/Ballard for freight service operation on the northern portion of the Eastside rail corridor. GNP/Ballard, a partnership between Byron Cole, who operates the Ballard Terminal Railroad, and Tom Payne, owner of GNP Railway, will pay the Port for use of the land, which runs from Snohomish and Woodinville.

The Port of Seattle is acquiring the corridor from BNSF, who selected the short line operator. Any contract between the Port and GNP/Ballard will not be finalized until the transfer of the corridor is complete.

The Port is acquiring the corridor from BNSF for $107 million. King County will contribute $2 million toward the purchase price in return for an easement for trail development on the southern segment of the corridor. The Surface Transportation Board is expected to grant approval in the fall of this year. The Port will then begin a public process to gain input on how King County citizens would like to see the rail corridor used.

Find more information about the Port’s purchase of the corridor or the public process that will follow on the Eastside Rail Corridor Web site.

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