Trains have always occasionally blocked roads in the northern part of Hamilton County. However, since the workforce reduction in the rail yard, the occurrences have increased exponentially. When the railroad cut the workforce, several employees mentioned that this would be a byproduct. Man....they weren’t kidding.
To compound the problem, the county has yet to add another medic station in the north. And guess what divides one of the stations to Soddy Daisy residents? You guessed it, railroad tracks. We’re talking hours at a time. Try explaining that one to your boss. Sorry you had to pay the other guy overtime, train got stuck again and I was late. Or your child’s school, is that an excused absence/tardy?
So how do we stop this trend? Some cities across America fine railroads for blocking roads over an extended period. I believe now is the time for the city of Soddy Daisy to get tough on the railroad. Especially after their CEO got a huge raise when he laid off all those employees.
And before someone chimes in how fines will raise the price of milk, you should be more concerned with E-Logs for truckers about to take effect. And more importantly, why truckers don’t have a bill of rights or minimum wage. That’s another discussion all together though.
James Berry
Soddy Daisy Resident