I find it interesting that letters of support for the proposed CSX rail transfer facility (aka the freight yard) were from residents of Ellicott City and Fulton, locations far removed from the proposed freight yard sites.

I live close to the proposed Elkridge/Hanover site. It appears that the combined negative impact on the proposed Jessup, Montevideo and Beltsville locations is less than that on the Elkridge/Hanover location. What's needed is a fair and open assessment of all the proposed sites, which includes appropriate weighting of the negative residential impact.

For example, the public schools in our area are already overcrowded, and placing the freight yard at our location would squash the ability of the county to build a new school nearby due to the volume of truck traffic that will ensue after the freight yard is built.

This is just one of many examples, and I don't believe CSX is fairly assessing all of the proposed sites. Residents in my area are already strongly voicing valid concerns, and we don't believe we're being heard. Economic growth and jobs are good things, but please consider the cost to your fellow county residents and their kids.

Paul Dowell

Hanover