SAM Shortline on chopping block BY PEGGY KING CORDELE — Unless a compromise can be reached, SAM Shortline will be eliminated from the 2010 state budget. SAM Executive Director Kathy Odom said Friday that the state House of Representatives has approved a 2010 proposed budget that eliminates funding for the excursion train (Southwest GA Railroad Excursion Authority) from the proposed 2010 budget. Senator George Hooks who represents Sumter County has encouraged her, she added, to muster local support, especially on the House side. Supporters may contact Representatives Buddy Harden (Crisp County) and Mike Cheokas (Sumter County) at the following e-mail addresses: buddy.harden@house.ga.gov and mike.cheokas@house.ga.gov. Hooks promised that he and Senator John Dickey Crosby who represents Crisp County will try to get some money for the train in the budget before the Senate approves it. To share concerns with the senators, e-mail them at the following addresses: george.hooks@senate.ga.gov and john.crosby@senate.ga.gov. “Hopefully a compromise can be reached,” Ms. Odom said. Should all state funds be eliminated, the loss will total $371,964, Ms. Odom explained. She has developed a plan for making up the shortfall that will deplete reserve funds, eliminate three jobs and reduce the number of excursions from 80 per year to 72. Some $108,000 in reserve funds was scheduled to be spent replacing wheels on four coach railcars to help meet federal railroad safety requirements. “Cars will have to be taken off line until funding for these wheels is identified,” she said, “thus reducing available train cars during peak times.” Another $88,000 would be saved with the elimination of three staff members. The reduction in excursions would save the Authority about $12,000, but fewer excursions also will mean less revenue generated by passengers. The remaining almost $164,000 would be cut by reducing operating expenses and eliminating the cafe at the Cordele depot.
