Sen. Lesser and Sen. Gobi Rally for Palmer Rail Stop with Local Advocates
Senator Lesser and Senator Gobi discussing the importance of a Palmer rail stop with Ben Heckscher, Linda Leduc, Jessica Sizer, Karen Christensen, Ben Hood, and Scarlet Lamothe
SPRINGFIELD — Today, Senator Eric P. Lesser and Senator Anne M. Gobi welcomed local
rail advocates and members of the Palmer community for a Virtual Rally for Palmer Rail
Stop livestreamed to Facebook and Twitter. The draft report of the MassDOT East-West
Passenger Rail Study is due to be published on October 16th and will then open for a
30-day public comment period on the final three options which include service to Palmer.
The two heard testimony from longtime local advocates on the important role a Palmer rail
stop plays into the success of East-West rail. The group also discussed the transformative
impact that rail service will have to the region and entire Commonwealth economically and
socially.
“Our communities in Western Mass are great places to live and great places to grow up, but
we’re struggling,” said Sen. Lesser. “We’ve seen the job losses, we need the investment, we
need the job creation and the great thing is that Boston needs it too, because nobody can
afford to live in Boston. We know what it takes to get our communities back, it’s
investment in infrastructure. It’s a transformational investment that gets us to a new future
that’s brighter, and better, and more fair and equitable than the one that we had before.”
“All we’re asking for is a little equity here,” said Sen. Gobi. “Look what it can do not just for
our region, but for the entire state. That’s the message, and that’s the message we have to
keep pushing forward with those who have been working on the ground on this.”
Guests pictured:
- Karen Christensen, Founder of The Train Campaign
- Ben Heckscher, Co-Founder of Trains in the Valley
- Ben Hood, Citizens for Palmer Rail Stop
- Scarlet Lamothe, General Manager of The Steaming Tender Restaurant
- Linda Leduc, Town Planner for the Town of Palmer
- Jessica Sizer, Town Administrator for the Town of Barre, Councilor at Large for the Town of Palmer
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1023631588153083
https://www.pscp.tv/EricLesser/1yNGaBWddmEJj