Vallley Metro photo
By Cecilia Chan || East ValleyTribune
Gilbert Town Council is being asked to ban the use of municipal resources toward furthering commuter and light rail in any shape or form as residents continued to show up in force at meetings with claims that the trains would increase crime, bring in homelessness and destroy the quality of life.
Vice Mayor and rail opponent Aimee Yentes spearheaded the draft ordinance, which is expected to go before Council for action on Sept. 6.
“I wouldn’t support this ordinance because it is limiting our choices and ability to operate and do our job as policy makers,” said Councilwoman Yung Koprowski, a transportation engineer at a raucus Aug. 23 meeting where more than two dozen citizens spoke on the issue.
“I think it is too limiting and it’s a topic that isn’t timely as well since we know that the light rail isn’t coming to Gilbert and that commuter rail is a long way off,” Koprowski said. “I would rather have the ability to get information in the future for our council or a future council, if necessary.”
The ordinance as proposed by Yentes would prohibit the Town from spending and using resources such as personnel and equipment for commuter rail or light rail.
