On the Web: Track the Truth, www.dmetraintruth.com
From staff reports
Rochester is taking the bull by the horns, so to speak, in its fight against the Dakota, Minnesota &; Eastern Railroad.
With a costumed bull on display, the citizens' group Track the Truth on Friday announced a new campaign called "Truth or Scoop" to rally public interest. The announcement was part of a noon rally at Galleria Mall. About 50 people attended.
Organizers handed out yellow T-shirts, cow bells and decks of cards bearing statements about DM&E.
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; Some of the statements, organizers said, were true. Others were "scoops" -- that is, shovels full of animal waste. The cards are intended to be used in a game clarifying, from Track the Truth's perspective, the many competing claims in the news about the railroad project.
"It's hard to tell which of it is true and which of it is a bunch of bull," said Jeff Bell, who spoke at the event.
Organizers said it's possible, still, for local citizens to have an influence over the Federal Railroad Administration's decision whether to grant DM&E; a $2.3 billion loan for its proposed upgrade and expansion project.
Oct. 10 is the deadline for citizens to file comments with FRA.
"It hasn't happened yet," said spokeswoman Leigh Germanis. "Don't let this deadline pass without letting your voice be heard."
