In Support of Rail

I must first make a confession.  I’m a tree-hugger.  I care about our earth and all of our earth’s many life forms, and I care about future generations.  And I stand with the Lorax (thanks Dr. Suess!), who defiantly and prophetically says, “I speak for the trees!”

Why do I care?  I care because of my faith and because God cares for all the earth.  I care because we are instructed to care by God’s Word.

Three words guide me:

Blessing

Responsibility

Stewardship

We are indeed blessed!  Can I get an Amen?  Blessed, beyond measure.  God’s well never runs dry.  Praise God!

But a blessing is never really a blessing until it is shared!

God told Abraham, “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”  (Genesis 12:2)

Is the point of blessing only to receive?  Are blessings just what we get to do with what we want?  Or are we being entrusted with blessing so that we might do God’s will?

We have a covenantal responsibility to do what God asks of us and to take care of the things that God has entrusted us with (blessings).

Along with responsibility comes faithful stewardship.  A steward is a manager, someone who takes care of things.

In the first creation story, after God created the heaven and earth, the Lord places Adam (literally earth creature) in the garden to work (literally serve) the earth and take care of it. (Genesis 2:15)

So why bring up our responsibility to care for the earth?  Certainly (and unfortunately), there are a host of issues out there to talk about from global warming to our dependence on fossil fuel to water pollution to the keystone pipeline.

But I want to talk about something happening locally, right here in Georgetown.

On Tuesday, June 11, 2013, the Georgetown City Council voted (5 to 2) to end our participation in the Lone Star Rail District and draft a resolution to opt out of the District.

Irresponsible and Short-sighted.

However, there is still a chance to save the Lone Star Rail District!  The council must vote again on a resolution on Tuesday, June 25, 2013 to formally withdraw from the Lone Star District.

Out of an annual city budget near $200 million, it costs a mere $50,000 to stay in the district.  That’s a miniscule amount!

If the entire budget was represented in two $20 bills, it costs us just

1 penny to keep our options open!

 In these early stages, this money is used on the various environmental studies and other work needed to keep the rail on track. 

No property tax money will be used to fund this project, to pay for the building of the station and infrastructure—these are being funded by federal and outside sources!

But even if you don’t believe me, paying the $50,000 doesn’t mean we are locked into the Lone Star Rail District.  It simply keeps our options open.

If we get out now, we lose our voice; we lose our representation, and we lose our chance to influence how this rail is developed in our area.

Who knows the future?  Sure, many prefer cars now, but what about 20 years down the road?

Traffic on I-35 will only get worse

Gas prices will only go up

Staying in the Lone Star Rail District keeps our options open.

I urge you to contact your city council representative.  Click here to visit the Georgetown City Council website.

And if you can, come to the next council meeting on Tuesday, June 25 at 6pm.  You can ask to speak (3 minutes) or just come to show your support.  The council chambers are off the square at 7^th and Main.

Click here to visit the Lone Star Rail District website.

Ron Trimmer is pastor of Hope United, a new church in Georgetown, Texas.  Click here to visit Hope United's website.