Founding member of railroad society fears takeover

To the Editor,

I read with interest the article “Group seeks to change SMRS board” recently in the Herald.

As a founding member of the Southern Michigan Railroad Society in 1982, and general manager of the organization from 1982-1988, I have a strong interest in the group’s well-being and continued success, even though I moved from the area long ago. When I read of the move by a group of local people headed by attorney Charles Gross trying to “take over” the SMRS board, many questions came to mind and I have fears for the future of the organization.

The statements made by Mr. Gross about the SMRS are vague and offer no indication of the intentions of his group. The purported goal is to return control of the railroad to local people. If they are successful in their “takeover,” do they intend to improve the SMRS and continue its train operations between Clinton, Tecumseh, and Raisin Center, or do they want to dismember the organization and shut it down? As Mr. Gross has yet to offer any insight into his group’s plans or make-up, it’s only possible to consider publicly-available information on Mr. Gross and his possible associates. There are questions that should be answered.

One must question whether Mr. Gross is interested in railroad preservation and the benefit a well-managed SMRS could bring to the community, or whether he is aligned with organizations or individuals who could benefit from the disappearance of the SMRS.
Mr. Gross represented Tecumseh-area developer A.J. Brown in a well-publicized lawsuit against the SMRS in 2008 regarding a crossing easement. At that time he argued that the railroad was abandoned and in the complaint that “the only use of the railroad right of way is by hobbyists who use the right of way to obstruct and limit the use of the property by fee title holders.” A settlement was eventually reached in the matter, ending the lawsuit, but not before presumably creating a significant legal bill for the non-profit SMRS.

Mr. Gross’ web site notes that beyond his legal undertakings, he is also active in real estate development, having developed “The Village at Deer Pointe” subdivision south of Clinton (and next to the SMRS rail line). The “Village” development is also linked to the Kuhlman Corporation of Toledo (Toledo Business Journal, Feb. 1, 2001). Kuhlman Corporation was also the original owner of CTE Sand and Gravel, the operator of the gravel pit located on both sides of the SMRS rail line south of Staib Road. Kuhlman’s web site notes that the operation was sold in 2007 “to allow the Company to concentrate on developing residential and commercial projects abutting the lakes which it created at the Tecumseh site.” Will those projects require access and crossings over the SMRS railroad line? If the rail line were no longer in service, interested parties could again claim abandonment and ownership of the property, as Mr. Gross did in the A.J. Brown lawsuit, to benefit their objectives. Further, would the removal of the rail line increase the potential desirability and value of the properties to be developed as well as create more developable land?

Mr. Gross’ web site also states that he is currently serving as Chairman of the River Raisin Greenways Project. The Project’s eventual goal is a trail from Adrian to Manchester. How is the trail to get from Tecumseh to Clinton? One early proposal showed the trail running along Tecumseh Clinton Road, but with an alternate route using the SMRS rail line right of way. Would the closure of the SMRS open up a convenient trail path for the Greenways Project?

Mr. Gross’ takeover group claims to have organized 180 new SMRS members. Where did so many new members come from in such a short time? How many of these new members are employees of Kuhlman or CTE? And how many are employees of other local firms with property adjoining the SMRS and crossings over the SMRS rail line, such as Michigan Pallet and Hardwoods of Michigan in Clinton? Has Mr. Gross himself ever professionally represented any or all of these firms?

On a final note, Mr. Gross has stated that he has asked for advice from Mark Dobronski, president of the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad Company. Is Mr. Dobronski experienced in historical preservation and museum management? The A&B’s murder-mystery train is more of a theatrical than a historical undertaking, and one would not think it would be in the A&B’s best interest to see a reinvigorated SMRS competing for tourist dollars by having a train excursion activity in close proximity.

The SMRS has certainly not done itself any favors in recent years. With a weak marketing campaign and web presence, a lack of volunteers leading to failing equipment and tracks and cancelled trains, and a general lack of visibility in the community, the Society has not been living up to its potential. But this is not a reason to close up shop. The potential remains. The SMRS has a historic rail line, running through beautiful surroundings between two historic towns.

With some effort and imagination, some new life could be breathed into the organization, creating a museum and tourist draw that would benefit both communities and preserve this rail line for future generations. It would be a tragedy to let the rail line be destroyed by a group of self-interested cynics.

Jeffrey Dobek
ul. Kujawska 48/33
85-031 Bydgoszcz
Poland