Carteret, N.J. becomes 49th community to question remote safety
CLEVELAND, February 19 -- The Borough of Carteret, N.J., became the 49th U.S. community to pass a remote control safety resolution. The Carteret Council unanimously passed the resolution on February 5.
The effort to pass the resolution was spearheaded by Ray Enriquez, Legislative Representative of BLET Division 660 (Los Angeles), members of the California State Legislative Board and members of the New Jersey State Legislative Board.
In late January, the New Jersey Board was contacted by Brother Enriquez to advise that a resolution was going to be presented to the Carteret Council by Council President Ron Rios. Brother Enriquez, a member of the California State Legislative Board, works at the George Meany Center as a hazmat peer trainer. Council President Rios, a former peer trainer at the Meany Center, is a carman by trade and a member of the TCU.
"I am very proud of the coordinated efforts between members of the New Jersey State Legislative Board and the California State Legislative Board, which resulted in the passage of the Carteret resolution," California State Legislative Board Chairman Tim Smith said. "It is through coordinated efforts such as this one that we accomplish many things. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all those who have been involved in this new resolution."
New Jersey State Legislative Board Chairman Ken Michel also thanked those involved in the passage of the resolution.
"I would like to thank Brother Enriquez and Ron Rios for their commitment to the safety of the citizens of New Jersey and the Borough of Carteret," said Chairman Michel.
Council President Rios said that the resolution would help to keep the borough safe.
"I feel compelled that we as a community cannot take safety for granted," said Rios. "I proposed this resolution to the Mayor and Borough Council not to be reactive but proactive. Remote control locomotives should not and cannot be used in our town."
Brother Enriquez thanked Brother Michel for his assistance in getting the resolution adopted.
“Ken Michel provided me with documents that were really beneficial,” Enriquez said. “He provided me letters from Senator Jon S. Corzine and Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo that support our position on the remote control issue.”
In addition to Carteret, 34 U.S. cities have adopted similar resolutions: Baton Rouge, La.; Detroit, Mich.; Shreveport, La.; Marysville, Mich.; Boston, Mass.; Cleveland, Ohio; Pine Bluff, Ark.; North Little Rock, Ark.; Beardstown, Ill.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Woodbridge, N.J.; Maple Heights, Ohio; Alliance, Neb.; Evansville, Ind.; Dupo, Ill.; Durand, Mich; Flat Rock, Mich.; Woodhaven, Mich; Flint, Mich.; Sparks, Nev.; Commerce, Calif.; Clinton, Iowa; Montebello, Calif.; Saginaw, Mich.; Mankato, Minn.; Wamac, Ill.; St. Louis, Mo.; River Rouge, Mich.; Melvindale, Mich.; Redford Township, Mich.; Irvington, Ill.; Berwyn, Ill.; Allen Park, Mich.; and Central City, Ill.
Also, 14 counties have passed similar remote control resolutions. They are: Douglas County, Wisc.; West Baton Rouge Parish, La.; Point Coupee Parish, La.; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Huron County, Ohio; Erie County, Ohio; Whitley County, Ky.; Unicoi County, Tenn.; Contra Costa County, Calif.; Knox County, Tenn.; Clinton, County, Iowa; Harris County, Texas; Roanoke County, Va.; and Greenup County, Ky.
A PDF of the Carteret resolution is available at: http://www.ble.org/pr/pdf/carteretresolution.pdf
Thursday, February 19, 2004
bentley@ble.org
