Workin' on the railroad?

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Three young men said they were working for Hank Broyles and John Nock clearing what appears to be railroad right of way between Spring Street and Dickson Street west of West Avenue.

What is the flagged stake marking? Is that the edge of the railroad right of way? Are they removing vegetation from the slope, which they agree will allow erosion? How is this comparable to what happened at Aspen Ridge?

Hank Broyles, at an August 24 walking tour of Aspen Ridge with two members of the Fayetteville City Council and several members of the Town Branch Neighborhood Association, reiterated what he said back in 2004 — "I'm going to sell the railroad. People all over Fayetteville live next to the railroad."

So, does this destruction of the vegetation along the railroad just south of Dickson Street stand as evidence that Hank actually believes that people want the natural sound barrier removed and choose to live next to a railroad that is higher than their homes?

If that is the case, he gets point for consistency.

If indeed the workers are slipping over onto railroad right of way, there is a problem. Neighbors along the Town Branch have questioned whether the Aspen Ridge developers had a right to clearcut the slope of the railroad embankment.

Broyles on Aug. 24 said that "getting to talk with the railroad is difficult. I don't know what they know." Surely, he wouldn't have workers on railroad property or what appears may be railroad property if he hasn't overcome that difficulty.

One of the workers said they would be replacing the old bushes with Vinca, which comes in several varieties and is indeed excellent ground cover. However, it might have been most effective if the well-established plants rooted there had been retained.