Fairfield Quiet Zone
Progress and Updates
 REMINDER-THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN MANY OF US MAKE CHARITABLE DONATIONS, AND BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES BUY HOLIDAY PRESENTS FOR FAMILY AND EMPLOYEES.  A QZ TROPICAL RAFFLE TICKET IS A GREAT PRESENT!  WE HAVE ALREADY SOLD SEVERAL BLOCKS OF TICKETS AS PRESENTS.  PLEASE KEEP THIS IN MIND AS YOU DO YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING.

REMINDER OF THE MANY WAYS YOU CAN PURCHASE QZ RAFFLE TICKETS:
 
  1. Send your check to PO Box 2302, Fairfield, IA, 52556.  Checks should be made out to ALF Quiet Zone.  Make sure and include your name, address, and phone number.  A stamped, self-addressed envelope is a nice touch and another way of supporting the raffle, but is not required.
  2. To buy with a credit card, please call 1-800-507-1882.  Operators will be standing by 24/7 to take your order.  Sorry, but even if you call right now, you only get one raffle ticket for $50, and we won't be including any valuable extra gifts!
  3. Visit any one of our stalwart local merchants who are selling tickets, including Revelations, Thymely Solutions, and Small Planet Restaurant and Bakery.   

    The latest news is that we believe that the Fairfield City Council will likely support a quiet zone as long as the money to pay for it comes from private sources.  That means us!!  We still hope that the City Council will be willing to use some funds from closing some of our existing RR crossings towards the project, but we are not counting on this.  However it turns out, we will not to be discouraged or deterred from having a quiet zone just because we have to raise more money.

    TROPICAL RAFFLE STARTS TODAY-to raise additional money and have some fun too, we have decided to have a great raffle.  This is supported by over 100 merchants and features 2 grand prizes, 6 second place prizes, and 145 other prizes.  Almost every one can win something of value. We will also have a prize exchange at the drawing event party, which will be held on Sat. Mar. 1, 2008 to help you get what you want.

    Based on our current list of supporters we all, and  I do mean all of us, need to help a bit. We each need to buy or help sell only four tickets. Tickets are $50 each. If for some reason you can not afford this please request your Microsoft Settlement money and maybe win a trip to Cancun or Maui. We thank so many people for their support and contribution but now we need everyone to chip in. Please email Ira Roffel at Ira@lisco.com if you can be on the raffle committee to help sell tickets.  Selling tickets is a very direct way to help the cause.

    We will be selling tickets at the ArtWalk tonight in front of Small Planet Restaurant and Bakery.  You can also get tickets by sending a letter and check to ALF Ff. Train Safety & Quiet Zone, Box 2302, Fairfield Iowa 52556.  We will send you your tickets.  You can see all the prizes and the merchants that have donated them below.  Thanks as always for your support. 

    Regards,  Bill Blackmore  

    Quiet Zone Raffle (click to see the latest prize list)

    QUIET ZONE TROPICAL RAFFLE KICKOFF WILL BE FRIDAY NOV. 9TH AT 8 P.M. AT THE OLD ARMORY.  TOM MORGAN AND HIS NEW BAND WALKIN’ SHOES WILL ENTERTAIN.  FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE!  RAFFLE TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE.  A REMINDER EMAIL WILL GO OUT LATER THIS WEEK.  TELL YOUR FRIENDS PLEASE. 

Dear Quiet Zone Supporter,

Nov 4, 2007: Please vote for these candidates if you want a Quiet Zone.  Note the change in our recommendation for the 4th Ward:

We have a very important election coming up for the Quiet Zone project. All of us need to vote to let the City Council know that there is broad based support for safer and quieter railroad crossings.

 

The good news is that we have come a long ways.  The majority of current City Council members and the vast majority of the candidates support a Quiet Zone.

 

However, amongst the candidates only Ira Roffel for 3rd ward and Christy Welty for the at large seat want to use any of the money from the closing of RR crossings to help pay for the $250,000 of improvements. Here are our recommendations and acknowledgement of support:

 

3rd Ward: Ira Roffel, the candidate for the 3rd Ward, has been instrumental in getting us this far. The 3rd ward is west of 4th street and north of hwy 34 but also includes Suburban Heights.  STRONG RECOMMENDATION!

 

At Large: Christy Welty for the at large seat has been a consistent supporter of the quiet zone and favors using money from closing crossings towards the cost of the quiet zone.  All registered voters can vote for the at large seat.  STRONG RECOMMENDATION!

 

4TH Ward:  Based on the candidate forum earlier this week, all of the candidates support the quiet zone.  However, we believe that Karen Rubey is the most viable candidate and deserves our support for the 4th Ward seat.

 

5th Ward:  Martha Norbeck for the 4th ward is strong supporter of the quiet zone and favors using money from closing crossings towards the cost of the quiet zone.  STRONG RECOMMENDATION!  (We want to acknowledge the hard work that current City Council member Daryn Hamilton has done to really nail down what we need to have a quiet zone.  Daryn is running unopposed.)

 

Mayor: Ed Malloy.  We want to thank Mayor Malloy for artfully framing the quiet zone debate and for his wisdom and guidance in getting us to the point where a quiet zone is now largely dependent on us raising the money to pay for it.  Ed is also running unopposed.

 

Thanks are also due to Connie Boyer for her service to the community and support of the quiet zone.  Connie is not running for reelection.

 

The quiet zone is not the only issue at stake here.  The important thing is that everyone turns out to vote.  However, remember that the message sent by this election will help the quiet zone to become a reality in the very near future.  Please remember to forward this message to friends and family. 

 

Regards, Bill Blackmore    

 

The important thing is that everyone turns out to vote.  Remember that the message sent by this election will help the quiet zone to become a reality in the very near future.  Please remember to forward this message to friends and family.

 

Candidate

Ward

Ward Locations

Ira Roffel

3rd Ward

West of 4th St. Including Suburban Heights and behind Econofoods

Christy Welty

at Large

everyone

Martha Norbeck

4th ward

includes the downtown area and near east side, north to the RR tracks

Ed Malloy

Mayor

Everyone-even though Mayor Malloy is running unopposed, he deserves your support and vote!

 

As we announced at the QZ raffle kickoff at the Old Armory, we will be having a series of events to raise both money and awareness of the QZ project.  The next in this series of events, and the last of this year, will be a concert at Revelations this Sat. Nov. 24th at Revelations.  The event will feature the acoustic music of the Gitano Trio, and guest vocalist Ira Goldberg. Raffle tickets will be available at the event.  Admission is free with the purchase of a raffle ticket at the door.  Suggested donation is $4.99 if you are not buying a ticket on the spot.

 
We hope to see lots of quiet zone supporters and music lovers at Revelations this Sat. at 8 p.m.  Don't miss the debut performance of the Gitano Trio, which will feature guitarist extraordinaire John Lake of Iowa City.  
 

To all quiet zone supporters and music lovers,

 
Everyone is invited to our official quiet zone raffle kickoff this Friday night (as in tomorrow) at 8 p.m. at the Old Armory, located at 122 E. Broadway, just east of the Fairfield Ledger's offices.  Although this event is designed to kickoff our Tropical Raffle for the Quiet Zone, and tickets will be available at the event, the main focus is to hear some good music and have some fun!  So you can save you $ for raffle tickets, the event is free of charge.  Here is what you can expect:
 
GUITARIST TOM MORGAN AND HIS BRAND NEW BAND “WALKIN’ SHOES”,  composed of Tom, David Carlisle, Robert Reeder, and George Foster.  This is Walkin' Shoes debut performance, so don't miss it!   

 

JAZZ VOCALIST IRA GOLDBERG ACCOMPANIED BY YOURS TRULY ON THE DOUBLE BASS

    

VIOLINIST LEE ANNE BLACKMORE, ACCOMPANIED BY HER DAD, PLAYING GYPSY JAZZ IN THE STYLE OF STEPHANE GRAPPELLI

 

Not to mention all around good company for a great cause!  Please tell your friends and neighbors so we get a great turnout.  See you there!

 

We have all been disturbed by loud train whistles.  Train traffic and noise are expected to increase over the next few years. Train noise disturbs us at work, at home, while talking on the phone, and even at church.  Just as court proceedings are interrupted in the Jefferson County Court House, train noise will also impact indoor and outdoor events at our new Fairfield Arts and Convention Center.  There is some documentation that over time this continuous loud noise may be harmful to our hearing.

 

Thank you for your support and inspiration. We have formed a non- profit vehicle under the Accelerated Learning Foundation “Train Safety and Quiet Zone” which you can still join, to achieve safer and quieter railroad crossings by Dec. 2007. To begin we need to raise between $50,000 and $60,000, by May 30, 2007. This is about half of what the required improvements will cost. Then we will appear before the Fairfield City Council with the initial funds in hand, letters of support from civic groups, and additional scientific document.

 

QUIET ZONE TROPICAL RAFFLE KICKOFF WILL BE FRIDAY NOV. 9TH AT 8 P.M. AT THE OLD ARMORY.  TOM MORGAN AND HIS NEW BAND WALKIN’ SHOES WILL ENTERTAIN.  FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYONE!  RAFFLE TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE.  A REMINDER EMAIL WILL GO OUT LATER THIS WEEK.  TELL YOUR FRIENDS PLEASE. 
 

August 23, 2007

Dear Train Safety and Quiet Zone Supporters,

There was an article a recent USA Today that states that there are now 339 existing or proposed quiet zones consisting of 2,912 crossings, according to the the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). FRA officials get calls daily from communities interested in creating quiet zones. BNSF Railway reports it has had "a couple hundred inquiries" from 28 states. So you can see we are not alone and Fairfield is part of this national concern. You can read this article at http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-08-19-quiet-zones_N.htm or at http://www.fairfieldquietzone.org/.

We are about to embark on a final push to raise the rest of the money we need to fund our quiet zone.  WE NEED HELP!  Right now 2 of us are doing everything, and although we have a few volunteers, we need a LOT more help if we are going to get across the finish line.  Please let's don't let this opportunity slip through our fingers for lack of effort!  Now is the time.  Let me know when and how much you can help.   

We are in the home stretch of resolving all the technical and political issues to get a quiet zone. As these issues get resolved we must be ready with the funds as there are still a few skeptical council members. So please send in your contributions.  I encourage everyone to take advantage of the money available through Microsoft reimbursements whether or not you have already contributed.

Everyone can donate $100 to $200 without spending any of their own money!  You are entitled to a cash reimbursement from a class action lawsuit that has already been settled by the State of Iowa and Microsoft for overpayments for software.  If have any of the listed programs (Windows, MS Dos, Office, Excel, Word, Works Suite, Home Essentials) you may request a payment.  If you fill out a simple form, it will take just 5 minutes. I did it myself and it is easy. Refunds will be sent starting in December 2007 for each program listed on every computer.  If you are able to make an immediate cash contribution in the amount you will receive from Microsoft, that would be the best for the quiet zone.  However, if you need to wait until you get your check, please apply according to the instructions below, and then advise us of the amount as a pledge.  Please also ask your family and friends to do this too.  It is a small effort for a big reward.  If you work for a company that has lots of computers, please also ask the owners if they would apply for this reimbursement and contribute the proceeds to the quiet zone. 

Reimbursement Schedule

Product Name

Code

Reimbursement Amount

Windows or MS-DOS

A

$16

Office

B

$29

Excel

C

$25

Word, Works, Suite, Home essentials

D

$10

Total Potential Amount Per Computer

 

$110

1) The forms are easy request a form at  https://iowamicrosoftcase.com/secure/RequestClaimForm.aspx?ClaimType=S   you can claim up to $200 with no proof of purchase and no product Id numbers. For claims more than $200 you should review the instructions on the site. 

2) If you apply online at https://iowamicrosoftcase.com/secure/FileClaimOnline.aspx   You can claim up to $100 with no proof of purchase and no product IDs, and an additional $100 if you have the Product ID Numbers (follow the instructions carefully).  

If you have any questions on how to make this claim call 1-877-477-0960.

Please send us your Microsoft claim amount ASAP by check, or if you need to assign your check, once you receive it, to A.L.F. Fairfield Train Safety and Quiet Zone, Box 2302, Fairfield, IA 52556. Thanks for taking advantage of this opportunity to help fund a quiet zone.  If you are waiting for your check please make an email pledge so we know what we can count on. 

Thanks for all you help and support.  Regards,  Bill Blackmore

 

July 23, 2007

Volunteers needed for ArtWalk and Farmer's Market

Dear Quiet Zonies,
 
Many of you have suggested that we have booths at various local events such as ArtWalk, Live on the Square concerts, and Farmer's Market.  We would like to do this at the August and September ArtWalks, every other Farmer's Market on Saturday, and perhaps the last 2 Live on the Square concerts. 
 
The dates we need to fill for ArtWalk are Friday Aug. 3 and Sept. 7.  We'd like to have a booth at the Farmer's Market any Sat. that we have volunteers, although I have to work this out with the person that runs the events.
 
Live on the Square concerts are Saturday Aug. 4th and Sept. 8th. 
 
If you would be interested in staffing a table at any of these events, please let me know the date you are available.  I will provide you with brochures and a cheat sheet for questions you are likely to field.  We'll also keep a notebook to write down questions that you might not have answers to, and will email responses after the event. 
 
Thanks in advance for your support and help.  Regards,  Bill Blackmore 


 

July 13, 2007

Dear Quiet Zonies (as we will forever be known),

The big news is that things seem to be going very well.  I want to thank all of you because it is your support that has brought us to the brink of success.  Even though there is a lot more to do we are rapidly moving towards getting a quiet zone!

       1)     There was a meeting on June 26th that involved the engineers for the City, the railroad, the special committee of the City Council that is working on the quiet zone, and the Iowa DOT.  It seems from this initial crossing by crossing review that every street can meet the requirements for adding raised medians.  These medians are necessary to make the crossings safer so the trains do not need to honk their horns.

2)     French Reneker (the company that does street engineering for Fairfield) is updating some earlier estimates they made which will then be further refined by the special committee for presentation to City Council.  We hope to see this happen in August. 

3)     Our goal is to then see the City Council vote to approve the project subject to finalizing costs and sources of funding. 

4)     What we need to do is have the money ready to deliver to the city for the necessary improvements.

5)     Current estimates indicate the the total cost will be around $180,000.  This is a bit more than we expected but is still eminently doable. This increase was due to the need to widen some streets and to make the improvements permanent and maintenance free. 

6)     We believe that the special quiet zone committee will recommend that the City use the $30,000 to $60,000 it will receive from the railroad for closing two crossings to help pay for the quiet zone.

7)     So for now the goal is the same as we have been projecting--we need to raise about $120,000 as we initially estimated we would need.

8)     We have already raised the first bench mark of around $60,000 which was the impetus for the city to take this issue seriously.

Now we need to ask everyone to turn in your pledges and all of you who haven’t yet given to please donate. If everyone on our list now of almost 500 people would just give $100 and also ask friends and neighbors to help and contribute, we can have a quiet zone. Now is the time to finalize the funding before the August City Council meeting so there can be no excuse not to do this simple thing to make our town a much better place to live (and sleep!).  Send your tax deductible contributions to A.L.F. Fairfield Train Safety and Quiet Zone, Box 2302, Fairfield, IA 52556.

We'll send an email to let you know when we need everyone to turn out and show their support for the quiet zone. Thank you all for your financial and personal support and all your ideas and suggestions.  We are close, so let's make it happen.  

Regards, Bill Blackmore 

June 3, 2007

Dear Friends of the Quiet Zone,

The special committee of the Fairfield City Council that was appointed by Mayor Malloy to research a quiet zone

met last week for the first time. I was impressed with the level of detail, professional approach, and commitment the committee has in creating a quiet zone for Fairfield. Everyone can feel comfortable that this matter is in capable hands for this stage

of the project. I believe we are well on our way to fulfilling our goals. Many creative and sound ideas

were brought up and the committee has now taken the important step to set up a meeting with representatives of the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration), local and regional officials of the railroad, and our city engineers to review solutions to each crossing.  

What continues to impress the committee and inspire them is the community support. We raised

another $5,000 in the last few weeks so we need to keep it coming.  If you have not yet made a tax deductible contribution to the cause,

see below for the details on how to do so.  If you have already donated, you are allowed to make subsequent contributions!  We have a number of donors who have made multiple contributions already. 

Thanks

 Bill Blackmore 

May 17, 2007

Dear Friends,

We had another very successful meeting with the full City Council this last Monday night.  It seems that the idea of self funding the project has really sunk in and changed a lot of minds. Mayor Malloy appointed a three member ad hoc committee consisting of John Revolinski, Christy Welty, and Daryn Hamilton to research and report back on all the details of having a quiet zone.  Our feeling is that if the necessary improvements can be made and the cost is within our reach we will have a quiet zone very soon.  Ed Malloy's comments were very supportive and it seems that many City Council members are leaning in favor of having a quiet zone.  I am confident this will lead to success in the near future.

The one point that underlies this success is having the funds to do it.  First I want to acknowledge and thank those who have pledged and contributed so generously and then ask the rest of the community to now join us in support with a  tax deductible contribution.  We have about 500 people on our quiet train email list. We have received pledges and contributions from about 175 people. That means there are over 300 people who are still planning or waiting to contribute.  If each of the remaining 300+ would give $150 that would give us the money we need to reach $120,000, which is our estimated cost.  A number of people have now made multiple donations to the cause.  Anyone else who could add to their contribution would also make a big difference.

We need to finish our fund raising ASAP or the project may not go forward.  The cost of a quiet zone is a drop in the bucket compared to the six million we are spending on our new Fairfield Arts and Convention Center, and peace mind and quieter nights are priceless.

Thanks Again Bill 

                                                     Now it is up to all of you!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Send tax deductible contributions to
AFL-FF Train Safety &Quiet Zone
PO Box 2302 Fairfield Iowa 52556
 Bill Blackmore 919-1118
www.fairfieldquietzone.org

May 10th update

Dear Friends,

 

The most important things we can all do:

1)     For those who are planning to contribute but haven’t had a chance please send in your contributions and an email letting me know.

2)     Ask more of your neighbors to be on our email list ASAP

3)     Attend the meeting and politely show support

 

At the meeting we can say we raised even more money and have more supporters since the last meeting.

 

Thanks to everyone for all you help and support

 

Bill

 

Send tax deductible Contributions to

AFL-FF Train Safety &Quiet Zone

PO Box 2302 Fairfield Iowa 52556

Bill Blackmore 919-1118

www.fairfieldQuietZone.com

 

May 6, 2007 Update

Dear Friend &Supporters, 

The Fairfield City Council Safety Committee voted 2 to1 in favor of a very strong and positive resolution to immediately form an Ad Hoc Committee to consolidate and verify the necessary information and steps to create a Quiet Zone for Fairfield. The resolution will be will be presented to the full City Council on Monday May 14th.  We will need people to be at that meeting as well as there are some on the council who are not yet fully supporting the project.

Congratulations-with your help we have raised about $60,000 to help fund the improvements for a Quiet Zone. This was an important benchmark.  Right afterwards we held our first very successful formal meeting last weekend with the Fairfield City Council Safety Committee at City Hall. Over100 people who attended the meeting were all in support of a quiet Zone.  The attendance and contributions made were instrumental in achieving our first step, meeting our April goals and getting this resolution on the floor and passed. 

FYI-what is still needed are tighter estimates of the final cost of the project and engineering challenges, and an updated crossing by crossing analysis.  We are told that later there will be public hearings on how each crossing will be affected by a quiet zone. This committee would be made of both members of the community and interested members of the City Council. 

We have made a great leap forward to have a Fairfield Quiet Zone no later than New Year's Eve 2007. Yet we still have to do more to begin raising the second half of the cost, estimated to be about an additional $50,000 to $60,000 more, and receive those generous pledges that have been made. This was a huge step forward so please continue to contribute. The closer we get to the estimated cost, of $120000 for the improvement the stronger our chances are for success.

Make Tax Deductible Contributions to ALF-Fairfield Train Safety & Quiet Zone,
PO Box 2302, Fairfield, Iowa 52556
 www.fairfieldquietzone.org  Bill Blackmore qt@natel.net.  919-1118

Thanks

Bill

Special Safety Committee Meeting
Saturday April 28th at 2:30 p.m.
Fairfield City Hall 112 South Main Street

Motion to Proceed Was Approved at Standing Room Only Meeting!

Dear Friends of the Fairfield Train Safety and Quiet Zone,

Thank You!  We had a great response from our last email request and have doubled our contributions to $21,000 in receipts and about $22,000 in pledges.  We received our largest single donation yet of $2,700. We have now raised a total of about $43,000 not yet considering our special benefactors. This is great and we continue to receive contributions every day.  In fact opening all the letters, logging the contributions, and sending out email thank yous is taking lots of time. 

However we still need more individuals to contribute, especially before the end of the month before our first Fairfield City Council Public Safety Committee meeting.  Our private benefactors were impressed with our results and your response and have pledged to help with large contributions. Yet they feel even more community support is needed as we received contributions from only about 150 out of the almost 500 on the email list, and the fact that at least 5,000 people have been contacted through our flyer, many of them twice.  Knowing that we are so close to our first benchmark, if you are planning to give please send something this week to (Tax deductible contribution) ALF-Fairfield Train Safety & Quiet Zone, PO Box 2302, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

The first public meeting with the City Council Safety Committee is scheduled for Sat. April 28th at 2:30 p.m. at City Hall.  This is an important meeting as we need the committee to recommend to the full City Council to act on this issue to end loud train horn noise.  The committee's recommendation will hold a lot of weight. So please plan to attend this meeting as a physical show of support that will add to all of the work that has been accomplished thus far. Right now we feel that 2 of the 3 committee members are in support of the Quiet Zone and it would be great to have unanimous support going to the next level.

 
Photos from the historic meeting on April 28, 2007

But we still need to raise more money!  If you are suddenly seized with the desire to make a donation, send it to:

ALF-Fairfield Train Safety & Quiet Zone, PO Box 2302, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

 For more info call or email Bill Blackmore qt@natel.net.  919-1118

www.fairfieldquietzone.org

 

 

I hope we can get this project done by the time the Arts and Convention Center opens officially in early 2008.  As a community we raised millions for the FACC.  We should be able to raise the necessary money for a quiet zone in the next 6 months.  Thanks and have a great 2007.  Regards,  Bill Blackmore