* Ray & Kathy Robinson have lost their dream
* Those who helped build this special project have lost the result of their labor and effort
* Those who have enjoyed the magic of M&LKRR have lost the opportunity to repeat the experience
* Those who haven't had the chance to experience the special magic of M&LKRR have lost the opportunity
* Oregon has lost a very special asset

And who knows what else has been lost, but the big questions are:

The environmental conditions on Ray and Kathy's property have been improved, but I can't see a single other win or benefit from stopping this toy train. A simple toy train that brought so many people together and provided so much joy to so many.

I'd be happy for anyone to tell me of any other benefit from stopping this special project.

Starting with Lane Country and then the various State of Oregon Government agencies a lot of effort was put in by many people to cause the M&LKRR to be closed, so I want to know what has been gained.

Lane County residents, when your property taxes increase, ask your elected and appointed officials how much of YOUR MONEY they wasted they wasted stopping this special project?

* Why did Lane County pursue Ray for 16 months until he finally couldn't go on?

The elected and appointed officials of Lane County have a duty and responsibility to enforce rules and regulations to ensue the safety of the public and environmental conditions.

* Ray had shown his actions were in keeping with the intention of the laws and regulations that were used against him. This was recognized by the reduction from $3000 to $500 of the original fine levied against him. That should have been the end of it, but Lane County didn't stop, they then turned to the Building Codes Division and used "Amusement Ride" regulations to justify their actions and achieve their intentions.

Those definitions and specifications of the BCD looked as ridiculous as the environmental concerns expressed by Lane County, as publicly recognized by a qualified and licensed inspector from another state.

Why did Lane County so zealously pursue the stopping of this toy train?

Why did it take more than ten years after the start of building for Lane County to become interested in, and ultimately stop this Toy Train?

Lane County claim they didn't know about it, doesn't anyone at Lane County read the Register Guard newspaper of Eugene, Springfield and Lane County?

* March 16, 1997........Railroad Man raring to go with tiny train. (photo of train crossing creek in riparian area)
* July 23, 2002........Railroader makes dream come true.
* January 2, 2007..... A train track powered by dreams.
* Then on June 4, 2008 Editorial Danger Rail Crossing: County shouldn't get stuck on tracks.
* November 8, 2008.....All aboard a backyard railroad.

As well as the above articles and editorials in the Register Guard, the Meadows & Lake Kathleen Railroad has featured in The Statesman Journal, The Oregonian, Local TV, OPB & HGTV as well as other magazines but Lane County didn't know about the railroad!

According to Ray Robinson, the Register Guard was aware of his past from 1987 and as late as May 2008, Susan Palmer a reporter from the Register Guard did a follow up 1.5 hour interview on his felony conviction.

Why did they have to publish the article they did on 05/05/2009?

* Ray committed a terrible crime
* He admitted his guilt
* He was sentenced for his crime
* He served his time and accepted treatment
* For almost 30 years he has shown himself to be rehabilitated