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May 8, 2009
Dyer: We cannot give up on SunRail

Dear Friends,

As you likely know, last week the Florida Senate failed to pass the legislation necessary to create SunRail.

Instead of working to better the future for Central Florida and our entire state, those legislators who did not support our effort chose a path of petty parochialism that will hurt all of Florida in the long run. While this is a disappointing setback, I firmly believe this is not the end for SunRail.

As we have all seen, SunRail is much more than merely a commuter rail project. SunRail is the spark that created a new sense of common purpose, cooperation and partnership between Central Florida's governments, businesses and its civic and non-profit community. Our Central Florida community came together and said in one voice that rail transit is the most important transportation priority we have as a region.

So, we cannot give up on SunRail.

This week, talks began about what additional steps can be taken to make SunRail happen. We are engaging continued help from our supporters on the state and federal level. We are evaluating all possible opportunities and we hope to have some viable options and strategies ready to go in the very near future. Rest assured, we need your help and energy as we work towards another means to ensure SunRail's creation.

I want to recognize the effort of a number of individuals, in particular. Governor Charlie Crist, Senator Lee Constantine, Senator Andy Gardiner, Representative Dean Cannon, the members of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission and President of the Central Florida Partnership Jacob Stuart should be commended for their vision and leadership.

Even though we have suffered a setback, I believe that the spirit of cooperation that made the SunRail effort possible in the first place will be a mechanism for other positive change and future successes.

I look forward to a time when we recall the events of last week in the Florida Senate, not with frustration, but with pride because we were unwilling to accept defeat for SunRail and our vision for a better, brighter future for Florida.

Sincerely,

Buddy Dyer, Mayor
City of Orlando