In some circles, particularly those that envision weekenders taking a leisurely bike ride or stroll on the old U.S. 80 bridge at some point in time, the mentions of the three letters K, C and S is a cause to wince and howl.
This past week, the railroad stepped up to the plate commendably to further efforts in the realm of infrastructure and tourism in Vicksburg.
City and railroad officials got together and cleared some legal hurdles that should make it easier to stomach any interruption in water service. Specifically, a pact between the two parties allows contractors to lay a backup water line under rail tracks south of the intersection of Haining Road and North Washington Street.
With a right-of-way from Warren County in hand, a formality of a release from state health officials remains and the project is a go. Anyone who lives or has a business inside the city and can remember losing water service altogether for about two days in September 2006 should appreciate any alternate method of keeping the taps on in case the ground around the main line shifts again.
Separately, a holiday mainstay will be there for local children and the little tykes of those who visit Vicksburg during the holidays, again thanks to the railroad.
The six-car Kansas City Southern Holiday Express will be parked on the tracks near Levee Street and feature Santa’s sleigh, reindeer and their stable, a mini-village a gingerbread boxcar, a little red caboose and a remodeled elves’ workshop. It’s one of 21 stops the train will make in seven states. A charity run by the railroad contributes gift cards to the Salvation Army and has raised about $1 million to buy clothing and other necessary items for children.
Being a good corporate citizen can be taken in many ways, depending on whether you’re a buyer or seller. With as much rancor raised when progress is perceived to be, ahem, railroaded in any way, shape or form in Vicksburg, it’s heartening to see the government and business work together to help people and make the holiday time special — all in the same week.
Is it too much to ask that they build on this dialogue?