I don’t live in Rockford but, I spend most of my time there because of my job and social events. I have taken a train to Chicago from the Harvard station two times in my 53 years of life. Why would you spend the kind of money they’re talking about to build a train station and all these needed track upgrades for no possible chance to recoup your taxpayers’ investment?

I don’t like the new governor for his anti-union bias and his right to work for less ideas but, investing the taxpayers’ money in something certain to cost way more than projected for four people to ride to Chicago every day is not something he should do and here’s why: We can’t afford it! Even if our state was in good financial shape.

The hope of revising an area like your trying to do needs a reason for people to visit and spend money like the sports complex ideas. My advice would have been the kayak course that was talked about at one time. Having something completely unique without any competition usually works well and imagine all kayakers worldwide flying into the airport — then the hotels, restaurants, shops and foot traffic would follow. Yes, I do know it’s on the opposite side of the river, but it could all work together.

The best train ride I can remember was at Disney World with my kids by the time it was over it must have cost me $1,000 to ride that train. Why is it I’m getting the feeling if they build this one, it will cost me more than that to NOT ride it?

— Brian Opsahl, Byron