From the Archives: Concern for hazards of trains resurfaces at commission session

March 29, 1984

by Shelley Gilbert-Allison

Marfa City Commissioners at Tuesday’s regular session were presented a 474-signature petition asking for a city ordinance to slow trains to 15 miles per hour inside the city. Vince Bruttomesso, who presented the petition, said only six of the 480 people approached since 5 p.m. Monday had refused to sign.

At least three citizens at Tuesday’s meeting said they had not yet seen the petition but would like a chance to sign. The move came in response to Sunday morning’s fatal car-train accident at the Austin Street crossing, in which Filiberto “Beto” Hernandez was killed and Delia Mata critically injured. 

Mayor Bobby Martinez also responded to the tragedy, by telephoning Southern Pacific Railroad, he reported at the meeting in an emergency item added to the agenda by Commissioner Sandra Holzheuser. SP representative A.M. Henson of Dallas has promised to attend the next regular commission meeting at 7 p.m., April 10, Martinez reported. 

Also, Henson “assured me” the railroad plans to start installing gates at all remaining unblocked crossings in town except the cemetery crossing, Martinez said, “I’m sure at their expense” and that of the Texas Highway Department. He said Henson said the work would begin in the next several “weeks or months.” Commissioners and citizens discussed at length the recurring railroad hazard and what other towns such as Alpine have done. The situation is “of great con- cern to (this) council,” Martinez said. “If you notice, (car-train wrecks) have been one every

year for the last three years, mas o menos.” 

Estimated total cost of erecting gates at the Mesa and Russell crossings was about $10,000 last year. Both those crossings had already been approved by the railroad for gates, but the work was never started. 

Also at Tuesday’s meeting: 

* New City Attorney Kenneth DeHart of Alpine was introduced to a round of applause. 

* Wanda Pierce challenged commissioners on the use of hotel-motel tax exclusively for Marfa Activity Center. She spoke on behalf of the municipal golf course, which attracts tourists but does not benefit from the tax. 

* A sole bid by Mark Wohleking of $1,625 for Lots 12 and 13, Block 5, Raetzch Addition, was accepted. No bids came in on two other city-owned properties up for bids.