We went in the summer to Chris Bell and other Democratic candidate's Whistlestop in Palestine regarding Perry's gutting of state park funds, including the Texas State Railroad. Dallas Morning News has another article about it from yesterday, about how Todd Staples is actually talking out two sides of his mouth about protecting it (can we just add here that Todd Staples is also behind the Trans Texas Corridor and irony of irony, is FROM Palestine!) (Here was Hank Gilbert on that day talking about Texas State Railroad and Todd Staples-Video)

Staples, the Republican from Palestine, says he's committed to protecting the railroad. "In order to chart a course for the future, I have worked with the local officials and helped establish the Texas State Railroad task force; I have assembled an advisory committee of people across the state," he said.

He also has helped sponsor fundraisers, including one scheduled for Saturday at the Palestine Depot.

That's all well and good, says Gilbert, but what about Staples' sponsorship of a resolution last year supporting the creation of the Fastrill Reservoir on the Neches River? The reservoir, which would provide water for Dallas, would also wash over part of the tracks - effectively shutting down the railroad.

....For the moment, the reservoir is on hold - but not because of any action by Staples or the Legislature. Instead, the federal government has given the initial green light for the Neches River Wildlife Refuge, and that refuge would prevent creation of the reservoir.