Mayor appoints five for new Amtrak Committee

Committee formed after $250,000 set aside by state for east-west rail passenger system study

Brandon Cline, Managing Editor | Last updated Jul 18, 2019 7:32am0

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An Amtrak train in service. Ritzville Mayor Gary Cook recently announced the creation of an Amtrak Committee, which comes after the state set funds for a study on the feasibility of an east-west intercity passenger rail system in the 2019-21 transportation budget.

Mayor Gary Cook announced the creation of an Amtrak Committee at the Ritzville City Council meeting on July 2, which comes after the state set aside funds to study an east-west passenger rail system earlier this year.

Residents named to the committee by Cook includes himself, train enthusiast Charles Jingling, councilmember Debbie Chapman, Lind-Ritzville High School teacher Thomas Pulliam and Adams County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt. Cook said that he hopes to hold the committee's first meeting sometime in the near future.

The renewed attention comes after $250,000 was set aside in the state's $10...