IRON MOUNTAIN — A Cheboygan man who wants to bring passenger train service to the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula is asking Dickinson County for a resolution of support, although it’s still merely a citizen’s idea.

According to a July 18 WCMU report, Louis Vallance isn’t working on behalf of any organization as he lobbies local governments across the state as a concerned citizen. He has been meeting with officials from various counties in hopes they’ll support his plan.

“I urge Dickinson County to pass a resolution,” he told Dickinson commissioners via Zoom during a county board meeting Monday.

The WCMU story notes that Vallance hopes to eventually take a plan to the Michigan Department of Transportation. “We need pretty much all counties to support it,” he said Monday.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, is looking at expanding Amtrak’s passenger rail service, including a potential route from Milwaukee to Green Bay. Supporters of the proposal have pointed to economic, environmental and recreational advantages.

The viability of passenger rail service in the U.P. is not a part of that study.

The Dickinson board took no immediate action on Vallance’s request.

In other action, the board:

— Heard Dickinson County Fair Board Chairman Chuck Parker report “a little bit above-average year” for the Aug. 28 through Sept. 1 fair. He thanked the county and its road commission for support and noted “beautiful weather” throughout the event. Overall, the number of steers and pigs were up for the market livestock show. Smaller animal displays were down slightly, he said.

— Learned from Sheriff Aaron Rochon there were no major law enforcement issues during the fair, and that overall it “went awesome.”

— Received a report from Treasurer Lorna Carey on 2023 property foreclosure sales. In all, seven parcels were sold at public foreclosure sales, none of which went to governmental agencies under right of first refusal. The total amount paid for the properties was $207,350.

———

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.