(The following editorial appeared on the News-Herald website on December 17.)
WILLOUGHBY, Ohio — Thousands were inconvenienced by a train derailment Oct. 10 in Painesville.
Among those least inconvenienced were motorists who found alternate ways to get around closed sections of Routes 2 and 44 or Jackson Street.
But for about 1,300 nearby homeowners, it was a much more profound blow.
They spent days with relatives, friends or in motels until officials let them return home.
But it could have been so much worse.
No one was injured when the 32 train cars derailed. Five subsequently caught fire. No homes or businesses were damaged in the incident, either.
We can attribute those facts to the fast action of safety forces throughout Lake County, as they again displayed their tremendous teamwork during a crisis.
This incident was so much different than the July 2006 flooding.
Forty-eight entities from Lake, Geauga, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula counties contributed manpower and equipment to fight the blaze and contain its impact.
We commend CSX for following through on its commitment, giving checks worth $607,599 to 48 area communities that responded in the disaster.
CSX also has paid $230,000 to businesses and individuals.
They’re willing to take responsibility for the problem, and give thanks to those who spared the area far more pain.