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Jim Shaffer, Development Administrator for Kiamichi Railroad Company, appeared before the Council discussing the past railroad systems that were located in the City of Paris as two of those railroad system have sold their property, and the other one is attempting to get out of town. Mr. Shaffer advised that Paris is served by two short line railroads, they are located in Paris and Hugo, they are the Kiamichi Railroad Company, and the Chaparral Railroad Company. The Company presently serve Southeast Oklahoma and Northeast Texas with the most cost effective direct route to Dallas, and are able to provide access to most all major cities in the nation. Mr Shaffer told the Council the Company plans to clean up and rebuild the Paris switch yard, and feels this will be a major asset to the City of Paris. Mr. Shaffer said the request to close a portion of Sherman Street will improve the traffic, situation to downtown Paris. If Sherman Street is closed, they will have room to move the switch yard south, this will allow them to remove three of the four tracks crossing Bonham Street. Mr. Shaffer also told the Council if Sherman Street is not close, they will not have room to move south of Bonham Street, and will have to continue to operate the switch yard across Bonham Street. Mr. Shaffer urged the Council to take the request into consideration and to consider the welfare of the City of Paris. Thomas Steely, 3395 Clarksville St., appeared before the Council in behalf of the street closing stating that he owns property in the area of the street closing, and gave background information of railroad activity in the past. Mr. Steely said he feels this would be a good thing for the City of Paris. Richard Chamberlain, Executive Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce, appeared before the Council in favor of the Sherman Street closing stating that the City of Paris and the Chamber of Commerce has work diligently to create an Enterprise Zone in the western part of the City of Paris including this area. The reason for that was to set the stage for the development and re- development of the western part of our city. Mr. Chamberlain told the Council that they had been trying to come up with a rail service south of the City because Santa Fe has all but eliminated service. Mr. Chamberlain said we have the opportunity to serve the industries that we have, including the industrial park where a large amount of money has been place into that park. Mr. Chamberlain also said we are talking about long term benefits, and on the short term we see benefits right away, we have an eyesore that is located in the center of the city that will be taken care of, and we need a east - west arterial street (Bonham Street) from a safety and traffic standpoint. Mr. Chamberlain further stated that the feelings of the Chamber of Commerce were very strong that the switching yard should be moved further south. Mack Ross came forward telling the Council that he was speaking for himself and for Bruce Willingham owner of three newspapers in Southeast Oklahoma who was coming tonight representing a group of businessmen and Chamber of Commerce leaders across the Southern part of Oklahoma to speak in behalf of Jack Hadley and the Kiamichi Railroad, but Mr. Willingham was unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Ross gave background