7 Things I Learned from Writing This Blog

This will likely be my last post on this blog. The CN acquisition of the EJ&E is done. I started this blog just over a year ago to bring attention to the EJ&E sale and how it will impact my community. I used my knowledge of internet marketing to bring traffic to this site and keep my neighbors up to date on the issue. Over the past year I learned a few things about blogging on a community issue.

1. People quickly start to see you as some kind of expert on a topic simply because you have a blog about it.

Not only have I received numerous emails through this blog, but I've been contacted by news media for comments several times over the last year. I'm not an expert. I'm a citizen who will be significantly impacted by this sale.

2. Hiding behind the veil of anonymity, it's shocking the things people will say in email.

Most of the emails I received were from people who also opposed the sale. However, some were not. I expected that. However, I did not expect a few to be vicious and even one was threatening. This is a blog. It's supposed to be opinionated. No one is forcing you to read it or agree with me. I never responded to any of those emails. I refuse to engage people who see the internet as a way to voice things they would never say in person.

3. You can't fight city hall, but you can make some noise.

I knew going into this that the chances of stopping the acquisition were slim to nonexistent, but I felt that at least we had a right to have our concerns addressed. I knew from the beginning that all the money, power and influence were in CN's corner. However, now there is no way that our government can say they didn't know how this transaction will affect these communities.

4. Sometimes you just have to speak up.

It still really floors me to have people call me a NIMBY as if it's a slam to my character. I do not see how fighting for my family's quality of life and for the safety of my children is bad. There is no one I know who would truthfully say..."go ahead, it's for the greater good, right? Make a train superhighway in my community, crash our property values, delay our ambulances and school buses, cut us off from our emergency services, as long as it's for the economic good of Chicago." I love how that "greater good" comment always comes from the guy who will make the most profit.

5. I'm not as brave as I thought I was.

I backed off on this blog when things went from a heated political discussion to threats. Even when you know that those hate emails are mostly hot air, taking a risk with your family's safety just isn't worth it.

6. I would do it all again.

I would still start a blog like this again. I would just be more careful with my identity and safety. I still believe in the power and influence of blogging.

7. SEO works.

This is a purely professional observation. SEO is search engine optimization. I used it on this blog. As of today, here are just a few of the keywords that show this blog on the first page of Google - and in the company of power sites like Reuters, Chicago Tribune and Fox.

CN and EJ&E
Canadian National acquisition
Barrington and CN

and even Canadian National trains!

The internet can be a great way for the little guy to be heard. You can level the online playing field with just a little knowledge of how internet traffic works.

And finally, one more thank you to everyone who took action to try to fight the Canadian National acquisition of the EJ&E!