TCPalm: Brightline station meeting in Stuart expected to draw large crowd, opponents

By: Lisa Broadt, Treasure Coast Newspapers

STUART — Railroad officials and city leaders say they are ready to shift the conversation about Brightline from how to stop the passenger train, to how the passenger train could benefit Stuart.

On Monday, they likely will discover whether the public is ready to make that shift with them.

A special workshop to discuss a Brightline station in Stuart is expected to draw crowds of residents, many of whom oppose the train and may be more interested in protesting the project than in talking about a local station, according to city officials.

Citizens-activist group CARE FL on Thursday sent out notices encouraging opponents to attend the workshop, according to CARE Chairman Brent Hanlon.

"This is a great opportunity to remind the leaders of Stuart we're not looking for a stop and we're not willing to bargain for one," Hanlon said Thursday. "Let your voice be heard."

City Attorney Michael Mortell earlier this week urged anyone attending the workshop to focus their public comments on stations — but acknowledged that such focus was unlikely…