FORT MADISON – City Councils can pass budgets and talk about building fire stations, approve change orders, pass ordinances, set franchise fees and on and on. But every now and then they get a chance to look into the future through the eyes of a child.
Benjamin Charles Womack, a 7-year-old rail enthusiast in Fort Madison stepped up to a podium that he couldn’t even see over and told the council that the economics of the rail system is vitally important to the city, its past, and its future.
Most adults can’t step to a podium and talk to an authoritative board the way this young man, who was admittedly tired from a long day of home schooling and certainly some time at the depot, handled himself.
Chi Eastin, the director of the City’s Tourism Board, introduced “Benny” to the council.
“I met him at the tracks when we were telling one conductor good-bye on his last day and this boy wanted to come out and say good-bye. He’s a huge train fan,” Eastin said after the meeting.
“He knows everything about trains and we want to get him more involved – as much as we can. He loves railfanning here in Fort Madison and he’s been studying trains since he was three years old. He’s at the depot all the time.”
“It’s the largest rail system in the United States and that runs through Fort Madison. It’s very important,” Womack said.
“You just need to remember that.”
His words were short and poignant, beyond the vernacular of a normal 10-year-old, but this young man is clearly punching above his weight class. Nice job, Benny.
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