HECKLING HOYER — A trio of hecklers shout while the House Majority Leader is speaking at Union Station in Utica today. Don Jeror and Connie Jones are from Rome; Peg Roberts, seated right, is from Utica (Sentinel photo by John Clifford)

ON BOARD FOR HIGH SPEED RAIL — Rep. Michael Arcuri, left, conducts House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland through Union Station in Utica today. The Democrats spoke in favor of developing high speed rail service across upstate New York. (Sentinel photo by John Clifford)

THE OPPOSITION — The Kris Stumpf family of Rome is against spending money on high speed rail and also oppose a federal health care bill. In wife Lisa's lap is son Bringham, age 2. (Sentinel photo by John Clifford)

TRAIN STATION CLASH — House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., left, waves his finger at Don Jeror of Rome as the two argue over the federal economic recovery program. The dispute erupted after a news conference this morning at Union Station in Utica. Jeror, wearing cap, was the organizer of two anti-tax "Tea Parties" earlier this year. The man at right is part of Hoyer's security detail. (Sentinel photo by John Clifford)

The development of high-speed rail from Albany to Buffalo was the announced topic, but some who turned out to hear Rep. Michael A. Arcuri and House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer in Utica this morning had a political train wreck on their minds instead.

"The people who are here protesting don’t know the facts," said Hoyer, D-Md., as he sought to talk over a chorus of boos and shouts from some in the audience. Hoyer was in the middle of comments about the economic recovery bill passed in February when he was interrupted.

"You are lying to me," asserted one person in the audience of about 50 assembled in the Union Station lobby.

"You can’t tell us anything," was another comment as Hoyer sought to list indications of an economic recovery. This person said the economy was getting worse, not better, with no stimulus taking place.

Hoyer remained non-plussed as the verbal barbs were tossed at him and returned to his anticipated message of how high-speed rail development is part of the national and local economic recovery.

At least three people in the audience came to the event with signs.

Lisa Stumpf of Rome displayed a placard that said, "It it’s not good enough for Congress, it’s not good enough for me." She said her sign referred to the fact that the proposed national health care overhaul would not apply to the House or Senate members.

"They work for us," Stumpf said before the news conference. She hoped to have an opportunity to ask questions afterward. She said Arcuri’s offices had not been responding with specifics when she made inquiries about the health care legislation. Stumpf was with her husband, Kris, and three children.

"Fort Stanwix Tea Party ‘parties’ proudly represented here today," said a sign held by Don Jeror, also of Rome. Jeror was among those shouting at Hoyer during the congressman’s remarks. He continued his argument with Hoyer after the program ended.

After the speakers, a woman approached Arcuri and apologized for the remarks of some in the audience. Acuri accepted them with a smile.

During the program, Arcuri and Hoyer had high praise for the development of high-speed rail and President Barack Obama’s support for it. The $787.2 billion economic recovery bill enacted in February dedicates $8 billion to high-speed rail.

Additionally, Arcuri and fellow upstate members of Congress secured $4.5 million for track improvements between Albany and Buffalo, including $1 million specifically in Oneida County, in legislation passed by the House of Representatives last month.

Arcuri said today a portion of the $1 million would be spent on improving signals and crossings in the county.

He said such upgrades would help cut train travel time and improve system reliability.

"You can’t always be sure of the amount of time it will take," he said of the situation that now faces passenger trains across the state. He said concern about how long the train will take to arrive is a reason why he doesn’t ride Amtrak to New York City

He said the intent of the House-approved money was to help get the rail corridor "in the best reliability shape we can."

He said a more efficient rail system will pay economic dividends locally. He likened skeptics of the anticipated benefits of high-speed rail service to those who questioned the value of constructing the Erie Canal, which he noted was started in Rome.

"It dramatically changed the little hub of Utica," he said of the impact of the canal that opened in 1825 and was referred to as "Clinton’s Big Ditch" by some critics. Dewitt Clinton was the governor who pushed for the canal.

"We’ve seen the benefits of high-speed rail in the past," he said, noting that Spain is committing $230 billion to improved rail service.

Hoyer said improved rail service moves people and goods "in a very efficient way, in particular an energy efficient way."

He noted that Arcuri has been a fan of improved rail service since he started in Congress in 2007.

"Mike Arcuri... he started from the very beginning talking about high-speed rail," Hoyer said, adding it is "so critical to the success of your region."