Ray County leaders are pushing back against a new offer regarding the Sand Pit Road and Gill Lane railroad crossings, raising concerns about liability, financial burden and fairness. As recently discussed, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) offered two options in the new proposal: close the crossings in exchange for $600,000 each or install crossing gates and lights but require the county to pay $30,000 annually to maintain them – $15,000 per crossing – indefinitely. “It looks to me like it’s gone from a bribe to extortion,” said county resident Tom Waters. “I don’t see any way the county can sign off on that.” David Wharton, a landowner with farmland near the crossings, said he was surprised the issue had resurfaced after previous assurances it had been settled. “I was disturbed when I was sent this new letter because I thought this was put to rest at the end of the year,” said Wharton. To better understand the implications, Wharton contacted Lockton Insurance Agency,…