During my drive home yesterday I was listening to Michael Berry on the radio and low and behold, King Ricardo, I won with 39%, Perry was on. He talked about a couple of subjects but he did make some comments about the Corridor. Now, I won't get into all the details of his comments but there is one part that interests me the most. Here is the actual text of what he said. Apologize for the lack of paragraph and punctuation.
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"There are some that don’t want a build a road anywhere in the State of Texas. I mean, there have always been those who stood up and said, I'm sorry, I don't want you to build a road through our neighborhood for whatever reason. But the fact is, if we're gonna have progress in this state, if we're gonna handle these 1500 people that call Texas home every day, that's what our population grows every day, you gotta build roads, you gotta do it thoughtfully. When you have only three choices, raise the gas tax about a dollar, that's how much it would cost to raise the funds to build the needed infrastructure we have in the state, and c'mon, nobody's gonna vote to raise the gas tax, we can't get people to to raise the gas tax a nickel much less a dollar. Uh, wait for Washington DC to send us the money to build our roads. Well everybody that thinks that's gonna happen, stand up and hold your hand up…that's correct, Washington is not gonna save our fat out of the fire here. So the third option is to build roads private public partnerships allow for consortiums in a public bidding process to build the roads and let them recoup those with tolls. Always having the option of a non-toll road available for somebody that says…I ain't paying a toll. Those options will always be there. So, those that are against the Trans Texas Corridor. I'll be real honest with you, I think they are motivated by something other than reality, or they're motivated by some political reason, or they're just again'ers and they don't want to see progress happen in the state. "
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Note the lines highlighted in red. Well, excuse me governor, but my motivation is to have resources meant to relieve traffic congestion go towards relieving traffic congestion where its a problem...here in Houston. Not in Sealy.
The folks that are complaining about the corridor from rural Texas are truly concerned about the impact this will have on not only those directly in its path but those in the vicinity whose quality of life will be dramatically impacted by what can only be called a superhighway.
The Texas House and Senate both voted almost unanimously multiple times for multiple bills in opposition to your plan and were it not for the lateness of the session and you're threat from the throne of a veto we might have stopped this thing once in for all.
Almost every county government that is aware of the road or has residents in its path has voiced opposition to the plan or passed resolutions in opposition.
I'm not sure who you were referring to when you spoke about opponents and their motives but I can assure you, Rick, these people are not the types who will search out any cause. They have real concerns and it is very clear by your ARROGANT attitude, exhibited on not just this but many other issues, that you are unconcerned with them and their issues, or the real needs of any other average Texan for that matter.
People are opposed to this plan mostly because it has advanced this far despite overwhelming public outcry against it. It was conceived by a select few individuals for the benefit of a select few individuals and the people of Texas are fed up with your self serving, heavy handed style of governance. It was not done thoughtfully, as you suggest with your comments, and has been rammed down our throats from the get go. The next legislative session will see fireworks regarding the corridor...I can guarantee you that.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Hearing Observation....Built based on Need?
One of the themes I heard at the public hearings was the concept of building the road based on the needs for certain segments. As much as I heard that concept/phrase thrown around I'd have to assume that it is the default answer to someone who is likely going to lose their land to the road. "Don't worry Mr. and Mrs. X, your family farm is safe until we determine a need exists....who knows how long that could be..." Message to TXDOT...When you're talking to a landowner who has owned his property for generations 50 years from now is no better answer then tomorrow when he's asking how long it will be before you take his land.
click for more on build based on need...
The phrase 'built based on need' really bothers me. I realize the official definition of need would be something along the lines of serving the transportation needs of the area. However, I suspect that if you get a private developer involved with billions of dollars at stake you could probably safely assume that need would be stretched to include need to turn a profit and not just public transportation needs.
The first person I visited with was explaining the maps to an older couple who are in the Preferred Corridor Alternative, the orange swath on the map. He explained that the orange was merely a study area and that there were no definite plans to build a road there yet...it was just a narrowed down study area. Well, we've heard that line before. This couple was in the path of one of the corridor connectors that is envisioned to connect the corridor to the Houston port from the Southwest. The TXDOT rep explained that road segments would be built based on need. In all likelihood, the connector into Houston and the ports would not be needed immediately. This stuck me as odd. A stated purpose of the corridor is the efficient movement of GOODS. Don't goods come from the ports? So wouldn't we then assume that a connection into a port would be a must if you were to make any part of the road profitable/useful? Was this guy being dishonest or just not thinking? Could be either with TXDOT.
The older couple then stepped back and it was my turn. I was determined to push the "built based on need" concept. My question...."Since you just said that segments of the corridor would be built based on need and the entire preferred corridor alternative lies outside of existing roadways would we assume that if segment X is built, let's just say the loop around Houston, but the adjacent segments were not that you'd need a connection to existing interstates?" The answer came back as a yes. I then asked where the study considered those potential connections. There were no orange paths from the preferred alternative routes to the existing roadways. He explained that those connections, if they went through new areas would be studied and then presented to the public. So, one would assume that the overall project would slow down to allow the appropriate amount of time for study and public involvement of these new areas. Well, the response from TXDOT was that it would probably not slow down the project and, while they'd be studied, the timeline would be compressed to fit the overall project schedule.
I'd argue that there is no need for the entire plan, as its proposed today. How bout that for built based on need.
The first person I visited with was explaining the maps to an older couple who are in the Preferred Corridor Alternative, the orange swath on the map. He explained that the orange was merely a study area and that there were no definite plans to build a road there yet...it was just a narrowed down study area. Well, we've heard that line before. This couple was in the path of one of the corridor connectors that is envisioned to connect the corridor to the Houston port from the Southwest. The TXDOT rep explained that road segments would be built based on need. In all likelihood, the connector into Houston and the ports would not be needed immediately. This stuck me as odd. A stated purpose of the corridor is the efficient movement of GOODS. Don't goods come from the ports? So wouldn't we then assume that a connection into a port would be a must if you were to make any part of the road profitable/useful? Was this guy being dishonest or just not thinking? Could be either with TXDOT.
The older couple then stepped back and it was my turn. I was determined to push the "built based on need" concept. My question...."Since you just said that segments of the corridor would be built based on need and the entire preferred corridor alternative lies outside of existing roadways would we assume that if segment X is built, let's just say the loop around Houston, but the adjacent segments were not that you'd need a connection to existing interstates?" The answer came back as a yes. I then asked where the study considered those potential connections. There were no orange paths from the preferred alternative routes to the existing roadways. He explained that those connections, if they went through new areas would be studied and then presented to the public. So, one would assume that the overall project would slow down to allow the appropriate amount of time for study and public involvement of these new areas. Well, the response from TXDOT was that it would probably not slow down the project and, while they'd be studied, the timeline would be compressed to fit the overall project schedule.
I'd argue that there is no need for the entire plan, as its proposed today. How bout that for built based on need.
click to collapse...
Public Hearings...General Experience
I attended the TTC-69 public hearing in Rosenberg. The public hearing process went as expected. Not a single person spoke in favor of the project. Everyone brought up valid points why the project was a bad idea. Did it help? Well, I'd like to think so but other things I heard at the meeting lead me to believe maybe not.
I showed up early so I'd have some time at the open house to visit with TXDOT and discuss the project. My general observation is that either the TXDOT folks don't know about their own project or they play dumb. Not sure which it is yet.
My general experience after speaking to TXDOT was one of receiving varying answers to the same question from different TXDOT people. I started talking about the "toll" aspect of the road with one rep who was adamantly against assuming this was going to be a toll road. After agreeing to disagree, he referred me to another rep standing next to him who then told me that, while officially it was still being considered as a free road, he was 99.99% sure that it would be tolled.
I'll post other observations in subsequent postings...stay tuned.
I showed up early so I'd have some time at the open house to visit with TXDOT and discuss the project. My general observation is that either the TXDOT folks don't know about their own project or they play dumb. Not sure which it is yet.
My general experience after speaking to TXDOT was one of receiving varying answers to the same question from different TXDOT people. I started talking about the "toll" aspect of the road with one rep who was adamantly against assuming this was going to be a toll road. After agreeing to disagree, he referred me to another rep standing next to him who then told me that, while officially it was still being considered as a free road, he was 99.99% sure that it would be tolled.
I'll post other observations in subsequent postings...stay tuned.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Katy and Rosenberg Public Meetings
If you haven't heard the State has a plan to relieve traffic congestion in Houston. They want to build an entirely new road and they're building it up as a way to relieve traffic congestion. Now, I know the response of Houston residents. More roads must equal better commutes. Well what they aren't telling you is that the road doesn't come any closer to Houston than East Bernard in the southwest, Sealy in the west, and Huntsville in the north. Can any of you tell how a road out there is going to relieve traffic congestion in Houston. That makes absolutely no sense. Well, I can tell you that it won't relieve it and it may make it worse by diverting resources away from projects that might have a chance to improve Houston commutes. Did you know that the road will be a toll road? Did you know that the road will be operated by a private company, possibly foreign, as a way to make money instead of simply providing a public service, FOR 50 YEARS? Do you like the idea of paying not only for the right to drive on the road but to enrich a corporation in the process?
Governor Perry and his cronies at TXDOT would like you to believe that they are trying to help you when they are simply trying to put more money in the pockets of campaign contributors and big corporations looking to ship more jobs overseas and drive cheap goods over the futures of Texans, Texas, and the entire United States.
Go to www.corridorwatch.org and read up. Get involved.
There is a public hearing in Katy tomorrow afternoon and one in Rosenberng today.
The schedule and address are here.
Katy: http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc_2007/CW00690120.htm#Katy
Rosenberg: http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc_2007/CW00690120.htm#Rosenberg
Let them know what you think about this. So far the only people expressing much concern over the road are those whose land lay in its eventual path. I say that we all need to be concerned because the more you learn about this project the more it stinks. Educate yourself about the reality, and yes, it is more and more a reality every day despite what TXDOT might say. The public hearing is not only a place to speak, you will also have an hour and a half from 5 - 6:30 to visit with TXDOT officials and representatives to ask questions about the project. Go simply to learn about the project and hear what others have to say.
You don't have to be a landowner to be concerned about this project. Please get involved.
Governor Perry and his cronies at TXDOT would like you to believe that they are trying to help you when they are simply trying to put more money in the pockets of campaign contributors and big corporations looking to ship more jobs overseas and drive cheap goods over the futures of Texans, Texas, and the entire United States.
Go to www.corridorwatch.org and read up. Get involved.
There is a public hearing in Katy tomorrow afternoon and one in Rosenberng today.
The schedule and address are here.
Katy: http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc_2007/CW00690120.htm#Katy
Rosenberg: http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc_2007/CW00690120.htm#Rosenberg
Let them know what you think about this. So far the only people expressing much concern over the road are those whose land lay in its eventual path. I say that we all need to be concerned because the more you learn about this project the more it stinks. Educate yourself about the reality, and yes, it is more and more a reality every day despite what TXDOT might say. The public hearing is not only a place to speak, you will also have an hour and a half from 5 - 6:30 to visit with TXDOT officials and representatives to ask questions about the project. Go simply to learn about the project and hear what others have to say.
You don't have to be a landowner to be concerned about this project. Please get involved.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Not just a rural issue
One thing that continues to bother me about the Trans Texas Corridor and the opposition to it is that we, those opposed, continually get branded as farmers and ranchers who are merely worried about the loss of land to eminent domain.
It is not just rural issue. Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio residents should see this as a waste of resources. As a Houstonian it concerns me because one of the causes of traffic congestion is urban sprawl. A superhighway outside of Houston will only cause more sprawl and more congestion? Some Houstonians see this raod as a way to ease evacuations. This is probably a reaction from Rita headaches last year. What they don't realize is that this road, and the distance it is away from Houston, will not ease evacuations. To just have gotten to where the road planned would have taken 12 hours during the Rita evacuation, North or West.
I could go on and on but it is obvious that more folks need to know about this project and undestand the real impact it will or will not have on them.
It is not just rural issue. Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio residents should see this as a waste of resources. As a Houstonian it concerns me because one of the causes of traffic congestion is urban sprawl. A superhighway outside of Houston will only cause more sprawl and more congestion? Some Houstonians see this raod as a way to ease evacuations. This is probably a reaction from Rita headaches last year. What they don't realize is that this road, and the distance it is away from Houston, will not ease evacuations. To just have gotten to where the road planned would have taken 12 hours during the Rita evacuation, North or West.
I could go on and on but it is obvious that more folks need to know about this project and undestand the real impact it will or will not have on them.
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