February '04 TTC Public Hearings

Beginning February 5, 2004 in Duval and Montague Counties and ending on February 27, 2004 in Collingsworth County, TxDOT conducted a statewide blitz of "public hearings." All 254 counties were covered in just 23 days. Thirty-five "public hearings" were conducted on Tuesday, February 24th alone. [why?]

Most of these meetings were conducted by TxDOT's Area Engineers. In every case the TxDOT official read from a prepared script, distributed an eight-page handout, and showed a videotape presentation featuring Governor Perry and Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson. [handout]

Citizens in attendance at many hearing had questions, issues and concerns. What they didn't have was good answers. At some hears, no answers at all. [more]

Beyond the script TxDOT officials were ill prepared to answer questions from the public in attendance.  Reports from across the state indicate that when they attempted to answer concerns and questions, the answers they gave were often in direct conflict with official TxDOT plans, statements and the position of the Texas Transportation Commission.  [examples]

Despite the absence of much public knowledge and understanding about this gigantic Corridor project, a few hearings were attended by citizens who had serious questions. Too bad they didn't get serious answers. 

TxDOT Does Poor Job of Attracting Public to Hearings

 

Concerns Expressed - TxDOT TTC Public Hearings: February 2004 Bee County: A story appearing in the Beeville Bee-Picayune under the headline, "Trans Texas Corridor hearing Citizens voice concern for immediate future." Local citizen and at least three members of Bee County Commissioner's Court listened in what was described as a packed courtroom to the canned TxDOT presentation. Dr. John Hester is quoted, "What you have presented here is beautiful pie in the sky. Rural areas like Beeville will be shorted again." County Judge Jimmy Martinez was quoted as saying, "I see frustration on the part of some of us here tonight."  County Commissioner Susan Stasny asked, "How are we going to be players in this system when we are from small rural America?"  [March 10, 2004; www.bee-picayune.com ] Bell County: The Belton Journal reported more than 75 people attended their hearing. Among them was County Commissioner Richard Cortez [Cortese] quoted as saying, "I am concerned about what this could do to the county." Another participant was quoted, "Texans like their space and their cars. Texans will never ride a rail system." [February 26, 2004; www.beltonjournal.com ] Brewster County: Under the headline, "Concerns raised on highway 'Corridor',"  Desert-Mountain Times reported Alpine Mayor Mickey Clouse as being worried about air pollution and safety issues involving truck traffic and hazardous materials. Jeff Davis County Commissioner Diane Lacy urged TxDOT to go around the area saying that local citizens would suffer the negative impact of such a corridor without receiving any benefit.   Commissioner Lacy also expressed concern about a non-elected authority being given the power of condemnation. Alpine City Councilwoman Nancy DeWitt described the corridor as "overkill."  [March 4, 2004, www.dmtimes.net ] Colorado County: A Weimar Mercury article titled, Corridor Plan Draws Concerns reads, "No one among about 30 people at the meeting expressed support." "...individuals raised questions about the project's impact on landowners."  Columbus City Manager David Stall was quoted, "... local economies would be affected because there would be less traffic stopping for gasoline, food and lodging in local communities." "It's going to kill little towns," said a Justice of the Peace Frances Truchard. [February 19, 2004; www.weimarmercury.com ] Cooke County: The Gainesville Daily Register quoted comments made by Community Development Director Carlos Vigil, "... this concept does not seem to consider the vitality of communities. The plan focuses on moving traffic at high speed. If it is done the way it's proposed, it will hurt us eventually because they (TXDOT) don't make provision for easy on and off (the Trans Texas Corridor) at Gainesville."  [February 18, 2004; www.gainesvilleregister.com ] Fayette County: The Fayette County Record front page headline reads, "TxDOT Presents Corridor Plan To Overflow Crowd."  The Record reported, "Officials vague about location of corridor, most in crowd opposed to idea." Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka complained that he had only heard about the meeting (held on Ash Wednesday) a day earlier. The Judge is quoted, "... he wanted Gov. Rick Perry and top level executive from the Texas Transportation Commission and TxDOT available at the meeting to answer questions." Fayette County Resident Lane Gosnay  was quoted as saying, "... a lot of people don't understand the impact of the corridor. Who will answer our questions? she asked. And what are the water lines for? So you can suck our water out and send it somewhere else? It's also an easy way for a terrorist to knock out a bunch in one fell swoop." "It's a terrifying nightmare. I'm scared to death of this," said County Inspector Bill Durst. [March 2, 2004, www.fayettecountyrecord.com ] Guadalupe County: The Seguin Gazette reported "Citizens expressed concerns about how the state will gain funding for a 4,000-mile transportation system given the financial struggle experience so far with SH 130." [February 26, 2004, seguingazette.com ] Hill County: The Hillsboro Reporter quoted Hillsboro Mayor Will Lowrance as saying he didn't want to see local residents left out, "If there is no access to the small towns, it will change the face of the state." David Newman, a farmer was quoted as saying "... the state couldn't provide enough compensation if the corridors were going to split farms and force agriculture producers to drive miles out of the way to reach their land." Former County Judge Charles Herd echoed concerns of others and questioned funding.  According to the article the hearing, one of the largest in the Waco District, stretched two almost two hours and generated questions about property taking, effects on wildlife, effects on air quality and alternative transportation options. [February 26, 2004, www.hillsbororeporter.com ] Tarrant County: An article appeared in the Star-Telegram titled, "Corridor plan's effects worry local leaders." Dallas City Councilwoman Lois Finkleman is quoted, "We support the concept of the Trans Texas Corridor, but we don't want it at the expense of all the urban transportation improvement that are needed." In reply the article reads, "State officials said that they welcome the ideas but the the goal of the corridor plan is to connect the regions of Texas, not solve traffic problems inside a metro area."  [February 13, 2004; www.dfw.com ] Val Verde County: The Del Rio News-Herald reported that about twenty Del Rioans attended the hearing in Del Rio, "... with tourism and hundreds of other considerations ..." The article draws a comparison of small western towns that were economically strangled when, "passed over by the barons of the rails ..." It goes on to say, "... Interstate Highways, too, have choked the life out of hundreds of Texas burgs."  [February 29, 2004; www.delrionewsherald.com ]

 

Why Hold 254 Public Hearings? Why indeed!  "One of the pieces of 3588 required TxDOT to hold a public hearing in every county that's potentially going to be affected by the Trans Texas Corridor. They're in the midst of doing that now." — John Langmore, 78th Legislature Transportation Policy Director (Austin, March 4, 2004) TxDOT is required to hold a meeting in each county that the Corridor may pass through before they can designate a route.  That law might as well read "hold only one meeting," as the application and effect would be the same. February's public hearing blitz has effectively satisfied the law. Now TxDOT is free to designate Corridor routes anywhere in the state without any legal requirement for additional meetings or public participation. Sec. 227.013.  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  Before designating a route for a segment of the Trans-Texas Corridor, the department shall hold at least one public hearing in each county through which the segment may pass." — Texas Transportation Code [adopted by HB-3588] Please note that this is not public participation in determining viability, economic impact, transportation need, on any other aspect of the Corridor — just route. Yes, there will likely be environmental hearings, but that will come after TxDOT has determined the route, at least in general terms, and set the land 'taking' process in motion.

COVER Click on Image to Enlarge	Figure 1 Click on Image to Enlarge	Phasing in the Future Click on Image to Enlarge	Q&A 1 Click on Image to Enlarge
Q&A 2 Click on Image to Enlarge	Coloring Page Click on Image to Enlarge	Public Comments Click on Image to Enlarge	Transportation Survey Click on Image to Enlarge

Thank you for your time and interest.