Objection Raised by CorridorWatch.org

 

CorridorWatch.org strenuously objects to the Texas Transportation Commission conducting any portion of its debate or discussion of business before the Commission in a foreign language that cannot be immediately translated into English. The only witness that appeared before the Commission to testify about the Camino Columbia Toll Road on April 29, 2004, was Mr. Marco Antonio Garza of FIDENOR, the State agency for the State of Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Mr. Garza made his remarks to the commission (in English) which was followed by questions from Commissioners Nichols and Andrade. The entire conversation between Commissioner Andrade and Mr. Garza, as reflected in the Official Transcript, was conducted in Spanish. The content of that discussion was not recorded in the Official Transcript (in English nor Spanish) and the public (including the Spanish speaking public) does not now have the benefit of knowing what testimony was given to the Commission. That testimony preceded the Minute Order vote and is certainly of potential significant public interest and the kind of discussion intended to be conducted subject to the Open Meetings Act.  [transcript reference]