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Intimidation Alleged in Toll Vote Complaint filed with Governor's Office

January 27, 2007

Jim Forsyth

Toll road opponent Tommy Adkisson is charging that two key state transportation officials sought to 'intimidate' the two VIA Metro Transit board members who voted against a controversial proposal to build toll lanes on U.S. 281 north of Loop 1604 at last Monday's Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting, 1200 WOAI news is reporting.

Adkisson, a Bexar County Commissioner, said in a letter to Governor Perry that Tex-DOT District Engineer David Casteel, who is himself a member of the MPO board, and Texas Transportation Commissioner Hope Andrade, who is not, sought to 'reprimand and punish' the two VIA board members who were among the six MPO members who voted against the toll road plan, Melissa Castro-Killen and Dr. Sidney G. Ordway.  The plan was approved, 9-6, following five hours of debate.

Adkisson also charged that Perry vowed to work to defeat VIA's legislative priorities in the current session of the Texas Legislature.

"TexDOT leadership has begun to take on a very different and mean spirited tone of late," Adkisson wrote.  "(Tex-DOT Chairman) Ric Williamson and his group take any discussion that seems to move away from their core position as a threat."

Adkisson said any intimidation of toll road opponents 'is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.'

"Ric Williamson and his group take any discussion that seems to move away from their core position as a threat," Adkisson said.

Adkisson's allegations come shortly after 1200 WOAI news reported exclusively that the Trans Texas Corridor, the centerpiece of Perry and Williamson's toll road plans, would be killed under a measure filed by a San Antonio State Representative, David Liebowitz.

Adkission and fellow commissioner Lyle Larson led the unsuccessful effort to defeat the US 281 toll lanes, and is an opponent of the Corridor.

"Though I know you are a toll road proponent, I respect your right to disagree," Adkisson wrote.  "I know from my time of service with you that you would certainly respect my right to disagree as well as that of our VIA board members.  I respectfully ask that your appointees and staff do the same."

 

"TexDOT leadership has begun to take on a very different
and mean spirited tone of late,"

 

 
Bexar County Commissioner Adkisson is just the latest in a growing list of elected officials who are objecting to the strong-arm tactics widely used by TxDOT in their rabid promotion of toll projects under the deaf and autocratic leadership of Ric Williamson and his Transportation Commission.
 

Senator John Corona:
Senator says Perry should replace transportation chief

Senator Jon Lindsey:
TX Sen. Lindsay: State's game? Highway extortion

Representative Joe Pickett:
TX Rep. Pickett: TxDOT Trampled on Us

Mayor Mike Moncrief:
Ft. Worth Mayor Moncrief: Local Government No Longer Part of the Process

Commissioner Ken Mayfield:
Dallas Commissioner Mayfield: Since Williamson Onboard They Don't Want Input
 

CW.org: Chairman Quells Unwelcome Input and Fails NEPA Mandate
Texas Transportation Commission Reaction to ROTCC (11/18/04)
 
 

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