|
|
Challenging the Wisdom of the Trans Texas Corridor.
|
| Research Resources | |
|---|---|
|
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
|
|
| 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 Jon Lindsey:
Representative Joe Pickett:
Mayor Mike Moncrief:
Commissioner Ken Mayfield: |
|
| CW.org: Chairman Quells Unwelcome Input and Fails NEPA Mandate | |
| Texas Transportation Commission Reaction to ROTCC (11/18/04) | |
|
FAIR USE NOTICE. This document may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. CorridorWatch.org is making this article available for academic research purposes in our non-commercial, non-profit, effort to advance the understanding of government accountability, civil liberties, citizen rights, social and environmental justice issues. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. CorridorWatch.org does not express or imply that CorridorWatch.org holds any claim of copyright on such material as may appear on this page. |
This Page Last Updated: Tuesday January 30, 2007