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Vocal opposition to Trans-Texas Corridor in Terrell
by: terrelldemocrat Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 22:05:32 PM MDT |
| Tonight was Terrells turn to host a hearing for the Trans-Texas Corridor. I would guess around 200-250 people showed up. I was passing out flyers for Hank Gilbert so I missed most of the Q & A session. Fred Head candidate for Comptroller of Public Accounts was also there passing out the same flyer and his card during the Q & A session. To say the crowd was opposed to the project would be an understatement. They hate it. There were 26 people who made comments. Only ONE person was for the plan. Two were against it going east of Dallas, they want it to go straight up the Metroplex. 23 of the 26 speakers were against the proposal! Speaking to the crowd and to TxDot individuals gave their reasons for not wanting the Trans-Texas Boondogle in our backyard. |
| terrelldemocrat :: Vocal opposition to Trans-Texas Corridor in Terrell |
| Some speakers against the TTC were: Keith Taylor,Mayor of Combine,he wanted to know after the toll road is paid for will it become a free road like I-30 is in west Dallas to Arlington. He noted that development didn't happen on the old turnpike until it was made a freeway. Linda Stahl from Corridor Watch spoke out against the tollway. Lisa Coleman, Kaufman County Democratic Chair spoke about who would foot the bill for services to the TTC. Who would be responsible for police services, ambulance service. What happens if there is a hazardous spill on the toll road? Thom Bouis, Democratic candidate for Rockwall County Judge wants to know how did TxDot come up with running TTC straight through Rockwall County. Its the smallest county in the state and if as proposed the TTC will take over 4% of total land in the county. His suggestion was to draw a straight line from Laredo to Gainesville and build it there. He did have one condition. It must go through Crawford. That comment drew applause from the audience. One speaker shared his personal memory of his family farm being bought out for a small highway. Part of the TTC plan is to link cattle farms either by bridges over the TTC or to go under the roadway. His family had a dairy farm. He said from personal experience that a dairy cow will not get anywhere near tunnels or bridges, they get spooked, and they wouldn't have to just navigate through one set, there would be 5 bridges or 5 tunnels. One speaker, who said he was a conservative Republican, said he was ashamed of Rick Perry, that drew a large round of applause he said would fight legally or illegally to keep TxDot off his land. Fred Head also spoke, he drew from his experience in the Texas House, telling us this is not a done deal. That the state has had other projects that were "done deals" and the Legislature killed them. One example he gave was a plan to move water from east Texas to west Texas, it never happened. He said its time to demand our elected officials in Austin take another look, and hopefully come November we will have new elected officials that will take another look. He is a good speaker. Charlie Thompson candidate for TX-05 to replace Jeb Hensarling also spoke, he reminded us of the importance of making our voice heard. He said if he makes it to Washington, he will make sure no Federal money is spent on the Trans-Texas Corridor. When Charlie finished people were shouting out to him what was his name. Like almost all other speakers Charlie also demanded this be put to a vote before the citizens of Texas. There were quite a few speakers against the plan who had their comments interrupted by applause. Some spoke of the land they have had in their family for generations, telling TxDot they will have to be dragged off their land screaming, that they will fight with every penny they have to keep their land. There were a few who wanted to know who would ensure the trucks that would be using the toll road passed US inspection. After the comment section ended and people filed out, they were looking for Fred Head and Charlie Thompson to thank them. One guy came up the Mr. Head and asked him what party he as with. Fred said he was an independent Democrat. The person who asked said he was Republican but he loved his comments and would vote for him. As I was leaving I heard a lot of I don't care what party they are with, if they are against the Trans-Texas Corridor I will support them. The only down side was outside after the hearing. There were people milling about the Corridor Watch table and not really asking questions but rehashing what we all had just heard. I think its a given that Perry will be out in November, just who will be the one to actually beat him is up in the air. Chris Bells name was brought up and I heard someone say, that Bell had only raised $600,000 that you cant win with only $600,000. They then went on to say that Strayhorn is the only candidate who has spoken out against the TTC. Truth is, Strayhorn has been showing up at hearings and speaking out, so whoopee for her. This is an excellent opportunity to speak to a built in audience, every politician should attend at least one hearing. Texan voters are not happy and it will show up in the ballot box come November. |
LOL!! Perry's support has been increasing in recent months, and will continue to increase, the more Texans get a load of Kinky and Granny.