TXDOT's newest Commission Chair Deirdre Delisi issued a big piece of publicity fluff

TXDOT's newest Commission Chair Deirdre Delisi issued a big piece of publicity fluff to the Manor Messenger to counteract the recent Sunset Commission Report calling for an overhaul of TXDOT and its policies, including the Trans-Texas Corridor and tolling.

The report says, "until trust in TXDOT is restored, the state cannot move forward to effectively meet its growing transportation needs." But as TXDOT's press release in last week's paper shows, Rick Perry and his toll-roading minions won't give up on their schemes until they absolutely have to.

Delisi says, "as we work to develop important projects like a parallel corridor to I-35 and the long-awaited I-69, we will work toward meeting our goals . . ."

Long-awaited? By whom? Not the people of Texas, who have turned out in overwhelming numbers to oppose these projects.

Nor by an increasing number of legislators who are learning and saying what boondoggles these projects are.

I believe TXDOT's plans are only "long-awaited" by a pack of powerful, greedy contractors and deal-makers chomping at the bit to make sure their projects go through before TXDOT is reorganized.

We can defeat "The Crossroads of the Americas" plan. It's a great TXDOT name for a project that doesn't need to be built, will waste billions of taxpayer dollars, and decimate Texas with a gash of concrete, asphalt, and steel.

The Sunset Commission's report makes clear that we need to rethink our transportation issues, not continue on the same willful and short-sighted course.

Rather than decimate farms and ranchlands and use big oil-gobbling trucks to bring in produce and goods from other countries, we need to protect and nurture our farms and our jobs.

The public movement to defeat the Trans-Texas Corridor(s) has gained momentum as the public and its leaders become aware. The need for gargantuan road projects becomes even more ludicrous as prices of fuel continue to rise.

Don't let TXDOT lull you into complacency. Continue to put pressure on legislators and other leaders to fully accept and implement the Sunset Commission's report.

You may contact the Sunset Commission at www.sunset.state.tx.us for a copy of their report. They will take comments about it until June 24. A public hearing will be held July 15, 2008 to take public testimony (time and place to be posted on Sunset Commission's website).

Sincerely,
Fancy Fairchild

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