3/07/2007

Big-time Toller Says "Whoa!" (click to read)

at 3/07/2007

3 comments:

Sal Costello said...

EMAIL FROM MALCOM:

I'm not a lawyer, but I would think that if someone were to challenge getting a speeding ticket on these new toll roads, your defense could be that it was on private property. Of course the private investors and TaxDOT are lovers...meaning fat chance! The toll roads are a big revenue generator for the law enforcement jurisdictions along the route. Which is another problem I have with toll roads. In my opinion, toll roads should have no speed limits, kind of like the Autobahns in Germany.

At the very least, the tolls need to be lowered to a reasonable rate. The national toll rate average is 9 cents a mile. So why are we going to have to pay as much as $1.50 a mile? Because the arrogant private investors and TaxDOT have said "We are not interested in keeping toll rates low. Let the market (private investors) decide what the rates should be. You don't have to drive on the toll road. There are free alternatives." True, there are free alternatives, but those alternatives have purposely been made less accessible or have added more traffic lights in order to favor the new toll roads. i.e. the old 183 road into Leander, just south of the San Gabriel river. Nobody told us they were going to rip out part of the old section and force us onto the new 183A through a new traffic light. In fact the Texas Regional Mobility Authority (the people running the new 183A) lied to me, when I inquired a couple of months ago, about whether there would be a new traffic light there.

Anyway, if you are as upset about private investors running our new roads, with unreasonable/inconsistent rates, while destroying mobility and access to the old ones, write your state representative and senator. And don't forget the old "Adios Mo Fo", "let's fund schools with adult entertainment tax", "let's sell the lottery to private investors"...governor Rick Perry.

You can make a big difference by writing a letter (email is great, but not as effective) or calling your elected officials. If we turn up the heat, it is not unheard of that the state could buy back our toll roads and return control to the government and under closer scrutiny by the taxpayers and drivers. Even though it would be a rip off to the taxpayers, it would be better to buy back the toll roads now before the private investors get even drunker on profits that could have been spent on further improvements to mobility.

Wake up people. We've been duped! And it's our own fault for not tossing out those elected officials in the recent elections. At least one of those officials has come to realize that the wool was pulled over his eyes as well. Senator Steve Ogden, now has the ear of his constituents and is actively working to put the brakes on new toll roads. Send him a letter of thanks and encourage him to keep working for us and not the private investors.

Sincerely,
Malcom

10:08 AM, March 07, 2007
Sal Costello said...

EMAIL FROM North Ellis County Communities Threatened by LOOP 9:



March 6, 2007, 2007

From: North Ellis County Communities Threatened by LOOP 9

To: All Affected residents and Property Owners

LOOP 9 threatens our homes, communities, health and way of life. There are many concerned folks who are not aware of the negative impact or the disruption to our rural setting this road will have. We have been abandoned by our elected officials in Ellis County, Midlothian, Ovilla, Glenn Heights, Oak Leaf, Red Oak, and Ferris. They have abdicated their responsibility in protecting our homes, families and culture to the NCTCOG(North Central Texas Council of Government, the equivalent of the United Nations of local governments). They have worked to aid and assist in preserving lands owned by large businesses and developers while sacrificing small individual homeowners such as yourself.

LOOP 9 can be rerouted around Skyline Acres Subdivision with little effort or expense, it could be aligned to better utilize open spaces and protect the properties of Tar Road, Duncanville Road and be relocated to place it where it will not be a barrier between school children and their schools. It will infringe on the delicate environment of the Escarpment, of the Trinity River bottomlands and the home and habitat of many endangered or threatened species of birds, animals, and plants. It will, as a designated highway for the transport of nuclear materials and hazardous chemicals, create new opportunities for exposing you and your families, as well as the environment, to the dangers of spills, leaks, and accidents involving these items.

Do not be deceived by the idea you or your neighbors will get rich selling your property for the new roadway. There will be little access and it will be up to a quarter mile wide in many places. Evidence seems to point toward a concerted effort to reduce or keep the appraisals below fair market value in the area of the proposed roadway. Some reviews reflect property values may be under appraised by as much as 300 to 1000% below comparable sales prices in the area.

What can you do? Politicians react only to public outcry, the threat of opposition, and the airing of dirty laundry. It takes people such as yourself speaking up, voicing opposition, and showing you and your community are not only opposed to an issue, but will hold accountable any politician who does not act in support of your community stand. One phone call, or attending one meeting, or simply writing one letter will not work. You will need to call and write letters to your Ellis County Commissioner, County Judge, Mayor of your respective Town, City Council, State Legislator, State Senator, Governor, Director of TXDOT, Chair of the State House Transportation Committee, State House Finance Committee Chair, U.S. Congressman, U. S. Senators, and Members of the Transportation Committees in both Senate and House in Washington, and the Appropriations Committee Members also.

In addition, you need to share your opinions by writing letters to the editors of the local newspapers, such as the Ellis County Press, Midlothian Mirror, Waxahachie Daily Light, Dallas Morning News, Austin, Houston, Amarillo, Texarkana, and San Antonio, Midland, El Paso, Today Newspapers, and any other newspapers located in cities where politicians congregate. We need to send letters to any and every environmental group in the country.

What can you do today? TX DOT has to complete a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) addressing comments and environmental issues. These issues must be addressed. They have to then get the local communities to sign off and then get Federal Highway approval. We have enclosed the following sample as a guideline of various issues that have merit and substance. Please feel free to use these and add any of your own as you choose. Also attached is a form to complete and mail to the TXDOT representative.

Be advised, you should make a copy and mail copies of these forms to all of the elected officials so there is no “losing” of responses and issues. IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU FILL THESE OUT AND MAIL IMMEDIATELY. Addresses of some involved parties are on the attached listing. Keep this list for future use.

If you wish to be put on an email list for further notifications, please send an email to Shaman4901@aol.com and state the following: “Please put me on your LOOP 9 notification list.” You do not have to give your name, address or phone number, only if you choose to volunteer it. This list will not be sold or used in any other manner by anyone not associated with this effort. Your right to privacy is respected.

We have one opportunity, and this is the time. The line is drawn in the sand. Will you stand with your neighbors to preserve your homes, your community, your way of life?

10:11 AM, March 07, 2007
Sal Costello said...

FROM BILL TO GOV PERRY AND LEG:

Now we have Elite Roads and Poor Folk roads, it is so un--American. Shame on You!!! So every politician in the past could get roads built, but now you can't figure out how to do it without creating a Profit Stream for Foreign Companies ??? Shame! the Toll roads have added congestion and intersections to our gas-tax roads, you removed entracne and exit ramps on I-35 around Dell so now a million Cars are all tring to get through all the intersections to get to the next entrance ramp to I-35 - plus since you removed the Exit ramps, the intersections are doublly busy - it is totally messed up! same everywhere, you purposely made Toll Road easy access and made free road harder to get to, and put intersections everywhare slowing down the gas tax roads, I am so mad I could just about cry. What happened to Texas ? Shame on you all! Please do what is right for the people?

5:09 PM, March 07, 2007

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