121 toll road mess will be a 2006 election issue in Collin County
Political foes challenge SH 121 leadership
11/11/2005
By Amy Morenz
Plano Star Courier
Copyright 2005
Electoral opponents are questioning Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell and County Judge Ron Harris for their leadership of the State Highway 121 toll road process.
The issue of an SH 121 toll road - how construction will be paid for and who will build it - is emerging as one line of demarcation in county races that will be on the ballot in the March 7 Repuiblican primary and the Nov. 7 general election next year. Candidates may officially file from Dec. 5 to Jan. 3.
County Republicans, though, are already sparring over plans in flux for SH 121 prospective tolls.
Former Plano Mayor Jeran Akers, who is challenging Hatchell for the Precinct 4 commissioners seat, said he believes a "true leader" would have developed an alternative to the toll-road approach Collin County is proposing.
"Jack says he has been working on this for 20 years, but it's degenerated into a sloppy stew with people getting their feelings involved instead of a rational approach," Akers said. "The state is not interested in the county having it as their cash cow.
"Anyone can charge for a road, but it takes a creative person...and a skilled person to come up with a creative solution," Akers said. "A true expert could come up with better solution than a tax."
Hatchell said Akers is likely using the news media to generate attention.
"I'm opposed to tolls too, but we are being held hostage by TxDOT (the Texas Department of Transportation)," Hatchell said. "A true leader helps you get out of being held hostage."
"I'm a transportation professional for a number of years, and Akers is far from a professional," he said.
Hatchell believes the county needs to avoid gridlock that could occur in five to six years if SH 121 main lanes are not built in Collin County. The first phase of service road enhancements are nearing completion.
"They really need to know what they are talking about," he said.
Both of Harris' opponents disagree with his leadership on SH 121.
Former congressional candidate Keith Self said in a news release that Harris' plans would soak the county taxpayers. County Collin needs "take-charge" leadership to provide necessary transportation infrastructure, he said.
"If tolling occurs under the Harris regime because of his lack of leadership over the past decade, I will ensure that Highway 121 does not become a cash cow for the state or any other entity," his release states.
Self suggests a private-public partnership as a solution. That partnership could involve the North Texas Tollway Authority and private companies interested in paying the state for its right-of-way, Self said.
The NTTA is scheduled to discuss its role today. Harris is proposing two options: A road built and operated by the NTTA under the direction of a Local Government Corporation; or a tollway under complete NTTA jurisdiction, as are the Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike.
Tolls could range from 12 cents per mile, which would cover only maintenance and operation costs, or 15 cents to generate more revenues for the highway department, he said.
Collin County and its four largest cities will meet with TxDOT leaders at 10 a.m. Monday at Allen City Hall. Plano City Council members will discuss the issues during a workshop at 5 p.m. Monday.
The county should have explored other alternatives to tolls, Akers said. County taxpayers could pay for bonds to fund the main lanes and then build the interchanges later. It could explore creating a Tax Increment Financing District, similar to approach used to fund redevelopment around downtown Plano.
"That's the same as having a tax," said Hatchell. "I'd rather do it as a free road if he is proposing to tax all the citizens."
The county and its four cities passed a resolution to create a Local Government Corporation that would to manage construction, maintenance and ownership of the SH 121 toll road. The group would build and manage the $752 million tollway between Central Expressway and the Dallas North Tollway and build interchanges at both ends.
The state, though, does not want to "give away a revenue-generating" asset without expectation of revenues, Bill Hale, Texas Department of Transportation's Dallas district engineer wrote to state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, this week.
"It's not just the state involved, it's the municipalities and landowners that donated right-of ways," said Akers. "It's involved into where they are talking like a Robin Hood project."
The debate pits Harris against opponents Self and Rick Neudorff, who stepped down as Collin County Republican Party chair on Thursday.
"We have set this thing in such a black and white, but we don't have unified county voice," said Self. "The county has been all over the map. For the average citizen, this is a major issue because they can't go to work without roads."
"I welcome it as a campaign issue because we have them beat off the face of the earth," Harris said. "Their statements show their total and complete lack of understanding."
Self and Akers question why Collin County leaders have not asked state representatives to help mediate a solution.
Harris said the county has always proved the need for its projects based on needs and cost benefits.
"The county has never asked for its state representatives or state senator to become involved."
"We never wanted it based on political clout in the state," he said.
Harris is the chief executive officer and bears responsibility, said Neudorff. Calling SH 121 the "single most frustrating issue," Neudorff said tolls should be the lost resort.
He prefers building SH 121 in stages, as Central Expressway was built. The project won't take 20 years to complete, he said.
"I don't know if there is one definitive answer the way we have bobbed and weaved," said Neudorff. "We are seeing the results of relationships that the county used to have that that were very good and are breaking down."
"We need to be sure we are using every average to negotiate in a positive manner," he said.
Contact staff writer Amy Morenz at 972-398-4263 or amy.morenz@scntx.com.
©Star Community Newspapers 2005 www.zwire.com
11/11/2005
By Amy Morenz
Plano Star Courier
Copyright 2005
Electoral opponents are questioning Collin County Commissioner Jack Hatchell and County Judge Ron Harris for their leadership of the State Highway 121 toll road process.
The issue of an SH 121 toll road - how construction will be paid for and who will build it - is emerging as one line of demarcation in county races that will be on the ballot in the March 7 Repuiblican primary and the Nov. 7 general election next year. Candidates may officially file from Dec. 5 to Jan. 3.
County Republicans, though, are already sparring over plans in flux for SH 121 prospective tolls.
Former Plano Mayor Jeran Akers, who is challenging Hatchell for the Precinct 4 commissioners seat, said he believes a "true leader" would have developed an alternative to the toll-road approach Collin County is proposing.
"Jack says he has been working on this for 20 years, but it's degenerated into a sloppy stew with people getting their feelings involved instead of a rational approach," Akers said. "The state is not interested in the county having it as their cash cow.
"Anyone can charge for a road, but it takes a creative person...and a skilled person to come up with a creative solution," Akers said. "A true expert could come up with better solution than a tax."
Hatchell said Akers is likely using the news media to generate attention.
"I'm opposed to tolls too, but we are being held hostage by TxDOT (the Texas Department of Transportation)," Hatchell said. "A true leader helps you get out of being held hostage."
"I'm a transportation professional for a number of years, and Akers is far from a professional," he said.
Hatchell believes the county needs to avoid gridlock that could occur in five to six years if SH 121 main lanes are not built in Collin County. The first phase of service road enhancements are nearing completion.
"They really need to know what they are talking about," he said.
Both of Harris' opponents disagree with his leadership on SH 121.
Former congressional candidate Keith Self said in a news release that Harris' plans would soak the county taxpayers. County Collin needs "take-charge" leadership to provide necessary transportation infrastructure, he said.
"If tolling occurs under the Harris regime because of his lack of leadership over the past decade, I will ensure that Highway 121 does not become a cash cow for the state or any other entity," his release states.
Self suggests a private-public partnership as a solution. That partnership could involve the North Texas Tollway Authority and private companies interested in paying the state for its right-of-way, Self said.
The NTTA is scheduled to discuss its role today. Harris is proposing two options: A road built and operated by the NTTA under the direction of a Local Government Corporation; or a tollway under complete NTTA jurisdiction, as are the Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike.
Tolls could range from 12 cents per mile, which would cover only maintenance and operation costs, or 15 cents to generate more revenues for the highway department, he said.
Collin County and its four largest cities will meet with TxDOT leaders at 10 a.m. Monday at Allen City Hall. Plano City Council members will discuss the issues during a workshop at 5 p.m. Monday.
The county should have explored other alternatives to tolls, Akers said. County taxpayers could pay for bonds to fund the main lanes and then build the interchanges later. It could explore creating a Tax Increment Financing District, similar to approach used to fund redevelopment around downtown Plano.
"That's the same as having a tax," said Hatchell. "I'd rather do it as a free road if he is proposing to tax all the citizens."
The county and its four cities passed a resolution to create a Local Government Corporation that would to manage construction, maintenance and ownership of the SH 121 toll road. The group would build and manage the $752 million tollway between Central Expressway and the Dallas North Tollway and build interchanges at both ends.
The state, though, does not want to "give away a revenue-generating" asset without expectation of revenues, Bill Hale, Texas Department of Transportation's Dallas district engineer wrote to state Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, this week.
"It's not just the state involved, it's the municipalities and landowners that donated right-of ways," said Akers. "It's involved into where they are talking like a Robin Hood project."
The debate pits Harris against opponents Self and Rick Neudorff, who stepped down as Collin County Republican Party chair on Thursday.
"We have set this thing in such a black and white, but we don't have unified county voice," said Self. "The county has been all over the map. For the average citizen, this is a major issue because they can't go to work without roads."
"I welcome it as a campaign issue because we have them beat off the face of the earth," Harris said. "Their statements show their total and complete lack of understanding."
Self and Akers question why Collin County leaders have not asked state representatives to help mediate a solution.
Harris said the county has always proved the need for its projects based on needs and cost benefits.
"The county has never asked for its state representatives or state senator to become involved."
"We never wanted it based on political clout in the state," he said.
Harris is the chief executive officer and bears responsibility, said Neudorff. Calling SH 121 the "single most frustrating issue," Neudorff said tolls should be the lost resort.
He prefers building SH 121 in stages, as Central Expressway was built. The project won't take 20 years to complete, he said.
"I don't know if there is one definitive answer the way we have bobbed and weaved," said Neudorff. "We are seeing the results of relationships that the county used to have that that were very good and are breaking down."
"We need to be sure we are using every average to negotiate in a positive manner," he said.
Contact staff writer Amy Morenz at 972-398-4263 or amy.morenz@scntx.com.
©Star Community Newspapers 2005
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, November 11, 2005
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