"Where does the corridor go, and what can we do to stop it?”
Anti-Trans-Texas Corridor group plans meeting at State Theater
September 19, 2006
By ANDY HOGUE,
The Gainesville Daily Register
Copyright 2006
Almost immediately after the issue hit the press, public opinion was stirred by a proposal to build a multi-lane highway through southeastern Cooke County. Resistance grew steadily.
Letters to the editor are still coming in to the paper on a regular basis regarding the Trans-Texas Corridor — some for but most against the massive tollway.
The issue has put Cooke County in the spotlight, as thousands of residents gathered in opposition to the proposal to build part of a proposed network of large “super highway” toll roads, spanning from various points across Texas. The main route expected to pass through Cooke County is TTC-35, which would run from Laredo to the Red River if built.
Other routes from El Paso to the Cooke-Montague county line and from Texarkana to just east of Gainesville are in the plans. In addition to the preferred routes for the toll roads is a large “potential connection zone” study area encompassing Gainesville and Lindsay, which organizers of the meeting referred to as the “amber circle” on TxDOT maps.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently concluded its “tier 1” research after conducting meetings throughout Texas, and is planning to begin a more intensive study soon as the next phase of the plan.
But it’s not too late to do something about it, and the town hall-style meetings are not over in Cooke County, according to a press release from CorridorWatch.
Next Tuesday (Sept. 26) an “informational meeting” is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the State Theater, 200 E. California St. in Gainesville.
According to Amy Klein, an organizer of several of the recent town hall meetings via the group Save Our County, the State Theater meeting is expected to take a more political tone.
“Controversy surrounding the $184 billion dollar transportation project has made it a major issue in the upcoming November election,” the press release said. “The recent series of TxDOT public hearings on the corridor left many residents with more questions than answers.
“Save Our County, a local citizens group, in conjunction with Independent Texans, has organized a follow-up meeting featuring speakers who will answer the questions TxDOT couldn’t or wouldn’t answer.”
Scheduled speakers include David Stall, co-founder of CorridorWatch.org, followed by a question and answer period.
Following Stall’s presentation, Linda Curtis, founder of Independent Texans, is expected to propose changes to the political system, such as initiative and referendum.
The Independent Texans organization endorsed Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn as its candidate for governor. The group noted Gov. Rick Perry’s advocacy of TTC-35. It did not name Democratic candidate Chris Bell nor independent Richard Friedman.
Linda Stall, co-founder of CorridorWatch.org and David Stall’s wife, an opponent of the corridor now working for the Strayhorn campaign, said there are some questions yet to be asked.
“The two questions we are asked most often are: where does the corridor go, and what can we do to stop it?” Stall said. “These follow-up meetings give us a chance to educate people about the corridor, and then talk about political solutions to stop it.”
On the Net:
Corridor Watch: www.corridorwatch.org
Trans-Texas Corridor: www.keeptexasmoving.com
Independent Texans: www.indytexans.org
Reporter Andy Hogue may be
contacted at andyhoguegdr[at]ntin.net
© 2006 The Gainesville Daily Register: www.gainesvilleregister.com
September 19, 2006
By ANDY HOGUE,
The Gainesville Daily Register
Copyright 2006
Almost immediately after the issue hit the press, public opinion was stirred by a proposal to build a multi-lane highway through southeastern Cooke County. Resistance grew steadily.
Letters to the editor are still coming in to the paper on a regular basis regarding the Trans-Texas Corridor — some for but most against the massive tollway.
The issue has put Cooke County in the spotlight, as thousands of residents gathered in opposition to the proposal to build part of a proposed network of large “super highway” toll roads, spanning from various points across Texas. The main route expected to pass through Cooke County is TTC-35, which would run from Laredo to the Red River if built.
Other routes from El Paso to the Cooke-Montague county line and from Texarkana to just east of Gainesville are in the plans. In addition to the preferred routes for the toll roads is a large “potential connection zone” study area encompassing Gainesville and Lindsay, which organizers of the meeting referred to as the “amber circle” on TxDOT maps.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) recently concluded its “tier 1” research after conducting meetings throughout Texas, and is planning to begin a more intensive study soon as the next phase of the plan.
But it’s not too late to do something about it, and the town hall-style meetings are not over in Cooke County, according to a press release from CorridorWatch.
Next Tuesday (Sept. 26) an “informational meeting” is scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the State Theater, 200 E. California St. in Gainesville.
According to Amy Klein, an organizer of several of the recent town hall meetings via the group Save Our County, the State Theater meeting is expected to take a more political tone.
“Controversy surrounding the $184 billion dollar transportation project has made it a major issue in the upcoming November election,” the press release said. “The recent series of TxDOT public hearings on the corridor left many residents with more questions than answers.
“Save Our County, a local citizens group, in conjunction with Independent Texans, has organized a follow-up meeting featuring speakers who will answer the questions TxDOT couldn’t or wouldn’t answer.”
Scheduled speakers include David Stall, co-founder of CorridorWatch.org, followed by a question and answer period.
Following Stall’s presentation, Linda Curtis, founder of Independent Texans, is expected to propose changes to the political system, such as initiative and referendum.
The Independent Texans organization endorsed Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn as its candidate for governor. The group noted Gov. Rick Perry’s advocacy of TTC-35. It did not name Democratic candidate Chris Bell nor independent Richard Friedman.
Linda Stall, co-founder of CorridorWatch.org and David Stall’s wife, an opponent of the corridor now working for the Strayhorn campaign, said there are some questions yet to be asked.
“The two questions we are asked most often are: where does the corridor go, and what can we do to stop it?” Stall said. “These follow-up meetings give us a chance to educate people about the corridor, and then talk about political solutions to stop it.”
On the Net:
Corridor Watch: www.corridorwatch.org
Trans-Texas Corridor: www.keeptexasmoving.com
Independent Texans: www.indytexans.org
Reporter Andy Hogue may be
contacted at andyhoguegdr[at]ntin.net
© 2006 The Gainesville Daily Register:
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Tuesday, September 19, 2006
<< Home