WCMessenger.com: A bumpy road still lies ahead

Bumpy road ...

The chip seal work done on the Decatur streets last year was absolutely pitiful. The taxpayers deserved far better for the $130,000 that was spent.

The problems with loose rocks, uneven surfaces and potholes have continued. At least the dust from the dirty job has finally dissipated.

The project was proposed before the city hired a new public works director – Earl Smith.

Yet Smith continues to pay the price for a problem he didn’t create.

The city council and Mayor Joe Lambert want Smith to pressure the contractor to come back and fix the problems.

Smith said the contractor is willing to reseal a few places, but, by and large, it’s now the city’s problem.

The city doesn’t really have any way of forcing the contractor to redo the project, short of a lawsuit. We all know that could wind up costing a lot more than chalking it up as a bad experience.

You can bet that the city council will be very careful when they begin more street improvements this summer.

On a positive note, they’ve got an experienced engineer in Smith to oversee the work. He’s being pro-active on improving the streets and completing numerous other public works project. He’s done a good job for the city so far and that’s encouraging.

He also works well with planning director Dedra Ragland, who is one of the best in her field.

More bumpy roads ...

The Texas Legislature – and particularly our two representatives, Sen. Craig Estes and Rep. Phil King – is increasingly aware of public opposition to the Trans Texas Corridor, a massive toll road through the heart of the state that is pushed by Gov. Rick Perry and Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson.

Consider the “official” press releases from Estes and King:

Senator Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls) co-authored Senate Bill 1267 to put a two-year moratorium on privately funded toll roads, including the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor.

“We need to put the brakes on these public-private contracts used to finance new toll-road projects and the Trans-Texas Corridor,” said Estes. “There are too many unanswered questions and recent revelations of poor accountability require the legislature to step in.”

Senate Bill 1267 imposes a two-year moratorium on privately funded toll road projects by barring any new comprehensive development agreements or toll-project sales to a private entity and requiring a study committee to examine the impact of these projects.

“I am very concerned that these private contracts lack the accountability and transparency voters demand in the operations of their government, and until we fully understand both the public policy and fiscal impact of these agreements, it is in the interest of the public to stop them before it is too late,” said Estes.

The moratorium would only apply to privately funded toll-road projects, and does not halt the construction of a publicly funded toll-road project.

Here’s the press release from King:

“Transparency and public participation have been critical issues throughout this toll road process,” stated King. “Providing for a two-year moratorium on the toll project will further this goal by allowing for greater public involvement as well as increased legislative oversight.

The bill, in addition to staying the Trans Texas Corridor project for two years, would also create a legislative study committee comprised of members from the House, Senate and governor’s office. The committee would be charged with conducting public hearings and evaluating the public policy implications of allowing a private entity to operate and collect revenue from a toll project.

“The implications surrounding the construction of toll roads in Texas are too great not to be completely and adequately reviewed,” King said. “Allowing the legislature to study the current proposals and consider alternatives to building toll roads are in the best interests of the citizens of this state.”

A shot or not ...

Meanwhile, the controversy over Gov. Perry’s order for the human papilloma virus vaccine continues with a shot at the legislature from his press secretary, Robert Black.

“If legislators pursue the course of making the HPV vaccine optional, the effect will be that 65 percent fewer women will be vaccinated against a virus that can cause cancer. While some would make this debate about the separation of powers, it is about saving lives.

“Gov. Perry’s executive order merely directs an executive branch state agency to do what the legislature already has empowered them to do: which is to determine whether the HPV vaccine should be added to the list of mandatory school inoculations. Because Governor Perry’s executive order is consistent with current law, nothing has been issued today that in any way alters the Governor’s directive.

“And knowing that last week Sen. Nelson and Rep. Keffer stood up with Gov. Perry at a news conference about finding a cure for cancer, we hope they and other legislators will join him in making sure the first vaccine ever created that prevents a cancer will get the widest distribution possible to protect young women from this deadly virus.”