Voice of the People
In response to George Mraks letter on March 13
I can assure you that no one from CAPIT’s core group has said publicly or
otherwise that a route has been chosen along “high tension lines.” We, too,
have heard the rumor and realize it is just that, a rumor.
Most of the people who spoke at our March 10 legislative forum were members
of the public who where there to air their concerns in front of the
legislators. The meeting was not held in order to allow CAPIT leaders to
state our views; it was for the public. Speakers were basing their opinions
on their personal experiences. A trucker who travels nationwide is a pretty
good person to estimate the cost of tolls for trucks. Anyone who drives down
any expressway can see that there are many rural roads that dead end before
they get to the expressway. One doesn’t need a study to see that.
I am the Vice President of CAPIT and our main argument is not that a study
has not been scheduled, one has. Indiana and Illinois signed a memorandum of
understanding in Nov. of last year. Our argument is that the pending
legislation (SB1) gives the governor full authority to move ahead before
this scheduled study has even begun. We’re also unhappy with the current
spin that indicates SB1 is authorization for the governor to do a study.
Spinners would like the public to think that without SB1’s passage, there
can be no study. That is simply not true. No study whatsoever is provided
for in the bill. In it’s current form, the bill gives authority to the
governor to contract with a private entity to build and manage this toll
road. Should we be bidding out the job before a study has even begun?
CAPIT is hardly relying on rumors, speculation, and fear-mongering. We don’t
have to. The fact that SB1 would allow our residents’ land to be taken via
eminent domain for the profit of a private (and likely foreign) entity with
no proof of benefits to the public good is enough.
You mention an apathetic public; 1,000 people at one meeting does not sound
apathetic to me. Before you criticize the leaders of our group, please take
the time to contact us and learn our actual stance. Don’t rely on rumors and
speculation.
Laura Blaney
Posted 3/14/2007
