07.27.06

TTC Hearings Update

Posted in Around The State, Election 2006, Road Issues at 9:45 am by wcnews

First here’s the story from the TDP on the meeting in Taylor on Tuesday night, Citizens share concerns on corridor. Not much new from what I wrote yesterday, they do give quite a bit of space to TxDOT in the article though. One clarification to my post yesterday, I received an email that TxDOT had the attendance in Taylor at close to 400, 390 to be exact. So much for my guesstimation skills.

As posted here yesterday, as well, Mary Beth Harrell spoke at the TTC Meeting in Temple last night. Here’s the TDT’s story on last night’s hearing, 1,500 show up at hearing.

About 1,500 people, including seven public officials and one gubernatorial candidate, showed up Wednesday at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center in Temple for a public hearing on the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor. According to a show of hands requested by one speaker, all but 11 were opposed to it.

I also received this via email on the hearing last night.

I was number 48 to speak which meant my turn didn’t come until way after 10 p.m. Every time I testify, I try to discuss a different aspect; this time, since much had already been made about the instability of Blackland Prairie soils, I just pointed to the floor of the Center and asked everybody to look down to see all the myriad hairline cracks in the concrete…all we have here is foot traffic; you can imagine what will happen when trucks roll over it, one after the other.

The ‘speaker’ who requested a show of hands was our Fred Head but for some reason the reporter could only name Strayhorn…Mary Beth Harrell also testified, rousingly, but no mention was made of the investigative hearings she proposed to unveil the secrecy behind TTC once she’s in Washington…

I sure wish the TDT which is in District 31 could have mentioned Mary Beth Harrell – the candidate for Congress in that district that has taken the time to show up at these meetings – at least once in the stories they’ve done this week on the TTC hearings. By the way Mary Beth Harrell is against the TTC and I’m not sure where John Carter stands on it. But at this point we can only assume he’s with all the other Republicans, pro-TTC.

[UPDATE]: Recived this via email. It’s a LTE sent to the TDT to clarify some points made in thier reporting on the Temple TTC hearing:

I just read the article concerning the TTC meeting last night and found it interesting that some information had been left out. You reported that Jon Burrows was booed, but you neglected to report that Temple Mayor Bill Jones was also booed and was even shouted down so loudly that the spokesperson for TxDOT had to chastise the crowd to quiet them down so that he could continue his 3 minute pro-corridor dialog. I realize that a reporter can\’t report every aspect of a meeting but this crowd reaction was too important not to mention. Please print this to straighten out the record. Thanks.

4 Comments »

  1. canofun said,

    July 27, 2006 at 4:30 pm

    Have a page up, here, that has video of audio of 7 county locations of politician and citizen comments from TTC – http://salon.glenrose.net/somnewsttc.asp – I went to the McClennan County (Waco) one, and also Bell County (Temple) last night-recording of Harrell on the Bell County link. (Heh, also the Mayor and Judge booed)

  2. Eye on Williamson » TTC In Temple Follow-Up said,

    July 28, 2006 at 9:03 am

    [...] Somervell County Salon has some great video from Wednesday’s TTC hearing in Temple. The video confirms the update to the yesterday’s post that Mayor Jones was booed. Well, I’m not sure if that’s technically correct, I’d say he was heckled, his speech was interrupted, and the crowd had to be quieted so he could continue. The TDT Reported this about Bell County Judge Jon Burrows, “Several in the audience booed when his name was announced”. While true, his comments were received much better than those of Mayor Jones, and Mr. Burrows received applause when he finished. If you don’t believe me watch the video. I think this is something the citizens of Temple would like to know about. A true account of what happened at the TTC hearing, and their mayor getting feedback from the citizenry. If it wasn’t for this video and the LTE from yesterday who would have ever known, other than the people who were in attendance, that this happened? [...]

  3. jware said,

    August 1, 2006 at 11:56 pm

    HOUSE JOURNAL
    SEVENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, REGULAR SESSION
    EIGHTY-FOURTH DAY — SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2003
    http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/hjrnl/78r/html/day84final.htm

    HB 3588, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to the construction, acquisition, financing, maintenance, management, operation, ownership, and control of transportation facilities and the progress, improvement, policing, and safety of transportation in the state; imposing criminal penalties.
    BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    ARTICLE 1. TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR

    On the part of the senate —
    Steve Ogden Bryan Brazos
    Gonzalo Barrientos Austin Travis
    Robert F. Deuell Greenville Hunt

    On the part of the house —
    Mike Krusee Austin Williamson
    Larry Phillips Sherman Grayson
    Dianne White Delisi Temple Bell
    Fred Hill Richardson Dallas
    Timoteo Garza Eagle Pass Maverick

    The motion prevailed by (Record 938): 146 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

    Yeas —
    Ray Allen Grand Prairie Dallas
    Roberto Alonzo Dallas Dallas
    Kevin Bailey Houston Harris
    Todd Baxter Austin Travis
    Leo Berman Tyler Smith
    Dwayne Bohac Houston Harris
    Dennis Bonnen Angleton Brazoria
    Dan Branch Dallas Dallas
    Betty Brown Terrell Kaufman
    Fred Brown College Station Brazos
    Lon Burnam Fort Worth Tarrant
    William “Bill” Callegari Katy Harris
    Scott Campbell San Angelo Tom Green
    Gabi Canales Alice Jim Wells
    Jaime Capelo Corpus Christi Nueces
    Carter Casteel New Braunfels Comal
    Norma Chavez El Paso El Paso
    Warren Chisum Pampa Gray
    Wayne Christian Center Shelby
    Garnet Coleman Houston Harris
    Byron Cook Corsicana Navarro
    Robert “Robby” Cook Eagle Lake Colorado
    Frank Corte, Jr. San Antonio Bexar
    Joe Crabb Atascocita Harris
    Myra Crownover Denton Denton
    John Davis Houston Harris
    Yvonne Davis Dallas Dallas
    Glenda Dawson Pearland Brazoria
    Dianne White Delisi Temple Bell
    Mary Denny Aubrey Denton
    Joseph “Joe” Deshotel Beaumont Jefferson
    Joe Driver Garland Dallas
    Dawnna Dukes Pflugerville Travis
    Jim Dunnam Waco McLennan
    Al Edwards Houston Harris
    Craig Eiland Galveston Galveston
    Rob Eissler The Woodlands Montgomery
    Gary Elkins Houston Harris
    Dan Ellis Livingston Polk
    Juan Escobar Kingsville Kleberg
    David Farabee Wichita Falls Wichita
    Jessica Farrar Houston Harris
    Ismael “Kino” Flores Mission Hidalgo
    Dan Flynn Van Van Zandt
    Pete Gallego Alpine Brewster
    Dan Gattis Georgetown Williamson
    Charlie Geren Fort Worth Tarrant
    Helen Giddings DeSoto Dallas
    Toby Goodman Arlington Tarrant
    Tony Goolsby Dallas Dallas
    Bob Griggs North Richland Hills Tarrant
    Kent Grusendorf Arlington Tarrant
    Ryan Guillen Rio Grande City Starr
    Roberto Gutierrez McAllen Hidalgo
    Patrick “Pat” Haggerty El Paso El Paso
    Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton Mauriceville Orange
    Peggy Hamric Houston Harris
    Richard “Rick” Hardcastle Vernon Wilbarger
    Linda Harper-Brown Irving Dallas
    Will Hartnett Dallas Dallas
    Talmadge Heflin Houston Harris
    Glenn Hegar, Jr. Katy Harris
    Harvey Hilderbran Kerrville Kerr
    Fred Hill Richardson Dallas
    Scott Hochberg Houston Harris
    Terri Hodge Dallas Dallas
    Mark Homer Paris Lamar
    Ruben Hope, Jr. Conroe Montgomery
    Chuck Hopson Jacksonville Cherokee
    Charlie Howard Sugar Land Fort Bend
    Bryan Hughes Mineola Wood
    Bob Hunter Abilene Taylor
    Suzanna Gratia Hupp Lampasas Lampasas
    Carl Isett Lubbock Lubbock
    Delwin Jones Lubbock Lubbock
    Elizabeth Ames Jones San Antonio Bexar
    Jesse Jones Dallas Dallas
    Terry Keel Austin Travis
    Jim Keffer Eastland Eastland
    Bill Keffer Dallas Dallas
    Phil King Weatherford Parker
    Lois Kolkhorst Brenham Washington
    Mike Krusee Austin Williamson
    Edmund Kuempel Seguin Guadalupe
    James E. “Pete” Laney Hale Center Hale
    Jodie Laubenberg Parker Collin
    Glenn Lewis Fort Worth Tarrant
    Vilma Luna Corpus Christi Nueces
    John Mabry, Jr. Waco McLennan
    Jerry Madden Richardson Collin
    Kenny Marchant Coppell Dallas
    Trey Martinez Fischer San Antonio Bexar
    Brian McCall Plano Collin
    Ruth Jones McClendon San Antonio Bexar
    Jim McReynolds Lufkin Angelina
    Jose Menendez San Antonio Bexar
    Ken Mercer San Antonio Bexar
    Tommy Merritt Longview Gregg
    Sid Miller Stephenville Erath
    Joe Moreno Houston Harris
    Paul Moreno El Paso El Paso
    Geanie Morrison Victoria Victoria
    Anna Mowery Fort Worth Tarrant
    Elliott Naishtat Austin Travis
    Joe Nixon Houston Harris
    Rick Noriega Houston Harris
    Rene Oliveira Brownsville Cameron
    Dora Olivo Richmond Fort Bend
    Ken Paxton, Jr. McKinney Collin
    Aaron Pena Edinburg Hidalgo
    Larry Phillips Sherman Grayson
    Joseph “Joe” Pickett El Paso El Paso
    Jim Pitts Waxahachie Ellis
    Robert Puente San Antonio Bexar
    Chente Quintanilla Tornillo El Paso
    Richard Raymond Laredo Webb
    Elvira Reyna Mesquite Dallas
    Debbie Riddle Tomball Harris
    Allan Ritter Nederland Jefferson
    Eddie Rodriguez Austin Travis
    Patrick Rose Dripping Springs Hays
    Gene Seaman Corpus Christi Nueces
    Todd Smith Euless Tarrant
    Wayne Smith Baytown Harris
    John Smithee Amarillo Randall
    Jim Solis San Benito Cameron
    Burt Solomons Carrollton Denton
    Jack Stick Austin Travis
    David Swinford Dumas Moore
    Robert Talton Pasadena Harris
    Larry Taylor Friendswood Galveston
    Barry Telford DeKalb Bowie
    Senfronia Thompson Houston Harris
    Vicki Truitt Keller Tarrant
    Sylvester Turner Houston Harris
    Carlos Uresti San Antonio Bexar
    Corbin Van Arsdale Cypress Harris
    Michael “Mike” Villarreal San Antonio Bexar
    G. E. “Buddy” West Odessa Ector
    Ron Wilson Houston Harris
    Miguel “Mike” Wise Weslaco Hidalgo
    Arlene Wohlgemuth Burleson Johnson
    Steven Wolens Dallas Dallas
    Martha Wong Houston Harris
    Beverly Woolley Houston Harris
    William “Bill” Zedler Burleson Tarrant

    Present, not voting —
    Tom Craddick, Speaker of the House Midland Midland(C).

    Absent, Excused —
    Timoteo Garza Eagle Pass Maverick*

    Absent —
    Joaquin Castro San Antonio Bexar**
    Harold Dutton Houston Harris**

    *[NOTE: Garza left during the reading but voted YEA on 3588 on May 10, 2003]

    **STATEMENTS OF VOTE
    When Record No. 938 was taken, I was in the house but away from my desk. I would have voted yes. —
    Joaquin Castro San Antonio Bexar
    When Record No. 938 was taken, my vote failed to register. I would have voted yes. —
    Harold Dutton Houston Harris

    SENATE JOURNAL
    SEVENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION
    EIGHTY-FOURTH DAY — SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2003
    http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/sjrnl/78r/html/sj06-01-f.htm

    SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 65
    WHEREAS, The conference committee report for HB 3588 contains technical errors that should be corrected.

    On motion of Senator Ogden, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0

    Yeas —
    Ken Armbrister Victoria Victoria
    Kip Averitt McGregor McLennan
    Gonzalo Barrientos Austin Travis
    Teel Bivins Amarillo Potter
    Kim Brimer Fort Worth Tarrant
    John Carona Dallas Dallas
    Robert F. Deuell Greenville Hunt
    Robert Duncan Lubbock Lubbock
    Rodney Ellis Houston Harris
    Craig Estes Wichita Falls Wichita
    Troy Fraser Horseshoe Bay Burnet
    Mario Gallegos Houston Harris
    Chris Harris Arlington Tarrant
    Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa Mission Hidalgo
    Mike Jackson La Porte Harris
    Kyle Janek Houston Harris
    Jon Lindsay Houston Harris
    Eddie Lucio Brownsville Cameron
    Frank Madla San Antonio Bexar
    Jane Nelson Lewisville Denton
    Steve Ogden Bryan Brazos
    Bill Ratliff Mount Pleasant Titus
    Florence Shapiro Plano Collin
    Eliot Shapleigh El Paso El Paso
    Todd Staples Palestine Anderson
    Leticia Van de Putte San Antonio Bexar
    Jeff Wentworth San Antonio Bexar
    Royce West Dallas Dallas
    John Whitmire Houston Harris
    Tommy Williams The Woodlands Montgomery
    Judith Zaffirini Laredo Webb

    Add up the UNANIMOUS supporters of the TTC: 180-0!

    Here is a two-sided flyer in Microsoft Works that you can download and print out to distribute in your area. Post the link all over the net! Get the word out!

    http://www.upload2.net/page/download/G3jo6CxI2Li9KiJ/HouseSenateTTC.wps.html

  4. jware said,

    August 2, 2006 at 12:03 am

    SENATE JOURNAL
    SEVENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE — REGULAR SESSION
    EIGHTY-FOURTH DAY — SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2003
    http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/sjrnl/78r/html/sj06-01-f.htm

    SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 65
    WHEREAS, The conference committee report for HB 3588 contains technical errors that should be corrected.

    On motion of Senator Ogden, the Conference Committee Report was adopted by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0

    Yeas —
    Ken Armbrister Victoria Victoria
    Kip Averitt McGregor McLennan
    Gonzalo Barrientos Austin Travis
    Teel Bivins Amarillo Potter
    Kim Brimer Fort Worth Tarrant
    John Carona Dallas Dallas
    Robert F. Deuell Greenville Hunt
    Robert Duncan Lubbock Lubbock
    Rodney Ellis Houston Harris
    Craig Estes Wichita Falls Wichita
    Troy Fraser Horseshoe Bay Burnet
    Mario Gallegos Houston Harris
    Chris Harris Arlington Tarrant
    Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa Mission Hidalgo
    Mike Jackson La Porte Harris
    Kyle Janek Houston Harris
    Jon Lindsay Houston Harris
    Eddie Lucio Brownsville Cameron
    Frank Madla San Antonio Bexar
    Jane Nelson Lewisville Denton
    Steve Ogden Bryan Brazos
    Bill Ratliff Mount Pleasant Titus
    Florence Shapiro Plano Collin
    Eliot Shapleigh El Paso El Paso
    Todd Staples Palestine Anderson
    Leticia Van de Putte San Antonio Bexar
    Jeff Wentworth San Antonio Bexar
    Royce West Dallas Dallas
    John Whitmire Houston Harris
    Tommy Williams The Woodlands Montgomery
    Judith Zaffirini Laredo Webb

    Add up the UNANIMOUS supporters of the TTC: 180-0!

    Here is a two-sided flyer in Microsoft Works that you can download and print out to distribute in your area. Post the link all over the net! Get the word out!

    http://www.upload2.net/page/download/G3jo6CxI2Li9KiJ/HouseSenateTTC.wps.html

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