VDOT listening, but not hearing traffic problem raised by Eastern Shore resident [Editor's Note: Mr. Hogge has had an ongoing discussion with VDOT about the traffic dangers inherent in a construction proposal on the Eastern Shore. Other correspondence on the problem to VDOT include: State hwy. plan would waste money, cause dangerous traffic flaw ; & Eastern Shore residents asks government for common sense solutions to transportation problem] Mr.
Clement: I
appreciate your February 21, 2003 response to my e-mail message.
With the exception of advising me to contact Ms. Wimbush, your
response reiterated the facts I stated in my message to you.
What is at issue in this matter is the inappropriate expenditure
of Public Transportation Funds (State and Federal) due to a “poor”
decision at the local government level.
I have described to you a similar example not three (3) miles
away from this site that is almost identical land use and the local
governing body is requesting $2 million in transportation funds to
remediate the same transportation problem that is about to be created. Mr.
Cumming and Ms. Wimbush are applying the VDOT standards and they are
requesting the developer to adhere to same.
They are performing their jobs.
I might add Mr. Cumming does an excellent job for us here on the
Eastern Shore. The
answer to this matter lies within your office and in the Governor’s
Office. As Secretary of
Transportation, with the information presented to you, you should be
able to foresee there will be another request from the local governing
body of Northampton County to correct a transportation problem that is
almost identical to the request VDOT has received not 30 days ago from
the same governing body. Is
it your intent to dismiss the matter of poor management of
transportation funds because the request for funds to correct the
transportation problem won’t happen on your watch? If
you are not able to direct the proper spending of transportation funds
then, with the exception of the voters, please direct me to the person
that can. Granville
Hogg - Eastern Shore |