Trans Texas Corridor renamed, not dead
TURF supporters demand ACTION, not rhetoric
TURF reaction to TxDOT announcement:
The announcement by TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz at the Texas
Transportation Forum that the “Trans Texas Corridor, as it was originally
envisioned, is no more,” is just another in a series of comments to lead
opponents into believing the Trans Texas Corridor is indeed dead. TURF believes
this is a deliberate move to dupe opponents into complacency, and we expect
iron-clad action before we begin celebrating victory.
It’s clear from the TxDOT Director’s speech, that it’s only a name change
and the Trans Texas Corridor is, in reality, going underground.
This fact is evident in just about every news source across the state:
“‘Amadeo told folks at the forum that the Trans-Texas Corridor, as it was
originally envisioned, is no more,’ Amacker (Saenz spokesperson) said.
‘Instead, what we’ve got is a series of smaller projects.’
Those ’smaller projects’ will apparently include the 300-plus miles of
what has been called TTC-35 from San Antonio to the Oklahoma border and the
I-69 project from the Rio Grande Valley to Texarkana. But they will not be
called the Trans-Texas Corridor.” — Austin American Statesman
________________________________________________________
“Other than backpedaling from the Trans-Texas Corridor brand, and the
goals and priorities set over the years, the Trans-Texas Corridor remains
intact.
TxDOT still plans to partner with private corporations to build and lease
projects. Toll roads, truck-only lanes and rail lanes are also still on the
table.
Environmental studies for the I-35 and East Texas corridor segments still
chug through the pipeline. And a development contract with Cintra of Spain and
Zachry Construction Co. of San Antonio, for projects paralleling I-35, is still
valid.” — San Antonio Express-News
_________________________________________________________
“The renewed effort now will operate under the name ‘Innovative
Connectivity Plan.’” – Houston Chronicle
_________________________________________________________
No law has been changed, no minute order rescinded, no environmental
document re-done (as is required by federal law), and there are still two
contracts signed giving two Spanish companies the right of first refusal on
segments of the corridor previously known as TTC-35 & TTC-69. So by every real
measure, the Trans Texas Corridor goes on full steam ahead. What today’s hype
was about is a political ploy to make the public go back to sleep while it gets
built under a different name. While we welcome genuine responsiveness from
TxDOT and a true repeal of the Trans Texas Corridor, this hardly qualifies.
Lets just say, we agree with Senator Robert Nichols’ statement in the
Dallas Morning News:
“If it is just a name change, and nothing more, I don’t think that is
going to do much to appease lawmakers,” said Nichols, R-Jacksonville.
###
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 07 January 2009 )
Judge hears evidence in TURF lawsuit against City of San Antonio
Written by Terri Hall
Tuesday, 06 January 2009
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Judge hears evidence in TURF lawsuit against City of San Antonio
City denied TURF permits to hang banners
above roadways
San Antonio, TX, January 6, 2009 – Monday, United States District
Judge Xavier Rodriguez heard TURF’s motion for a temporary restraining order
and motion for a preliminary injunction against the City of San Antonio for
denying TURF permits to hang two banners in the public right of way, which TURF
believes is a blatant violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
After hearing more than 3 hours of evidence and testimony, Judge
Rodriguez did not rule but said he intends to rule by the end of this week.
Rodriguez repeatedly and openly struggled with the fact that the City at one
point approved the banners only to later deny them with no legal basis other
than the arbitrary interpretation of City employees. He also stated he’s
wrestling with the City’s discrimination based on viewpoint and other key legal
arguments noted by TURF attorney David Van Os.
One City employee, Arturo Elizondo, who initially granted
permission for the banners only to later deny them, contradicted the testimony
of his supervisor, David Simpson, which, by his own admission, baffled the
Judge. The explanation for their denial changed stories several times and
morphed into what amounts to legislating on the fly in order divine some excuse
to deny approval of the banners.
Read more…
TURF sues City of San Antonio over free speech
Written by Terri Hall
Friday, 02 January 2009
PRESS ADVISORY
TURF sues City of
San Antonio for infringing on Free Speech
City denied TURF permits to hang banners
above roadways
San Antonio, TX – On Monday, January 5 at 2:30 PM, United States
District Judge Xavier Rodriguez will hear TURF’s motion for a temporary
restraining order and motion for a preliminary injunction against the City of
San Antonio for denying TURF permits to hang two banners in the public right of
way, which TURF believes is a blatant violation of the First Amendment of the
U.S. Constitution..
Through TURF’s efforts to inform the public about the gas tax
original plan for 281 and the recall of pro-toll, flip-flopper District 8
Councilwoman Diane Cibrian, it applied for permits from the City of San Antonio
to place banners above the roadways at key locations. TURF was originally
granted permission only to have that permission later rescinded once the
higher-ups at the City caught wind of TURF’s banner messages: one directing
people to the www.281OverpassesNow.com web site and the other to the
www.RecallDiane.com web site. One of the banners had already been made at a
cost of nearly $700!
WHO: The concerned citizens of TURF
WHAT: Hearing for a temporary restraining order and preliminary
injunction against the City of San Antonio for violation of citizens’ Free
Speech
WHERE/WHEN: Judge Xavier Rodriguez’ courtroom on Monday, January 5
at 2:30 PM in Courtroom 3 on the first floor of the John Wood United States
Courthouse at 655 E. Durango Blvd.
“Clearly, the City of San Antonio has no respect for Free Speech
nor fair treatment of ALL groups, regardless of their make-up or message. The
City denied our banners simply because it disagrees with the message of toll
opponents. We the people own the public right of way, and the First Amendment
protects the citizens from government gag orders on speech. We hope the court
will right this wrong and allow our banners to be hung,” states TURF Founder,
Terri Hall.
The City claims the speech/message of the banners is
“controversial” and therefore the legal basis for its denial; however, the
statute gives the City no such authority to deny permits based on content,
which violates of the citizens’ First Amendment rights in the U.S. Constitution.
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