|
El Editor
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: NORTH AND NORTHEAST LUBBOCK LEFT OUT AGAIN AND DISTRICT 1 CITIZENS COMMENDED; CONGRATULATED
Normally, you would find an executive summary at the end of a discussion paper but here, I've opted to place it first and foremost. The summary of what I'm about to say below is, "North and East Lubbock got screwed once again!"
Randy Hopmann, Lubbock District Engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation was on the radio this week crowing about all the new road construction going on in Lubbock, Texas. For example, there's the "comes from nowhere and goes nowhere Marsha Sharp Freeway" which is draining so many financial resources that the City of Lubbock and Lubbock County will be feeling the ill-effects of not having any additional financial resources for roads for almost a decade to come.
Normally, I would listen to the interview and wonder why Randy is currently on a radio tour pimping his wares? But what caught my attention instead was a caller's question. The caller wanted to know the status of the "outer loop" project.
For those of you who might not know, there exists an organization whose purpose is to plan roads and highways for Lubbock's future. According to their website, http://www.lubbockmpo.org/index.htm But back to the question, what is the "outer loop?" Of course everyone's heard of Loop 289 which encircles the City of Lubbock. Well, the "outer loop" is just that, another road, just like Loop 289 but further out. Further out into Lubbock County. In fact, if you take a look at a map of San Antonio, Texas you will see an excellent example of what I am talking about. Two big circles going around the city of San Antonio, making the city look like a bullseye from above.
So why is North and East Lubbock screwed? Because the Lubbock Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) voted for a partial loop around the City. Of course, the loop will be completed in northwest Lubbock, and going counter-clockwise, the loop will continue into west Lubbock, southwest Lubbock, south Lubbock and even into southeast Lubbock. But the loop WILL NOT go all the way around into northeast Lubbock.
Randy's response to the caller's question was that a consulting firm had already been hired to determine the best route for the loop as designated. The caller was happy, but I'm not. We should alll be asking why didn't the MPO plan for the "outer loop" to go completely around the entire city? Everyone knows that the building of roads leads to potential development along those roads. More housing, more businesses, more people for a shrinking, and some would say dying, northeast Lubbock. After all, the City was willing to spend tons of money to push Milwaukee and Frankford further north, and you can see all the new growth that it has brought to west Lubbock.
Take a look at the MPO's website and see where the majority of funding is going to go to for years to come. Did North and East Lubbock get even close to getting their fair share?
So in closing, I'll say this, "Randy go peddle your wares somewhere else." The people of North and East Lubbock know the truth, we got screwed again!
RMS, Lubbock via Email
District 1 Citizens Commended; Congratulated
District 1 Citizens: You are the envy and an example to other districts across Lubbock for your efforts of "freedom of speech and the press, the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (Source: US Constitution, First Amendment).
Your participation in local government is to be commended. Hopefully, that enthusiasm will carry itself over to every vote in the future and will inspire other Lubbock citizens to pay attention and get involved.
Unfortunately, I have serious doubts if the democratic process was truly fair and applied equally in the recent controversy. There are still too many things done behind closed doors and without any explanation until the "deeds are done".
As my Granddaddy would say, "It don't pass the smell test boy."
Any level of government, at least in the USA, should be open and transparent. The government should welcome tough questions, just not the ones that are easy or make them look good. Thomas Edison the great inventor once said, "Restlessness and discount are the necessities of progress".
I think there is a majority (know matter what present leadership think or say) of Lubbock citizens in every district that are restless and discontent with the present leadership (elected and appointed). Let's now see, if we get progress.
I was not necessarily for the recall of Councilwoman DeLeon, but I was certainly for the process and the right for voters to petition. District 1 citizens who signed the petition are to be commended. Those citizens who refused to sign the petition are to be congratulated. The citizens who refused to sign or not sign, just because you did not want to get involved, hopefully, will participate next time when your opinion matters (which I think is all the time).
Dixon Platt, Lubbock via Email
Editor’s note: Mr. Platt served as Lubbock City Council Chief of Staff until he was terminated in May by City Manager Lee Ann Dumbauld. Platt then filed a request for a public grievance against the city; saying that it was politics which had motivated his termination and not inappropriate behavior as the city claimed. After 2 days of hearings, on August 3, Platt announced his intention to drop the grievance against the city; saying that it was impossible to get a fair hearing from the city appointed attorney who had been selected to act as hearing officer. Platt also indicated at the time that he reserved his right to bring further legal action against the city. That decision has not been made and is still pending.
|