LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Locals won't benefit from TTC

Editor, the Leader-News:

Please everybody, it is time to wake up to what the Trans-Texas Corridor is going to do to our county and to our state!

TxDOT is going to use our tax money to buy the land to build a super-highway to move imported goods through the state from Mexico to Canada and to the middle of the country.

There will be no local benefit from this thing and it is not being built as a regional transportation solution. Matter of fact, with its limited access, it will cut off the southern part of the state from the remainder and actually make our (and Houston's) traffic problems worse.

And, insult to injury, a foreign company is going to build it, manage it and profit from it.

This makes me think that we are supposed to pay our taxes to help pay for our own destruction. It will destroy homes, farms and livelihoods. It will erase our community and many others. Many families will be displaced. And you can expect to pay more taxes because of it.

Why don't they just bill it as the Great Wall of China - because it will divide Wharton County (and the state of Texas) in half.

Sharon Thyssen

Glen Flora

TTC study, facts disconnected

Editor, the Leader-News:

Recent articles in the local papers discussing city government actions in regard to the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor portray a disconnect of information.

The just-released Tier One Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) prepared by TxDOT for the I-69/ TTC project contradicts certain assumptions in these articles.

Firstly, the articles refer to a corridor width of 1,200 feet whereas the DEIS states that the minimum study width of the corridor is one-half mile (2,640 feet) with a maximum width of "generally four miles." (Note: Wharton County would lose over 20,000 acres from the tax base if the TTC were to cross the county at a nominal width of one mile.)

Secondly, comments by city officials indicate a certainty that the corridor will be constructed along the existing U.S. 59 right-of-way. The DEIS identifies the "New Location Corridor Alternative" as the preferred option and states the use of "Existing Facilities" (U.S. 59) is beyond the scope of the study.

If TxDOT has informed the various regional groups studying the TTC that the U.S. 59 right-of-way will be used, then this begs the question of why we the taxpayers of the state of Texas are spending in excess of $100 million to complete an environmental impact review that does not study this option.

I encourage all residents of Wharton County to become informed about this important issue. The DEIS is available in its entirety at TxDOT's Web site: ttc.keeptexasmoving. com. Please make plans to attend one of the upcoming public meetings.

Respectfully,

Joe King Glen Flora

Tattered flag is disrespectful

Editor, the Leader-News:

As a proud American and a proud sister of a Marine, I just can't sit by and do nothing about the disrespect of the Best Western in El Campo, Texas.

I drive by this Best Western daily and since Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008 our American flag is being flown improperly and it's very disrespectful to myself and my family.

I called the manager today, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008 and told him that it was very disrespectful and he said he "would go outside right now and take care of it."

I decided to drive by later in the day to see if he kept his word, but hadn't. He should at least remove it all together than to leave it in its sad condition.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Rodriguez

Editor's Note: It is a responsibility of all Americans who choose to fly flags outside their homes or businesses to do so properly. Flags that are tattered and torn should be replaced. Those that hang by only one eyelet should be replaced immediately as well. A disposal box (an old mailbox painted red, white and blue) is located outside the El Campo fire station for old flags. Those flags will be properly disposed of.