County holds off on changing TTC stance
"It is time to draw a line in the sand." - Cedric Popp
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

There was a general feeling of disappointment expressed by some county residents when the Wharton County Commissioners Court declined to vote on adopting a new resolution in opposition to the I-69/ Trans-Texas Corridor Monday.

"Take the lead in (opposing the corridor) by approving this today," El Campo resident Michael Beard said.

Serving as the designated spokesperson for the public in opposition to the TTC at the meeting was El Campo farmer Cedric Popp. He said anything at this point that could be seen as supporting the project, even support for using existing routes, could be seen as support for the TTC.

"It is time to draw a line in the sand," he said. "TxDOT is currently under Sunset review and any resolutions will be seen as a black mark on their record. We need to stay strong now and anything that can be interpreted as weakness will work against us."

When County Judge John Murrile said he was opposed to the TTC but supported improvements to U.S. 59, Popp said formalizing such a statement would work in favor of the project.

"Don't do anything that can be construed as being supportive of any part of it," he said.

A vocal opponent to the TTC on several public occasions, Precinct 2 Commissioner Chris King said Popp's statements weren't strong enough.

"I disagree with drawing a line in the sand and instead favor etching the line in stone," he said.

King continued by expressing his distrust for TxDOT officials and Gov. Rick Perry. He said both the governor and the agency have created a lot of mistrust and referred to the public hearings held in the county this month as being a "spin show."

But King also supported waiting until a new resolution replacing the one passed in September 2004 by the court can be written and shared with the incorporated cities of the county: Wharton, El Campo and East Bernard.

"We've got to get with the cities so that we are all on the same page," he said. "We need to have a concise and simple way of saying 'No.'"

King said he was actually looking at making the prior resolution even more simplified and would have something prepared for commissioners to pass at their March 10 meeting. Popp, Beard and others encouraged all those attending to be present for the meeting, to bring others and be early to ensure the court take action.