John Gard whining in local paper about Highway 41 construction delays

[TheMightyFavog]

http://www.webmediainc.com/54157PT/PeshtigoTimes.taf?function=detail&Layout1_uid2=14257

July 6, 2005

Governor James E. Doyle

Room 115 East

Wisconsin State Capitol

Madison, Wisconsin 53702

Dear Governor Doyle,

I am writing to personally ask you to change your mind about delaying the Highway 41 project between Oconto and Peshtigo by at least one year. I believe the sudden announcement of a delay on this stretch of highway is dishonest, unjustified and a personal attack on me and the hard-working honest people I represent.

This stretch of roadway is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous in the entire state. The need for the road is painfully clear in the number of lives lost between Peshtigo and Oconto in the last few years.

You and I have our areas of agreement and our areas of disagreement on state policy initiatives. That is the nature of our jobs. While we have our battles, we also work together on many issues to bring people together and get things done.

There is a mutual level of respect that comes with our jobs as the leaders of our respective parties and branches of government that helps us get things done for the common good.

With that in mind, I was shocked and angered when I read in the newspaper that you are delaying the critical project between Peshtigo and Oconto on Highway 41. I have spoken with you and numerous members of your administration about this project ever since you became Governor. You know how important this stretch of road is to me and the people I represent. The need for the road is clear, and my constituents' lives are literally at stake.

The way the decision was made and revealed is an absolute personal attack on me and can be explained no other way. The people I represent and I deserve more respect than what you have shown here. We have both earned it many times over.

For years they have patiently waited watching one unnecessary accident after another with the hopes of getting a four lane highway done. In addition, I specifically sped up this project in a state budget several years ago and that provision was signed into law by Governor Thompson. He knew what I know -- that this stretch of road is one on the most dangerous in the state and needs to be fixed.

With one quick decision behind closed doors you and your administration have broken the promise to the families in Marinette and Oconto County. Governors should rise above attacks like this, especially when it means the lives of people of our state.

The excuse given is a delay in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). That excuse is matched by all the facts and information provided by DOT staff in meeting after meeting with the people who live, drive and own property on this route. The EIS was first released in 1999, one year prior to the selection of the highway corridor. DOT staff has informed me that this document has been available for public comment and not significantly changed in more than 5 years. Additionally, the federal government has also voiced no concerns over this study in that time.

The EIS excuse is a classic bureaucratic excuse that allows you to blame other people for your personal attack on me and my constituents. The DOT staff has been incredibly professional and focused on getting this road done. They know that this dangerous stretch of road needs to be fixed, before even more lives are needlessly lost.

I know this level of disrespect and attack would never be tolerated by the folks who care about the Marquette interchange project in Milwaukee. You have seen fit to get other projects done while you and your administration personally focus on delaying the most important project to me and my district.

Your budget sought to raid the transportation fund hundreds of millions of dollars with a promise of no delays. Yet this action appears to be setting the table for numerous delays because of your desire to raid the highway fund.

You or any member of your administration never had the courtesy, decency or respect to contact me with any concerns about this project. That speaks volumes about your lack of respect for the families in this area.

In conclusion, I believe you need to reverse your decision. I believe it is my job as the voice for my constituents to do whatever it takes to make sure that happens. The people of northeast Wisconsin await your reply.

Sincerely,

John G. Gard

Speaker of the Assembly


We're in a budget shortfall, A school district in a neighboring district is facing closure due to lack of funds, the UW System is woefully underfunded, and He's bitching about a fucking Highway construction project?

Road Construction can wait, asshole.

[RevCheesehead]

1. If I recall correctly,

41 North of Green Bay is virtually a straight road, isn't it?

I agree - road construction can wait.

[TheMightyFavog]

2. There's a pretty good bend just outside of Peshtigo.

But otherwise, it's pretty well much a straight shot to Oconto. It is still a two lane highway until Oconto, though.

[CarbonDate]

3. I don't understand the need

...for an expansion between Oconto and Peshtigo. There's like, what, 8,500 people total between the two towns? There's nothing up there. I actually have driven up that way once or twice, and I don't see anything remotely dangerous about that stretch of highway as long as people are obeying the speed limit. If the problem is speeding, then the answer is increased enforcement, not an expanded highway to let people speed even more.

Sheesh.

[Broca]

4. I feel slighted by all this.

I once had a letter to the editor published referring to John Gard as a petty tyrant and I did not get a letter from him complaining about my personal attack. Maybe I should have added more adjectives like pathetic, partisan, egoistical, demagogic, etc. Of course I would never go so far to note his atrophied sense of humanity and morality; mainly because atrophied implies that he may have once had these things.