| Politicians might have different ideas for solving problems, but they were in perfect harmony about one local topic Wednesday.
Just about every candidate at a town hall meeting at River Pointe Church in Richmond voiced opposition to the proposed toll road on Texas 99.
The forum, sponsored by a local residents group called STOP (Stop Tolls on Parkway), was a chance for some campaigning and schmoozing before the March 4 primary.
The event began with a meet-and-greet in the church's lobby, followed by candidate introductions in the church auditorium. Some candidates spent many of their allotted minutes talking about their candidacy or subjects unrelated to the toll road, specifically Segment C of the Grand Parkway.
The segment of the roadway would, according to STOP's Web site, run 26 miles from U.S. 59 along Crabb River Road, then south and east over to Texas 288, through Fort Bend and Brazoria counties.
One candidate, county Precinct 1 commissioner challenger Richard Morrison, attacked current Commissioner Tom Stavinoha. But most candidates stuck to the evening's topic of the viability of the toll road.
Morrison said he was against the idea, painting Stavinoha as a supporter. Stavinoha said he, too, was against the proposal.
Co-moderator Lynn Franklin said it wasn't realistic for people in residential areas affected by the road to give up and just sell their houses.
“Where are you going to go? There's a segment (of the road) wherever you go in Houston,” she said.
Franklin encouraged people to speak out against the concept, which would be built in the next few years. STOP members and toll road opponents say they're against the proposed road for numerous reasons, including quality of life issues, traffic, environmental concerns and the effect on their property.
Sheriff Milton Wright, who shared the dais with several other candidates, including challenger Billy Frank Teague, was the first to speak Wednesday.
“A sheriff doesn't do very much about building, engineering or designing roads,” he said. “We take care of it after it gets here.”
“As sheriff, I would probably not have much of a voice with TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) and county officials,” Teague said. “But I will listen to every word that you as the citizens of this county would ask me for help, and I will relay that word. I guess I'm old school - I'm thinking majority rules.”
Stavinoha spoke about the growth in the county.
“We're growing by 20,000 to 25,000 people a year, and we've been doing that for the past 10 to 15 years,” he said. “We're going to continue with that growth - 7,000 to 8,000 houses a year. Growth is going to happen. It's difficult to stop it. I see the benefits of growth.”
He talked about the accessibility of hospitals and shopping opportunities and available employment in Fort Bend County as attributes for area residents. But with the Grand Parkway project, he said he was against building the road now. Instead, he supports funding the Texas 36 project here.
Like some other candidates, he said blame for road woes in Texas lie with the state, explaining that TxDOT is “broke” and that the state has refused to raise the gasoline tax since 1991.
“That's why toll roads have become so popular now,” he said, pointing out that TxDOT makes money from toll roads and doesn't have to maintain them.
Other candidates for county commissioner Precinct 1 said they were opposed to the road.
Gerald Anderson said he was against it because of how it would affect properties and values. Rodrigo Carreon was opposed to it because the toll project is a form of double taxation.
Bill Dostal said the road was not designed as a tollway, and he said voters should have final say in how it operates. Sharon Wallingford said TxDOT does have money in its coffers to pay for road construction.
In keeping with the anti-TxDOT theme of the night, Republican state representative candidate Steve Host said TxDOT has been given too much power, explaining that government oversight needs to be closer to the people so they can have more say-so in decisions.
Democratic Rep. Dora Olivo said the proposed toll road would be a “serious intrusion” into area neighborhoods and communities.
After all of the candidates spoke, co-moderator Paul Turner read some audience questions to the group before ending the meeting.
“I'd like to think our night was very successful, and any time we can get our public involved and our officials in a discussion, it's productive,” Turner said afterward. “Regardless of your view or your opinion, I think it's productive.”
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