MORE CORRIDOR ACTION TO REPORT
> ATTORNEY GENERAL RULES AGAINST SECRET CDA
> 1,000 ATTEND THE LARGEST ANTI-TTC RALLY
> BUMPER STICKERS AVAILABLE ONLINE
> CORRIDORWATCH SIGNS IN SECOND PRINTING
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RULES AGAINST SECRET CDA
The Texas Attorney General has ruled that TxDOT cannot keep the signed Cintra CDA agreement secret. Two portions of that agreement have been withheld from public release despite earlier TxDOT claims that it would be made public once signed. The two parts still kept hidden from the public are the conceptual development and financial plans.
In the opinion letter dated May 31, 2005, the AG's office found:
"Having considered Cintra's arguments and reviewed the information at issue, we conclude that Cintra has failed to make a prima facie case that its information constitutes trade secrets. Further, we find that Cintra has made only conclusory allegations that release of the requested information would cause the company substantial competitive injury and has provided no specific factual or evidentiary showing to support these allegations."
The entire ruling can be read online at:
http://www.CorridorWatch.org/ttc/cw-or2005-04699.htm
CorridorWatch.org will not be surprised if Cintra contests this ruling. It has been reported that a similar agreement in Ontario, Canada, for ETR407 was to be made public upon signing that the it took legal action and two-years before that agreement was released.
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1,000 ATTEND THE STATES LARGEST ANTI-TTC RALLY
The Blackland Coalition attracted a crowd of 1,000 to a rally at Seaton Star Hall near Temple, Texas, on Friday, June 3rd. This is the largest crowd ever! Participants heard from Blackland Coalition leadership, Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, and both David and Linda Stall of CorridorWatch.org.
The well organized program included information about TTC-35 from Blackland Coalition Chairman Ralph Snyder; environmental impact comments by Mickey Burleson; discussion of eminent domain issues by Austin attorney Mike Barron; and, petition drive remarks from Leonard Cobb. Through out the program attendees paid close attention, studied handouts, and took notes.
Keynote speaker Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn gave an impassioned speech blasting the Trans Texas Corridor project. Her remarks were well received by the audience.
For event photographs and additional information visit:
http://www.CorridorWatch.org/blackland
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STOP the TTC BUMPER STICKERS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
They're here!
3-inch by 11.5-inch weatherproof red, white and blue stickers with removable adhesive are ready for your bumper, rear window or any other smooth surface.
You can see these sharp looking stickers and order them online at:
http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc/cw-stickers.htm
Support a good cause. Place your order today. Put one on everything you own! All proceeds benefit CorridorWatch.org.
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CORRIDORWATCH.ORG TRESPASSING SIGNS IN THIRD PRINTING
Yes! We sold out of signs again last Friday at the Blackland Coalition rally and have gone back to print more signs this week.
Raise public awareness of the TTC and help support CorridorWatch.org efforts – Buy and display a No TxDOT Trespassing sign on your fence or gate.
See the signs and get more information at:
http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc/cw-signs.htm
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Thank you for your interest, concern and support,
David & Linda Stall
CorridorWatch.org
Toll road project can't be a secret
By RAD SALLEE Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
The Texas Attorney General's Office agrees with the Chronicle that citizens have a right to know how a private development group plans to build and finance a toll road from Dallas to San Antonio.
On March 11, the Texas Department of Transportation and the consortium Cintra-Zachry signed a comprehensive development agreement for TTC-35, the first leg of the Trans-Texas Corridor. Eventually, the route could extend from Oklahoma to Mexico and include rail, utilities and other facilities.
The pact was signed with a good bit of fanfare, and — except for two key parts — it was made public. (See it at www.keeptexasmoving.org.) But TxDOT withheld the financial and development plans, saying they contained proprietary information.
Officials said releasing these details could harm Cintra-Zachry competitively and discourage companies who might seek to develop other legs of the corridor, such as TTC/I-69, proposed to run from Texarkana to Mexico past Houston.
The attorney general's opinion says TxDOT failed to show how revealing the plans would cause harm. It also says that because the agreement has been signed, the deal being negotiated is no longer protected by law from disclosure.
TxDOT and Cintra-Zachry may sue to overturn the ruling. Both are reviewing the ruling but have not decided what action to take, spokespersons said.