Passion over toll roads expressed at MPO meeting

L-R: MPO Chair & Councilwoman Sheila McNeil with staffer, TURF Executive Director Terri Hall, Cristina Cibrian, Councilwoman Diane Cibrian staffer Michael Shackleford, Bexar County Commissioner Lyle Larsen, former Bexar County Judge Cyndi Krier, State Senator Carlos Uresti, Greater Chamber CEO & former Councilman Richard Perez, Windcrest Mayor Jack Leonhardt & Bexar County Commissioner Chico Rodriguez, John Sanford, Congressman Ciro Rodriguez staffer Brad Mayhar, Carri Baker Wells, former Mayor Bill Thorton, Jim Reed, Anti-Toll attorney David van Os, State Rep. David Leibowitz, Dr. Joyce McCullum, AACOG Diredtor Gloria Arriaga, Estside activist T. C. Calvert, City Mgr. Sheryl Sculley, attendees, anti-toll sign, directions to the meeting

A red-hot forum erupted at the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting, Monday, December 3rd at VIA Headquarters that heard Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson request that only elected officials on the board vote and the staffers "to butt out."

Although sometimes contentious, the meeting dragged on for a record five hours with both sides of the aisle casting aspersions on the other sides logic. With a 12-4 vote with one abstention and two missing members, (Councilmen Philip Cortez & Justin Rodriguez) the board voted to subsidize $112 million dollars for the $476 million dollar project.

Express-News Columnist Carlos Guerra:
Crowded meeting, lotsof e-mails show the passion over toll roads
KENS video:
MPO approves toll roads, fees
Express-News Transportation Reporter Patrick Driscoll:
Toll rates OK'd for U.S. 281