9th St. Interchange & Wasted Land Beyond (BS File Photo)
Despite a reckless and unfair hearing at the Metro Council Transportation Committee last week, there’s still hope that the resolution sponsored by Tina Ward-Pugh and Tom Owen calling for public input in the soon to be named tolling authority will get a hearing, if at least only symbolic.
Last week, the Ward-Pugh / Owen resolution was defeated in committee after virtually no discussion. The opposing Kremer / Tandy resolution placing the Ohio River Bridges Project tolling authority on the fast track with no public scrutiny or input was passed after about 45 minutes of discussion.
After the rushed meeting, Tina Ward-Pugh was scratching her head wondering how a decision so fateful for the city can garner such little serious attention. She was shocked but not surprised, and plans to continue to fight for community input in the project that will define Louisville for generations.
The full Metro Council must now vote on the resolutions. Tina Ward-Pugh says there are Metro Council members willing to voice their opinion for public comment on the tolling authority. She expects 7 or 8 votes in favor of the Ward-Pugh / Owen resolution this week, a number that falls short of the fourteen votes needed to pass. The resolution’s wording, though, makes it clear what’s at stake (read more after the click):
[I"]f the Metro Council chooses to create the Bi-state Infrastructure Authority without establishing and executing its own fair and public process that ensures all citizens of this newly merged government understand the ORBP and its everlasting consequence to our community, it will be abdicating its responsibility to its constituents to an unelected, appointed body which will decide to impose what could be the largest tax increase in our city’s history.”
Ward-Pugh will sill hold public meetings, no matter what the outcome, to inform the public of what’s happening with the project. She remains optimistic that the best solution will emerge victorious in the end and hopes the public continues to pay attention as plans progress.
When the Kremer-Tandy resolution likely passes Metro Council this week, the Mayor will appoint four members to the bi-state tolling authority. The Ville-Voice speculates on the composition of the appointments:
“We’re guessing David Tandy’s in line for that one. He sponsored the Council’s ordinance and pretty much goes along with the Mayor’s whims. And the Mayor can do him a big favor, perhaps, in his quest to become the city’s next Mayor. The other sponsor of the ordinance, Republican Kevin Kramer, isn’t likely to be Jerry’s pick.
“You can guess that Abramson and Beshear will pack the authority with people who share their views, rather than a mix of people holding different opinions on the Bridges. This is why you can eliminate people like Tina Ward-Pugh of the Metro Council or 8664’s Tyler Allen, who would be most knowledgeable, from consideration.”
Passage of the Kremer / Tandy tolling authority resolution is by no means the end of the road. Tina Ward-Pugh notes that the upcoming leadership change as we elect a new mayor is one major step and encourages all Louisville residents concerned with the future of the city to find a candidate willing to stand up for progressive transportation policy among other ideas.
Click through to read some national perspective and take a look at the resolution.
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