Witness the confusion and questionable nature of internal VDOT emails about the bypass and its cost. Scroll to the bottom of the page at the following link for the audio file of the story, including UVA theatre students reading the comments.
I have just learned that information has been obtained Tuesday from VDOT but is not being released by the MPO chair. I have demanded release of that information immediately.
I hope you have read my letter to the editor with Dennis Rooker a week ago about our views of the current bypass resurgence. Some road supporters have complained that it is old information, but the information is still accurate and complete, as opposed to the incomplete assurances which are being offered today for local projects.
As you may expect there has been an outpouring of concern about the speed toward approval and lack of new information on the proposed bypass, about the process of coercion from the state, which has starved our local transportation budget for several years to create the desperation we now feel, and about the design and location of the proposed road. Why should we destroy such a swath of developed neighborhoods and school environment for a few minutes gain on a connector road? The current design will increase the traffic issues at each end, in places where there is considerable congestion and level of accidents today.
Many of you have emphasized the long term health effects on our school children of the truck traffic near the school grounds, on top of the noise distraction which will interfere with learning. The residential neighbors will suffer the same fates. We should not, knowingly, put our residents in harms way.
I am not in favor of this change in our long range plan and definitely NOT in favor of changing the TIP or transportation improvement program funding list. If the MPO votes to make that change, without the local roads promised voted into the state TIP and investment begun, we may lose all our local funds and get only the bypass and the widening. Those two parts alone will not solve our problem and will create more.
Since there has been no memo from VDOT as promised, how can we know what we will receive? Why should we give up our small leverage without it? How can any offer from VDOT and the CTB be enforced? How can our citizens be protected?
New engineering information indicates that building the bypass will make a Berkmar Extended unfeasible, due to the expensive flyovers or intersections necessary to cross the bypass.
We have seen no design for the northern end. What will be the effect on Forest Lakes and Ashwood Blvd? What contract or MOU do we have to prove that VDOT means what it promises? Future politicians may force the VDOT staff to rescind their offers.
I am unable to be at the meeting Wednesday, but four of the board members will be in attendance. I have written my concerns to them, just as you have. Thank you for your attention to this matter. The citizen participation on this issue has been the major factor over the years to bring good government and good process to road building.
The composite index or CPI is the state formula used to divide education dollars. It compares income levels, current tax rates, property values, other tax revenue, all features which describe a community’s “ability to pay.” Our ability to pay has increased in 2010 compared to other places mainly because our real estate values have not fallen as far as others. “It’s all relative” actually applies here. Our CPI went up, meaning we would receive fewer state dollars ($5.2M less). Albemarle County also has some extremely wealthy people, whose income tends to raise the income statistics for the entire county. The composite index is evaluated every two years.
The General Assembly this month has decided to cushion the blow to Albemarle by the adoption of the new composite index by providing replacement funds for the upcoming year. What is coming after that? We know that in FY 2012, beginning July 1, 2011, the $5.2 M replacement funds will be cut in half, to $2.7M using the same composite index. In FY 2013, there will be NO replacement, thus we will have that $5.2M hole again compared to today’s budget. Also in FY13 the county will pay more into the VRS or VA Retirement System. How much more we do not know. The General Assembly postponed higher payments to make it easier for localities. But it will only be easier if we begin saving now.
A strong education system is a keystone to Albemarle’s economic vitality. Education provides opportunity and skills to all students and helps each to achieve to the best of his or her ability and become a productive adult. When county taxpayers invest in education, they are “buying in” to the corporation at the lowest cost possible. Successful students will have more productive lives, be employed, support their families, and make contributions to our society as their strengths dictate. If we cut the essential educational processes and students fall behind or through the cracks in our safety net, higher costs will be paid in the future for many other social and justice services.
Everyone has high expectations for continued improvement in operations. With concerned citizens electing committed and energetic school board members, I am certain we will not be disappointed.
