Norman Pace testifies before MDC on I-69

PUBLIC TESTIMONY: August 20, 2003

Norman Pace, Land Use Chairman for McANA, spoke in opposition to including the proposed route 3c for I-69 in the Regional Transportation Plan (after hearing testimony, the Commission voted 6 to 3 in favor of amending the Plan)

Good afternoon Chairman Snyder & Members of the Commission,

I am here on behalf of McANA as the Land Use Chairman. We are asking that you vote “NO” on Resolution No. 03-T-011B for the following reasons:

In the booklet titled: The Case Against I-69 New Terrain (click here for pdf copy) which was sent to each one of you, there are some data, which I would like to state for the record.

· On page 7, INDOT’s Public Comment Period occurred from July 31 to November 7, 2002. A review of all comments resulted in 94% against new terrain or for I-70/US 41 Route.
· Decatur’s Township Meeting occurred last September 9^th, 2002 and the results depicted 93% voted for “NO BUILD” or for I-70/US 41 Route. (Page 8)
· Perry Township Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting occurred on July 24^th, just last month, where 250-300 citizens attended. Not one (1) citizen spoke in support of I-69 proposed route through Perry Township.

This meeting in Perry Township is the public process most important to your vote today. These citizens are our neighbors in Marion County. It is their input that should be considered most important for whether to accept this proposed route into the long range plan. The public has clearly said “NO”.

The Metropolitan Development Commission honors this public process every two weeks. We need you to honor it today in the very same way.

We are quite aware of the pressure that you have been subjected in your vote on this resolution. But, when times are the toughest is when the people’s voice should be heard most strongly. For that is what makes democracy works for the common good.

My final comment is a quote on page 9 of the booklet sent to you:
“It is truly sad that there was no meeting in Perry Township until after the proposed route was scheduled. That is suspect in itself. At that public meeting on July 24^th, 2003. There was not one (1) person out of the 250-300 citizens who were in favor of this project. Not one.”
Signed by: Dr. Philip Borst, President, Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council, in a letter to the Metropolitan Development Commission, dated August 5^th, 2003.

Thank you and please vote NO.