411 Connector Should Not Be on T-SPLOST Wish List

To the Editor,

It was announced months ago that Bartow County Commissioner Clarence Brown was selected to serve as the voting member for a three county area (Bartow, Chattooga and Floyd counties) on the Northwest Georgia Transportation Roundtable. It is comprised of 15 counties and the other four voting members also represent three counties apiece.

At the end of this month, each county is being asked to submit a transportation project wish list to the roundtable for consideration. The projects, if passed by voters on the 2012 ballot, will be funded through a transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST). The potential T-SPLOST would be a one-cent sales tax for 10 years and could generate approximately $120 million per year.

Reports from Rome indicate their elected officials are planning to add the $180 million to $280 million 411 Connector to the regional project list.

Just recently, Georgia Department of Transportation Board Member David Doss confirmed the state does not have enough money to fund the controversial project. However, guess who does have the money to fund the very expensive, longer and environmentally damaging route? You do; the taxpayer – thanks to this potential T-SPLOST.

That is why Commissioner Brown must ensure the 411 Connector, which only benefits Rome, is not included on our area’s project list. We are already paying enough in taxes for roads and county projects.

Further, there are several other county transportation projects that need this money, and wasting our tax dollars on one city’s quest to reach I-75 – no matter the cost, environmental damage and legal delays – could be a stain on Brown’s otherwise sterling legacy. 

He has been a leader in this community and parts beyond for many years. Yet, when it comes to this issue (and potential vote), we need him to lead once more.

Respectfully,

Stacy Jones