09/17/2015
Yesterday the Hillsborough county commission asked for a fourth review of the Go Hillsborough transportation planning & outreach contract. This was the right thing to do. We need transparency in all parts of transportation.
It was great to see Commissioners call the questions about Go Hillsborough what they are: part of a long history of attacks on the people and process of transportation planning that leads to silencing citizens. It is vital this audit joins the other three reviews to ensure the public understands that these issues and accusations are unrelated to the plan and what citizens need.
They also made it clear this does not invalidate a plan that thousands of citizens and hundreds of professionals has been going on for years. No one has made a case that the product has been affected at all by these political accusations. All of the input was overseen by the Hillsborough Elections Supervisor, County Employees, and contractors. The Times has even reviewed every single sheet and posted them on the web.
We had our own issues with parts of the outreach -- and have made those clear before. But, it doesn't change the fact that this plan that funds transit 2x more than new road capacity, funds bike/walk by more than $121 million, and creates 24 new bus routes. Those are more important than any political issue. Those things means getting people to work, making our lives better, and building a future of transportation options for Hillsborough.
Much has been discussed about the only news media to make these accusations and we feel it is important we tell you our thoughts about it.
The first person to speak in the WTSP story was someone who has personally attacked leaders and volunteers of Connect Tampa Bay -- over and over. It was no surprise that the reporter then repeated many erroneous claims throughout the story that person has made.
Let us make this clear: Every single mention of Connect Tampa Bay in his story had to be corrected -- one was so erroneous it was removed. None of these things came up in numerous conversations and emails with the reporter as we gave significant research assistance to the story over the past year.
In recent weeks this process has gotten nasty. That doesn't surprise anyone here. From day one individuals has yelled at our volunteers for signing up supporters, called our allies N***s, and tried to make insane claims about our goals.
Connect Tampa Bay starts and ends with the facts and the people who join us and stand up. We asked for this process that people have a say -- and won. We asked for a transportation firm to lead the planning & outreach not a political consultant before anyone else -- and won. We demanded more transit than 36% -- and won. But we never did it by attacking or smearing leaders, government officials, and other experts as criminals, s***s, and n***s -- as we have witnessed over and over again.
Responding to these tactics by stopping the process and stopping talking to the people about the choices they have is a horrible idea. Stopping making the plan better would be a horrible choice. We are glad the commission did not.
We are also glad the commission moved forward with a fourth review: Lets get the facts straight, do a clear review & audit. And then move forward. If there was something wrong, move forward by fixing the issue and then fix transportation. If nothing was done wrong, move forward with Go Hillsborough and build clear citizen & outside expert reviews built into every part of the process and fix transportation.
Pulling back before a review is complete would be a horrible mistake and only serve embolden those that would silence the thousands of citizens that have taken part in Go Hillsborough.
http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/hillsborough-county-commissioners-call-for-audit-of-go-hillsborough/2245815
TAMPA — Hillsborough County commissioners on Wednesday asked for an audit of its $1.35 million contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff, an engineering firm hired to gather public input for Go Hillsborough.
