10/18/07  Trinity Toll Road Coverage and Journalist Investigations
Rafael Rodriguez

Jim Schutze and Sam Merten are Dallas' version of the famous Watergate reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. Their coverage of the Trinity River Toll Road issue has brought to light many areas of concern related to the development of the Trinity River Project. 

Dallas' voters have a second chance to address this issue.

I hope toll road backers realize the reality of this and embrace the opportunity both sides now have to simply state their case and allow democracy to play itself out.

I understand how former councilman Craig Holcomb must feel at this time. Having to present your case before Dallas' voters for a second time with a backdrop of embarrassing news reports of FBI Dallas City Hall corruption indictments would be tough enough. 

Schutze (Dallas Observer) and Merten (DallasBlog) have disclosed unethical and biased campaign actions by City Hall employees and elected officials related to the upcoming Referendum vote on November 6th, some of it originating inside our city manager's office.  They have exposed toll road backers' continually use of the word "PARKWAY" to describe what really is a TURNPIKE with 55 mile per hour traffic filled with huge cargo trucks alongside a tranquil setting of parks and open space.

Vote No!'s position is a tough job to sell twice to Dallas' voters. 

I thought I'd heard it all, but I actually heard a rap song about this issue yesterday.  What's next? Mariachi Mexican street bands selling a toll-road to Dallas' Hispanic voters?

Rafael Rodriguez, Dallas Taxpayer