Vote "FOR" the 3 Collin County Bond Packages tomorrow!!

The Dallas Morning News is supporting the Collin County Bonds.  I have attached the article for review. 

Dallas Morning News Editorial

Editorial: We Recommend: Yes on Bonds

We Recommend: Yes on bonds

12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, October 21, 2007

Should Collin County voters approve $235.6 million in bonds to plan, build and improve roads countywide, or should it work closely with state and federal officials to expand a few major highways that serve as the backbone of the county's transportation system?

The obvious answer is "Yes." All of the above.

The question, you see, is not an "either/or," despite efforts by some opponents of Proposition 1 to make it appear that way. The package was crafted by 37 citizens with guidance from professional engineers to address 113 urgent transportation needs throughout the county. There is no reasonable alternative.

County Judge Keith Self says working with the state on creative finance options is an alternative way to ease traffic congestion, but that is misleading. That's not an alternative as much as it's a red herring. Even if the state were ready to work with Collin County officials on major highways, it will never help build or plan the roads that are at issue in this bond election.

This bond package deals with roads that need to be planned, built and improved using county and local money. There's no avoiding that responsibility.

County officials must continue to work with the state and federal government on planning for major highways, but these county roads will bear the brunt of the growth that will continue for the next several decades.

Regional transportation experts say traffic on the county's major highways will increase by 63 percent by 2030. On the major county roads, vehicle miles traveled will increase 247 percent in that same period, more than tripling the time spent delayed in traffic on these roads.

Think about where you drive. It makes sense.

Despite these facts, Mr. Self says we need to focus on the backbone of the county. The backbone is important, but so are the arteries and the veins that make up the county's circulation system. Collin County voters should not be tricked into making false choices; they should approve this bond and pressure state leaders to deliver on the backbone highways.

That means voters must also see through the deceiving tax arguments meant to distract them from this important responsibility.

• Is the county spending beyond its means? No. Even with this new debt, the county will be using the equivalent of $1,000 on a credit card with a $10,000 limit. The financial standing of Collin County is the envy of other counties.

• Is your community getting its "fair share"? Yes. The citizens who shaped this package do not simply divide the money based on population. That would be irresponsible and lazy. Rather, they realize that funding an engineering feasibility study for a bridge over Lake Lavon will, in the long term, help people in Frisco. They realize that improving roads in Melissa will help people in McKinney. They realize that Collin County residents do not live, work and play exclusively in their own cities and that mobility planning must cross city limits.

Proposition 1 is not about grandiose projects. It's actually a rather mundane step in the planning a growing county needs to do, except for the fact that the county judge, for whatever reason, is fighting it.

Mr. Self calls these projects pork, but they are more like meat and potatoes.

DMN Suburban Editorial Board

The election is tomorrow so remember to get out and vote. 

If you are not sure where to vote,you can visit  http://team.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/SearchSelectionPolling.jsp   Just put in your birth date and drivers license # and it will tell you your precinct number and show you a list of polling locations in your area with your precinct.  Polls will be open from 7am - 7pm. 

Collin County of Association of Realtors is hosting a Victory Party tomorrow night starting at 7pm.  The event is open to the public and I'd love to see you there!  Margaritas and appetizers will be available.