Tennessee Dept. of Transportation (TDOT) continues to think backwards. I went to a public meeting Monday about a "Corridor Study" TDOT is doing of the I-81/I-40 corridor. TDOT is trying to determine how to improve the movement of goods and people from Bristol to Memphis. This is especially about freight traffic and whether and/or how to move freight from the interstate to rail.

We learned that they are doing NO analysis of the environmental effects of any of the alternatives. They think that environmental effects will only be considered AFTER they make recommendations about what projects to pursue.

They think in terms of dozens of finite and discrete parts of the 550 mile corridor (i.e., the 15 miles east of the I-81/I-40 split) and not in terms of the entire system.

That is bad enough, but to make decisions about whether to support freight rail improvements and if so, which ones, BEFORE considering the effects of the options on, for instance, air quality is backwards and not in the public's interest.

They also seem entirely unable to consider things like whether anyone can find and afford motor fuel in the future. Or whether the location of "development" (residential, industrial, and commercial) can be influenced by where the roads go.

The TDOT people and the consultants they hire are stuck in old and irrelevant system of transportation planning rules, and it will take public outcry and active engagement at the level of the regional transportation planning organizations (TPOs) to change it. Currently, the TPOs rock along doing what they think local officials want (county commissions, city councils, mayors, etc.)

But in Blount County, nobody on county commission plays a role in or knows anything about what the Knoxville area TPO does. And there are some 15 different and independent TPOs in the path of the I-81/I-40 corridor.

Is it any wonder that The Pavers dictate the plans?

The Knoxville Regional TPO is going to begin a long range planning process in May. Be on the lookout and be ready to participate. Or we will get more of the same.

Male (neutered) Jack Russell Terrier - White short-hair with partial brown head. Missing since March 28. Has possibly been spotted in Wildwood around Clabough Market. Please call if you think you have sighted him. We miss him terribly.

My favorite part of the newspaper is the Opinion page. No, not the editorial (that's for darn sure), but the Letters to the Editor. Sometimes these letters aren't about any particular issue, just something burning in the mind of the author. I always enjoy those letters too, because I think it is a privilege to live in a community where people can be so open.

But often, someone hits the nail right on the head with an issue, like this one today, calling for Supernanny's intervention in the affairs of the Blount County Commission: Link...

I particularly like her postscript:

P.S. I sure hope the “kids” don’t decide my letter is slanderous and involve me in a lawsuit. I have more important things to attend to at the moment - I need to finish removing the border in my kitchen.

And then there was this one: Link...

Will you look at who is calling the kettle black! Mr. Mayor we are concerned about the expenses and waste of this county. You can call us whoever you want to title us. I support the people that belong to these concerned citizens groups. They are working for the taxpayers, the seniors, the low income, the children, the widows, etc.

Who are you working for, Mr. Mayor sir?

Good point, Ms. Handley!

I believe you are the cave man if anyone is. In fact, I wonder if you have not been bitten by a bat.

That's as good an explanation as any.

The Tennessee Clean Water Network has launched a new blog. The blog will cover water quality issues, legislative updates, stories from local communities, and updates on TCWN's activities.