[WestMALocals] Press Release| Broadhurst Condemns Call for More Toll Roads

[Owen Broadhurst]

Owen R. Broadhurst
96 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA  01001-3202
413.786.1508

AGAWAM – The Green-Rainbow Party candidate for State Representative in the
Third Hampden District, Owen R. Broadhurst of Agawam, condemned the
Transportation Finance Commission for plans to turn Interstates 81, 291 and
391 over to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. "During a time when more
people than ever point to regressive taxes and burdensome fees as an
impediment to better living conditions and a more just economy for all,"
Broadhurst noted, "The Transportation Finance Commission intends to subject
the population of Western Massachusetts to more  taxes and tolls."



Broadhurst called for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority to be disbanded
immediately. "The proper way to fund our transportation infrastructure
cannot be found in fees and taxes that disproportionately burden those least
able to pay," Broadhurst insisted. "For supporters of the Transportation
Finance Commission's scheme to claim expenses for the Central Artery justify
their recommendation is absurd. Bechtel and other contractors fleecing the
state must be compelled to pay for their mistakes – not the taxpayers, and
certainly not individuals from Western Mass. who commute."



Broadhurst urged immediate abolition of all toll plazas, as well as the
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Broadhurst insisted also that an
independent commission, similar to the prior Ward Commission, must review
what he called "clear corruption" in the Central Artery Project, or Big Dig.
"The culture of corruption among the two major parties in Boston is so
pervasive, and such a part and parcel of their very fabric," Broadhurst
noted, "that only people whose hands are clean of the whole entire mess and
all of its players may be entrusted to once again play the role of the Ward
Commission in investigating the thorough corruption and maladministration of
public construction projects in this State."



Broadhurst urged that such a commission, modeled after the Commission headed
by John William Ward investigating the UMass/ Boston construction scandal of
1977, be given power to subpoena records, grant immunity to witnesses, hold
public and private hearings, and refer cases for prosecution. "Central
Artery Project over-runs are the major reason stuffed shirts and political
hacks are calling for tolls on I-291 and I-391 today," Broadhurst noted.
"The reforms of the Ward Commission need to be realized again."



Broadhurst commended Sen. Marian Walsh for proposing just such a Commission,
and insisted that Bechtel/Parson Brinckerhoff and various other contractors
and engineering firms handsomely paid by the project should bear financial
responsibility for reduced toll receipts in the Ted Williams and Sumner
tunnels as well as repairs and any cost over-runs that can be connected to
negligence or malfeasance. Broadhurst urged elimination of filed
sub-contractor bidding, as well. "The Transportation Finance Commission
expects Western Massachusetts to pay for Modern Continental's repair bill. I
disagree."


-- 
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org