SAY NO TO ANOTHER SHAM REVIEW – LET THE NEW TOWN COUNCIL DECIDE

·       After stalling a proper Independent Review (IR) of the Corridor Project for 2 years, County Council is pushing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for another SHAM REVIEW, just as they pushed on us in 2020. It excludes Citizens, does not examine all options, and dilutes the Review’s work plan submitted by Senator Davis and Citizens.

·       The current plan still does not disclose proof that it solves our congestion problem, nor its total cost, especially considering missing and hidden parts.

·       It will encourage traffic growth and funnel that through a single 11-equivalent lane bridge and 11-lane intersections while ignoring efficient connections to/from the Cross Island and local 278.

·       This effort seems driven by self-interest from the Chamber and other lobby groups who want to support massive growth.

·       The Sanibel Bridge and Causeway collapse also tells us not to put all our eggs in 1 basket. 

·       The County wants to rush the plan but fails to understand that they are the chief source of delay. 

·       Almost 10,000 people oppose the current plan and its lack of proof that it is the best option. They want to see if there is a better way and will illuminate the numerous project gaps and irregularities to Federal approval authorities. This will bog down the Federal NEPA Review.

THE FASTEST PATH TO A SOUND PROJECT IS TO START WITH AN UNBIASED INDEPENDENT REVIEW. County Council seems to be deathly afraid of that, and for 2 years has tried to subvert and kill it in every way possible. What are they so afraid we will discover?

We must find a better way, but County Council is once again using “sky is falling” tactics to coerce Town Council to cave in on a SHAM VOTE on October 4, just 38 days before many leave office. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1 - Please come to the Town Council meeting on Oct. 4 at 3 PM. Tell the Town:

-        SAY NO to the County’s SHAM MOA. Do not sign away any of our rights or bind the Town to a terrible deal.

-        Let the incoming Town Council decide. Demand a proper unbiased Independent Review (e.g. using the plan Senator Davis developed in April 2020), even if we do it on our own. 

You can also address Town Council (3 minutes Max.) by contacting the Town Clerk at 843.341.4701 no later than 12:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting.

2 - Just showing up and supporting the speakers is good.

3 - If you have not already done so, please sign our petition at https://chng.it/gxXykZBv

4 - Please tell your friends and forward this request to your email lists.

This is our best way to restore science, community input, ethics, and transparency into what has become a politically corrupted process. 

Thank you from the many groups and individuals working on this.