I-66 PROJECT FACES FINANCIAL TROUBLE IN CONGRESS, AT HOME

The Interstate 66 project is running on empty financially, both in Congress and at home.

The Senate hasn't included funding for new road projects in its federal highway bill and funding for designated projects is far from certain in the House.

On top of that, I-66 promoter Walt Wildman has had to do more than lobby for a coast-to-coast highway. He has had to beg for donations along the proposed Virginia-to-California route just to pay his salary and keep the doors open to the Interstate 66 Project Inc. office.

Wildman, who heads the organization, is owed $11,600 in salary. Wildman's monthly salary is $2,900, but he said hasn't been paid for the February, March, April and May.

The Cape Girardeau-based organization shares space with the Regional Commerce and Growth Association in an office building at 1021 Kingsway.

In nine months, from July 1 to March 28, the lobbying organization paid $32,709 in expenses, leaving it with a $184 balance.

The expenses included $11,600 paid to reimburse the RCGA for money spent on such things as travel and telephone calls.

As of May 1, I-66 Inc. had $20,000 worth of expenses it hadn't paid, financial records show.

Wildman describes himself as a consultant serving as the I-66 executive director.

Wildman has taken his case on the road, traveling across much of the proposed route through rural America.

He compares his travels to those of Johnny Appleseed. But so far, he has planted little in the way of funding.

"My efforts to this point have been primarily focused on promotion and lobbying," Wildman said. "Obviously, it has left us pretty short on cash."

Wildman concedes he can't go on like that forever. "I am dedicated, but not stupid," he said.

To address the problem, the I-66 executive committee decided in April to send an invoice to counties and cities along the proposed route to raise funds.

Wildman said invoices will be sent to about 200 counties and cities asking them to pay 15 cents a person based on their populations.

He said I-66 Inc. expects to receive about $30,000 from the Wichita, Kan., area.

The executive committee members are Virgil Elfrink of Cape Girardeau, president; Gene Penzel of Jackson, vice president; Ernie Beussink of Cape Girardeau, secretary-treasurer; and non-officers Benny Eason of Sikeston and Gene Rhodes of Cape Girardeau.

Paducah, Ky., Mayor Gerry Montgomery has been a vocal supporter of the I-66 project.

She is concerned about the financial woes facing the lobbying organization. "It is just very difficult to keep one of these campaigns going for a long period of time."

Montgomery said the biggest problem is that many in Congress don't want to fund new highway projects.

David LaValle, legislative director for U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Girardeau, said the House is still wrestling with a national highway bill.

Some in Congress want to eliminate highway demonstration projects, which are ones that haven't been designated by state or federal highway departments to receive direct funding.

LaValle said upgrading existing highways from Wichita eastward to Virginia offers a better chance for funding than constructing a totally new highway.

"You may never see an I-66 sign," he said.

The House also is looking at placing transportation trust funds "off budget" to assure that user-fee revenue is spent for road and transportation projects.

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Emerson and other Republicans charge that the $30 billion sitting in aviation, water and highway funds is being used to mask the true size of the deficit. The highway fund alone totals some $12 billion plus, LaValle said.

LaValle said a highway bill likely will be brought to the House floor in June or early July.

Getting through the funding maze in Congress isn't easy, Wildman said, adding: "My biggest challenge is to keep people interested while all this is going on."

I-66 Project Inc. income

Cape Girardeau contributors:

City of Cape Girardeau $5,000

Health Services Corp. of America $4,500

Gene Rhodes $2,000

Jerry Lipps $500

Jerry Drury $200

Six-Thirty Inc. $100

Non-Cape contributors:

City of Springfield, Mo., $9,000

City of Metropolis, Ill., $3,000

E.A. Martin Machinery of Springfield, Mo., $2,000