Building inroads

Cape Girardeau County's Road and Bridge Advisory Board is flexing some muscle.

With the backing of countless county property owners who want their roads paved, the advisory board recently set a Feb. 15 deadline for the county highway administrator to file easements for a $3.4 million road-building program in 2008. The advisory board reports to the county commission and does not have hiring and firing authority, but the panel appears to be acting on behalf of voters who approved a half-cent sales tax last year for aggressive road paving.

Frustrated by a lack of bids late last fall, the advisory board wants to ensure the road program hits no potholes this year. In a special session last week, the advisory board firmly stated its position, which included advice on bookkeeping (some easement paperwork had apparently been lost). The board made it clear foot-dragging would not be tolerated. Members of the board indicated the county's integrity is at stake.

The role of the advisory board has taken much of the politics out of road planning. The advisory board's members are scattered throughout the county. The board appears to be holding government accountable, which is admirable.

But much responsibility still lies with property owners. On occasion, the county has had difficulty obtaining easements necessary for road improvements. Robb McClary, hired by the county to work with property owners on easements, said the county is looking for 30-foot easements so road crews can have the access they need to build the roads. The county's policy is that it will not pay for easements, nor will it pave roads in sections. That puts a lot of pressure on holdout property owners.

The bottom line: Between the advisory board's representation and neighbors' cooperation, this is a process that seems to give a lot of power to the people. That's the way it should be.