LETTERS: HIGHWAY PLANS CAN'T BE INFLEXIBLE

To the editor:

It is unfortunate that you and your editorial staff did not, before jumping onto Margaret Kelly's three-wheeled bandwagon, have or take the opportunity to read her staff's audits of the Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, now the Missouri Department of Transportation. I read my first one in 1989 and noticed that she had specifically accused the Missouri Highway Commission of "losing money" in its billboard inspection program with the implication being that somehow the department was at least negligent, if not somehow in league with billboard interests to prevent adequate inspections. Of course, the comment was ignorant, because the fee in question was set by the Legislature, which had rejected at that time at least 11 requests by the department to increase it. I point that out only to illustrate that Ms. Kelly's staff knows little, if anything, about highway department finances.

The real tragedy of your editorial is your assumption that the 15-year plan was somehow a rigid, inflexible series of projects to be built in a specific order no matter what.

The next time you or any of your staff who contributed to this marvelous piece of writing drive down Nash Road to the port, the next time you or one of the citizens of this area benefits either by job or tax revenue from either of the new plants at the port, turn and look at this editorial. Nash Road East was not a part of the 15-year plan. If there were no flexibility, we would have no road.

You have fallen into the Margaret Kelly trap, one that the commission fortunately has not fallen into. Over time, circumstances and needs change, and priorities have to be arranged and rearranged.

A plan is a valuable tool in keeping one focused and directional. Rigid adherence would be an anathema to thinking persons.

JOHN L. OLIVER JR.

Cape Girardeau

EDITOR'S NOTE: Oliver is a former member of the Missouri Highway Commission.