08-La-Entrada-Update-Smyke-Archives-01-02-08.html

----- Original Message -----

From: Pete Smyke

Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2007 10:45 PM

Subject: La Entrada Update / Statewide Party

We've been working on forming a Big Bend Sub-Regional Planning Commission. This would be a state recognized regional planning entity under Chapter 391 of the Texas Municipal Code, with standing equal to TXDOT or any other state agency, and the legal backup to demand that TXDOT coordinate its planning and information with this locally run entity. It takes two governmental entities in a region to create a regional planning commission. The Alpine City Council has adopted a resolution to form a commission and is waiting for another entity to join. (These can be cities, counties, or school and water districts.)

The Brewster County Commissioners will be meeting on January 14th and should discuss the sub regional planning commission, but they are reported to be viewing it with disfavor. If you haven't already written to the commissioners, now is a good time to let them know that efforts to stop LA E should rise above politics. It's clear that all of the voters in the Big Bend (and all the residents) are against it, and expect their elected officials to do everything in their power to help stop it. If you live outside the Big Bend be sure and write to voice your concerns as well.

This link is to the La Entrada forum of the Reviva Collective, an Alpine artist's collective working against LA E. The post "commissioner's letter" by Jeff contains a letter (scroll down) that pretty much says it all if anyone needs ideas:

We're planning a "statewide letter writing party" on Saturday, January 26th, from 1 to 3 pm. Originally it was just going to be Marfa, Alpine and Ft. Davis, but then we figured other folks might also want to get in on it. Essentially we've asked one cafe in each town if we can take over a few tables and have folks drop by and write letters against La E. In addition to getting letters out we're also going to use the party as a press hook to do a statewide press release against La Entrada, so the more towns we can say participated the more punch it will have.

If you can organize something in your area please let me know and we'll make sure everyone has info, flyers, and sample letters and press releases. The hook is geographical reach so even just having a few folks at each event makes it worthwhile. It also provides an excellent opportunity to educate friends and neighbors about La E.

This is important because TXDOT will finally be holding a public meeting in the Big Bend in February. The Stewards Of The Big Bend will be presenting the petitions they've gathered to them at that point, and TXDOT will apparently be discussing the numbers related to the feasability study. We don't know the exact date of the meeting yet, but they should be sending out a notice.

This will get you the latest from TXDOT, and let them know folks are looking over thier shoulder at how La E is being handled.

Even though we're planning some press, it's vitally important that our message go out by word of mouth, so folks will be at least somewhat familiar with La Entrada when they see it in the papers or on the news. Please be sure and pass on emails, and encourage folks you know to get involved. It needs to be absolutely clear to La Entrada's backers that people across Texas see through their scheme and aren't going to let it wreck the Big Bend.

www.stopthetrucks.org — Comprehensive roundup of La Entrada information.

www.revivacollective.org — Do-it-yourself information for folks who want to make their voices heard

bigbendletters@yahoo.com — Writing letters to raise awareness of and oppose La Entrada