LETTER: If Garden Parkway is rejected, funds will be spent elsewhere

For those suffering under the illusion perpetrated by those opposed to the Garden Parkway, please note the following from the North Carolina General Assembly Fiscal Research Department:

The 2010 budget eliminated gap funds for the Garden Parkway in the current fiscal year (FY 2011-12) and cut gap funds in half in the second year of the biennium (FY 2012-13) for a total of $17.5 million. General Statutes dictate that the full $35 million in gap funds will be restored in FY 2013-14. Reducing, eliminating, or changing the gap funds in FY 2012-13 and beyond will take an act of the General Assembly. If these funds are reduced or eliminated, it will be up to the General Assembly to determine where to transfer these funds within the Highway Trust Fund or allow the existing Highway Trust Fund statutory formula to reallocate the funds among the Intrastate System, Secondary Roads, Aid to Municipalities, and Urban Loops. As it is fully at the discretion of the General Assembly, it is possible, but not likely, that the funds could be transferred to the Highway Fund or General Fund.

It is a certainty that the Garden Parkway appropriated funds would not come to Gaston County to be used at its discretion. It is indeed sad that opponents of the Garden Parkway have attempted to convince the public that this would be the case.

Furthermore, the opponents have not presented any alternative economic development plans for the future of our area and the State of North Carolina. Connectivity to the Douglas International Airport and the tremendous economic opportunities in manufacturing, distribution and tourism is indeed extremely promising.

The bottom line is this: We can turn our backs on a project of 18-plus years study and approximately $20 million plus investment and donate the funding to another part of North Carolina for its project. We and our children can then look forward to a major parking lot scenario with little promise for job opportunities and economic development.

However, we will continue to pay gasoline taxes and other fees which provide the revenue for The Highway Trust Fund and its transportation infrastructure projects.

We have utmost confidence that our citizens will look at the facts and we trust and pray they will do the right thing for our future.

William A. Current, Sr.
Rep. Current represents District 109 in the North Carolina House of Representatives
Gastonia