To MPO or not to MPO

Always looking for the most exciting news in the Tampa Bay area, last night I went to a meeting of the Hillsborough MPO, Metropolitan Planning for Transportation.

The Hillsborough MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) is tasked with policy making for long-range transportation needs in the county. Last night's meeting was a presentation of the results of several workshops conducted by TBARTA (Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority) intended to assess the feasibility of merging the MPOs of Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties into a single regional MPO. The presentation was given by Scott Lane of Stantec Consulting Services, Center for Transportation Research, a consulting firm commissioned by TBARTA.

So, buckle your seatbelts, folks, and get ready for the ride (pun intended). Below is the complete video of the meeting.

The meeting begins at 5:50 in the video and Scott Lane's presentation starts shortly after the meeting is called to order.

The really, really exciting moments in the meeting are at the following time marks in the video:
41:44
County Commissioner Pat Kemp presents a well elucidated counter-point argument in opposition to the merging of MPOs.
1:00:30
Tampa Councilman Harry Cohen presents a very passionate statement opposing an MPO merger.
1:04:30
The public speaks on the issue, every one of who vehemently opposes the idea of an MPO merger.
1:21:10
My good friend, Dayna, presents a convincing argument against the idea of merging MPOs
1:24:28
My pretty face (at least until the switch to the front view camera) unexpectedly appears and I elucidate on the practice of our local government bodies brazenly and openly making efforts to circumvent Florida's Sunshine Laws.  

Ok, maybe it could have been a little more exciting but the circus performers and the Riverdance crew had last minute engagements elsewhere.

In reality though, the ongoing meetings by several committees of our local government and HART concerning transportation improvements in the area will have a VERY important bearing on the future of the transportation needs of you, the citizens. I can not express strongly enough that each and every person in the county, who cares about our future, should make every effort to stay aware of what these committees are doing and, whenever possible, come to these meetings and use your voice. Our government officials are not likely to make great efforts to come to us so.....WE MUST GO TO THEM!