Sunday, January 19, 2014

Something(s) to hide?

Lack of transparency creates suspicion.

Why won't Montgomery County hold public meetings to explain to those who are paying for the Silver Spring Transit Center (you and me) what they are doing and why? (More than half of the funding for the SSTC are federal funds.) Why does Montgomery County press ahead with repairs to a brand new, yet-to-be-opened public transit center? We paid top dollar for the SSTC; we're entitled to a brand new, unflawed SSTC, and an explanation from Montgomery County as to why they feel that we aren't. Why won't Montgomery County explain how and why they selected Foulger Pratt to build the SSTC, Parsons Brinkerhoff to design it and Balter Company to inspect and test the concrete and to serve as special quality inspector? Why doesn't Montgomery County explain why the SSTC wasn't bid for construction, as has been standard practice for public works projects for decades? Why wasn't the SSTC's construction bid in an open process? Why doesn't Montgomery County explain why it believes that the SSTC's lack of expansion joints (which are standard construction practice and a WMATA requirement) is acceptable, even though lack of expansion joints is undoubtedly causing the SSTC to crack? Why doesn't Montgomery County explain publicly why it believes that slabs that are more than one inch less thick than required (10 inches thick) and why 250 under-designed beams are acceptable? Why doesn't Montgomery County explain to the public, for the record, why it believes that the SSTC is safe and won't be a financial burden on you and me and our children and grandchildren in the future because of high maintenance costs caused by its numerous flaws?

Why won't Montgomery County face the public in public meetings and answer our questions (questions that the media won't ask) on the record?








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