Citizen Group Applauds New Transportation Oversight Committee
October 15, 2012
Richland County Council Announced New Transportation Penny Advisory Committee to Offer More Local Control
RICHLAND COUNTY, SC – The Citizens for a Greater Midlands (CGM) applauded Richland County Council for recently forming the Transportation Penny Advisory Committee (TPAC), a 15-member independent citizen group tasked with overseeing the implementation of the Penny Referendum, should it be approved by voters next month.
The announcement of the TPAC was made following requests from voters for additional citizen oversight of the Penny. The TPAC’s chief responsibilities would be to ensure all projects listed in the Penny are implemented as planned and to review the proposals of firms seeking to work on the projects.
We want to thank the council for their due diligence and for listening to the people, said Doug Bridges, a member of CGM and REALTOR in Northeast Richland County. We are grateful that this plan is fully transparent and accountable.
The TPAC would be comprised of citizens from across the county, with a goal of having representation from all three transportation modes. Elected officials would not be eligible to serve on the committee. Members would provide quarterly reports and present an annual State of the Penny address.
Richland County would have seven appointees on the committee, Columbia would have three and Arcadia Lakes, Blythewood, Eastover, Forest Acres and Irmo would each have one.
This is the very definition of local control, said Shandon resident Ron Anderson, a member of CGM. Local citizens working together to oversee a local plan that will hopefully be approved by local voters.
The Penny referendum will be on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot in Richland County. Membership on the TPAC is open to all Richland County residents. Members would be appointed by Jan. 31 and would serve staggered five-year terms with no term limits.
