In the December 3, 2009 Daily Reporter article here entitled, "SEWRPC's Challenge — Connect With the Public," the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) stated that the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) must do a better job "engaging the public" in the transportation planning process.

According to this news article, the FHWA held an "open house" public hearing last year on SEWRPC's recertification request, but only 40 people attended this hearing.  That's because the FHWA provided no opportunity for citizens to publicly share their views with one another at this "sham" of a public hearing (which only allowed privately-given oral testimony to a court reporter or written testimony inserted into a "drop box").

In his September 14, 2009 decision on our Highway 164 federal lawsuit, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman held that, because the FHWA's "open house" public hearings do not allow citizens to publicly share their views on proposed transportation projects, these types of hearings do not comply with federal law.  Even after this major ruling, the FHWA still refuses to acknowledge that "open house" public hearings (which SEWRPC also utilizes) are illegal because they discourage the public communication and dissemination of ideas.

What a bunch of self-righteous hypocrites!  We find it "laughable" that the FHWA is criticizing SEWRPC for the very same shortcomings that they have within their own agency.  Please click on the highlighted link below for this referenced news article.

2-3-09-daily-reporter-sewrpcs-challenge-connecting-with-public.pdf