By ANNIE GOELLER, Daily Journal of Johnson County staff writer
Johnson County Development Corp. supports the concept of an outer beltway around Indianapolis but not necessarily pushing through legislation for the one proposed.
And six of seven county council members won't support the beltway without more information, they said in letters to state officials.
Both groups wrote letters to state officials, including Gov. Mitch Daniels, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and local legislators. They asked questions about several issues, including the impact the proposed road would have on Johnson County taxes and services and where the route would be located.
The council sent a letter with their message to Daniels on Wednesday.
Members of the development corporation support a loop around Indianapolis to help with traffic as growth continues in the area but aren't pushing for the approval of the bill that proposes the Indiana Commerce Connector. They want to know more about the long-term effects of the project and its impact on economic development.
Cheryl Morphew, executive director of the development corporation, said she wasn't expecting answers when the group sent its letter to Skillman.
Members of the board of directors got a visit from Skillman's chief of staff and Indiana Department of Transportation officials after sending their letter last month.
Morphew said she was surprised when the officials tried to answer some of the group's questions at the meeting.
"These questions were more rhetorical and just said, 'Hey, these are some concerns we have,'" she said.
The development corporation's letter said the board supports the concept of a beltway around Indianapolis, but is not pushing for approval of the bill that proposes both the Indiana Commerce Connector and the Illiana Expressway in northwest Indiana.
Instead, the group wants more study of the concept to answer questions, such as how many interchanges there will be, if one interchange will be at U.S. 31 in Johnson County, how the governor will encourage economic development along the route and whether the process could be slowed while studies are completed.
Those questions are similar to ones proposed by county council members, who want to know more about how the proposed toll road will impact the county.
Council member Beth Boyce didn't sign the letter and is drafting her own to the governor, saying that she is eager to work with the governor on the project.
Boyce didn't want to sign her name to the letter that opposes the project because she doesn't think there is anything to oppose right now, since the road is an idea.
"The bill allows us to discuss this further, and I am for further discussions," she said.
The Senate bill proposing the toll roads calls for future study of the bill through committees of state legislators, who will review it throughout the process. It also does not require any future legislative approval.
Another council member said she isn't necessarily against the project but wants more information.
"I'm not really for or against it. I'm kind of being neutral and keeping an open mind until all the facts come in," council member Anita Knowles said.
The six council members who signed the letter hope to get answers to questions or possibly even stop the project.
Council member Charlie Canary would like to see the beltway stopped but hopes for the state to at least include local representatives on a study committee that will look at the project throughout the process and answer some questions.
Other council members agreed.
"These are the legitimate questions that need to be answered. Now step up to the plate and answer them," council member Steve Hollenbeck said.
Hollenbeck, who represents the southern half of White River Township and all of Blue River, Clark, Hensley, Needham, Nineveh and Union townships, said he hasn't heard from any residents who support the proposed toll road.
Member John Price said he's also heard a lot of negative feedback from county residents. Because of that, the state should answer the questions so the council can inform the county, he said.
"The state owes us as elected representatives and we owe it to citizens to look out for the best interests of the county," he said.
Council members said local officials want the state to inform them about the project.
"Why haven't we been told or why have we been left in the dark on the commerce connector," council member Josh McCarty asked.
But one council member said he doesn't think the letter will necessarily bring the answers his counterparts seek.
"The letter is more a way for the council to take a public stand more so than we expect an answer or action from the governor's office," member Ron West said.
Many of the questions can't be answered until the state studies the project, he said, but Daniels should still send a response.
"They ought to at least respond because there's so many concerned citizens voicing their opinions on it," West said.
Daniels responds to letters as he receives them, said Jane Jankowski, spokeswoman for the governor's office.