Monday, February 06, 2006

Take out, please.

Dinner on them?

Feb. 06, 2006

By Gordon Dickson
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Copyright 2006

Terri Hall, regional director of the anti-toll group San Antonio Toll Party, took exception to comments by Texas Transportation Commissioner Ric Williamson published in this space two weeks ago.

Williamson warned companies vying for about $27 billion in private toll-road projects not to corrupt the process by providing gifts or favors to state officials. "So don't take my employees out to dinner," he said. "Don't ask me out to dinner."

Hall pointed out that the San Antonio Mobility Coalition, which is made up of not only elected leaders but also executives from companies that do business with the state, has invited commissioners to a reception Feb. 22 at an Austin restaurant.

"If Williamson is truly concerned about appearances of impropriety or the granting of favors for the companies that make up SAMCO, perhaps he should be urged to cancel this thank-you reception," Hall wrote in an e-mail.


© 2006 Fort Worth Star-Telegram: www.dfw.com

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