Highway Commission Chief Weighs In On MoDOT Accountability And Credibility Argument

The Chairman of the State Highway Commission has offered his opinion about the wording of an independent panel’s report on the Transportation Department’s accountability and credibility, and it appears that panel took the suggestion to heart. In a letter dated October 9th, Barry Orscheln complained to the panel chair about the use of the word “abandon” when referring to the Highway Commission’s actions in November, 1998, regarding the 15-year highway plan. He says “abandon” was not accurate for characterizing what happened with the plan. He says deviate is probably better. In the end, the panel did change the word “abandon” to “suspend.” Orscheln says, despite his letter to the panel being on Highway Commission letterhead and signed as the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, it was a personal letter from him on the issue.