THUMBS UP TO:
Getting right to workThe dust of the campaign trail was barely off his shoes when Virginia Gov.-elect Tim Kaine outlined plans for a series of town hall meetings on transportation. The Bristol installment of the traveling "road show" takes place at 5:15 p.m. at Dec. 1 at Virginia Intermont?s Harrison-Jones Auditorium.
Kaine campaigned on a pledge to be the state?s "transportation governor" ? tackling thorny issues ranging from congestion in Northern Virginia and semi-truck clogged Interstate 81 in this region. Kaine says he wants to couple land-use planning and road construction to prevent further urban sprawl in the state. He has supported key Southwest Virginia concerns, too, including construction of the Coalfields Expressway and seeking an environmentally-friendlier way to improve I-81. Next week?s transportation town hall is an opportunity for local residents to hold him to those promises and to make sure this region?s road needs are part of the mix.
Getting right to work is getting great reviews. I do hope Virginians get engaged in Tim Kaine's efforts to reach out and get answers.