The longtime Portsmouth Delegate "has exercised a virtual veto over" efforts to improve traffic in the area for 10 years, according to press reports. "More than any other reason, that explains the gridlock on Hampton Boulevard." (Virginian-Pilot, November 21, 2006).
So my friend is threatening to send her bill to Johnny Roadblock's office. Let's see if he vetoes the $75 he owes her, too.
The truth is, Joannou has done nothing to address our growing transportation problems. He voted "No!" on every effort by Gov. Warner to boost funding and get traffic moving again. He voted "No!" on Gov. Kaine's plan to relieve local traffic congestion. He voted "No!" when it came to adding another tube to the Midtown Tunnel.
When it comes fixing our traffic gridlock, Johnny Roadblock reminds me of Republican House Speaker Bill Howell -- always ready to block progress and Governor Kaine's agenda.
Or, as the Virginian-Pilot put it last fall:
"Like every other delegate and senator who represents Norfolk, Joannou believes that the quickest way to break the Hampton Blvd. bottleneck is to add another tube to the Midtown.... But unlike every other delegate and senator who represents Norfolk, Joannou is alone in resisting every reasonable plan to pay for it." (11-21-06)
The tide of history is a powerful force. Let's hope it makes Johnny Roadblock history, too.Even if it costs my friend $75.
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