Mikel's Thoughts by Mike Virdell

The scare tactics used by the Support Llano group in regards to the “loop”talk is nothing but frightening. Llano City Council members Jerry Brewer, Cheryl Crabtree, and Gordon Hefner, along with Mayor Roger Pinckney continued throughout the Council meeting last Monday night asking where this information was coming from? Where was the proof? The questions were aimed at the notion that no one with the City of Llano had any thoughts of a loop around Llano.

If Hefner, Crabtree, and Brewer are unaware of any loop talk, please have our hearing checked. Pinckney on the other hand was careful in his accusations, and his hearing does not need checking. For he was at two meetings in which TXDOT was present, and on both meetings, the “eastern loop” was talked about. Independent City Councilman Carl Shannon spoke and he also listened Monday night. And told everyone, he had flown the route that might be for future growth. And when the City configures new sewer lines to the City farm to take in consideration the eastern loop…you have talk and planning.

City employees, past and present, know about the loop talks. Nothing in writing. No set route other than the route going through the City farm. No contracts signed. Just good planning for the future…..with not one voice from the business community to be considered. The planning by Pinckney is as deceptive as his duty was in 1997 when he stopped TXDOT from building a four-lane bridge across the Llano River.

In 1997 TXDOT likely had plenty of money and was ready to address the Llano Bridge and the congestion at times, which even by their standards were very minimal. Yet TXDOT had public hearings with the Llano City Council members present. There were several meetings, and at one point TXDOT showed up with very professional drawings and give-a-way colored brouchers for the public. Beautiful drawings were in the bank lobbys. It entailed a new four-lane bridge where the present structure now sets. 10 feet walkways on both sides, with landscape lighting and beautiful sidewalks from the corner of Main Street north to the new bridge. Parking in the block would no longer exist, but still, most everyone was excited. Yes, even those four property owners that would lose their parking were for the TXDOT plan.

Roger Pinckney was not for the idea. And if you think one unelected person cannot cause change, think again. Roger’s loud voice was to “save the bridge” and his new tee-shirt stated such. Then TXDOT had another idea, all in trying to help Llano. At a cost estimated at $4,000,000.00, TXDOT would do just as Roger asked, and that was to save the bridge. They would build us a new four lane bridge with every bell and whistle they could think of, and they would also move the existing bridge, intact two blocks down-river for Llano to use in any way needed, including a second crossing, or a walking bridge only. TXDOTs’ long-range thinking was to tie the Llano historic district together with the someday idea of a depot and train service. This solution was one of the most exciting times I can remember in Llano. The town was “a-buzz” with the prospects of a new regenerated Central business district, and new growth that could come from the old bridge being included in an expanded commercial area.

Pinckney, through his high level contacts, got a historical designation for the old bridge within weeks, and the whole idea was dead.

TXDOT, in its determination to spend their money designated for Llano County, had a third idea. And being ever so naïve about small town politics, announced a plan for a loop to the east of Llano. They were so proud. But they had input from only one entity. Pinckney. Thus the “Austin trip”. The one I described in my letter to the paper last week. Pinckney on one side of the isle…over 400 people in Llano opposing the loop on the other. And that is how we got to this point.
The Support Llano Monday night group demanded a say in the process. A voice in the talks. Even if they may be 20 years out. Support Llano’s position was easy to understand. The loop is not an option, and certainly should not have been the only option. Pinckney has made it where the dream of a beautiful four lane bridge crossing the River in downtown Llano nothing but a sad nightmare.

Now, as TXDOT in January prepare to build a $2,000,000 walkway attached to the East side of the present bridge, Pinckney dreams have all come true. Businessman Hatch Smith’s comments Monday night about the walkway had most of us wondering. Was the Western walkway now attached to the bridge so crowed that we needed another?” Or is Pinckney’s plan to make certain, that someday Llano will have only one option, and that will be to have a loop on the east side of Llano?