US 50 MEMORANDUM

MEMORANDUM

OCTOBER 10, 2003

TO: HAMPSHIRE/MINERAL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SHERIFFS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICES.

FROM: WAYNE C. SPIGGLE

RE: FORMATION AND STRATEGY OF PROPOSED ROUTE 50 ASSOCIATION

The very positive reception of my suggestion to form a U.S. Rt. 50 Association, prompts this follow through to recommend an approach to its formation and operative strategy. Thank you for your consideration and congratulations again for holding the recent hearing on the need to improve U.S. Route 50. Regional cooperation is essential to maximize efforts for the public good and those who attended the hearing certainly thought the exercise was worth while.

Purpose and Mission of a Route 50 Association
The mission of the Association is to improve U.S. Route 50 from the Virginia line to Clarksburg WV so that this road will fulfill modern day safety standards and will more effectively function as an essential transportation artery complimentary to Corridor H and other transportation initiatives. In order to accomplish this goal the Association must:
• be representative of the entire region affected;
• become cooperators, not competitors, on this issue;
• agree on the priorities involved in Rt. 50 improvement;
• present a unified front to responsible governmental agencies;
• actively inform the public about what must be done and how to do it;
• assess Department of Transportation budget priorities and make certain this region is in full parity with the rest of the state;
• celebrate our successes and remain positive in our approach.

Forming the Association
The Hampshire and Mineral Commissions will communicate to their colleagues in Grant, Preston, Taylor and Barbour Counties and obtain their participation and willingness to invite their Offices of Economic Development and the Sheriff. Each Commission will also ask the Chamber of Commerce in their county to be involved.

Therefore, voting members of the Association will be representatives of the County Commission, the Sheriff’s office, the Economic Development Authority and the Chamber of Commerce in each of the aforementioned counties.

The public at large will be invited to participate as ex-officio members.

Activities of the Association
Meetings of the Association will be held monthly, rotating the place so that an even number of meetings are held in each of the membership counties. The voting members will elect officers and further develop strategy. All meetings will be open to the public and a representative of the Department of Transportation will be urged to attend each meeting. Proceedings of each meeting will be reported to all constituencies in order to encourage a representative process.

It may be that the Association will choose to broaden its membership to include Garrett County, Md and/or other jurisdictions that are impacted by U.S. Route 50 traffic.

Expected Outcome of the Association
It is expected, that by presenting a unified front, a cooperative approach, a studied assessment and a successful public information program, the current unacceptable status of U.S. Rt. 50 will be transformed into a modern and safe roadway. To the extent that this is done, U.S. Rt. 50 will function more effectively as an essential regional link to economic development opportunities, thus enhancing the quality of life and future prospects for the entire region.