Jon Edwards: Road goodies disguise StanCOG’s real intent, expanding 132

The Modesto Bee, March 7, contained articles about Beautify 99 and the ACE train extension, which are both part of the Stanislaus Council of Governments’ (StanCOG) larger plan to raise the sales tax by 1 percent. StanCOG is throwing in something for all voters in an effort to raise money for the Highway 132 widening project that will decrease the quality of life in the Woodland West Community Neighborhood. StanCOG has no money for Beautify 99, the ACE train extension, or the South County Corridor.

For the 132 project there is $25 million available, a fraction of the cost of completing the project, which is StanCOG’s No. 1 priority. Already, $6 million has been spent planning the project. Beautify 99 and the South County Corridor have been added to the list of projects just this year. The use of the proposed sales tax increase can be used for other projects without voter approval. For more information, attend the StanCOG meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at 1111 I Street in Modesto, or log onto www.stancog.org/.

This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Jon Edwards: Road goodies disguise StanCOG’s real intent, expanding 132."