I read with interest that the head of NCDOT came to Southern Pines to let The Pilot know “how his department plans to work with local officials,” after reading the concern of Pinehurst’s mayor about NCDOT’s bottom line, namely Moore County had to agree with the plan or lose funds for local projects.

As a planner herself, the mayor didn’t think much of that “how to” implement the plan. She wrote what she felt: that NCDOT’s plan for U.S. 1 has local officials over a barrel.

By whose authority can NCDOT withhold funds? A federal law? How does that work? Is not the federal government “of the people”?

I read NCDOT’s head Gene Conti quote, “Hey, we’re not the bad guys, it’s the federal government.” (“The process is that way because of federal laws.”) By the people?

Conti also said federal laws complicate the process of working with local officials. For the people?

His defense of NCDOT’s process still leaves me wondering: By what law does NCDOT have authority to withhold funds for highway improvements if Moore County doesn’t comply with NCDOT’s plan?

That this is an urgent question is brought home by the head of NCDOT’s statement, “We’re at the very end stage of completing that plan.” (That is, “mine.”)

A.G. Benson

Southern Pines