FDOT and Ethics Commission by Geniusofdespair

I read gimleteye’s post today with interest. I decided to look up some FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) statistics to add to his blog. I like good, hard facts. Of course, the FDOT Website is so confusing I couldn’t find what I was looking for, namely FDOT’s level of service ratings for Miami Dade major arteries. When I find out — if ever - I will post them. I did find these two marginally interesting facts on their website. Since the data is old, I would bet transportation costs are up to at least 25% of an average household’s spending.

According to a 2001 Survey, U.S. residents make, on average, about 4 one-way trips per person per day averaging 10 miles each and 9 roundtrip long-distance trips per person per year averaging about 520 miles each. This translates to annual travel per person of 14,500 miles on daily trips and 4,900 miles on long-distance trips.

On average, households spent $7,681 (in chained 2000 dollars) on transportation in 2003. This represented 20 percent of all household expenditures that year. Only housing cost households more (31 percent).

(later) I just spoke to an engineer at FDOT. Don't do it, ever! It took me an hour to get this. At mile marker 8.02 on 95 there are 291,000 cars daily passing by. At the Golden Glades there are 258,00 cars daily. Over 50% of roads in Miami Dade County are "F" roads. To make things worse they expect a 6% to 7% increase on arterial roads (Kendall Drive, etc.). I said that isn't bad and he said: On an already clogged road it is.

We, Gimleteye and I, are in agreement on the Ethics Commission, it has go if it is going to continue operating as it has been. See: Charles Rabin’s Ethics Article, Nov. 26th Following the law is not working. I agree with this quote from the article because “ethics” are not about “law” they are on a higher bar:

Some familiar with the ethics commission say its rulings would be more effective if its creators hadn't decided a decade ago that findings must be based on the law, not appearances of impropriety.

''There are a lot of things that are not illegal, but they don't pass the smell test,'' said Sam Terilli, professor of media ethics and journalism at the University of Miami and former counsel to The Miami Herald.

This is paramount; also from Rabin’s article:

Critics wonder whether the agency and its $2 million annual budget -- authorized by the County Commission -- is little more than a way for elected officials to cover themselves.

''It's a weak instrument,'' said ethics board member, retired judge and former Miami Beach Mayor Seymour Gelber. ``It's been set up as a political gesture by the [county] commission.''

You bet! I have seen these County Commissioners wave the ethics rulings in the air -- as a badge of honor -- as they defend their unethical behavior. Rather not have the rulings so we can stop this sideshow.