PUBLISHED 3-1-2007

How nice. How very genteel. How downright Marie Antionette-like.
      
On the eve of a critical meeting, during which scarce road-building dollars were to be doled out, members of the California Transportation Commission were being wined and dined at a gala affair in Irvine hosted by road designers and engineering firms.

While commissioners washed down shrimp, stuffed mushrooms and quiche with cocktails, they were being schmoozed by representatives of construction firms and politicians trying to finagle billions of dollars that voters approved for road building when they passed Proposition 1B in November.

The approximately $20 billion from bonds will be allocated in phases. The first phase of about $2.8 billion has triggered a bitter battle between representatives from urban areas, who believe they deserve it all, and rural areas, including Kern County, that also have critical transportation needs.

You would think commissioners would recognize the need to keep themselves neutral and above the fray. You would think they would want to foster the perception that they will be fair.

Well, as they munched at the trough of special interests on the eve of deciding how to dole out the money, they seemed to care less about reality or perception.

When asked by the Los Angeles Times about the soiree, commission Chairwoman Marian Bergeson of Newport Beach responded, “I don’t see any conflict or any impropriety.” She insisted the gathering is “more to really get acquainted.”

As they cast their gaze upon the minions — California taxpayers and voters who handed them the $20 billion booty to dole out — commissioners seemed to cluelessly wonder: What are they so upset about? Starving for road money? Let them eat potholes.

Good grief! Clean up your act. This is just the first phase of spending this money. Be even-handed. Be independent of the special interests serving up the cocktails and shrimp at these “get acquainted” events before commission meetings.