Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 28, 1995                   TAG: 9511280066
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HE GOT HIS ANSWER; LETTERS FROM SHAWSVILLE

Who says the fine art of correspondence is dead? One of the unreported but interesting twists of the recent development in the never-ending saga of the "smart" highway is the role of an exchange of correspondence between state Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, and state Transportation Secretary Robert Martinez, a Republican political appointee.

Marye started it with a Nov. 3 letter that came spitting out of our fax machine. The senator, who's been no friend of the smart road over the years, asked Martinez about a rumor that had been brought to his attention. He'd heard that a "highly placed" Transportation Department official had told members of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors "that funding for crucial road projects including the U.S. 460 bypass connector could be withheld if they did not support the smart road" in a Nov. 20 decision related to the project.

This was the Friday before Election Day.

Martinez wasted no time responding. His answer emerged from the trusty fax machine a few hours later. "Thank you for bringing a rumor to my attention. The allegation you've heard is utter and complete hogwash. That's language a down-home fellow like yourself should appreciate.

"It would be helpful if you could provide evidence regarding the source of these kinds of statements. If there is any truth to the allegation that such statements are being made, I can assure you we will deal with that individual in an appropriate manner."

The day before the election, Nov. 6, I asked Marye about his letter and the response from Martinez. "Aside from the hogwash bit, I didn't think his letter was real specific," Marye said. "Mr. Martinez is probably the most capable secretary down there. He probably thought I was trying to pull some campaign stunt. That isn't the case at all."

That same day, Marye sent out Letter No. 2. "Thank you for your rapid response. ... You certainly used strong language about the rumor. However, I would like you to be a bit more specific...

"Will you also provide assurance that highway planning and funding will continue to be allocated in a non-partisan, equitable fashion? Specifically, no threat to the [U.S. 460 bypass connector]."

Three days later, with Marye re-elected (we held off pursuing the story until after the election), I asked Martinez about the senator's letters. "This obviously was an electoral thing," Martinez said. A serious query wouldn't have been faxed simultaneously to the governor, Del. Jim Shuler, the local resident highway engineer, the Board of Supervisors, the Washington Post, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Roanoke Times, Martinez suggested. He said he'd respond to the second letter in due course.

I mentioned Marye's letter in a Nov. 10 news story exploring the supposed threat and the upcoming smart road decision.

On Nov. 15, Marye issued Letter No. 3. "Unless I have overlooked it, I have not yet received a reply to my letter of November 6," he started. He noted the public hearing on the smart road issue was to be held that night, and he would "very much appreciate the clarification requested."

Marye was on the speakers' list but didn't show up for the jampacked hearing.

Instead, a county official read Letter No. 2 from Martinez, dated Nov. 15, into the record.

"The Commonwealth Transportation Board is not in the habit of obtaining approval for new or existing facilities by the use of pressure or blackmail," he wrote. "Since the improvement to the [U.S. 460 bypass connector] is needed, I can assure you that the allocation of funds to this facility will continue in an equitable manner regardless of the outcome of the smart highway decision by the county."

Road opponents let out an audible sigh of relief after the reading.

The next day, Nov. 16, Marye had the last word, with Letter No. 4. "I want you to know that I very much appreciate your prompt response and your guidance which keeps the reputation and operation of the Commonwealth Transportation Board above reproach."

And that, as they say, was that. One footnote: Martinez signed off his letters with a simple "Sincerely," while Marye used "Warmest regards," except on Letter No. 3, when he employed "Warmest personal regards."

Yours very truly,

Brian