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GOV. CONFERENCE MEDIA COVERAGE

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Conference focuses on Baliles, transportation

By PETER SAVODNIK
Daily Progress staff writer, Jul 18, 2002

In the good old days, the Virginia Department of Transportation paved highways on time, kept its books in order, set aside political agendas and reached out to the great, growing swatch of suburban commuters in Northern Virginia, Richmond and elsewhere. So said the participants at a University of Virginia conference Thursday on Gerald L. Baliles and his tenure at the governor's mansion, from 1986-90.

"The tooth fairy only exists for children, even though Baliles will always rhyme with smiles when it comes to transportation," said Vivian E. Watts, a member of the House of Delegates and secretary of transportation and public safety under Baliles.

But conference participants were quick to point out those days are long past. Today, the state is facing a $3.8 billion shortfall and VDOT, now regarded by some state officials as bloated, sluggish and untrustworthy, is being forced to slash projects left and right.

"If I had one recommendation to make," said participant Ray D. Pethtel, who recently filled in as VDOT's interim commissioner, "at the next election, elect Gerry Baliles again."

The transportation panel, part of a two-day conference at the Boar's Head Inn organized by UVa's Center for Politics, also touched on the former Democratic governor's insistence on accountability and his move to shift power from Richmond to localities.

Other panelists included former state Senate majority leader Hunter B. Andrews, former delegate C. Richard Cranwell and Washington Post reporter Robert Melton, who covered the administrations of Baliles and Jim Gilmore.

The conference, which drew more than 250 well-known politicians, journalists and former government officials from around the state, also considered trade and economic development under Baliles.

Attendees also included U.S. Sen. John W. Warner and Baliles himself, who delivered the keynote address.

"For three decades, there was a steady commitment to capital projects," Baliles said.

Referring to two former Virginia governors, Baliles continued: "The view from [Albertis] Harrison and [Mills] Godwin forward was that to compete in a changing economy, there must be good infrastructure and an educated citizenry, and it required building upon the accomplishments of one's predecessors, not tearing them down."

Then, referring to the first Republican governor of the 20th century, Baliles said:

"That is what Linwood Holton did - for example, in acting to build roads, construct buildings, while dramatically moving Virginia forward on the subject of civil rights and racial justice."

Today, panelists are expected to discuss Baliles' record on education, health policy and natural resources.