Citrus Chronicle
By: Terry Witt (terrywitt@chronicleonline.com)
Published: 10-Aug-2004

Sugarmill Woods resident Teddi Bierly on Monday said she and resident Robert Roscow have won their lawsuit accusing the state of holding secret meetings about Suncoast Parkway 2.

The lawsuit charged the Florida Turnpike Enterprise with violating the state's Sunshine Law by allowing an appointed committee to meet behind closed doors about important parkway issues.

The Environmental and Resource Agency Group, or ERAG - an arm of the Turnpike Enterprise - claimed it was exempt from the Sunshine Law as an advisory group.

However, Bierly said Circuit Judge Janet Ferris made it clear ERAG is covered by the Sunshine Law and will have to comply with the state statute.

"It goes to show little people can go up against somebody big and make a difference," Bierly said. "You just have to be persistent and know in your heart its right."

She said the state was ordered to pay the legal expenses of she and Roscow.

Nathan Silva, project manager for the Suncoast Parkway 2 study, said he had not been told about the ruling and could not comment. v

The ERAG group consisted mostly of state and federal environmental agency officials who have the responsibility to review the Suncoast Parkway 2 project.

Opponents of the parkway, however, said ERAG had a great deal of influence in determining the location of the proposed routes for the toll road. With that type of power, Bierly and Roscow said the meetings should have been open.