Gilbert’s decision to pursue a federal transportation safety grant exposed an unusually sharp divide on the Town Council last week, with some members voicing deep mistrust of federal oversight even after town staff repeatedly assured them there was no risk of Washington taking control of local streets.
What began as a routine consent-agenda item instead turned into a lengthy and occasionally tense debate over Gilbert’s application for a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The grant application was ultimately approved on a narrow 4-3 vote after Councilman Jim Torgeson pulled the item for separate discussion…