State Transportation Secretary Garland Garrett ordered an internal investigation into the situation late Friday, after learning of The Observer's questions about Edwards' conduct. The plan includes a single, mile-long service road that will end on one of his parcels. Transportation officials say Edwards didn't request or help plan the service road. He said that many others have also benefited from the projects he has supported. I feel it's helped my companies and a lot of other peoples' companies.
Some local officials agree.
For instance, they say, Edwards helped win state board approval for an extension of the bypass to Interstate 485 in Mecklenburg County. But critics contend Edwards has put his own interests ahead of the public's. Peter MacDowell who heads a state coalition pushing for reform in governmental ethics and campaign finance, said Edwards shouldn't have pushed or voted for projects that affect his business. He seems to be a classic example of what is wrong with the system. The transportation board is one of North Carolina's most powerful appointed bodies.