A road he shouldn't have traveled?

As he was pressing Hamilton County commissioners today to approve the proposed widening of East Kemper Road, Engineer Bill Brayshaw became upset at what he apparently perceived as lack of support from commissioners.

Brayshaw's office proposed widening the Symmes Township road from 9 to 11 or 12 feet to provide shoulders and improve drainage.

Bryahsaw said the road needs to be improved as noted by the 49 crashes -- and one fatality -- in that stretch since 1994, calling it "one of the most substandard roads in the county."

Commissioner Phil Heimlich asked Brayshaw to quantify those 49 wrecks -- was that number high or low compared to other similar roads?

That's when Brayshaw - who already had sat through several citizens complaining that the proposed widening wasn't wanted by residents - told the commissioners that "the silent majority" of residents did want the improvement.

And he suggested that silent majority would make itself heard on Election Day were the project rejected.

Brayshaw also mentioned that were the project rejected and a crash took place that resulted in a lawsuit, he, as the county engineer, could be forced to testify against commissioners.

Those comments were attacked by commissioners.

Saying Brayshaw was "well respected," Heimlich told Brayshaw "Your comments I don't think is a very, in all honesty, a very professional way in dealing with this issue."

Heimlich suggested Brayshaw stick to engineering "instead of suggesting we will pay a price if we don't support this issue."

Commissioner Pat DeWine also was put off by Brayshaw's comments.

"Some of these clumsy threats, frankly, aren't helpful and are offensive. Very offensive," DeWine said.

DeWine and Heimlich voted to proceed with the project. Commissioner Todd Portune voted against it.

After the meeting Brayshaw apologized.