For Whom the Tolls Rise
Toll roads must produce revenue to defray costs of borrowed money they use for road work, regular maintenance, costs of toll collections, and the 10 percent or more profits to the (foreign-based) shareholders (see “Phantom Tollbooths,” June 23, 2011).
Why is it said state officials can’t do the job? The simple answer is, politicians lack the intestinal fortitude to increase fuel taxes and the restraint to avoid spending road repair funds on foolishness unrelated to roadways. By using the 75- to 99-year leasing of “public” roadways, officials gain “political cover.” Citizens complaining about the yearly increase in toll rates guaranteed in the contracts can be told by their elected representative, “Gee whiz, I really wish there were something I can do about that problem, but I can’t.”
Tim Ho
via Web
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This [“Phantom Tollbooths”] is an opinion column, correct? It’s categorized under “News,” but I can’t see how that’s possible.
“…the fact remains that money from these American public assets is leaving the U.S. for foreign profit centers. That’s a matter of concern in the present state of the economy.”
Actually, that’s not a matter of concern. This is your opinion. Clearly you have done no research on the Indiana Toll Road. The company employs 300-plus local residents; it pays local sales taxes on all purchases and fuel tax for all company vehicles; it makes thousands of dollars in local community donations every year.
I hear this complaint all the time; for whatever reason, the xenophobic U.S. thinks it’s an outrage that a private company based in another country is managing the Toll Road. My response is always: Why? Why is that so concerning? How does it personally impact you, or your neighbors, or even Indiana residents? The answer is, it doesn’t.
It benefits the state, as no tax dollars will ever be spent to help maintain the road (as was done prior to the lease). The state has instituted a 10-year infrastructure improvement plan with the lease proceeds it received—without which none of the work would have been completed.
Toll increases are built into the lease agreement, and based on a formula to help keep tolls in line with economic conditions. There will never be massive toll increases—additionally, did you look at the toll rates? Even after five years of being leased, the cents per mile in Indiana are still far below other state-run toll roads in the U.S.
Prior to the lease, state politicians lacked the gall to raise tolls on their constituents. The state has made more money from the lease interest alone than it did on the entire Indiana Toll Road revenue over 50 years.
I think this is saying something for public-private partnerships.
Amber Kettring
Indiana Toll Road Public Relations
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Fukushima in the Valley?
The Vermont Yankee reactor is identical in design to the Fukushima I reactor in Japan. Recently the Japanese government stated that all three reactors suffered not just meltdowns but melt-throughs (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110607005367.htm).
One month before the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center tragedy in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, our local Vermont Yankee reactor received the notoriety of being rated the least secure nuclear reactor in the United States. Entergy invested millions in security upgrades after 9/11, but I have no idea if their upgrades were any more or less than the enhancements made at all reactors as the world entered the age of terrorism on U.S. soil. Remember that the two planes that hit the World Trade Center towers had flown directly over the Indian Point reactors. Imagine if a plane of that size were to have impacted Vermont Yankee or its fuel pool.
On March 10, 2011, the NRC stated that the Vermont Yankee reactor would receive its license to operate for another 20 years, if it were to receive many other needed state permits.
One day later, the great Japanese earthquake and tsunami occurred.
The NRC stated it would hold off licensing reactors until it performed a review of lessons learned from the Japan situation. On March 17, the license to operate for another 20 years was given by the NRC to the Vermont Yankee reactor.
It sure makes me wonder what lessons were learned in that first week, particularly given that it took nearly three months for Japan to acknowledge that its reactors had suffered far more gravely than originally stated.
Gary Sachs
Brattleboro
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Stars and Stripes
I am compelled to address the desecration of our flag by those who do not comprehend the meaning of the U.S. flag.
Our flag is the symbol of freedom and democracy in this country and around the world. It epitomizes what our military personnel defend and rally around. It is sacred and must not be desecrated.
Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court in 1989 ruled it is legal to desecrate the flag under the First Amendment of our Constitution’s right of free speech.
The U.S. House of Representatives will shortly consider H. J. Res. 13, which prohibits the physical desecration of the flag. A parallel resolution, S.J. Res. 19, will go before the U.S. Senate in the coming months.
Two-thirds majority votes in the House and Senate are required to put forward a constitutional amendment for ratification by the states.Please contact your state representatives and senators and ask them to support these resolutions.
Over 1,200,000 U.S. military personnel have died promoting freedom and democracy in the world, and our flag is the symbol that represents this country.
We have to rally around the flag.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, N.H.
