Everybody wants a raise. They want a cost of living raise every year. The price of everything is going up, up, up. I remember Marlboros at 50 cents a pack. I remember when you could get five loaves of bread for a buck. Milk used to be 95 cents a gallon.
But, everybody wants more money, and to get that money, the price of everthing goes up. Fuel costs, labor costs, lumber and screws costs go up. Anyone that shops on a regular basis knows this.
The Oldtown Toll Bridge has not had a rate increase since 1993. The cost of repairs and upkeep has increased about 300 percent in the last 20 years. The owners have asked for a rate increase, from 50 cents each way to $2 each way, and initial approval looks like it will be $1.50 each way. That is a 200 percent increase. I think they should have gotten a “cost of living” increase to match the price of repair and upkeep.
I use the toll bridge on a regular basis. My children and my camp are on the other side. My husband’s job and family are on the other side. I don’t like the thought of having to pay more, but I will. I understand economics. The bridge is a business, like any other. Now there is talk of closing it, because of all the people who want everything, but don’t want to pay for it.
I’d rather pay $1.50 each way than go all the way around. I’d rather pay $1.50 each way than to see the bridge closed. Some, it would seem, would rather make a fuss and lose it all together than just accept the fact that everything costs more, for everybody, including the bridge owners. So suck it up and be thankful that there is a bridge, before it becomes “bad business” to keep it open. There are still some of us who still find the bridge “cost effective” in time and money, and we would like to continue to use it!
And, yes, my husband works across the bridge, for one of the owners, and contrary to some people’s belief, he also pays the toll.
Rita Glaze
Oldtown
Letters
Users of Oldtown Toll Bridge should be willing to pay more
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Why have the media been silent all this time?
When I read the Cumberland Times-News Editorial this morning, Friday, May 17, entitled, “Outrageous,” I laughed like a kid at a birthday party!
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What are chances this much money will be spent on road?
I was intrigued by cost data summarized in reporter Kathy Mellott’s recent article, “Completing southern link of U.S. Route 219 said to be best use of highway funds,” which appeared in the Cumberland Times-News on Tuesday May 14 (Page 1A).
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School board should be doing better job with less money
The Allegany County Teachers Association (ACTA) board of directors recently submitted a letter to the editor asking the Allegany County commissioners to fully fund the Board of Education’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year (“Commissioners should fund school board request,” April 29 Times-News).
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Were they really good old days? You decide
When a fellow gets old, it’s not unusual for his mind to wander back to the days of his youth. He may forget where he laid his glasses five minutes ago, yet he can remember events that took place a half a century ago. This is one of the interesting things of old age.
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Wearing the poppy tells others people that you remember
On May 25, members of Farrady Unit 24 American Legion Auxiliary, Frostburg, will once again ask the citizens of the community to remember the sacrifices our veterans have made.
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Donating your old bike will help someone who really needs it
Once again Bikes for the World is collecting used bicycles at Canal Place, May 25 from 10 a.m. to noon,
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Hosting Fresh Air Children can be a memorable experience
I got a phone call, and a little voice said, “Hi Miss Linda, I’m calling to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day.”
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Stop buying licenses; let them find the money somewhere else
A few months ago, I received two cards from the National Rifle Association. These were dealing with a legislative alert.
They asked that I should contact Sen. George Edwards and Delegate Kevin Kelly concerning the anti-gun legislation. -
Strength of gun laws is not reflected in grisly statistics
According to the FBI’s uniform crime reports, California had the highest number of gun murders in 2011 with 1,220, which makes up 68 percent of all murders in the state that year and equates to 3.25 murders per 100,000 people.
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‘Forgotten warrior’ not forgotten
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War.” My generation remembers the Battle for LZ X-Ray at Ia Drang, The Tet Offensive, and Khe Sahn of the Vietnam War.
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Why have the media been silent all this time?
