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Not a Moral Choice

As a 62 year-old resident of Deep River, I was dismayed to receive an email from my state representative, Bob Siegrist (R-36), titled “Prioritize Progress,” in an email dated April 26. This plan reserves a set amounts of General Obligation Bond to be used for transportation, and re-establishes a transportation strategy board. The email also extols “no tolls.”

Bonds have to be paid back. Where will that money come from?

At the same time, Rep. Siegrist is meeting with towns to discuss fare increases on the local 9 Town Transit bus (email dated April 18), which is an environmentally friendly transportation service used mainly by people who cannot afford cars. The proposed fare increases include doing away with subsidized fares for the disabled and elderly! It also raises fares generally on all riders.

I conclude then, that Rep. Siegrist is okay with squeezing money out of the disabled, elderly, and those without enough cash to buy and maintain cars who choose to travel on a green bus. He would rather that people and corporations from out of state enjoy Connecticut’s highways for free. This is certainly not a moral choice, nor a fiscally responsible one.

It is time to monetize our state’s highways, which are the busiest in the Northeast and could be used to fund a total reworking of MTA, Shoreline East, and more. Then we wouldn’t need to squeeze blood from the local stones, as Rep. Siegrist is doing.

Does he think his local constituents aren’t watching?

Susan Huybensz

Deep River