Text of a Letter to the Editor I submitted today: I had the pleasure of attending the Manheim Chamber of Commerce meeting this week, to hear Representative Mindy Fee (37th District) and Senator Mike Brubaker (36th District) speak to their efforts in their respective chambers to fund infrastructure. Businesses and emergency services in Manheim, like many other areas in Lancaster County, face significant challenges posed by weight restrictions on decaying bridges on major thoroughfares. Worse, recent flooding in Manheim in particular exposed the precarious position of Manheim Borough. Rerouting traffic as far as 40 miles is a significant problem in crisis, and many local businesses are already rerouting due to weight restrictions imposed on bridges on Routes 772 and 72. Reading between the lines of what was said, it was clear our representation faces two hurdles: representatives from urban areas who need transportation funding to lean heavily in the direction of mass transit, and House Republicans who have signed various “no tax” pledges. This is no time for political boilerplate. It’s a time for legislative maturity. Raising a tax on gas is a way to bridge funding gaps so that we’re not killing tax-paying businesses depending on solid roads and bridges. SEPTA and other mass transit systems can shore up their own funding with rate hikes and otherwise. At some point, we have to acknowledge that our rural and suburban roads and bridges are as important to Pennsylvania as mass transit. I applaud Senator Brubakers and Representative Fee’s efforts on our behalf. Citizens now need to pick up their end to support our elected officials. Municipal leaders across the county should unite and appeal to the Lancaster Transportation Authority. Manheim Borough Manager Mark Stivers suggested businesses consider funding privately the effort to get some of our critical bridges into design phase. I see this as one of the significant issues facing not just Manheim, but the entire county. I will make this a priority to support our community and county efforts to improve regional infrastructure if elected Mayor of Manheim Borough. Brian Kresge Candidate for Mayor of Manheim
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:16:24 +0000
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