From the office of Sen. Nancy Jacobs:
My constituents in Cecil and Harford Counties are very upset by the Maryland’s Transportation Authority proposal to raise tolls at the Hatem Bridge and eliminate the decal discount. I believe this plan is not fair to the residents of my district and I WILL FIGHT IT it in any way I can. I need your help writing letters, showing up at public hearings, and protesting to show we are angry and aren’t going to take it. Please join our new Facebook page, “NO higher tolls on Hatem Bridge” for updates: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/NO-higher-tolls-on-Hatem-Bridge/165929320135202
If the plan is approved the toll will rise this October to $6, and to $8 in 2013. But even worse, people who now pay 10 dollars for the decal per year will be forced to buy an EZ-Pass for 54 dollars instead. I believe this is bad for families, bad for area businesses and terrible idea when gas prices are already sky high. People tell me they will be less likely to shop or eat across county lines and visit friends and family. Cecil County residents feel it isolates them even more from the rest of the state. The proposal will have a negative effect on BRAC expansion at Aberdeen Proving Ground, hurting workers and contractors.
The Maryland Transportation Authority currently does not have to answer to the General Assembly when it decides to increase tolls. This must be changed in the next legislative session. But for now the Authority, which will vote on whether to support the toll increases soon must know how the people of Cecil and Harford Counties feel. Write them before their next meeting! Here is a link with all their names: http://www.mdta.maryland.gov/About/body.html and the e-mail address is mdta@mdtransportationauthority.com/ .
Watch our Facebook page for information on the public hearing schedule so you can attend, and learn about other ways we can join together to fight this outrageous plan.
Sincerely,
Senator Nancy Jacobs, Minority Leader (R-Harford/Cecil)
Darwin Rules says
We have been living beyond our means for too long, and the bill is now coming due. We are addicted to fossil fuels, and our infrastructure is centered on the automobile as the only means of getting around. I hate increased taxes, except that i believe in sin taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and fossil fuel gluttonous abuse. I say raise the toll rates even higher so that those who waste gasoline will pay the price. For me, I will just use the bridges less.
fogdog says
This is the type of illogical talk she keeps using to keep fools to vote for her.
She offers no suggestions how to maintain the roads and bridges without raising taxes and tolls.
What needs cutting is the high salaries paid to elected state officials who only work three months a year.
Kim McCarthy says
I just got a similar message from Rep. Harris. I wrote back to him: “I see you are against toll hikes. But, how do you propose to pay for the infrastructure. We need solutions, not just your saying “no.”
Phil Dirt says
If Rep. Harris sent you a message stating that he found a cure for cancer, you would complain that he is a diseasist and is probably ignoring other afflictions because he is on the payroll of Big Cancer.
Take Action says
The day the tolls increase we the people that are against the increase should park our cars on the bridges and leave them there in protest.
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
Friday, September 5th there will be a civil protest on the Hatem Bridge. People will peacefully parade their cars with decals back and forth across the Hatem Bridge from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Your car should have its lights on, horn honking and banners saying “Keep Hatem Decals”, “Fairness for Hatem Locals”, “MDTA is Corrupt” and “Free Hatem for Harford and Cecil”
noble says
Friday the 2nd, or Monday the 5th?
Either way, it’s Labor Day weekend and you’re going to make a lot of enemies, causing people who aren’t at fault to suffer.
Not bright, in my opinion.
Posthaus says
I think the idea is to get as much attention as they can: clogging the loophole on a busy holiday weekend will get plenty of attention.
noble says
Obviously that’s the idea, and everyone else including local residents and people traveling through for the holidays are collateral damage? Just seems like a bad idea to me.
If you want attention, pick a saturday afternoon when not much else is scheduled to go on in Maryland, get people to sign up to do it so you have an actual number, and then notify all the local media you can that 1,000 cars are going to protest on the Hatem bridge. As long as a plan doesn’t crash, it’ll get covered and nobody will want to punch you in the face for ruining the start of their holiday weekend.
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
Civil protest is best done for maximum attention and on Friday September 2nd it will get MDTA attention.
Please post Hatem Bridge Toll Revolt civil protest on on Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and email the information to your friends.
Get the word out!
Friday, September 2nd there will be a civil protest on the Hatem Bridge. People will peacefully parade their cars with decals back and forth across the Hatem Bridge from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Your car should have its lights on, horn honking and banners saying “Keep Hatem Decals”, “Fairness for Hatem Locals”, “MDTA is Corrupt” and “Free Hatem for Harford and Cecil”
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter
Cdev says
MDTA will not be paying attention. September 2nd is a state furlough day!!!!
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
MDTA may be on furlough but the media is not.
Get the word out!
Friday, September 2nd there will be a civil protest on the Hatem Bridge. People will peacefully parade their cars with decals back and forth across the Hatem Bridge from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Your car should have its lights on, horn honking and banners saying “Keep Hatem Decals”, “Fairness for Hatem Locals”, “MDTA is Corrupt” and “Free Hatem for Harford and Cecil”
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
A peaceful orderly assembly of Cecil and Harford residents with decals going back and forth across the Hatem Bridge is just the kind of civil protest that will get media attention, before the tolls are raised.
Get the word out!
Friday, September 5th there will be a civil protest on the Hatem Bridge. People will peacefully parade their cars with decals back and forth across the Hatem Bridge from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Your car should have its lights on, horn honking and banners saying “Keep Hatem Decals”, “Fairness for Hatem Locals”, “MDTA is Corrupt” and “Free Hatem for Harford and Cecil”
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter
Take Action says
Friday, September 5th is not a real date this year
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
Friday September 2nd is the correct date.
Get the word out!
Friday, September 2nd there will be a civil protest on the Hatem Bridge. People will peacefully parade their cars with decals back and forth across the Hatem Bridge from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Your car should have its lights on, horn honking and banners saying “Keep Hatem Decals”, “Fairness for Hatem Locals”, “MDTA is Corrupt” and “Free Hatem for Harford and Cecil”
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter
Cdev says
Am I free to put my own slogan like HAtem Technology, catch up or close the route 40 loophole?
Anonymous says
God forbid anyone in Cecil county need Emergency Medical Attention at Harford Memorial during that time. Hope you clowns don’t end up with blood on your hands. Of course, I know you’ll find a way to blame the other guy since that is what Rt40 Republicans just do – I understand it’s part of the bylaws.
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
The Tydings Bridge will be open and people will make way for emergency vehicles. The goal of the protest is not to shut down traffic, but to demonstrate against the MDTA and toll increases.
Get the word out!
Friday, September 2nd there will be a civil protest on the Hatem Bridge. People will peacefully parade their cars with decals back and forth across the Hatem Bridge from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Your car should have its lights on, horn honking and banners saying “Keep Hatem Decals”, “Fairness for Hatem Locals”, “MDTA is Corrupt” and “Free Hatem for Harford and Cecil”
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter
Cdev says
How fast is your parade? I hope it is over the minimum speed for the road or that you can afford the tickets for not doing it!
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
People should travel the lawful speed limit.
Get the word out!
Friday, September 2nd there will be a civil protest on the Hatem Bridge. People will peacefully parade their cars with decals back and forth across the Hatem Bridge from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM.
Your car should have its lights on, horn honking and banners saying “Keep Hatem Decals”, “Fairness for Hatem Locals”, “MDTA is Corrupt” and “Free Hatem for Harford and Cecil”
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter says
Well sir, since the Hatem bridge is a toll bridge primarily because of the Tydings Bridge’s close proximity it seems absolutely reasonable to have local decals for Harford and Cecil County residents on an tied community economic basis.
Hatem Bridge Freedom Fighter
P.S. You can do whatever is legally permissible no matter that it proves you’re an elitist fool.
Cdev says
I am in favor of a local discount on BOTH bridges. I think the flack here is that for so long the Hatem Bridge was so much discounted compared to the Tydings. If the bridge had always been treated equally then this would not be an issue. It is like most people want the little tool short cut to still exist!
Anonymous says
How short sighted. By Sept the price of Gas is probably going to be up by 1000 percent because the Klan for Liberty and Andy “Osama bin” Harris have manufactured the debt crisis to accomplish what Al Queida could not — bringing the US economy to it’s knees. Shouldn’t you consider trying to get that protest in over the next few days?
Porter says
@Anonymous
The US will not default on debt payments, Social Security and military pay.
The Republicans are forcing President Obama and the liberal/progressives to be fiscally responsible. There will be a deal by the senate recess.
Porter
frankly speaking says
Porter-The TEA party is giving Republican’ts a bad name. Tea baggers have turned the Congress into a circus in which default of debt will lead to a downgrade of our AAA rating thus increasing interest rates and lowering demand going forward. The Republican’t party is now just the party of no, but also the party of deadbeats with no regard for the state of our country, but just their own self interest. I think that if this happens, they can just guarantee a reelection for Obama.
Cdev says
The GOP is now seeming to fracture. Politico said some house aides got fired on the GOP side for sending Campaign for Liberty and the Heritage FOndation e-mails from their personal accounts urging them to pressure some GOP members from dealing.
outkast says
Go Vote!Remember…only Jesus can save ya!