Although many of us oppose the huge toll increases proposed
for Maryland's toll bridges,
tunnels and roads, very few of us are willing to drive long
distances to testify against them.
As one of our neighbors said in a recent e-mail: "I
note, with considerable dissatisfaction, that NO HEARINGS
on the proposed toll increases are scheduled in Carroll
County. Is there a
GOOD REASON for that?"
Good question. So I formally requested that the Maryland
Transportation Authority hold a public hearing as soon as
possible in Carroll County. Unfortunately,
their answer was "no."
We still can have
our say, though. Gail Moran, MDTA Community
Relations Manager, said the Authority also is seeking public
comment through its website: www.MDTA.maryland.gov
So far, only 28 web-based comments are from Carroll
County
residents. So, please take this opportunity to provide input.
Here's Ms. Moran's explanation for why no hearings were
scheduled for Carroll County:
"Earlier
this year, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Board
promulgated Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) regulations
requiring that the MDTA hold public hearings geographically
close to its affected toll facilities when it proposes toll
increases or fee modifications that affect users of those
facilities. When the MDTA Board proposed toll and
fee changes on June 2, it announced a 60-day public comment
period and nine public hearings to be held in Montgomery,
Prince George's, Charles, Anne Arundel, Queen Anne's, Cecil,
Harford and Baltimore counties and Baltimore City.
Citizens have traveled throughout the state to attend the
individual hearings. Eight hearings have been held so
far; a hearing in Harford County will be held on Monday, June
27 at the Havre de Grace Activity Center. The tenth
and final hearing will be held in Worcester County on July 14 to receive public
comment from Ocean City and other lower
Shore residents and businesses. The hearing will
be held at the Stephen Decatur Middle School in Berlin. No additional
hearings are being scheduled.
In
addition to attending the public hearings, the Board is also
soliciting written public comment through a public comment
form on the MDTA website (www.MDTA.maryland.gov) and through US mail. So far,
we have received a total of nearly 2,500 comments from
citizens and elected officials. To date, the Board has
received 28 web based comments from Carroll
County
residents. We encourage your constituents to
comment through one of these
avenues.
Once
the public comment period is complete, the Board will review
all public comments received and take final action on a
tolling plan later this summer."
