WV pol says Charleston meeting on toll increase is an insult

West Virginia's leading Republican state senator Don Caruth is denouncing the Turnpike authority for meeting in Charleston at the western end of the Turnpike saying people in the eastern part in Beckley and Bluefield are insulted and "outraged," because it was so difficult for them to attend.

Turnpike officials point out the Authority has already held a public meeting on the toll hikes in Bluefield in Caruth territory in the east.

Hardly anyone showed up.

Another toll opponent Senator Truman Chafin, a Democrat and the majority leader of the WV Senate expressed despair to the local Bluefield Daily Telegraph reporter at the lack of outrage among people in the eastern part of the Turnpike.

April 27 he was quoted:

"It’s time for the public to unite, stand up, be heard, demand corrective action or remain silent, go home and forever hold their peace," Chafin said. "Senator (Don) Caruth and Senator (Jesse) Guills and the Mercer County delegates have joined forces with me to fight for fair treatment for southern West Virginians on this vital economic issue. However, as we continue to fight it, we just can’t do it alone. We need the public to rise up and say no, we are not going to take it any more, enough is enough."

COMMENT: Over three-quarters of the WV tolls are paid by out-of-state motorists, which is probably why it is so difficult for the politicians to get the locals stirred up. Maybe also local people can recognize these political demagogues for the phonies they are, understanding that maybe toll rates set 28 years ago do need to be hiked.

The authority board will vote this week on the first toll increase since 1981.

http://www.wvturnpike.com/

TOLLROADSnews 2009-06-28