August 27th-Toll Protest Day for Some New Hampshire Residents

  Residents of Merrimack New Hampshire claim that they pay an unfair amount in toll because of where they live. There was a proposal by Executive Councilor Debora Pignatelli to provide residents with two free passes through the tolls daily, but that proposal went nowhere, angering Merrimack residents. Why did it go nowhere? Because Gov. John had passed legislation to strip the Executive Council of its power to regulate toll rates and discounts in 2005.

  Now the residents are planning a toll revolt day, which was also voted on and passed by the town council. On August 27th all Merrimack residents are being asked to pay the tolls in pennies. This now seems to be gaining steam and a motorcade has now been formed for the 27th that will simulate a route an average resident takes to run errands.

The motorcade route will start at Abbie Griffin Park, and cars will get on the F.E. Everett Turnpike at Exit 12 southbound, exit at Exit 11 and get back on Exit 11 continuing southbound, then get off Exit 10 and get back on Exit 10 northbound and continue the loop back to Exit 12, near the park.

“We are pretending we’re running errand in our own town,” McCray said. “The purpose is to show that people can never leave town and pay (only) $1.50 to drive around to do their errands.”

  Why did the house vote to strip the Executive Council of it’s power to set toll fees? My guess is so that Governor John Lynch can get his greedy little fingers on it. The fact is that while you may not like paying the tolls, you will pay the tolls and like it. You are not going to get a tax break from a Democrat majority in the state. It’s almost laughable to suggest it would work. The best way to revolt would be to vote against John Lynch next year. That is the only chance we have of lowering any of the new taxes and fees that have been implemented. By the way, there is talk of raising the tolls, so get your quarters out.

  I do like the idea though, and I hope it makes someone look. Gov. Lynch will probably raise the tolls on everyone else and leave them the same for Merrimack residents as a sort of de-facto discount.