Our next committee and club meeting has been set for:
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 6:30pm at the old county courthouse in downtown Wetumpka.
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 6:30pm at the old county courthouse in downtown Wetumpka.
Pass Resolution Calling for Legislature to Regulate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2007
CONTACT: Brannon Walden | 334-850-6969
Wetumpka – The Elmore County Democratic Executive Committee met on July 12, 2007 at the Elmore County Courthouse to discuss the impact that the Emerald Mountain Toll Bridge and the Alabama River Parkway have on Elmore County, and what they should do about it.
With tensions running high for residents affected by the toll bridges, the committee put itself on the frontlines in combating the increases in toll road fees in Alabama.
Brannon Walden, Chair of the county committee exclaimed, “Today we are taking a stand for not only the people of this county, but for everyone in this country who’s being adversely affected by unregulated toll corporations.”
Walden argues, and the committee agreed on a resolution, that the legislature should pass a bill that would bring corporate toll operators in Alabama under the regulating authority of the Public Service Commission.
With a boycott still ongoing for the Emerald Mountain Toll Bridge and reports that its business has dwindled by fifty percent, it appears that local efforts have been effective at hurting the toll operating company, Alinda Capital, but the county committee wants the legislature to take immediate action.
“Republicans like Governor Bob Riley have endorsed the expansion of toll roads in Alabama and other politicians of all stripes have not accomplished much to combat their expansion and recent fee hikes. This is no longer acceptable. History has proven the evils of unregulated toll roads, like how many become worn down due to a lack of maintenance and how they always end up raising their rates time after time,” Walden said.
Many believe that commerce between adjoining counties in the river region has been adversely affected by the recent rate increases. In addition, recent news reports have exposed severe security and safety problems with an ambulance and law enforcement vehicle being forced to stop and pay the toll while engaged in emergency operations.
“Dwight Eisenhower (who signed legislation establishing the Interstate system fifty years ago) would be appalled,” Walden asserted. “He learned of the logistical importance of unobstructed road systems in times of crises from the Nazis use of the Autobahn in World War II. And while he warned the country about the dangers of the military industrial complex, he didn’t warn us of the dangers of the highway industrial complex, which is now plaguing our country and stifling the freedom of safe travel and essential commerce.”
The committee’s vote for the resolution was unanimous and will be forwarded to local and state elected officials. The committee is also discussing other plans to hold forums and lobby days at the legislature. They are asking for suggestions and comments to be forwarded to bwalden@elmore.rr.com or 504 Windsong Loop, Wetumpka, AL 36093. To find out more about the committee, visit www.elmoredems.org or call Brannon Walden at 334-850-6969.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 13, 2007
CONTACT: Brannon Walden | 334-850-6969
Wetumpka – The Elmore County Democratic Executive Committee met on July 12, 2007 at the Elmore County Courthouse to discuss the impact that the Emerald Mountain Toll Bridge and the Alabama River Parkway have on Elmore County, and what they should do about it.
With tensions running high for residents affected by the toll bridges, the committee put itself on the frontlines in combating the increases in toll road fees in Alabama.
Brannon Walden, Chair of the county committee exclaimed, “Today we are taking a stand for not only the people of this county, but for everyone in this country who’s being adversely affected by unregulated toll corporations.”
Walden argues, and the committee agreed on a resolution, that the legislature should pass a bill that would bring corporate toll operators in Alabama under the regulating authority of the Public Service Commission.
With a boycott still ongoing for the Emerald Mountain Toll Bridge and reports that its business has dwindled by fifty percent, it appears that local efforts have been effective at hurting the toll operating company, Alinda Capital, but the county committee wants the legislature to take immediate action.
“Republicans like Governor Bob Riley have endorsed the expansion of toll roads in Alabama and other politicians of all stripes have not accomplished much to combat their expansion and recent fee hikes. This is no longer acceptable. History has proven the evils of unregulated toll roads, like how many become worn down due to a lack of maintenance and how they always end up raising their rates time after time,” Walden said.
Many believe that commerce between adjoining counties in the river region has been adversely affected by the recent rate increases. In addition, recent news reports have exposed severe security and safety problems with an ambulance and law enforcement vehicle being forced to stop and pay the toll while engaged in emergency operations.
“Dwight Eisenhower (who signed legislation establishing the Interstate system fifty years ago) would be appalled,” Walden asserted. “He learned of the logistical importance of unobstructed road systems in times of crises from the Nazis use of the Autobahn in World War II. And while he warned the country about the dangers of the military industrial complex, he didn’t warn us of the dangers of the highway industrial complex, which is now plaguing our country and stifling the freedom of safe travel and essential commerce.”
The committee’s vote for the resolution was unanimous and will be forwarded to local and state elected officials. The committee is also discussing other plans to hold forums and lobby days at the legislature. They are asking for suggestions and comments to be forwarded to bwalden@elmore.rr.com or 504 Windsong Loop, Wetumpka, AL 36093. To find out more about the committee, visit www.elmoredems.org or call Brannon Walden at 334-850-6969.
