Posted on 09/22/2007 8:33:13 AM PDT by Daffynition
Bikers escorting a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this weekend don't think they should have to pay a toll.
But the Maine Turnpike Authority says it is legally bound to collect the money, which could total $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the number of riders who participate in the event.
Between 1,500 and 2,000 motorcyclists are expected to accompany the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall on Sunday as it travels up the Maine Turnpike from York to Lewiston.
The 240-foot-long wall will go on display Friday at Veterans Park and will remain up through Sunday.
Steve Page, commander of American Legion Post 132 in Richmond and a member of the American Legion Riders, said Friday that charging a toll is a slap in the face to Vietnam veterans.
"It's outrageous," said Page, a retired Army Green Beret. "Here we are escorting a national treasure and we have to pay tolls to do it."
Bud Conner, legal officer for Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Five at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, said he will be riding down to York with 35 other motorcyclists, including Page.
He has been instructed to collect the money ahead of time so he can pay the tolls up front.
Conner said each biker will pay a $2.50 toll down to York and then $3 when they escort the wall up to the Lewiston exit.
"Numerous people from the planning committee have talked to the (Maine) Turnpike Authority and the governor's office to no avail," Conner said. "They are not interested in giving 2,000 motorcycle riders a break. The (Turnpike Authority) is seeing dollar signs."
Dan Paradee, spokesman for the Maine Turnpike Authority, said it has nothing to do with money and everything to do with the law. The turnpike authority is required by its bond resolution to collect a toll from everyone who uses the highway unless it's an emergency situation.
"When you borrow money, you make promises that you will collect tolls," Paradee said. "You don't have the luxury to decide who can go toll-free and who can't."
He said the authority has worked out a plan with organizers. Everyone will meet at the York weigh station and the toll money will be collected in advance.
Maine State Police will guide the motorcade up the turnpike and everyone will ride through the toll booths without stopping, Paradee said.
"There's thousands of people on the turnpike right now doing wonderful things, people going for cancer treatments or to serve the elderly and they're all paying a toll," he said. "But the bottom line is if we allow 2,000 motorcyclists to go free, we would violate our bond resolution and we would be sued and the toll- payers of Maine would be required to deal with all the costs associated with that."
Not everyone sees the Maine Turnpike Authority as the bad guy.
"It's just a given we operate with," said Mike Martel of the Fortin Group-Dignity Memorial Wall Committee. "The only problem with it is that it detracts from the actual event, the beauty of bringing the wall to Lewiston and Auburn."
David Farmer, spokesman for Gov. John Baldacci, said the governor recognizes the importance of the event.
Farmer said his office has been working with organizers to make sure they have a state police escort and the event is a success.
"There's lots of worthy causes and worthy groups that come into the state and certainly this is an example of this," Farmer said. "It's difficult to make it an exception. The rules are fairly specific."
Why don’t they just go up highway 202?
Ping
many more folk will see the monument from a 202 ride
Simple solution - charge the bikers whatever the governor pays when he follw his police excort through the booth - how much is that?
They should take scenic Route 1 most of the way. I can’t imagine anything more boring than biking on the Maine Turnpike.
Bikers escorting memorial upset at Maine Turnpike toll...if the bikers were illegals ~ they would never be charged!!!
Especially since everything is closed up now ... unless making better time is the only real consideration. :-D
I sorry that this flap is going to give their good deed a negative spin.
Way to go guys.If you take the turnpike pay the tolls in pennies or nickles.
I’m sure the governor’s motorcade pays the tolls, probably in the EZ Pass lane.
LOL
I think the solution of having the fees - nominal per individual - collected ahead of time so's they can all go through together without interruption is reasonable.
If an exception is made for one group, it would get into all kinds of hassles and probably lawsuits down the line with others.
I really don't think there are many of the bikers upset about this - they're a great group of patriots
Take US-1 North from York.
In Portland, take SR-26 North.
In Gray, take US-202 North to Lewiston.
Methinks this is a HUGE tempest in a teapot.
Exactly. That route would be a LOT more fun to ride, and it would have the added benefit of making it more of a public occasion. They would go through numerous towns and miracle miles, and would be seen by a lot more people. They can stop at Burger King or McDonalds for a coke. There will be plenty of rest rooms along the way. They can get discount savings at L. L. Bean.
If they take the Turnpike, they will only be seen by a few cursing motorists going 70 MPH, and maybe a few moose.
If they support the memorial they need to cough up the dough. If they are upset about paying a toll, it tells me they are not the ones to be riding with the memorial. BTW, who pays for their gas?
No, it's not. Everyone has to pay the tolls.
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