Bridge Update: January 12, 2010

Rolling Ridge Bridge Update
January 12, 2010


Dear Members of the Laurel Highlands, Rolling Ridge and Maple Summit
Snowmobile Clubs,



I want to thank everyone who took the time to call or to write to Governor Rendell, Richard Kasunic, Mike Reese and Carl Walker Metzgar. We have definitely made some waves!

I personally want to thank Barry Harcum (President/Founder of Rolling Ridge Snowmobile Club and long time member of both Laurel Highlands and Maple Summit Snowmobile Clubs).  I believe Barry is the only person who talked to someone useful in Governor Rendell's office.  Barry was on the phone for 1 hour and 45 minutes with the Chief of Staff. Even though Barry completely ignored my "no yelling and no swearing" advice, I have to say that his call may have been one of the most helpful for our cause.  THANK YOU BARRY for not backing down!  Sometimes being nice just doesn't get you anywhere and Barry's call is proof of that!!!!

We are now working closely with Donegal Borough.  The President of the
borough is also the President of the Mountain Laurel Chamber of Commerce and she has been giving us some additional guidance and support.  She has been in a similar situation before so she knows what needs to be done.  I'd like to thank her for her help.

We have been told that we need 10,000 signatures on the petition.  I know a lot of you right now are saying, "there's no way we can do that" and to you I say, WHY NOT?  According to the recent newspaper articles, 80,000 to 100,000 people use that bridge each year NOT including snowmobiles.  So if we can't round up 10,000 signatures, then we aren't trying very hard.  The hard copy of the petition is at all 3 local snowmobile clubs.  It's also at 30 businesses and we almost have the packets ready to distribute to 20 more.  You can sign the on-line version at:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethebridge/

Send this link to your friends, your family, neighbors, co-workers,
schoolmates, etc.  We don't care who signs it, just so that they sign.  I
would be happy to mail hard copies of the petition to anyone who wants
them.  Just ask.

Anyone who does have full sheets of the hard copy version can bring them to any of the 3 local club's meetings or you can email me for my mailing address and send them in.

Kerri Schott
vicepresident@rollingridgeclub.org

We've definitely caused a commotion, but we still have a lot to do.  At
this time, the Turnpike widening project is scheduled for 2014.  I don't
think anyone wants to wait until then to see a new bridge.  If you've
already called Governor Rendell, Richard Kasunic, Mike Reese and Carl
Walker Metzgar, that's great!  If you haven't called them, PLEASE DO SO
THIS WEEK.  If you've called, maybe write a letter now, or if you haven't
heard back from your first call/letter, then call or write again.  Or call
to get an update.  We have to keep pushing until we get what we want.
There's no reason for them to back down if we stop pushing.

I'm including the list of who to contact below.  Doing so will go a long
way towards helping snowmobiling continue across the turnpike.

Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284


Richard A Kasunic (D)
Senate District 32
Fayette, Somerset (part), Washington (part) and Westmoreland (part)
Counties.
ADDRESS: Senate Box 203032
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3032
ROOM: 458 Capitol Building
TELEPHONE: (717) 787-7175
D.O. ADDRESS:
1192 University Drive
Dunbar, PA 15431
(724) 626-1611


Carl Walker Metzgar (Republican)
Bedford County (Part) and Somerset County (Part)
Hon. Carl Walker Metzgar
149A East Wing
PO Box 202069
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2069
(717) 783-8756
Fax: (717) 787-2005


Mike Reese (Republican)
Fayette County (Part) and Westmoreland County (Part)
Hon. Mike Reese
409 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202059
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2059
(717) 783-9311
Fax: (717) 260-6502


Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.  I know
making these calls and writing these letters takes some time but it is
absolutely necessary that we do this if we want a new bridge for next
snowmobile season.  Thank you!

-Kerri

VP, Rolling Ridge Snowmobile Club
CELL:  (724) 972-7415