Petition

I am writing this letter in regards to your recent comments concerning selling or leasing the Ohio Turnpike to a foreign or business entity. The sole purpose of this action is to obtain monies for “quick fix” to Ohio’s money problems.

I am strongly opposed to this course of action for many reasons. The most obvious is the loss of jobs, and control being given to an unknown and untested entity. This is Ohio, a great State of the United States of America, and as such, needs to keep it and our assets under our citizen’s control.

The Ohio Turnpike is a valuable asset of Ohio, and is important to the surrounding states that it connects within the highway system. It provides jobs to many Ohioans who contribute their tax monies to the local, state and federal governments. In this present day economy, burdened with unemployment, shrinking tax base, and low citizen morale, why take an action that will ultimately, and further contribute to these negatives? Please check out the results of those states, such as Indiana, which did, put their turnpike in the hands of outsiders. You will see that the “quick fix” money is gone, the roads are not in good shape, and truckers and drivers are avoiding using the overpriced toll road.

The Ohio Turnpike Commission has done an admirable job of running the turnpike. The road is a viable thoroughfare between east and west, which is kept in quality condition, and is used by many drivers, not just Ohioans.