In an article of Sept. 20, Deputy Commissioner Bruce Van Note of the Maine Department of Transportation wrote the Taxpayer Bill of Rights would hurt road maintenance and operations. What is hurting the roads is the governor authorizing the use of highway funds for other than highways and bridges, which is what the gas tax is to be used for exclusively. Where was Van Note’s voice when that happened? He should have been screaming!

To date, the governor has authorized about $56 million of the highway fund to be used for other projects. I resent that. Taxes on gasoline are to be used for only highways and bridges. Let him find other ways to fund those other projects. I have written numerous letters asking for an accounting of his actions. He forwarded my request to the “appropriate department.” I got no answer. Now, repeated letters to the governor go unanswered.

Some road improvements had to be delayed for lack of funding. Rebuilding Route 117 from Route 4 to Turner is now on hold until 2008 – no money. Work on Route 117 from Buckfield to Route 4 is delayed from last year to next year – no money.

Augusta attributes this to the federal government, where all shortfalls are blamed. It is just plain fiscal irresponsibility in Augusta. In November, voters have the opportunity to correct the bungling in Augusta. TABOR will go a long way in this respect. We can also “clean house” at the same time.

George Bilodeau, Buckfield