MERRIMACK, N.H.(AP) – Merrimack residents who complain they are hit more by highway tolls than other New Hampshire drivers illustrate their frustration Monday, one cent at a time.

The Town Council declared Monday Toll Revolt Day and urged residents to pay their highway tolls in pennies.

“We are asking people to drive safely and courteously, follow all directions by state employees and police officers, and pull (E-ZPass) transponders from your cars,” Council Chairman David McCray said.

Town councilors set up a penny exchange at the transfer station on Saturday, and distributed 800 rolls of pennies in the first three hours, McCray said.

The town also will distribute pennies Monday at Abbie Griffin Park bandstand beginning at 9 a.m., and an auto parade will leave from the park at noon.

Commuters are asked to throw pennies on their way to work, using exact change and following the rules of the turnpike system as normal.

“It has never been about chaos; this is about an orderly protest,” McCray said.

Merrimack residents say they pay an unfairly high percentage of tolls, and studies have shown rates as high as 42 cents a mile, compared to the average of 3 cents a mile on the turnpike system overall.

McCray says residents have to pay tolls simply to get around town, a burden the town says is being ignored by lawmakers.

The motorcade route will highlight the concern, he said.

“We are pretending we’re running errands in our own town,” McCray said. “The purpose is to show that people can never leave town and pay $1.50 to drive around to do their errands.”

—

Information from: New Hampshire Union Leader, http://www.unionleader.com

AP-ES-08-26-07 1019EDT