(An open letter to Gov. James E. McGreevey)

As we hope you are aware, residents along the Garden State Parkway are discriminated against (compared to residents in other parts of the state) in that their major highway outlet is via the toll-laden and plaza-hazardous parkway. This problem was recently exacerbated with the addition of ramp tolls at exit 77 in Berkeley and also in Lakewood, where a study indicated it costs the parkway 30 cents to collect each 25-cent toll.

Thus, it is urgent that you recognize relief for parkway users may be in sight. With the increasing reality of a hike in the gasoline tax, 3 cents of that tax could be used to eliminate parkway tolls. This three cents would cost the average driver — driving about 12,000 miles/year and getting 34 mpg — about $10.50 per year, a very appealing bargain.

An added benefit to the public is that eliminating tolls would save $90 million annually in toll-collection costs plus eliminating the costs of operating the troubled E-Z Pass system on the parkway. Such a move on your part would be a clear indication to the public that you are sincere in your desire to cure the pay-to-play malady haunting New Jersey government.

Fact: it costs more to collect tolls on the parkway than it does to maintain the parkway. How, in good conscience, can you allow this to continue?

Citizens Against Tolls continues in its efforts to keep the public informed, and we invite you to view our completely revised Web site which contains a wealth of information on toll collection — www.endtolls.com. Our Web site is viewed by tens of thousands of New Jerseyans, as well as people across the entire country.

Dedicating 3 cents of the impending gasoline tax will give your administration the opportunity to finally bring an end to more than 50 years of burdensome tolls which have done nothing more than cause thousands of accidents and the loss of hundreds of lives, generated hundreds of tons of harmful pollutants, and cost hundreds of millions of dollars in collection expenses. We urge you to act responsibly and keep your campaign promise to eliminate parkway tolls.

Raymond G. Neveil

president

Joseph DeGraw

vice president

John Millett, treasurer

Phyllis R. Elston

government liaison

Citizens Against Tolls

Manasquan