The merits of the additional sales tax are understood because the need for improvements with roads and transportation are easy to see and understand. Can we believe this is the fix?

My issue is that we are asked for a 10-year commitment by a government that I do not trust. All we have to do is look to the toll booths on Ga. 400 to understand that our elected officials will do what they want, no matter what commitments have been made.

When pressed, Gov. Deal announced that the tolls will end in 2013. Why? He wants T-SPLOST to pass and it is easy to make another promise. How do we know that this promise will be kept?

If T-SPLOST passes, I believe that the Georgia Toll Authority and its handling of the HOT lanes is an example of what we can expect for the next 10 years. Spend money, call it an investment, wait for the public outrage, lower the toll and then announce it a success. From there, plan for expansion and then campaign for T-SPLOST which, in part, requires a network of HOT lanes to be complete to spend more money.

Governor, take another look: The drivers of Interstate 85 hate the HOT lanes. Remove them and you have a one lane increase in available capacity to carry traffic.

The push is on, we are told, and that a “no” vote is like a lethal injection into the arm of Georgia, Atlanta and our communities. Does that mean our government has no other ideas for Georgia transportation? If so, the voters need to find people who do.

John A. Lees
Dahlonega