Roads Posted.... Let's make a Difference Together
Wow. I can’t believe the response I got on Social Media for my post about speaking at the hearing in Augusta on the posted roads bill. It is incredibly important that the people of Augusta and the municipalities hear our voice loud and clear. I really appreciate everyone’s support and it has encouraged me to keep going with this and I have joined the working group in Augusta to bring our concerns to the folks making the decisions. The group is composed legislative members, the transportation committee, and industry representatives from Professional Logging Contractors, Maine Motor Transport, Maine Municipal Association, Department of Transportation, Associated General Contractors, and me….. the guy who sits there to represent us all who this actually affects. I am there to represent those of us whose mortgage payments, grocery bills, utility bills and business profits are directly impacted by these decisions. If you’re running a small business that this also affects, I want you to know I am just like you. I have to get out of my loader for 1/2 a day and lose a bit of money in order to go up there and make my point. In the long run, however, if we can band together to support a common sense, business friendly, clear solution to the issue we will ultimately be able to not only profit from our efforts, but continue to support the people and families we employ. I don’t like my employees out hungry on unemployment and that is a huge contributing factor as to why I believe this bill is so important.
I’d like to take the opportunity before our next meeting to hear from you all. I heard loud and clear that it isn’t only me that feels road postings are a major contributing factor in my business operations. I have a few questions I’d like any of you affected by this law to answer. Please take a moment to comment with your answers below or on the Facebook post. I can bring this information back to the next meeting to support our mission.
How do you make the decision on whether a road is “solidly frozen” and allow your trucks to travel on the posted road? 2. Have you ever been pulled over for traveling on a posted road? Please elaborate (is the answer “no” because you never take the chance? If yes, did you actually receive a citation? What town was it in?) 3. Do you have to lay off employees due to the road postings? How many? 4. Are the roads posted in your area yet? 5. Provide me with ideas and thoughts about what would be a common sense approach to the law that would aide you in making your day to day business decisions. (they aren’t going to get rid of road postings all together any time soon so thats not an option). Thank you for your help and I’ll be sure to keep you posted.