GIVE PRAISE BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE
The March Viewpoint refers to “watching those who are extremely good at what they do,” before paying tribute to Overdrive’s deceased art director, Tim Cooper.
Speaking as a 69-year-old former trucker who has “pulled the pin” after 2 million miles accident-free and with no tickets, my point is we all need to “do it now” if there is someone who should hear words of praise because tomorrow may be too late. Case in point – I can’t thank Tim for keeping my interest in the magazine red-hot.
Overdrive is excellent for the down-to-earth writing on many subjects that continue to keep me interested. (I miss the “cheesecake” from the days of Mike Parkhurst’s ownership, but now that I’m over the hill it doesn’t really matter.)
RICHARD WARNER
Clarksville, Tenn.
MId-WEST TRUCKERS ASSOCIATION CLARIFIES TOLL OPINION
In “Illinois toll called ‘necessary evil'” [February], I was quoted as saying, “We view the increase as a necessary evil.”
In fact, the quote was the last part of a long exchange regarding congestion and toll booths. It should have said, “We view the increase as a necessary evil, and we are not excited about it.”
The inference in the chopped quote is that we enthusiastically supported the toll increase, and this is far from the truth. MTA testified against the toll increase as approved because it would force trucks off the tollways and onto secondary roads, as was experienced in Ohio.
Preliminary figures released by the tollway authority support this position. Truck traffic dropped 7.7 percent in January. At some toll booths the drop has been as much as 25 percent.
DON SCHAEFER
Executive vice president, Mid-West Truckers Association
