Dean Reed – 7/24/06

This page was last updated on July 24, 2006.

They just don’t get it; Dean Reed; Beaver County Times; July 24, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“So the new Aliquippa-Ambridge Bridge has been scrapped due to insufficient funding. Isn’t that just great?

“For those of you who work across the river, or shop, or are educated, or have doctors or families there, remember you are one runaway barge away from losing the only bridge we have.”

[RWC] I guess Mr. Reed forgot about the two bridges between Monaca and Rochester and the Sewickley Bridge. In any case, assuming a runaway barge could really take out the Aliquippa-Ambridge Bridge, we’ve managed to live with this risk since forever.

“That existing structure was considered deteriorated several years ago. Just how long do our politicians and so-called planners think that that bridge will last? Where is our local representative’s, county commissioner’s, state official’s, mayor’s and citizen’s outrage on this?”

[RWC] Apparently “our politicians and so-called planners” believe the existing bridge can last a long time with reasonable maintenance because politicians insisted that the existing bridge remain open and maintained even if a new bridge were built.

“Is it easier to raise the welfare and unemployment compensation payments than take a real measurable step on improving the chances for employment in these southern Beaver County communities through infrastructure?

“Let’s give businesses a reason to locate here. Give us a way to shop in Beaver County. Do not provide us with an improved road that takes us out of Beaver County to Cranberry.

“After all these years they (our representatives) just don’t get it.”

[RWC] The final three paragraphs are just another example of “build it and they will come.” Note Mr. Reed doesn’t cite any cost-benefit analysis to support his position.