LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Raising gas tax hurts poor
7/8/2014Increasing the gasoline tax is a quick political solution to raising money for road repair, but not thoughtful (“Road to ruin,” June 30). Raising the gas tax adversely affects the working poor, not the wealthy.
Wealthy people have the best cars, some of which are fuel-efficient. The working poor drive cars that are not so fuel-efficient to get to their minimum-wage jobs.
If our unsympathetic elected officials would compare how a higher gas tax affects different income levels, maybe they would come up with a tax that would be more equitable.
MICHAEL LAWRENCE
Lambertville
Gas tax unfair way to fix roads
The federal government is looking at raising the gasoline tax to finance road repair, but there are electric cars and vehicles that run on propane that pay little or no gas tax. These specialty vehicles use the same roads as gasoline and diesel-fueled vehicles.
The proper thing to do is come up with a road tax that applies to all vehicles. Why should those of us who drive gasoline or diesel vehicles pay for repairing the roads that other kinds of vehicles use?
CARL SCHUH
Gibsonburg
Nasty mosquito rekindles fears
I was upset to read that the Asian tiger mosquito has made its way to Ohio, because this mosquito was one of the reasons I left the Washington area 10 years ago (“Toledo on lookout for virus-laden mosquito; Asian tiger rare in northern Ohio,” June 23).
They are easy to identify because of their black-and-white striped legs. They are aggressive. When I stepped onto my front porch in Washington to pick up the morning paper, I often got bit four or more times.
People should be vigilant about removing sources of stagnant water, where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
I hope that summer in Toledo will not be forever changed by these bloodsuckers, as it has been in our nation’s capital.
JEFF NELSON
Robinwood Avenue
Stop spraying; instead, beautify
People should urge Toledo and state officials to end the spraying of poison in our neighborhoods (“Agency to put the bite on mosquitoes,” Readers’ Forum, June 1).
Theoretically, poison is sprayed to control mosquitoes. Unfortunately, this poison also affects us, our children, and our pets. Poison also kills bees.
Money that is spent on spraying should be used to plant flowers and beautify Toledo.
JOSHUA SINGER
Harford Road