55 mph limit would save a million gallons of oil per day

55 mph limit would save a million gallons of oil per day
EDITOR:
Much is said and printed about the cost of gasoline, yet nothing is being done. I propose, as was done about 30 years ago, that the maximum speed limit, nationwide, be set at 55 mph. An example of the fuel savings are in my own data.
I drive 410 miles one way, 10 to 12 times a year to visit my children. I've driven 55, 60 and 65 (and 70 mph in Michigan, which is their maximum speed). I tried 50 mph once, but nearly got rear ended four times, so increased to 55 mph. At 65 mph in Ohio (170 miles) and 70 in Michigan (240 miles), my auto got 31.8 mpg. At 55 mph the entire 410 miles, the same auto got 36.8 mpg. This saves over 13 percent of gas consumption and if 55 mph is implemented, should save 13.4 percent a day nationwide.
However, at the maximum speed posted, very few vehicles follow this and in most cases, you get passed by cars/trucks going 10 mph or more over the posted speed limit. With this, I believe 13 percent is a very conservative savings.
If our estimated daily consumption for this summer is 9.3 million barrels a day -- predicted by the Energy Information Administration, 13.4 percent would save over a million barrels a day. The petroleum, auto, trucking and other industries would vigorously oppose any legislation or directive to reduce the maximum speed to 55 mph.
To enforce this speed limit, we will give drivers 60 mph before a citation. But at 61 mph, it would be a $100 fine, at 62 mph, $200, etc. A second citation would be $500 for 61 mph, $1,000 for 62 mph, etc. A third citation would be the driver's license being suspended for 1-3 years. Some of the revenue would be used to fund extra police on all roads in the country. This is a very serious problem and we have to sacrifice and get very serious about it.
TIM SOMERVILLE
McDonald
'Thou Shalt Not Gamble' isn't one of the original 10
EDITOR:
Recently, a petition for the repeal of the Lordstown Casino Agreement was handed in to the clerk. I truly believe some of the signers were not fully aware of what this petition request entails and what the possible consequences could come about.
The worst would be that the casino would come anyway and Lordstown Village, without this agreement, would get absolutely no money for the village, the schools and the county. With the agreement, these entities would receive about $4 million to $6 million a year in mitigation payments to cover the loss of taxes and any expenses that would be realized by the village, the schools and the county. I would like to know how the passers of this petition plan for the village, the school and the county to come up with monies to cover any losses and costs that would be incurred by the entities mentioned.
Please note that Lordstown's agreement did have several extras that were added over what other Ohio communities agreed to. Also, our mayor wanted the schools and the county added to share the mitigation monies, which were originally meant only for the village.
Some say look for other businesses to build here. But a few don't understand that there aren't many businesses or industries inquiring about locating here in the Valley. This is not China or Mexico, where the labor is cheap and regulations are few. Our state government has no problem allowing 71 garbage dumps in Ohio, but is having a hard time supporting less than a dozen casinos. My opinion on this matter is that Gov. Bob Taft and Atty. Gen. Jim Petro are afraid that the casinos may divert some monies from their lottery. Now isn't that something? They are against gambling, but don't jeopardize their lottery money. Isn't the lottery gambling?
Let's look at the surrounding states of New York, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. They have allowed gambling or will in one form or another and are realizing millions for their coffers. Is Ohio wealthy enough to ignore a source of income of this size? No it is not. The state is hurting for money. Can we afford to let our unconstitutional taxes go higher? No we cannot.
Lordstown also needs additional monies. We have experienced greater costs in operating matters and less money coming in. We have no money for sewers for the East Side, cannot repave the same amount of roads that we usually do yearly, but are expected to. I ask the naysayers, how do you expect the village to get additional monies to provide the services we are accustomed to? Perhaps, increase your property taxes or increase the income tax rate. Another question for the naysayers, especially one school board member, where will the schools get the monies to do the million dollar roof repair or all the other repairs needed in the different buildings?
Yes, I read and heard the pros and cons of casinos and gambling, heard from the high rollers and the holy rollers (as one man put it), but we cannot view this with only selfish intent -- only what we want, what we desire. We must think about the economy, the jobs and I truly believe the good that will come from this resort.
They say gambling is bad and they say it is a sin, but I don't believe that entirely. There are only bad gamblers who gamble in excess, like there are drunks who drink in excess or those who abuse drugs, children, the unborn, or sex, etc. The Almighty gave Moses the Ten Commandments for all to live by and nowhere do I read, "Thou shall not gamble!"
MARY JANE WILSON, Councilperson
Lordstown Village