The MdTA has the sole, independent authority to set whatever rates it wants and collect those tolls by whatever means it chooses. Cecil County government has no jurisdiction or authority in this, nor does the county receive any return on the tolls collected. In fact, Cecil County is disproportionately and negatively affected by the decisions of the MdTA.

I say this because it is vitally important to know the facts: your REAL opposition is in the structurally untouchable and unaccountable MdTA.

Please don’t take out your anger over higher tolls on Cecil’s businesses. In fact, I would ask that each one of us make a conscience decision to patronize Cecil businesses to help offset the broader negative impact of these tolls assessed on our visitors from other parts of the State.

The equipment previously used by MdTA to read the AVI decals at the Hatem was old technology – the manufacturer was long out of business and repair parts hard to find and expensive. I can’t blame the MdTA for the EZ Pass, but it will take continued pressure from Cecil & Harford Co. to keep them from thieving rural MD to fund their highway projects in suburban DC.