Celebrating a brand new parking deck

Dick Peacock
Published: July 4, 2008

Around 11:30 a.m.on June 26 a Ford Escape Hybrid loaded with city officials drove through a ribbon at the entrance to the new VRE parking deck. This celebration symbolized our city’s commitment to
rescue its citizens from highway gridlock, aggressive drivers, insane gas prices and the hot, bad breath of global warming. The lot will be ready for use in late July.

All of us at this time need to focus on the true value of the train and bus riders to our community. These people are the new “freedom riders” of the 21st Century. These “riders” spearhead a partial boycott
of the oil industry and OPEC. During the civil rights era, economic boycotts successfully created jobs and helped reduce racism in America. When these new “riders” hear sound of a train or bus door
close, these people know that the oil barons, the petroleum speculators and the leaders of OPEC can no longer pick their pockets. When they hear the sound of a train engineer or a bus driver blow
his/her horn, they know it is the sweet music of action: Action to cut oil consumption.

The members of the General Assembly need to act now! Raise revenues to support these 21st Century “freedom riders.” If you cannot find the backbone to do something, then the business community
and voters will unite to find someone who will!

DICK PEACOCK

Manassas