We had an Exciting Day yesterday....We are Gaining Momentum! Plus we have 1700 signatures in total
Hello Friends! We had quite an Exciting Day yesterday! We met with Jane Spencer of the Jay County Historical Society-Their board voted to help us fight to Save The Big Blue Bridge! Letters are being sent! Then we had a Successful meeting with the Portland City Council!! They also voted to draft letters to INDOT and our State Representatives! We are Gaining Momentum!!! But, we can't stop there - I NEED YOUR HELP! If you want to help us be more effective, I need everyone who cares about keeping the bridge here in our community to write letters to state officials and INDOT. I can provide you with addresses and form letter or you can craft your own. Be kind and courteous. It’s hard to picture Portland without our Big Blue Bridge Adorning the Highway over the River. Our Parker Steel Truss bridge is the last of its kind in Jay County.
Time is running out to compel INDOT to change course. The more we show them how much we want to keep our bridge, the more likely we are to save it~ We must show them how much the bridge means to a small community like ours. We want to restore it which will cost considerably less money than it will cost to replace it. Your voice really matters - Help us Save the Big Blue Bridge by calling or writing letters of support for our efforts. Let INDOT and our state officials know how much the bridge means to a small town like ours. The time is now to compel them to re-look at the bridge project. This is our last chance - once a historic bridge like ours is gone, we can never get it back! The Big blue bridge is a source of pride that welcomes visitors to our town. It connects us with people and communities nearby. The bridge is beautiful; it’s impressive to look at, and fun to drive through. Without such landmarks, our city would not be as interesting to visit.
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Form letter to copy or create your own version
https://www.indianahouserepublicans.com/forms/contact-your-representative/?formField_Representative=Rep.%20J.D.%20Prescott%20%28HD%2033%29
Hello Representative Prescott. I am a concerned citizen from Indiana’s 33rd district. I was reaching out today regarding the replacement of a historic bridge on state route 26 near Portland, Indiana. This bridge was built in 1941 and is a local landmark. After our town learned of INDOT plans to dismantle and replace a piece of Portland history, citizens, including me, quickly signed a petition to stop it from happening. At this moment that petition has 1700 signatures.
Beyond the historical and cultural relevance there are monetary concerns as well. The projected cost of dismantling and replacing our historical bridge is 3.3 million, while restoration is estimated to only cost 1.2 million. The difference in price is not a trivial fact to me as a taxpayer. Former (INDOT Certified) bridge inspector, Tony Dillion, took a look at Portland's bridge and had this to say, “as a person who studied truss bridges for over 40 years, in my opinion, there is certainly nothing to suggest the bridge is beyond rehabilitation.”
To conclude, Representative Prescott, as a resident of your district I believe that the petition signed by 1700 citizens represents a legitimate public interest. I understand you’re a busy person but any help you could lend to this cause would be greatly appreciated. We are proud of our bridge and would like to see it restored instead of dismantled. I hope this letter finds you well.
Best Wishes,
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Contact Representative Prescott Directly: Phone: 317-234-9499. Phone: 1-800-382-9841. Email: h33@iga.in.gov.