Contributed by Sarah L. Padula

I am writing to express outside views regarding some of the Skaneateles population who are part of a movement to discriminate against certain people who use public roads in their area.

In a recent rally held in Skaneateles, a resident who claims she lives on the corner of Routes 20 and 41 proudly announced that she hits her breaks when a garbage truck comes up behind her so she can force the truck to go as slowly as possible. This woman is clearly unaware that she, in fact, is demonstrating road rage. Does she have a clue about braking distance in relation to load factor? This same woman said something to the effect that “one of these days, one of these trucks will kill someone.” Well, she could very well be the person who causes such an accident if she continues her road rage driving behavior.

Now, this woman certainly must recognize herself in the paragraph above , as well as should some of her friends and neighbors. It seems the local police might want to go have a chat with this woman about road rage and intentionally interfering with the smooth flow of traffic.

As punishment for her self-admitted road rage, I think this woman should have to ride with a garbage truck hauler for at least a month.

Oddly enough, at the beginning of the rally, a local sludge truck traveled down the main road leaving behind a repulsive stench of sewage. Will something be done about that? I’ve heard it’s a daily event.

Perhaps the people of Skaneateles don’t want large trucks delivering gasoline to their local gas stations. Are they willing to pay $10.00 per gallon so that the gasoline can be delivered in multiple smaller trucks so they can truly follow the policy of “Large Truck Freight Movement” being eliminated from their roads? Or, won’t the rule apply to gasoline trucks? My guess is that if the truck benefits them in some way, it will be allowed.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer was contacted by trucking companies who take on the unpleasant job of hauling garbage, and he was asked to meet with them to get their take on this matter. Now as a representative, it is his responsibility to learn all he can from all interested parties. However, Mr. Schumer did not even respond to the requests.

More to the point, the fact that certain people are perfectly accepting of outright discrimination against a group of workers who barely eke out a living, and prefer to make life more difficult for them so that they might not be subjected to the realities of life seems just too arrogant, selfish, and completely lacking in empathy.

Whatever happened to compromise, caring, empathy, and equity?

- Sarah Padula