OOIDA UPDATE - Virginia members
July 17, 2009

Dear Virginia member:

I’m writing to let you know you/we have a friend in U.S. Representative Frank Wolf of the 10th District of Virginia.

Congressman Wolf continues to believe that Virginia is making a mistake by closing rest areas in the state.

Earlier this month he wrote a letter to Governor Tim Kaine urging the governor to act to avoid “band-aid” approaches to the state’s transportation needs to save $9 million by closing rest areas.

The Congressman closed his letter by saying: “the safety of all those who drive on Virginia highways is at risk.  Please reconsider keeping these rest stops open.”

From our perspective, this issue is far from resolved.  While the decision to close certain rest areas has been made by VDOT, we believe that with enough pressure it can be reversed.  We also believe that U.S. lawmakers will help with federal funding in future legislation, but this will take time while the rest areas are scheduled to be closed right now.

Please contact your state lawmakers in Richmond and Governor Tim Kaine urging them to not close rest areas in the state.  They are too important to safety for both car and truck drivers.

And, if you happen to live in Congressman Wolf’s district, please call his office to say “thanks” for his efforts.