To the editor:

I am a frequent T rider, as are my husband and 14-year-old son. We are T riders by choice for a number of reasons.

While I will be extremely disappointed if sales tax Questions 2 and 3 are not passed and the T is eliminated, my life will not be adversely affected. Other members of our community will not be so lucky.

Consider the blind, or persons with other significant physical challenges, who will have no way to get to their jobs. Consider the elderly who are unable to drive and will no longer be able to get to their medical appointments.

Consider the family who is living at the edge of poverty, who cannot afford to have a car and/or fill up the tank with gas. How will the parents get to their jobs? How will they get to the day care center? How will they be able to get groceries for their children?

When gas prices rise again or our economic situation worsens even further, many more of us might find ourselves in a similar position.

This is not a luxury for our community; this is a necessity. Lawrence is a great city. We take care of our own. Let’s not walk away from those in need.

Lynate Pettengill,
Lawrence