December 1, 2007 Commissioner Luisa Paiewonsky 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA   Dear Commsioner Paiewonsky, Thank you for inviting me to the meeting this past Monday with you and your staff to discuss the displays.  I understand the difficult job that MassHighway has with constantly reviewing safety issues.  As promised, here is my opinion and decision from our meeting.  Safety concerns Although I understand concerns over safety with displays, banners and signage on overpasses, I feel that these risks are greatly over exaggerated compared to other safety issues that MassHighway faces. Other issues threaten public safety that far outweighs safety issues raised about a flag or a welcome home sign placed on the inside of a bridge. Throughout the Merrimack Valley and the commonwealth I see dangerous conditions on overpasses. Rocks and other debris sits on the edges of sidewalks waiting for a gust of wind to takes them crashing below onto a car.  Some sidewalks on these bridges have 6-9 inch gaps where a foot can get stuck or debris could fall through to the road below.   When weighing this to the issue presented at the meeting about the overpass displays, I would think the emphasis should be on clearing and repairing bridges, not banning displays. To the best of my knowledge, not one incident has been reported to cause an accident from displays.  Traveling Route 93 during rush hour is a much greater risk than the chance of a flag or sign flying though the air.   MassHighway has allowed the use of driving in the breakdown lanes during rush hour and it would be very interesting to know how many accidents have been caused by this decision. Your statement that MassHighway is not going to wait for an accident to happen with the displays should also be applied to breakdown lane use where I am sure that decision has already caused numerous accidents. What about safety here and why is this program still allowed? In my opinion, the chance of a flag attached to the inside of a bridge blowing ten feet up and then hurling over the fence and landing on a windshield below is almost absurd to imagine.  Most displays follow the guidelines that were established last year by MassHighway.  Displays that do not comply should be taken down, no questions asked.  As I stated during our meeting, I no longer see cups being used and there has been a significant downturn on the amount of banners and displays being placed on bridges.  Alternative ideas Although I like the concept of the signage proposed at the meeting as an alternative, I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the proposed placements, one being rest areas.  We do not have many rest areas in Massachusetts and how many residents of this commonwealth drive through them?  I have also read many stories on the seediness of rest areas and wouldn’t think this option is best.  I have ideas and would like the opportunity to work these out with your department handling this undertaking.  Signage could work if they were placed in good locations and with many messages of support to our troops.  Maybe allowing companies or individuals to sponsor the signs would allow ample signs throughout the commonwealth as well as taking any burden away from your budget or our taxpayers. The other item mentioned was the idea of an adoption of a safe site to decorate with flowers and other small decorations near exit ramps.  This could be viable but more details would have to be worked out. Removing Displays The choice I was given with regards to the current displays is who will take them down, MassHighway or the individuals who placed them there. It was clearly stated that yes, that is our only choice. Although I understand your concern for safety, I strongly disagree with MassHighway placing a ban on these patriotic displays. The display on Rt 213 was only placed back up this May when Spec. Alex Jimenez was captured and now is a POW/MIA.  The RT. 4 overpass in Chelmsford is decorated for KIA LCPL Andrew Zaberiek.  Both these displays were removed last year when your first ban went into place.  Even though I disagree with your decision again, I will remove my displays sometime early this week both on RT. 213 and on Rt 495.  This will not be an easy task as I had mentioned in our meeting these displays mean a lot to people, especially our military and their families. These displays will be taken down exactly how they were placed, by me and with heavy thoughts and great appreciation for our bravest of men and women, defenders of freedom, our military. Summary These displays show a blanket support for our soldiers’ service and sacrifice defending our country values. Although I strongly disagree with your decision to place this ban on flags going on overpasses, I understand that the ban is in place and that we have no other choice.  Other than a public outcry prompting another reversal I see this as inevitable.  So, the displays will come down and I hope your offer to allow us alternatives mentioned above become a reality.  I was offered to participate in this planning and hope that these were not just words to appease me but actually become action.  As long as we have a substantial way of showing our public appreciation for our troops I am willing to try working with MassHighway. Hopefully we can work together to support our bravest men and women as they defend and serve our nation. Best regards, Jim Sereigo-Wareing 139 Howe Street Methuen, MA 01844 Tel 978-682-4979 Cell 978-835-7464