Our own bridge to nowhere

I read with interest the Dec. 15 article on the $1.1 trillion spending bill approved by the U.S. Senate and the help the federal government is going to give us in this area. The one item that stuck out like a sore thumb was the bridge over Sloan Creek. Not too long ago the whole country was up in arms about the bridge to nowhere (Alaska's bridge to a remote island with an estimated $50 million cost) and now we end up with a mini-version of the same thing. Our scaled-down version ($1.6 million cost) is the same thing. You might find a few who know where Sloan Creek is, but it will be a darn few.

I am not opposed to this project and in fact enjoy the trail system that we have developed through our community. However, I am opposed to the way it is funded. If we want it, put it on a local ballot and let's vote it in and pay for it right here. As it is, pure pork dangled and wrangled by our federal legislators so our senator will vote yes for a federal budget that is out of control.

I believe one will be obliged to squeal a bit and at least say "oink, oink" as they cross over the Sloan Creek bridge.

WAYNE UNTERREINER, Cape Girardeau