Well, Mayor Nickels certainly helped me make up my mind on the gas tax by saying, "no gas tax, no viaduct." No gas tax it is. His threat to tear down the viaduct anyway reminds me of a whiney little child that doesn't get their own way.

I find it hard to believe that with all the advances in engineering and technology since the viaduct was built that the viaduct can not be retro-fitted, put in a toll charge and at least not put us in so much debt for future generations to pay just because the "big boys" want it down because they don't like the way it looks.

As for the argument of "when the big one comes," I would prefer to go out above ground not in a tunnel like a mole or a rat in a sewer.

Finally, am I the only person in this city that doesn't have my own machine to print money? One would think so with the spending spree for private enterprise in this city and the amount of debt we are in at every level, from the city, county, state and federal governments.

Harriet Benjamin

Harbor Avenue