Published: June 02, 2009 11:48 pm      

Lawmaker vows to block ’pike in protest if board OKs toll increase

CHARLESTON — Reserve a jail cell for Delegate Clif Moore on the very day higher fares are charged motorists on the West Virginia Turnpike.

Make sure at the same time a tow truck is available.

Angered by the impending 60 percent across-the-board toll hike, Moore is vowing to stage a massive act of civil disobedience at the Ghent toll plaza.

“Put me in jail,” Moore, D-McDowell, vowed Tuesday.

“I’m willing to go. I think it’s a cause worth going for.”

Moreover, Moore says he will protest in another way — paying only the existing $1.25 fare per barrier.

“On the very day that they implement the increase on tolls along the turnpike, if, in fact, they do, and we’re still hoping and praying and working that this won’t happen, I’m going to block the toll booth at Ghent with my car.”

If he can enlist similar protesters, say from seven to 10, the delegate says, he can effectively stop the flow of traffic along the turnpike.

“I’m asking other people who have the same outrage as I do to come and join me on that day,” he said.

“We can have a little civil disobedience and show the world and the state of West Virginia we are not going to take this lying down.”

Come June 25, the turnpike’s governing board, the state Parkways Authority, will meet in Charleston to formally impose the higher fares.

The decision is needed to offset dwindling income, meet bond indebtedness payments and make critical repairs, the board has said.

Last month, the authority conducted four hearings in the counties that embrace the road — Kanawha, Fayette, Raleigh and Mercer.

Residents angrily denounced the impending increase, saying it’s unfair and discriminatory to force southern West Virginians to pay tolls when drivers in other parts of the state use interstate highways without charge.

“I’m not going to drive my car because it may get towed,” Moore said.

“I’ll have to get another one.”

Moore insisted he isn’t kidding about the protest demonstration.

“I’m dead serious,” the lawmaker said.

“I’m not joking. If somebody wants to join me, and I hope people do, I’m certainly willing to have them come along.”

Moore said he also intends to stay by his vow to pay no more than $1.25 at the toll plazas.

“I’m not paying any more,” he said.

“I’ve had enough.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com