To the Editor:

It seems that if there is one rule in life it is that nothing is simple. This definitely applies to our Lincoln Highway Bridge. Solutions have been proposed that seem to be an easy answer as to how to handle this national monument.

One is to take the railings off and put them in the park. Another is to move the bridge off the highway and make it part of a walking path. Undoubtedly, there are other simple solutions.

The problem is this – if we mangle the bridge by removing its rails, it will no longer be on the National Register. Any structure recognized for the Register has to keep its integrity. We cannot move the bridge. A large part of its qualifications to be nationally recognized is that it is ON the Lincoln Highway.

The real question is this – are we willing to forfeit the one aspect of our community that gives us national recognition? Are we willing to let it go the way of the Carnegie Library and the two depots? Once we have mangled it or moved it we will lose its status and lose it permanently.

In short, we can easily make this just another town and make the bridge just as insignificant as all the bridges in this nation. Our founding fathers thought better of this town. They believed it was special, and they wanted the rest of the country to know it. That’s why they paid to have the letters included on the bridge, They were truly visionary because this bridge has given our town national recognition, making this little town special.

Well, I believe this town is STILL special. I believe it deserves a national monument, and I believe in the people of this community. Surely there are people left like Hugh Hill, Bess lngles, and Marie Vileta who love this town as they did, and who would never let it become just another little town with a bridge. This town deserves better.

Anne Michael

Tama