Charles A. Caplinger, IV

I am all for reducing costs to the government (taxpayer). My concerns are multiple: 1) Is the cost differential of having a federal employee on call significantly less than having a federal employee on premises? 2) Why two hours? Why not one hour, particularly when the employee lives in close proximity to the bridge (which should be a requirement)? Would it be possible to have the Bayou Bonfouca bridge tender act as the permanent contact number and dispatcher for the Bayou Liberty bridge? This would provide a consistent contact number and quicker response for Bayou Liberty bridge openings, because the Bayou Bonfouca bridge is permanently manned. Could the bayou Bonfouca bridge tender operate both bridges? 3) The contact number remains a perpetual challenge. The two-hour notice rule for after-hours-opening has been in effect for years. It is fraught with problems. The number changes, no one answers, voice-mail response leaves boaters in a lurch. After ten years of living on Bayou Liberty upstream of the pontoon bridge, I cannot recall a single after-hours opening. I make no claim that it has never happened. Multiple back-up numbers up the inexhaustible chain of command works equally as poorly and leaves the stranded boater(s) in the same quagmire. At least with the current part-time manned bridge policy, boaters can rely on the day shift arrival for a bridge opening. 4) At an enormous, cost for a new and improved bridge with a safe-house the latter of which is elevated, fully enclosed, insulated and conditioned with amenities and to now suggest it be unmanned is disconcerting. 5) What is or will be the policy for Bayou Liberty Bridge and bridge-tender availability when there are natural disasters approaching? Bayou Liberty residents use their homes as a hurricane refuge for their boats. The Bayou Liberty bridge must be manned prior to hurricane landfalls, so that residents can bring theior boats to their homes for protection.