Hi Everyone,

I received a newspaper article from a member in Erie County, PA concerning the future of the Gudgeonville Covered Bridge, PA-25-03. The article discusses the problems of graffiti and vandalism, the deterioration of the bridge, and the 3-ton posted limit and low clearance which does not allow emergency vehicles to use the bridge. Girard Township supervisors are considering options including building a new bridge alongside the covered bridge, bypassing it with another bridge at a different location, or moving the covered bridge to a park.

The supervisors are going to hold a public meeting on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at the Girard High School Auditorium at 7:00 pm to gather input from the public. The address is 1135 Lake Street, Girard, PA 16417. I found an email address for the Girard Township supervisors on the web and thought we should make our voices heard once again concerning this historic covered bridge and its unique setting across Elk Creek surrounded by the towering high bluffs. The email address is: lbgrdtwp@adelphia.net. The Girard Twp. Supervisors are Sandra L. Anderson, Guy McDonald, and William R. Felege.

Weather permitting, I hope to attend the meeting on January 10th. But I hope you will email the Twp supervisors and let them know your opinions about preserving this bridge in its original setting which is so unique. Please feel free to pass this info on to others who may want to send an email to the twp. supervisors that I may not have email addresses for.

Thank you, Tom Walczak, President, Theo. Burr Covered Bridge Society of PA, Inc.