August 7, 2005 -Greetings to our Bridging Friends:

We had a very interesting and thankful visitor at our TBCBSP meeting this afternoon -- Mr. Sam Allen. Mr. Allen is the gentleman from Lancaster County who is spearheading the effort to have Risser's Mill Covered Bridge rebuilt as a traditional covered bridge. He was interesting because he shared his enthusiasm and hopes for the success of his mission. He was thankful because of all the support our society has shown toward this project through the physical presence of many of our members at the public meeting on July 26; and, through the letters and emails that have been sent in support of the reconstruction of the covered bridge.
       While talks and fact-finding continue, the final decision will be made by the Lancaster County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) on Monday, Sept. 26, at 1:00 p.m. This is not a public meeting as such, but Mr. Allen indicates that the public may attend. He encourages those persons that can be available at that time of the day to do so to show support for the rebuilding of the bridge. The meeting will be held at the Old Southern Market Building, Queen and Vine Streets, Lancaster (next to St. Mary's School.)
       Mr. Allen also suggests that emails or letters be sent to the 21 members of the MPO to continue to show our support. We have attached a list of the members of that organization which Mr. Allen provided. It will not be too late until the final vote is cast on Sept. 26.
       Thank you, once again, for your continued support on behalf of covered bridge preservation, rehabilitation, and replication.

Happy Bridging, Ben and June Evans

July 27, 2005 - Greetings to our Bridging Friends:

Last evening we attended the meeting regarding the Risser's Mill Bridge replacement. We estimate that there were over 100 persons in attendance. We heard one estimate of 150. We felt that the Lancaster County Planning Commission members were overwhelmed by the response.
       After about a thirty minute powerpoint presentation outlining the five proposals being considered, the floor was opened for comments from anyone wishing to speak on behalf of any of the five proposals. The comments went on for about one and one-half hours.
       We estimate that there was at least a ninety percent response in favor of replacing the bridge with another covered bridge similar to the original Risser's Mill Bridge. Some of the ten percent that responded otherwise were not necessarily opposing a covered bridge, but had other comments about traffic in the area and problems with flooding in the flood plain in which the bridge was originally located.
       We felt that it was a very good meeting with outstanding support in favor of a covered bridge replacement.
       After the meeting, Sam Allen, who is spearheading the local drive on behalf of a covered bridge, suggested that if any of our contacts had not had an opportunity to write emails in support of the covered bridge project, there is still time to do so. Simply address your support to: planning@co.lancaster.pa.us We understand that a final decision on the project will not be made until the last week of September.
       The planning commission indicated that a "fact finding" report including information on last evening's meeting and progress on the project will be available in about two weeks on its web site at: http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/planning
       Thank you for your continued interest and assistance in this bridge rehabilitation project.

Happy Bridging, Ben and June Evans

July 21, 2005 - Greetings to our Bridging Friends:

In our email of 7/16/05 requesting support of the replication of the Risser's Mill Covered Bridge, we promised that we would notify you if we could acquire the email address of Mr. Sam Allen who is spearheading the efforts to build the covered bridge.
       Mr. Allen contacted us this evening indicating he would be delighted to receive a copy of your emails supporting the rebuilding of the bridge. His email address is: samuelwwwallen@yahoo.com
.        Thank you, again, for your support. We look forward to seeing many of you at the meeting in Mount Joy on July 26 at 7 p.m.
                            Ben and June Evans

On July 8, 2002 - Pennsylvania lost one of its Lancaster County covered bridges to arson - The Risser's Mill Bridge. Little had been heard about its replacement until recently. As stated on our TBCBSP web site: "Some officials and residents would like to see a concrete span built in its place while others would like to see a new covered bridge rebuilt in its place."

Obviously, we're sure that all of us would like to see it replaced with a replica of the Risser's Mill Covered Bridge.

Email support and attendance at public meetings has played a major role in having other covered bridges replaced with replica structures - Books Bridge in Perry County, the Ryot Bridge in Bedford County, and most recently the assurance that Mood's Bridge in Bucks county will be rebuilt.

There is strength in numbers! We encourage each of you to write an email in support of rebuilding Risser's Mill Bridge as a covered bridge. Please send all emails to Bob and Judy Kuether at: kuether@comcast.net They will make sure they get to the meeting scheduled for July 26. Copies might also be sent to the Lancaster County Planning Commission at: planning@co.lancaster.pa.us

Mr. Sam Allen, a local business man, is spearheading the effort to rebuild the bridge as a covered bridge. If we can acquire his email address, we will send it along also so that supporting emails can also be sent to him.

Also, if you are in a position to attend the public meeting being held at 7:00 p.m. on July 26, in the Donegal High School Auditorium, 915 Anderson Ferry Rd , Mount Joy, PA 17552-9747, we encourage you to do so ! ! !

We look forward to seeing many of you there, or to hearing that your email has been received.