The Hiller Instinct: Zakim Bridge lights

I'd think the Authority is acting like an angry parent, taking away a child's favorite toy to teach it a lesson- even though the lesson learned may be not to trust, or respect, the parent.

The Zakim is more than a bridge: it's a symbol of the new Boston.  And it's one of the few things anyone digs about the Big Dig.  It's been a landmark since Bruce Springsteen helped dedicate it in 2002-

"Thunder Road", Springsteen sang.     

At night, when the lights are turned on, the bridge becomes beautiful... and its blue glow welcomes you to a 21^st century city.

Now, the Turnpike Authority is turning the lights off...to save about $5000 a month, or $60,000 a year. But the average toll collector makes $70,000 a year, which is $10,000 more.

So the Pike could save more by laying off one toll taker than it will by keeping the Zakim in the dark. 

You know the expression, "the lights are on but no one's home?"   Well, the slogan for the Turnpike Authority should be, "it doesn't matter whether the lights are on or off... there's still no one there."

I'm Andy Hiller, and that's my instinct.

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