Our deteriorating roads

This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about road maintenance.  We are falling behind, according to a study by Treasure Coast Newspapers and TCPalm.com.  Potholes, cracks, bumps, ruts, grooves.  They are a nuisance.  They can damage tires and suspensions.  Sometimes they are dangerous.  Neighborhood streets are often in the worst shape because connector roads are the top priority.  Roads in Vero Beach and Port St. Lucie are not so bad.  But Fort Pierce has not repaved a road in eight years.  What’s the problem?  Money, of course.  For road maintenance, our cities and counties depend on gas taxes, but often that is not enough.  Additional funds must come from municipal budgets, and they already are stretched.  Are you willing to pay more in local taxes to maintain the roads?  Yes?  No?  I’m Paul Janensch.