As a transit rider for over 35 years who commutes to the city from the county, I must say that Metro’s rush to cut service in the county shows shame on Metro and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley.

First of all, just before the November election defeat, Metro pleaded that it had changed its ways and could be trusted in operating within its means. But when the sales-tax increase was defeated, Metro re-turned to its old ways.

By threatening west and south county areas with loss of service outside of the Interstate 270 corridor, Metro has engaged in class warfare. It is obvious that Metro wants to punish these areas because they tended to vote more against the sales tax.

Secondly, it is obvious that Metro has not heard of the rights granted under the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the Constitution of the United States. Because Metro is a governmental agency, it is required to hold public hearings to determine any cuts and must apportion services somewhat equally because everybody in the area is required to pay the same tax.

Thirdly, Metro brought the financial problem on itself. In October, a daily newspaper reported that for 2009, Metro would have new expenditures of $7.4 million in principal payments on MetroLink bonds, $6 million for inflationary growth and $10.9 million worth of unfunded retiree medical benefits.

By the way, the bonds that were mentioned were the same bonds Metro sold to help pay for the $125 million cost overrun for the Cross County Extension.

It also was reported at that time that $10 million in federal startup grants would expire next summer, that $1.5 million Metro now gets from the Missouri Department of Transportation to handle extra riders trying to avoid the Highway 40 — Interstate 64 — reconstruction would not be received and that $10 million had been shifted by St. Louis County to roads from transit.

This $10 million shift of funds is crucial and should be remembered when or if Mr. Dooley runs for another term as county executive.

In his last campaign, Mr. Dooley said he supported MetroLink. I remember the TV ad. He also said that St. Louis County retained its AAA bond rating without a tax increase.

Did you see the sleight of hand? By transferring funds meant for Metro to the county roads, Mr. Dooley has helped require Metro to either cut services or have a sales-tax increase because Metro is required to operate on a balanced budget.

In closing, I ask one question: “Why should the citizens of St. Louis County vote for the Metro sales tax when the county executive raids it for his own political purposes?

Shame on Metro and shame on the county executive.

James F. Schaper

Oakville