State wants space for highest bidder

After reading Jerry Cornfield’s front page article about the “free coffee” signs being pulled at state rest stops, I have come to this conclusion: I do not believe the state Department of Transportation’s assertion that they acted out of concern for the safety of elderly volunteers who would have to walk beside the highway to turn the signs over. I believe they are doing this in order to kill the free coffee program altogether, so that for-profit companies can come in and take over these ready-made coffee stands.

Mark my word, if these nonprofit groups are prohibited from putting out “free coffee” signs, they will stop participating in the program and pretty soon we will have bikini baristas and Starbucks competing at the spaces at rest stops.

Michael Koznek

Snohomish

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