The proposed tolling of Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania has triggered opposition by area residents, local governments and businesses, including people who work in commercial trucking. That's apparent to anyone who reads the Butler Eagle.

But getting their message out to lawmakers — federal as well as state — remains critical if they hope to have any chance of putting an end to the tolling initiative being pushed by the Rendell administration.

Whether one sees a silver lining in the tolling plan or views it with disdain, there can be no doubt that the Grove City Borough Council is right in not sitting back without having its voice heard. The council has voted unanimously in favor of a resolution opposing the tolling proposal.

Likewise, that holds true for the Wolf Creek Council of Governments, which, in addition to Grove City, includes Harrisville Borough and Wolf Creek, Pine, Springfield and Liberty townships. The council has adopted the same resolution.

There are differing opinions regarding the effect of the tolling.

Grove City Councilman Richard Talbert believes the tolls will cause people not to come to the borough as part of their efforts to avoid I-80.

"If it cuts down 10 percent of the traffic, that's a huge impact, and we definitely don't want to encourage that," he said.

Meanwhile, Councilman George Pokrant said, "Tolling I-80 will inhibit traffic in the area and will not benefit the residents of the area."

But the resolution adopted by the council says if tolling were in place, traffic avoiding I-80 would overwhelm local roads and cause the need for more maintenance on borough streets, which, for the most part, is a borough responsibility.

Since the federal government still must rule on the tolling proposal, it is important for those both opposing and favoring the plan to step forward and state their opinions, either through officials' governmental actions or by other, direct means.

For many people undecided about the perceived benefits or liabilities of the plan, the various opinions being expressed can help inform.

Then they too should actively become involved in the debate by conveying their messages to the proper authorities and governmental representatives.