In the Nov. 9 issue of the Bristol Phoenix, Pat McCarthy wrote, “for $100, get your new street sign.”

If I offered $100 to the Bristol Department of Public Works or to any other town official to have my name put to the top of a list, in essence, I am offering a bribe.

On the other hand, if the Department of Public Works or any other town official asked me to pay $100 to have my name go to the top of a list, this is considered extortion.

Street signs should be put up in well traveled areas first, to promote the town of Bristol, and then to randomly selected areas. Since this project is funded by taxpayer dollars, priority should never be by who is willing to pay $100.

All residents and areas should be treated equal.

Where will this end? If $100 gets me a new street sign, will $200 get me an expedited zoning board or review or building permit?

The Town of Bristol legal department should look into this matter and stop this practice immediately. If we do not stop this now, we could be looking at new forms of extortion and/or bribery in the future.

Frank Vaccaro

80 Woodlawn Ave., Bristol