Please be sure to bring your written comment.
RIDOT & the reason for these hearings,, The FEDS,,, more importantly they must have a written record of the opposition of this proposed toll.

Somebody report on how many folks show up for this and have a real interest in getting off their rear ends and attending. I would suggest that maybe out of the whole of both counties involved you get at the most 24-36 people to show up. Honestly there should be standing room only guyz and the line should go outside the auditorium. You would be voting, so as to speak, by your presence.

I would suggest having volunteers at the door with notebooks and pens for anyone wishing to speak. That way they can write down their comments in the event that they didn't know they were required.

Rt. 24 is a FREEWAY; Let’s keep it that way!!
Economic Harassment or is it something else? Economic Discrimination?
I am NOT a lawyer but I do KNOW Newport County as a whole has a case! I also know the more facts (data) you have, the better the case!
FACT 1: What does economic discrimination mean?
According to http://economics.about.com/library/glossary/bldef-economic-discrimination.htm states that Economic Discrimination is used in studying labor markets: it is the presence of different pay for workers of the same ability but who are in different groups, e.g. black, white; male, female.
Could this definition work for spending due to higher taxes implemented by a town, or towns, because the state in which they lay are forcing “the presence of different” costs/spending “of the same” products/services “but who are in different groups,” e.g. Newport County verses Bristol/Kent/Providence/Washington County?

FACT 2: What is the definition of Harassment?
According to http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1073792616&type=RESOURCES states Harassment is defined as any unwanted conduct related to race, age, etc that has the purpose or effect of either:
1. violating the dignity of an individual
2. creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive atmosphere for an individual
Also according to http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/harassment
Harassment -noun- the act of systematic and/or continued unwanted and annoying actions of one party or a group, including threats and demands. The purposes may vary, including racial prejudice, personal malice, an attempt to force someone to quit a job or grant sexual favors, apply illegal pressure to collect a bill, or merely gain sadistic pleasure from making someone fearful or anxious. Such activities may be the basis for a lawsuit if due to discrimination based on race or sex, a violation on the statutory limitations on collection agencies…”
At http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Harassment
To ha•rass
tr.v. ha•rassed, ha•rass•ing, ha•rass•es
1. To irritate or torment persistently.
2. To wear out; exhaust.
3. To impede and exhaust (an enemy) by repeated attacks or raids.
I would have to say that by putting a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge would meet most these for an entire county!
Due to the definitions of these words, is why I choose Economic Harassment.

FACT 3: Oct 1, 2011 – Tour Tax –
Where else in RI is this implemented? How about The State House?
(I know it’s a public government building, but so what!)
FACT 4: Louise White an 81-year-old Newport, R.I woman won the Powerball in Feb 2012.
The prize will pay $14.7 million in state taxes.
FREE money for the state!! Once again Newport County “bails out” state of RI.
Found at http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/03/81-year-old-woman-wins-3364m-powerball/1
FACT 5: Evacuation for a hurricane!
Is it even legal for the state to toll evacuation bridges?
FACT 6: Goods & Services Provided on & to Aquidneck Island
Irving’s Gas – I have pictures of the gas station in Portsmouth on East Main Rd & the gas station in Providence on Pleasant Valley Parkway on the same day within 2 hours of each other. Which one do you think was cheaper? If you said Portsmouth, you were wrong.
I am hoping that other Newport County residence will go to some of the same stores in Newport County to take pictures of prices; isle would be preferred, of other stores of different parts of our state. For instance, take pictures of isle 5 in Staples in Middletown & then isle 5 in Staples in Barrington in order to see if there is a price difference in products. Petitions are great, but where’s the proof? The county as a whole has to prove that the TOLLS make a difference in our economic overhead.

FACT 7: Who is going to pay for the 2, mostly 3, new traffic lights in Portsmouth?
Those of you who use Exit 2, North or South, or Anthony Rd will know what I’m taking about. If a toll is put on the Sakonnet River Bridge, the traffic from the Mt Hope Bridge will be unbearable!!
FACT 8: Can Bristol County handle the traffic?
1 lane roads will NOT cut it!
FACT 9: Is there any other place in the country where the “main land” is cut off from its state? Should Tiverton & Little Compton become part of MA?
Little Compton students are bussed in every school day to Aquidneck Island. Who do you think will pay the bus to travel over the bridge several times a day?
Where else in the state is the school districts cut off by tolls?
FACT 10: The Petitions!
Let’s show the people who run this state that WE WILL NOT BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE ANY MORE!! Let’s FORCE the state to petition the Federal Government to put a toll or tolls on I-95 and/or I-195. NEVER to put tolls on our bridges or taxes on our businesses without them placing the same on all other counties!
I am sure there ARE more FACTS, lets think of them!

FACT 11: RI “State gas tax of 33 cents per gallon at the pump” (found at http://www.dot.ri.gov/TollingInfo/tolling_index.asp). Why can the state not make this amount work better?
FACT 12: “RIDOT maintains more than 1,100 miles of roads and highways in Rhode Island, as well as more than 600 bridges” (also found at http://www.dot.ri.gov/TollingInfo/tolling_index.asp) why are the only roads/bridges located in Newport County?
What I am hoping to PROVE is that Newport County IS more expensive to live due to tolls on our bridges. Newport County verses the state of RI = will MAKE them put a toll somewhere else in our state and tell them we have had ENOUGH in supporting this state!! Fair IS fair!
I have to admit that I did not read everyone’s comments, so I don’t know if any of these have been mentioned, but I thought you would like to know my thoughts on the matter. Now all Newport County needs a lawyer willing to make a case against the state of RI and WIN!
Check out http://www.dot.ri.gov/TollingInfo/tolling_index.asp to read & send your thoughts on tolling bridges to RIDOT's Customer Service office by calling 401-222-2450 weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by sending email to CustomerService@dot.ri.gov.

I though you might like to know Question and answer found at http://www.dot.ri.gov/TollingInfo/tolling_index.asp.
If tolling was approved, where would the new toll be?
RIDOT is considering tolling at two locations, both close to the state’s borders. One would be in southern Rhode Island close to the Connecticut border, and the other in the East Bay, on Route 24 near the Sakonnet River Bridge and the Massachusetts border.
But didn't the Federal government reject RIDOT's tolling proposal for I-95?
RIDOT applied for one of three openings in the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program, created by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. North Carolina was awarded the final slot in this program. Missouri and Virginia previously had been selected for the other two opportunities.
Under the current Federal highway law, MAP-21, there are no provisions for tolling programs. RIDOT stands ready with its tolling application should one of the three approved states withdraw or fail to go forward, or if changes are made in the law that would include another pilot program or another opportunity to pursue tolling.

How are ALL the tolls in RI located in 1 county "not discrimination”? This "tax" does NOT "treat everyone equally”! How do people from Kent, Washington, and Providence Counties "treated" for this "tax" when most will never come over to Newport County & pay a toll? I say put all other tolls in those counties. If every county had 2 tolls, like Newport County already does, 2 on the Newport Pell Bridge, then it would be fair and everyone would be "treated equally". I am also glad to see that you checked out all my links.
I give permission to anyone who would like to speak about these FACTS at any of the public hearings, I’m too chicken to speak up. Thank you.

FYI. Good thoughts and comments. Call Ray at 682-2007.

I would like to know why RIDOT can transfer the bridge not the debt. Newport Bridge probably would not take the debt but sure will take the gold from the tolls. Make it fair, get the bridge pay the bond issue and give the people of RI back the money it is spending to pay for the bridge.

I would suggest you all stay home, its a done deal, when you elected the current governor he transferred the responsibility of maintenance of the bridges from the state of RI to the RIBTA. So now the RIBTA has the requirements to maintain the bridges, so guess what, tolls, you get what you asked for, minority rules in the state and the idiots who keep electing the current regime can all live with it, ha ha.

Oh and I forgot, every time you vote yes on road bond issues during state elections your adding to the debt service on that bond, so that means less money towards maintenance and more towards debt........so enjoy, be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.