Tiverton Speaks Out Against Tolls, Residents Boo Supporter Out Of Hearing
There was no lack of audience at the second in a pair of public hearings on the Sakonnet River Bridge toll by the state Department of Transportation in Tiverton on Tuesday night.
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Hundreds of residents packed Tiverton High School auditorium, hoping to be heard at the second Sakonnet Bridge toll hearing on Tuesday night.
Michael P. Lewis, director of the Department of Transportation (DOT) opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and told residents he would provide an abridged presentation explaining the agency's revenue problems.
"It is not lost on me that this is not a popular proposal, but we are going to talk about the reasons why this is being considered," said Lewis. "The background on how transportation is funded in state, the history of the [state] Turnpike and Bridge Authority and what is this toll that is being proposed."
"Most importantly this is a public hearing opportunity for us at RIDOT to hear from you on the concerns that you have about the proposal to put tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge," said Lewis, promising to stay as long as it took for everyone to be heard.
Lewis began with a history of the proposal. In the 2013 budget, the governor approved the authorization to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River and the Jamestown bridges to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). The transfer has not been certified because the RITBA would need a toll to adequately fund maintenance efforts.
The Sakonnet River Bridge will be complete in spring 2013. "This toll is to ensure the maintenance of the Sakonnet River Bridge and the Jamestown Bridge. That's why this is being proposed," Lewis said.
"There is a very big gap in what is available to adequately maintain roads and bridges compared to what is needed, and that is again what this toll is needed," Lewis added.
Addressing questions from Monday night's public hearing, Lewis told the audience that federal law prohibits tolling on Route 95 because it is Rhode Island's existing interstate highway.
"We are trying to get the flexibility in the next federal law that gives the states the opportunity to make that decision for themselves," said Lewis. "We want to make it a local decision of do we want to raise monies for transportation through tolling or not and keep it at the local level. The difference is the Sakonnet River Bridge, Route 24, is not in the federal aid system and it does not come under that prohibition for tolls."
7:37 p.m. Rick Gobielle is invited to speak about the traffic analysis and what are the impacts assuming a toll is installed on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
Gobielle said he looked at three different locations - by the Massachusetts state line, on the bridge, or on the Portsmouth side of the bridge.
He found the most effective location would be on the bridge.
7:41 p.m.: Sen. Walter Felag, represents Tiverton, Warren and Bristol.
"I vehemently oppose the toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge," he said "I firmly believe this is the most important issue in the 34 years that I have been an elected official."
Felag voted against the current fiscal year budget because it contained Article 20 - which transferred ownership of the bridge from the RIDOT to the the RITBA.
"We've helped out Central Falls, we have helped out the urban communities, let's help out Tiverton, Porstmouth and the East Bay," said Rep. Walter Felag.
7:52 p.m.: Tiverton Resident Nancy Driggs asked, "is this whole evening an exercise in futility, or if you get a lot of complaints and you are marking them all down, will it make a difference in the [Federal Highway Administration's] decision or is it just that you have to show you filed this thing and talked to us?"
7:57 p.m.: About two dozen residents wait in line to speak.
8 p.m.: Tiverton Town Council President Edward Roderick, said Tiverton and Little Compton are treated as the "step child" of Rhode Island.
"Tiverton and Little Compton will now have to pay two tolls to visit the West Bay without a roundabout way through Massachusetts," said Roderick. "As a Rhode Islander I believe we have the right to travel within our own state without having to pay a toll. And regardless of what they might think up on Smith Hill, we are a part of Rhode Island."
The crowd erupts in appluase.
8:05 p.m.: Tiverton Councilman Jay J. Lambert out
"As a taxpayer of Tiverton, my toll will go to pay for bridges in Newport, Tiverton," said Lambert. "I will continue to pay my gas tax to pay for hundreds of bridges around the state while those cities and residents will contribute nothing to the maintenance of the new Sakonnet River Bridge."
8:09 p.m.: Tiverton Councilman William Gerlach thanked residents for their outpouring of support in the fight against tolls.
He asked, "if the Sakonnet River Bridge is one-fifth the size of the Pell, shouldn't the toll be one-fifth as well?"
8:15 p.m.: A Middletown resident said "the governor and the General Assembly, they are picking our pockets."
8:21 p.m.: Rep. Jay Edwards said veterans who depend on the commissary on the base in Newport, for medicine and food on
8:24: Nick Desrosiers, of Lincoln, said he is in favor of the bridge "I think it's a good way to pay for and maintain the bridges."
"There's really no reason for anybody else in the rest of the state to be paying a tax to go over the bridge," he adds as his comments are drowned out by deafening boos from the crowd.
"You talk about being held hostage on the island, I wish I could be held hostage on an island. These are some of the wealthiest people in the state."
A raucous crowd booed Desrosiers out of the room.
8:28 p.m.: Director Lewis reminds the crowd to respect eachother's differences in opinion.
8:32 p.m.: David Dennis, a Fall River City Councilor told Director Lewis that he would be introducing a resolution next week reflecting the city's opposition to a toll.
"We have always welcomed these individuals to our city, we look to spend money and tourism in Newport - this is a very shortsighted thing that some governments do while losing site of the bigger picture," said Dennis.
8:41 p.m.: Domenic Bitto, owner of Evelyn's Drive-in in Tiverton is speaking before the DOT.
"I live in Portsmouth and I have a business in Tiverton, we all work there, just are family, the amount of times we are back and forth there everyday, I have got to say it is a big impact," said Bitto. "We run a pretty successful business, but even to lose just 5 percent of that would be devastating because we work on volume. I just can't see how other businesses that are maybe struggling could survive this."
9 p.m.: Connie Harding, of Preserve Portsmouth - a community group aimed at raising awareness regarding land use, buying local and smart growth issues
"Preserve Portsmouth will evaluate legal options for the constitutional right to travel, due process and protection afforded to all citizens and guaranteed by the U.S. constitution," said Harding. "Please accept this as a formal notice as our intent to proceed with all necessary legal action to protect these rights."
9:07 p.m.: Sarah, co-owner of the Portsmouth Shop on East Main Road in Portsmouth, said her she and her mother have operated the business for 31 years, survived a banking crisis in the state, and a couple of recessions.
"At least one-third of our business comes from Tiverton, Little Compton and southeastern Massachusetts, business which we will lose with this toll," she said. "They have told us they won't come, the state will lose $24,000 throughout the year in our sales tax."
9:17 p.m.: Mike Burk, of the Tiverton Democratic Town Committee addresses the DOT.
"This toll is a tax which falls most heavily on the lowest-income of our residents," said Burk. "A gentleman from Lincoln said we are all rich in Newport County, well we're not."
9:20 p.m.: Brett Pelletier of the Tiverton Town Council said a toll could jeopardize tourism and the arts in Newport County.
What do you think about the proposed bridge tolls? Tell us what you think about them or this hearing in the comment section below!
Sawdy
11:05 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Nancy Driggs was spot on: This was all a show. You can bet your bottom dollar the toll will be enacted. And, of course the most effective location for the toll would be on the bridge. God forbid Tiverton and Little Compton residents might be allowed to travel within R.I without being penalized. With all due respect to Mr. Roderick, once that toll goes in into effect, residents of Newport county will be subjected to two tolls just to travel from one side of our county to the other (Tiverton to Jamestown).
Joe Sousa.
12:21 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It's not a done deal and people can help stop this toll by sending their letters to the DOT. Your local Representative will also take your letters. Get involved and help STOP the Toll .
ralph
3:11 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Joe- Absolutely, keep pushing these pinheads until the pressure forces them to do away with this toll nonsense. People are pushed enough already with being taxed to death in RI.
cherie
6:43 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I don't understand how somebody can think people WANT to be "held hostage" on the island. Not all people that go to the island live there. What about the poor people that HAVE to go to the island for doctor's visits or hospital visits??? All of this toll business should have been worked out before the "opening". I personally don't think there should be a toll. There are enough taxes paid in this state to take care of the bridge without adding another bill to people that can't afford it.
Cranky Yankee
6:53 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Unfortunately, the idiotic remark by Nick Desrosiers, "These are some of the wealthiest people in the state" is the same view held by most of the halfwits and hacks in the General Assembly. There are only two things that are going to stop this toll - a class-action lawsuit or good old civil disobedience.
Denise
7:03 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I am still amazed that someone would actually drive from Lincoln to Tiverton to tell us we are among the wealthiest in the state and as such should "pay for our own bridge". Well, I did a little homework. Mr. Desrosiers (sp?) is from Lincoln where the median income is $81,605. Look what I found...
Newport $57,640;
Middletown's $65,050;
Portsmouth: $74,933
Tiverton:$54,364
Bristol: $62,218
Clearly Nick is confused..it would seem HE lives among the wealthiest in our state!
OtherSide
7:56 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
In an attempt to see how high on the hog "Nick Desrosiers" lives, I did a property search in Linoln for him. Nothing! House is probably in a company or trust. No surprise there. I think alot of people from "the island" would love to live in Lincoln!
Good Year
8:27 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
A member of the Tiverton Democratic committee speaking out against taxes. Maybe there is hope. Afterall, it is his fellow democrats that have navigated this state down this destructive path.
tom darby
8:37 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
"This toll is to ensure the maintenance of the Sakonnet River Bridge and the Jamestown Bridge. That's why this is being proposed," Lewis said. Exactly how much money is this annually? Figure it out and raise the gas tax accordingly. Why are most bridges around the country only tolled in one direction, while good ol' Rhody sticks it to you both ways? It is truly highway robbery...
Joe Sousa.
8:45 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The Gas tax was created to maintain Bridges and Highways. Use the Gas Tax for what it was intended for.
Tuna man
10:12 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Ah yes the gas tax. One of the favorite funds for the legislature. It's supposed to be for our roads and BRIDGES!!!! So what has happened with all of the many millions of bond funds we have voted for over the past decades? That was to keep our roads and BRIDGES in top shape with matching federal funds. Does anyone see our roads in good shape let alone top shape? The legislature wanted to see the bridge transfered from DOT as that will free up more money for what? More money to fall into some of their pockets indirectly with political favorers being given out? You bet ya!!! It is going to cost my family about $1500+ a year to go over the bridge each day and that is money I really cannot afford to be spending. It is going to hurt alot. So does our FLAKE of a Governor care? No he doesn't and he only wants to balance the state budget at the expense of the little people who are the back bone of this state. I would suggest that we inundate our federal congress critters with the facts of what this toll is going to do to the little guy around here. And tell them that we are the ones who they are supposed to represent and not the politicians of the state and get them to work on the federal department to have them say no to the toll. It is the only hope left to prevent the toll.
nagaer40
10:27 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I'm on public assistance, I can't afford to pay to go over the bridge. I'm for it if the state gives us an EZ pass.
TAMORI
11:34 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Yeah, the state may give you the EZpass…but you’ll still be responsible for paying the balance created on your EZpass account as you pass through the toll area with it.
Kevin Healey
10:53 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
There is no doubt that the tolling of the Sakonnet River Bridge will devastate the local economy, the dopes on Smith Hill know that but they obviously do not care. This part of the State is treated like a bastard at the family reunion. The idiot from Lincoln is a direct reflection of how the rest of the state feels about the Eastbay auslanders. When we were double crossed by politicians from our own region we were screwed. Shame on the people of this side of the bay for continuing to elect these tax and spend liberals. When Obama can carry Little Compton (again) you know we are in deep trouble.
Nick Avery
11:57 am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I was wondering how long it would be until someone would drag Obama into this. Insert eyeroll here.
Former Ports resident
12:22 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I am a small business owner about to open a store in Portsmouth, and I have to say I am hoping the toll happens. You see I will be selling Hide a Plate spray cans. You spray this on your license plate and when photos are snapped the plate appears all blurry and you cannot make it out. The cans will sell for $5.99 and an application will last approx 30 days. Each can will cover the front and back plates. I hope you all will frequent my shop!
Cranky Yankee
1:10 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
You've hit the nail on the head ... when I mentioned Civil Disobedience in an earlier comment, this is exactly what I meant. Everyone ... and I mean EVERYONE, in Portsmouth, Tiverton and Little Compton should buy this Hide A Plate spray or another similar plastic cover that reflects the strobe from the license plate camera, making the photo unreadable. They may be able to nail 10 people or 100, but they won't be able to enforce fines against 35,000+ people.
This is a 2013 'Boston Tea Party' in the making - Taxation Without Representation ... we're being taxed simply we don't enough votes in the General Assembly to stop it, not to mention the local gutless cowards in the Senate who went along with this travesty.
Robert E
6:13 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Don't waste your mony plate hiders don't work and if you are caught trying to use them you can be fined.
Rachel Scribbles
12:57 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
If there is a toll placed on the Sakonnet River Bridge, the traffic going through Bristol using the FREE Mt. Hope Bridge will be insane. Can Bristol handle all that traffic? Can the Mt. Hope handle the weight of a bridge packed with rush-hour traffic boing both directions for any extended period of time, every day twice a day? I, and several hundreds of other people work full-time on Aquidneck Island. At a $4 toll each way, that amounts to over $2000/year poof gone out of pocket, and that's just me! Why should it cost me $2000+/year extra just to go to work at a job I've had for the past 20 years? When I retire in 15 years, by then, that toll will have cost me alone $30,000 out of pocket. That's a lot of money.
I, and possibly several hundred others, will be travelling through Bristol to use the free bridge to get to work. The rush hour traffic will be horrific, but it will save me over $30,000. Who cares if a bunch of J&W students will be late for class every morning from being stuck in traffic every morning, right? When is the big meeting in Bristol, huh? I'm sure they have a lot to say about this as well.
Rachel Scribbles
1:05 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Oops, I meant to type "RW students" up there, not "J&W students".
AQ Red
1:01 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
How will Bristol, Barrington and Warren react when Island residents refuse to pay the toll and go over the MT. Hope Bridge? I am sure the retailers will enjoy this! However, the congestion and traffic that will follow will certainly casue frustration in those communities. Being a daily commuter, I will certainly deal with the traffic to avoid giving Smith Hill the money grab they are asking for! Maybe the next avenue is a commitment from all commuters to use the Mt. Hope!
Former Ports resident
1:13 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
AQ you are 100% correct. The tolls will pass and there is nothing that will change that, no matter how many signatures are collected and how many people attend town hall meetings. The one way to enact change is to gather this same support not to stop something, but to do something. If this whole group organized and stated that everyday we will all drive over the Mt Bridge, we will cause major traffic jams, we will make life miserable then you will see change. Government doesn't care that a few people complain, because they know they will still go over the bridge. When you can start to disrupt the state by causing Mt Bridge safety issues and huge traffic jams from Portsmouth to East Providence they may start to listen.
Robert E
6:21 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Don't forget the Mt. Hope Bridge also belongs to the RITBA and if everybody starts using it to avoid the toll on the Sakonnet they will just retoll the Mt. Hope. This has to be stopped before the tolls or you will see the state putting tolls on all the bridges and highways the GA has just found a new source of revenue and like a bunch of junkies they just can't help themselves they just spend and spend and spend.
Rachel Scribbles
9:41 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
@Robert E, that won't happen. There has to be at least one free way onto, and one free way off of Aquidneck Island.
OldTownie
11:42 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Rachel,
This has been repeated many times in these discussions. It is not true that "Islanders" must have one "free" way off the island. It sounds plausible, but in reality, there is no law the guarantees us a free way on or off the island.
Robert E
2:25 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Rachel where is the free way to get on and off Prudence island? Where is the free way to get on and off Block island? Where is the law that says this? There isn't one it is just an urban myth. They can toll every bridge. They could instatute a boat landing fee that every boater has to pay if they want to. Did you know that it is illegal to build a bridge or run a ferry service within 10 miles of any RITBA project?
" § 24-12-38 Covenant against competition. – The state covenants and agrees with the holders of any bonds or obligations of the authority that the state will not authorize or permit the construction, operation, and maintenance of any additional facility for the transportation of passenger vehicles by any person or body other than the authority within a distance of ten (10) miles in either direction from any project financed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter."
The people can't even build a private bridge to avoid the tolls.
Rachel Scribbles
3:11 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Robert, you named two islands without bridges. I guess I should have been more specific about the bridge part. Even Manhattan island has a free way on and off of it, and that's in money-hungry New York.
Robert E
3:49 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
It does not change the fact Rachel that there is no law that says you can not toll all bridges on and off an island. Prior to the Newport bridge being builtin 1969 the Jamestown bridge was a toll bridge and it was the only bridge on or off of Conanicut Island.
Rachel Scribbles
1:13 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I will be right there with you, AQ Red (see my post above yours)! Though, I find the Mt. Hope Bridge to be really scary. One of my biggest fears is being in an accident on the Mt. Hope. There is NOTHING there to prevent you from being tossed over the edge. Side rails are the lowest height at the bridge's highest point/peak. That's a loooong way down if you're headed toward the drink. {Shudder}
AQ Red
1:51 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
It is too bad that it has come to this. However, it has! The meetings over the past few days should have occured prior to the Bridge Transfer. As a Portsmouth resident and commuter I understand that I will have to use the Bridge at times to make family engagements etc.... Though a majority of the time I will use the Mt. Hope. Imagine what the addition of a few hundred cars (or more) both ways up rte. 114 / 136 wouuld do. School bus delays, University Class delays, Emergency Vehicle delays, business delivery delays, traffic light back ups, noise, congestion, infrastructer wear and tear and back ups at Exit 2 in Swanswea from 195E. The goal is not too create these issues but to reduce expenses that should be shared state wide. I would think this may engage communities to find a better alternative.
Phil Hadley
2:32 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Is Michael Lewis the right man for the job? http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3479
Npt Native
3:53 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Wow.
COLLEEN
3:34 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
My husband works in North Kingstown and currently drives 138 (we live in Tiverton) to work. He now pays 2 tolls a day over the newport bridge. With this new toll, he'll pay 4 tolls a day!! We say NO WAY! He'll go 195/95 and pay NO Tolls. If everyone does that (or other alternative routes) that will get there attention, not the meetings.
Jim O'Dell
4:25 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
While the plate hider is a great idea and I'll be buying it for my wife's car, I personally say to Gump and the DOT that they can kiss my a** because I will NEVER PAY A TOLL !!!!!! It's an unfair, preditory money grab. Furthermore, which is it Lewis - $4 million or $38 million, in Portsmouth you said 4 and in Tiverton you said 38/ year. It's nearly impossible to spend $ 38 million in one year on 4 bridges for maintainance unless you use military supply prices- i.e. $10,000 bolts,etc. It doesn't matter to me anyway because I want to see the State try to make me pay- and I'm still going to use the bridge at my convenience. If everyone does the same thing, they can't do a damn thing about it, but just for this one time everyone has to stick together- I'll help whoever needs it but we ALL HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER ON THIS ONE ISSUE!!!!
b kcaj
8:09 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
So Mr. O'Dell, let's get this straight-you say you're going to use the bridge once it's tolled, at "your convenience". Please tell the readers, Mr. O'Dell, what are you going to do when you're ticketed by the police for running the toll, and your license is suspended for not paying your tickets?
Here's a hint Mr. O'Dell-When your license is suspended, and you're caught driving without a valid license, the police will transport you to the ACI, where you will remain until you pay your debt to society.
It's no wonder you're best friends with Joe Sousa-Two peas in a pod.
Bruce Eddy
4:47 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The tolls on the Sakonnett River bridge have nothing to do with the lack of money for proper maintenance and everything to do with the Gross mismanagement by the Dot and its head Michael Lewis.The State recently received proposals to paint the Newport Bridge and despite the recommendation of their own consultant gave the contractor an additional 5 million.Why did the Barrington River Bridge cost 12 million and over 10 years to build?Why did the DOT pave a section of road knowing it will have to be ripped up?Look at the curbing on the MT Hope Bridge who wrote that spec and who is in charge of quality control? On a recent tour Governor Chafee exclaimed that the bridge was on time and on budget.Let's take the 5million the contractor did not get for early completion and the almost 3 million for being late and put that towards maintenance.We just paid 167.3 million for a new bridge because the drainage holes filled with sand! This is just a very minor critique of an agency clearly out of control.
Brian Moran
5:11 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
"Nick Desrosiers" sounds like the type of guy who'd go up in the balcony at TD Garden and start chanting "Let's go Habs!". What a moron.
Jim O'Dell
8:42 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Good thing there aren't too many people that think like b kcaj, otherwise we'd still be ruled by the British. We don't need anonymous, spinless jellyfish telling us about consequences. We need people to stand up and make a difference. Mismanagement and corruption got us to this point, if the people stick together we can make a difference.
b kcaj
8:57 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
You still didn't answer the question Mr. O'Dell-Are you planning on running the toll and breaking the law once the toll booths go up?
There are many people who think the speed limit is too low on certain roads in the state-What happens when they are ticketed for speeding, refuse to pay their tickets, and continue to drive? They are put in prison, Mr. O'Dell. What part of breaking the law/facing the consequences/going to prison don't you get?
Joe Sousa.
5:00 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
b kcaj The town clown . We will fight this Toll/ Tax with every means possible. True Americans fight for what is right. Your spineless comments are not welcome.
b kcaj
7:12 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Joe Sousa says:
"We will fight this Toll/ Tax with every means possible. True Americans fight for what is right."
That's all fine and dandy Joe-Protests, letter writing campaigns, and LEGAL means are no problem at all. But when you have your buddy O'Dell advocating BREAKING THE LAW, it becomes a totally different thing.
There's a difference between lawful protest and breaking the law, and it appears you and O'Dell do not know the difference, and if you don't know the difference, you two clowns need to be aware of the consequences if you do indeed engage in unlawful behavior. Not much different than the punishment you will face when you get apprehended and prosecuted for selling your illegal out of state cigarettes at the local social club.
OldTownie
2:40 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I never thought Joe Souza would try to grab the moral high ground. Kind of like Dick Cheney giving a lecture on ethics.
b kcaj
9:01 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Furthermore Mr. O'Dell, if you plan on speeding through the toll booths without paying, and you refuse to pay your fines, there is plenty of bed space at the "Cranston Hilton", as it was once called. Just ask your buddy Joe Sousa about the accomodations at that fine establishment and what you can expect once you start running through the toll booths without paying.
Robert E
9:52 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
I don't know how many times I need to say this but there will be no toll booths. It's called Open Road Tolling they put sensors overhead to read the EZ Pass as you drive thru at 55 MPH. If you don't have an EZ Pass a camera takes a picture of your license plate and RITBA sends you a bill for the toll plus an administration fee for having to bill you. on the Newport bridge the toll plus fee = $5.00 per axel thats $10.00 for each trip over the bridge. Again no toll booths no toll takers no stopping and you can't pay cash to go over the bridge. There will be no toll booths to run.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_road_tolling
george medeiros
11:10 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
that $10 fee will go over good with tourist that dont have an ez pass for one time only, next year they will find a different place to visit
John
8:56 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I been living in Tiverton for the last 20 years, and I lived in Portsmouth before I moved to Tiverton. My Po Box is still in Portsmouth. I'm going to get a Po Box in Tiverton soon. When and if they put up the tolls, I will rarely go into Portsmouth. That's sad! It's like there putting up a barrier between the island and the main land. I just cant believe that the RIDOT is putting up a toll. It's so ridiculous, that I thought it was a joke at first. There are so many other ways for the state to take the money out of tax payers pockets. Why this way? It's so unfair. It only shows me, that the state of R.I. is so screwed up. I wonder how many people will get hands on the toll money. We all know that Rhode Island is a very corrupt state. I'm sure there's going to be at least a few very happy people.
John
9:12 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Who is this Nick Desrosiers guy? Did he just come to the hearing to stir up everyone? I really dont understand? He has a big sack, or maybe he's related to one of the few people that will fill there pockets with the toll money?
Ron Potvin
12:22 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I heard Gary Sasse on the Cianci show last night and he hit the nail on the head with this issue. Sasse is the former director of the RI Public Expenditure Council, the RI Department of Administration, and state Department of Revenue. He was involved in early discussions about the tolls. He said that the DOT, through voter-approved bond issues, has taken on too much debt and can no longer fund road maintenance state-wide. The state needs another stream of income. They tried to place a toll on 95 at the state line, but the Federal Highway Administration rejected them. Sasse said they were a "day late and a dollar short." The next option was tolling the Sakonnet Bridge. Sasse said the goal was to "pluck the most feathers with the least squawking." If Sasse is to be believed, not only are frequent users of the Sakonnet River Bridge subsidizing Newport County bridges, we are subsidizing the RI DOT. That's why the income numbers from the bridge tolls versus maintenance costs simply don't add up. The surplus is going to be spread around the state. Let's keep squawking.
Ralph Doliber
9:28 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
I think Desrosier musta losta bet or sumpin', sheesh!
What a load that tool-bag was carrying. When he first started talking in support of the toll I thought he was then going to say after careful consideration he was now AGAINST it and came down from Higher-Income Lincoln to lend his support!
Dee Oh Tee
Downstate ONLY Tolls?
Desrosier Only-a Toady??
Portsmouth Business Association
8:19 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Ron: Thanks for the info. Here is how to squawk.
There are several efforts underway to stop the tolls. Some are legal, some are political. As an individual, the best way to help stop the proposed toll is to send a letter by regular mail. Many local East Bay elected officials are on record against the tolls. However, you are welcome to write or email them. Their contact info is at www.donttoll.com. Contact info for all state senators is on this page http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Pages/Senate.aspx. State representatives on this page http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Pages/House.aspx. Key official contact info:
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-2080
governor@governor.ri.gov
Senator M. Teresa Paiva-Weed
President of the Senate
318 State House
Providence, RI 02903
401-222-6655
sen-paivaweed@rilin.state.ri.us
Representative Gordon D. Fox
Speaker of the House
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
rep-fox@rilin.state.ri.us
Mr. Michael Lewis
Director of Transportation
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
2 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02903
customerservice@dot.ri.gov
Portsmouth Business Association
8:19 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Mr. Buddy Croft
Executive Director
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
P.O. Box 437
Jamestown, RI 02835
401-423-0800
buddy@ritba.org
Daniel Berman
Rhode Island Division Administrator, USDOT/FHWA
380mWestminster Street, Suite 547
Providence, RI 02903
401-528-4560
daniel.berman@dot.gov
Federal Highway Administration
Attn: Sakonnet River Bridge in Rhode Island
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590
John
7:20 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
I have a feeling that Joe and Mr. O'Dell
know the law b kcaj!
Just Another Taxpayer
9:09 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
John, you are correct. Both Joe and Mr. O'Dell have interacted with law enforcement on a few occasions.
John
10:32 am on Monday, December 10, 2012
Me too. Who hasn't