Sakonnett Bridge Toll Discussion on Portsmouth this Week

The proposed toll on the new Sakonnett River bridge was the subject for this week's edition of Portsmouth this Week, "The Voice of Portsmouth Town Hall". Hosted by Jeff Richard, this week's show featured John Vit and Ray Berberick of the Portsmouth Business Association discussing the negative economic impact of the propose tolls on Aquidneck Island residents and businesses, and former RI Senator Dan Reilly who provided valuable insights into the way that this issue has been viewed at the State House. All three agreed that a large public turnout at next Monday and Tuesday's DOT Workshops is vitally important in the effort to reverse the General Assembly's decision on the tolls. The first public Workshop is at Portsmouth High School on Monday, December 3rd at Portsmouth High School from 7-10 PM. The second is on Tuesday, December 4th, at Tiverton High School at the same times.

All three guests were in full agreement about the unfair economic burden such tolls would place on local residents, especially those living on Aquidneck Island. A large local public turnout against these tolls might influence the Governor and other state representatives to look for other, less discriminative ways of funding needed bridge maintenance. The video offers a good primer on the details of bridge toll issues and should be required viewing by all Aquidneck Island residents.

Portsmouth this Week is a weekly public service television program started by Town Administrator, John Klimm. It normally airs on Public television (Cox channel 18) on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM but this edition will also be shown at 7 PM on Sunday, December 2nd. It can also be seen anytime by clicking on the video box above or from links on the Portsmouth Town website www.portsmouthri.com and the Portsmouth Economic development Committee website www.portsmouthriedc.com