OVERVIEW OF "VAST"

Voters Against Sakonnet Tolls (VAST) is a non-partisan, grassroots effort to unite voters in the East Bay (and across Rhode Island) in voting only for candidates who actively oppose the plan to impose destructive tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge. The goal is to either persuade the current State leaders to reverse this irresponsible toll plan, or work to elect new leaders who will. This is a political problem, and it requires a political solution.

VAST is focused on this single issue, and is open to all who want to join the effort, regardless of political party or views on other issues. The aim is to inform voters about the position on Sakonnet River Bridge tolls of the various candidates, especially for statewide offices, and encourage as many as possible to vote on this single issue until the threat of tolls is eliminated.

To join this effort, join the VAST Facebook page (search Voters Against Sakonnet Tolls), or follow this blog. Comments are welcome on both, but please be respectful and stay to this single topic. There are many issues that divide us. This is one issue where we can and should all work together to get the proper result: no tolls on the  Sakonnet River Bridge.

There are currently several bills before the General Assembly that would fund bridge maintenance without tolls. All are encouraged to call, email, or write to leaders at the General Assembly, and the Governor, to make clear that this issue will not go away, and will drive many votes in 2014 and beyond. We hope that our State leaders will do the right thing and end this toll threat to our community. If not, and legal challenges do not succeed in stopping the tolls, State leaders need to know there will be electoral consequences in 2014 and beyond.

VAST has no formal membership, and will not raise or spend money. The sole purpose is to provide a simple means for people who oppose the Sakonnet tolls, in the East Bay and beyond, to share information and unite in using our votes to stop this monumental example of bad government, being done despite the unanimous opposition of local officials and near-unanimous opposition of local businesses and residents.

We have the right to challenge our leaders, in a firm but civil way, to explain why they've saddled us with these tolls, with all the destructive consequences to so many. Bridge maintenance can be easily funded without them, as it is across the State. And we should ask how they can claim to be trying to change RI's anti-business reputation while imposing this most anti-business toll plan. Elected officials have a right to vote as they see fit. We, the voters they represent, have the power, through our united vote, to either change the minds of those elected officials who've imposed this toll on all of us, or to bring in new leaders who will do the right thing.

Brian Medeiros
VAST Coordinator