Thursday, July 25, 2013

RIDEM SUES TIVERTON TO BLOCK ORDINANCE DESIGNED TO PROTECT DRINKING WATER

You can't make this stuff up. RI Department of Environmental Management, the State agency charged with safeguarding the environment, is now suing Tiverton. Our offense? Our Town Council passed an ordinance regulating fishing tournaments on Stafford Pond, a major source of drinking water. That's right, RIDEM is fighting a community trying to protect its environment! Why? No doubt these tournaments are a source of revenue for RIDEM, so instead of putting in place sensible regulations themselves, they sue a community for trying to do so. After all, what could possibly go wrong with unregulated boats and fuel on an area's drinking water supply?

The next time someone asks you how far beyond rational RI State government has gotten, you need only point them to the Sakonnet River Bridge tolls and RIDEM suing to stop a town from protecting its envirnonment. Hard to believe we have State (or quasi-State) agencies putting their financial needs above the good of the people they serve.


http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x273440789/DEM-files-suit-against-Tiverton-to-overturn-Stafford-Pond-ordinance

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

LEGAL BATTLE TO STOP TOLLS CONTINUES

The legal battle against tolls continues, and hopefully a court will step up and stop SRB tolls. But these tolls were put in place by our State officials, and whether to remove or increase them is a political decision. We need as many people as possible to get involved, to call and/or write the Governor, leaders of the House and Senate, and members of the Committee studying alternatives to tolls. The committee report is due in January, and our State leaders must be encouraged to do the right thing and create a fair, non-destructive means of funding bridge maintenance across RI.

http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x273439155/U-S-Court-of-Appeals-OKs-withdrawal-of-Sakonnet-toll-appeal-sends-case-back-to-District-Court

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

STATE BRIDGE-MAINTENANCE COMMISSION FORMS

Good to see local elected officials (Representative Jay Edwards, Senator Lou DiPalma, and Senator Christopher Ottiano) appointed to this Commission, which will explore alternatives to tolls as a means of funding state bridges. The outcome of this Commission is key to eliminating the 10-cent "training toll" set to begin in August for good, and putting into place a responsible, fair, non-destructive means of funding bridge maintenance across RI.

The 10-cent toll was enacted with the idea that it would keep the toll option open until this Commission's work is done early next year (a lawsuit making the obvious claim that the bridge was "substantially completed" last year when it opened to traffic is still pending). Our State leaders now have an opportunity to come up with a statewide means of funding bridge maintenance, which treats all taxpayers equally and fairly, and that doesn't require economically-destructive tolls.

And the people of Rhode Island, especially those in the East Bay most affected, have an opportunity to stay informed and get involved in pushing our State leadership to do the right thing for all Rhode Islanders. Spread the word to all you know across RI. Call or email not only your Representative and Senator, but the Senate and House leadership, the Governor, and leaders of RIDOT and RI Bridge & Turnpike Authority. The system only works when the people step up and make it work.

http://www.eastbayri.com/news/house-senate-leaders-appoint-lawmakers-to-commission-to-study-funding-for-state-bridge-maintenance/

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

NEW PROVIDENCE BRIDGE: WILL IT ALSO HAVE TOLLS/"USER FEES"?

If State of Rhode Island policy is now to require tolls (or "user fees" as the euphemism goes) on new bridges, can we expect to see tolls placed on this new bridge in Providence? On all new bridges going forward? Or does only the East Bay get that honor?

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130715-rebuilding-begins-of-major-bridge-carrying-route-95-through-providence.ece

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Friday, July 12, 2013

THE SIMPLE TRUTH: SAKONNET TOLLS ARE TO FUND RITBA, NOT MAINTAIN NEW BRIDGE

Read this article and decide for yourself whether RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority is primarily concerned with the needs and financial well-being of the people of RI, or the financial needs of RITBA. They aren't looking to charge what's needed for bridge maintenance. They are looking to charge whatever they decide RITBA needs to fund its operations, most of which have NOTHING to do with the Sakonnet River Bridge. This is why they look to raise $20 million/year from tolls when SRB maintenance is less than $2 million/year.

Even if you buy the hypocritical argument that bridge users should solely pay for maintenance (hypocritical since only East Bay residents & businesses would be forced to fund maintenance this way), how can anyone justify making SRB users pay for the $2 million in SRB maintenance, PLUS another $18 million of RITBA's budget? Anyone who supports the Sakonnet Toll should be required to answer these simple questions about the fairness and logic of the tolls, not to mention the economic destructiveness.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x273433759/At-a-dime-per-car-RIBTA-looks-for-a-way-to-turn-a-Sakonnet-Bridge-toll-profit#axzz2YqJluqQZ

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

RITBA CORRECTS DOUBLE-CHARGING; STILL NO ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CHARGING CREDIT CARDS MORE THAN AUTHORIZED

Although it's good RITBA is acknowledging & correcting the double-charging issue in this article, it has nothing to do with what happened to me & many others. We weren't double-charged as the result of some computer glitch. We were told the cost for 2 transponders was $45, we authorized a credit card charge of $45, and RITBA ignored what was on the form and charged $70. Either RITBA still doesn't understand what happened, doesn't care, or is hoping people won't notice.

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/wpri-jamestown-dozens-of-ez-pass-customers-overcharged-fees-rhode-island-bridge-and-turnpike-authority-tolls-sakonnet-jmq

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

RI RANKS 49th AS BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATE; HOW DO BUSINESS-KILLING TOLLS HELP?

Rhode Island is ranked 49th out of 50 states for being friendly to business. State leaders have pledged to improve that image and reputation. Now, can someone explain to us how imposing a business-killing toll on a major road, against the adamant and near-unanimous opposition of area businesses, elected officials and residents, helps the State's image as business-unfriendly?

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI


http://blogs.wpri.com/2013/07/10/why-does-ri-lag-minnesota-and-mass-in-the-cnbc-rankings/

Thursday, July 11, 2013

ADDING INSULT TO INJURY

It's bad enough that we have to continue to fight a ridiculously destructive and unfair toll that no other area of the State faces. It's bad enough we were promised an open process, showed up at meetings and contacted State officials in large numbers with near-unanimous opposition to tolls and were ignored any way. It's bad enough the General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to delay tolls and then reversed course at the behest of RIDOT & RITBA, putting RITBA's financial concerns before those of the people who pay the bills. But now some who purchased transponders in good faith are having their credit cards charged more than they were told or agreed to. And RITBA is now suggesting they might go back on their decision to only charge one round-trip per day. Can't wait to see what's next...

http://tiverton.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/frustrations-flare-over-ezpass-transponders?a_dgi=aolshare_facebook

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

LATEST TOLL OUTRAGE: TRANSPONDER OVERCHARGING

Yet another outrageous toll development. RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority has been offering a "special discount" on transponders. Under this discount, each transponder would cost $10 (and RITBA would provide a $10 credit as well). With the specter of $4.25 tolls looming, my wife & I purchased two transponders, including a $25 deposit in the account, for $45. Our receipt clearly shows the cost as $45, and authorizes RITBA to charge our credit card $45.

Today, I found that RITBA charged our credit card $70. I called RITBA, and was told the $45 price was in error, and there was nothing they could do. In addition to the frustration of what appears to be either a bait-and-switch scheme or unacceptable incompetence, I am outraged that RITBA would charge my card for more than we authorized (isn't that illegal?). The RITBA employee had no answers, and when I asked to talk to a supervisor, I was told none were available. I was told I could return the transponders for a refund, but that obviously does me no good (unless Sakonnet Tolls are eliminated next year as they should be). All who purchased transponders should immediately check your credit card account, and contact RITBA (1-877-743-9727) and demand answers for any overcharges. Rep. Jay Edwards has asked that anyone who was overcharged contact him (662-6280) and he will work to resolve the issue.

The larger issues are knowing by what right RITBA charges a credit card more than authorized, and finding out how this mess could happen. Is this really the agency we want to give full authority to tax us at will to cross over OUR bridge, which we paid for and own? The media and our elected officials should investigate this and RITBA's operations. We pay the bills, and we deserve answers. And we should demand of our State officials a fair, open, efficient means of maintaining infrastructure in ALL of Rhode Island.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

PROJO: RITBA CONCERNED ABOUT FUNDS LOST BY TOLL DELAY

As this article makes clear, Sakonnet Bridge tolls are all about the financial needs & issues of RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority, and not the people of RI who paid for, own, & use the bridge. This isn't about responsible bridge maintenance; it's about RITBA exploiting an opportunity to raise as much money as they can get away with. Infrastructure needs to be fairly & responsibly funded by ALL Rhode Islanders, and be under the control of elected officials accountable to voters, not some quasi-public agency putting its own agenda before ours.

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20130710-r.i.-authority-estimates-it-could-lose-13.5-million-in-sakonnet-river-bridge-toll-delay.ece

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Sunday, July 7, 2013

HERALD NEWS: TOLLS & POLITICAL PROCESS FURTHER HARM STATE'S REPUTATION

Our State leaders insist they're trying to improve RI's anti-business image. Someone needs to explain to them that tolls that cut parts of the state off from the rest reinforce that bad reputation. And this shameful process doesn't help, either, as this Herald News article makes clear.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1808711448/RI-battle-over-Sakonnet-River-Bridge-charge-keeps-changing#axzz2YL3LRIqs

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

Friday, July 5, 2013

FALL RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSES SAKONNET TOLLS

Even business interests across the border in Fall River, who stand to gain some economic advantage if Rhode Island cuts off the East Bay from Southeastern MA, are speaking out against these destructive Sakonnet Tolls. Hopefully our State leaders will realize what's obvious to just about everyone else.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI


Thursday, July 4, 2013

TOLLS ARE BACK -- SO WHO IS BEING IRRESPONSIBLE?

Check the quote about "passing the bill on to our children" in the Herald News article (link below).
Those responsible for 38 Studios and other classic examples of bad government have the audacity to criticize those who oppose destructive tolls, selectively imposed just on the East Bay, as wanting to pass the bill on to our children? Absolutely unbelievable. Let's see what they say when tolls are introduced that negatively impact THEIR constituents every day.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x606638191/After-voting-to-delay-Sakonnet-River-Bridge-tolls-RI-legislators-reverse-course-impose-10-cent-toll#axzz2Y6fROTBp

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

TOLL DELAY FIGHT NOT OVER YET

If after such overwhelming votes to delay the tolls in the House and Senate, if the Governor and Turnpike & Bridge Authority can bully the General Assembly into backing down on this crucial issue, it's the final nail in the coffin of credibility for our State leadership. And we must make sure people remember and vote accordingly next year.


http://www.turnto10.com/story/22734972/tolls-economic-agency-dominate-sessions-endgame