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

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

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

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

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