STUDENTS, TEACHERS & PARENTS WORK TOGETHER TO HELP THE COMMUNITY

There is so much great community spirit and involvement in Tiverton that often goes unheralded in favor of the negative. Thanks to the Herald News for recognizing this terrific effort of students, teachers and parents to help those in need.

http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x2132761794/Tiverton-Middle-School-faculty-finds-ways-to-host-activities-on-a-zero-budget

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

POLL: RHODE ISLANDERS OVERWHELMINGLY OPPOSE SAKONNET TOLLS

Rhode Islanders oppose Sakonnet River Bridge tolls by an overwhelming 57%-35% margin. Further proof that this toll is not only bad policy, but bad politics. Any government plan opposed by such a wide margin will eventually be reversed, and will negatively impact any politician who supports it (all 2014 Statewide candidates need to be reminded of this poll). 

It's time that our Statewide officials followed the lead of our East Bay Reps & Senators who are working to scrap tolls in favor of a responsible maintenance plan.

http://www.eastbayri.com/news/poll-most-dont-want-sakonnet-river-bridge-toll/

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI

RITBA IS CHARGING THE EZ-PASS ACCOUNTS OF DRIVERS WHO AREN'T EVEN USING THEM

RITBA is apparently charging the EZ-pass accounts of drivers who cross the Sakonnet Bridge but don't have their EZ-pass in the car (they apparently trace the license plate). They claim this is to "help" drivers whose EZ-pass doesn't register. If you don't want them doing this without your permission, you can go to your EZ-pass account and remove your license-plate from the account, and then RITBA will need to send a bill instead. You should be able to call RITBA and have them do this on the phone.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

GOVERNOR CANDIDATE ALLAN FUNG OPPOSES SAKONNET TOLLS

Allan Fung, Republican candidate for Governor, announced in his candidacy statement that he opposes tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge, and supports alternative ways to fund bridge maintenance.

There are two main avenues to pursue to eliminate tolls. The first is to convince the committee considering toll alternatives (and the General Assembly they will report to) of the destructive consequences and blatant unfairness of these tolls, and the need to put in place a statewide, non-toll means to fund bridge maintenance. The second is to make clear to all State officials, including candidates for Governor, of the negative political consequences of supporting tolls.

Getting every candidate for Statewide office on the record regarding these tolls is crucial, and making sure it's known that a broad section of East Bay voters (and many others across the State) will vote only for those who pledge to oppose tolls. Especially in low-turnout primaries, a motivated, coordinated effort on this issue can be the deciding factor.

http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20131104-cranston-mayor-allan-fung-confirms-run-for-r.i.-governor.ece

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI

REP. CANARIO SEEKING AUDIT OF RITBA'S FINANCES

Rep. Dennis Canario is seeking a full audit of the finances of the quasi-governmental RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority (link below). RITBA is the agency currently charging the 10-cent toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge, and which is seeking  much higher tolls to fund its operations. All who oppose these destructive tolls should do everything possible to support our local elected Representatives and Senators as they work to convince our State officials of the need for a fair, statewide bridg-maintenance program that doesn't hurt local residents & businesses with tolls.

A full accounting of RITBA's operations & finances needs to be part of any serious effort to create a fair, effective bridge-maintenance program. The simple fact is that over 90% of RITBA's proposed tolls will fund RITBA's budget, not Sakonnet Bridge maintenance. RI taxpayers own the bridge, & are paying for the bonds that built it. 

Our local elected officials are all working to create a fair statewide system without adding destructive tolls. Our State government needs to join them, and put the interests of the people who own the bridge before those of a quasi-governmental agency looking for East Bay residents & businesses to fund their budget.

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

http://tiverton.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/representative-seeks-audit-of-ritba-finances-tiverton

RITBA NOW WILL SEND OUT TOLL-BILLS

Of course they are. Because most of the funds RITBA wants to raise by tolls will go to pay for RITBA's budget, facility, personnel, etc, and NOT maintenance on the Sakonnet Bridge, which would require LESS than a 10-cent toll. This toll is a shell-game that some want to impose on East Bay residents & businesses. We have less than three months to support our local Senators & Reps in getting SRB tolls eliminated in favor of a fair, Statewide system of funding bridge maintenance.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x1803840193/RIDOT-starting-to-send-out-toll-bills-to-Sakonnet-bridge-frequent-fliers

Brian Medeiros
Tiverton, RI

TOLL-ALTERNATIVE COMMISSION HAS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP ALL RHODE ISLANDERS

The Commission exploring alternatives to tolls has an opportunity not to just undo a destructive & unfair toll on SR Bridge, but to create a responsible and even-handed means of maintaining bridges across RI. The recommendation of this Commission, and action then taken by the General Assembly, will demonstrate whether our State government is interested in truly solving a problem, or simply in using East Bay residents & businesses as a means to fund the budget of the quasi-government RI Turnpike & Bridge Authority.

http://www.eastbayri.com/news/special-commission-gets-broad-overview-of-states-infrastructure-ills/

Brian Medeiros

Tiverton, RI