Response to Legislator Iannello/Ward

I would like to thank Legislator Iannello/Ward for her committment to the removal of the Grand Island Tolls. Her resolution is a welcomed addition to the support that has been built toward the removal of the tolls.

This issue has been a burning issue for Grand Islanders for decades and a personal fight of mine for the better part of 10 years. We have tried every aspect of following the chain of command. From the Town Board, County Legislature, County Executive, County Clerk, Public meetings at GI Town Hall and with our representatives in Albany and the Thruway Authority. To this date, none have been effective.

During the summer when the Buffalo Toll issue started heating up, I was calling and emailing our representatives, asking about the removal of the Grand Island tolls along with the Buffalo tolls. My calls and emails went unanswered. We were being ignored by our representatives in Albany. Finally when the day came for the removal of the tolls, I contacted other representatives of WNY, this time outside of our district, Senators Volker and Maziarz. They returned my call and met with Governor Pataki. Both Senators agreed these tolls shold be taken down and when the Governor said he had not heard any public outcry, I knew our voices were not being heard from our representatives. This is why I started the Petition drive and along with that I have secured the support of the Senate Republicans and the Assembly Republicans along with Democrat Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, Senator Antoine Thompson and Supervisor Peter McMahon.

I was deeply disturbed when I went to Albany to deliver the petitions to the Governors office. Senator Cappola was no where to be found but, I was able to talk to Assemblyman Sam Hoyt while he was in the Democrat caucus meeting via cell phone. He congratulated us on the amount of signatures we had gathered in such a short period of time and he said he would bring this issue up in the meeting and after we would meet. After I delivered the signatures to the Governors office I walked up to the Assembly Chambers and saw Assemblyman Hoyt. As we were walking out of the chamber area I asked him how the meeting went and what was the response from the Assembly about the Petition signatures..

Assemblyman Hoyt said he did not bring this issue to the floor. I try to take a man by his word, if they say they will do something, they will do it. He didn’t, he said what I wanted to hear and to appease us. He failed us when he had a perfect opportunity to act, as we had already built an overwhelming amount of support. It is a pity, a real pity that he did not take advantage and use the momentum to bring this forward in the Assembly to help the people of this district.

I certainly hope that our new Governor has a “listening ear” to quote Mrs Iannello/Ward because Sam Hoyt, Marc Coppola and Louise Slaughter appear to be deaf.

We will continue with the efforts to gather signatures and to continue the pressure on our Albany representatives. If Governor Pataki does not respond to our pleas we will deliver the signatures to Governor Spitzer. This should not be a partisan political issue, we must all work together if we are to accomplish anything for Western New York.

Have you signed the petition? Say No to Grand Island Tolls.. nogitolls.com

Thank you for your continued support.
Rus Thompson