This was the beginning rally at a vacant lot at 63rd St and Buffalo Ave. As you can see people were dressed for the cold and that it was.

Protesters March Against Grand Island Tolls, Possible Increases

About a dozen people gathered in the Saturday morning snow to show their displeasure with the state’s Thruway Authority.

The two community groups, LaSalle Pride of Niagara Falls and No Grand Island Tolls, marched across the Grand Island Bridge and handed petitions to elected officials in attendance.

Their mission began a few months ago when the groups collected signatures of people who supported removing the Grand Island tolls. It evolved in recent weeks to include protesting against the possibility of statewide toll increases.

“There’s something wrong with this picture and it’s upside down and it’s about time our elected delegation got up and did something about,” Carl Palodino said.

Palodino, a Buffalo developer, was instrumental in the removal of the I-190 tolls and joined the groups today to show support for a similar mission.

“I’m not looking to lead. I”m just hoping to inspire people to get excited, get mad, get upset,” he said.

Elected officials in attendance included New York State Senator Antoine Thompson who said his presence was more than just a show of support. He said the real work, for lawmakers, will begin with the budget process in January.

“We can appropriate money for that–to help bring down the tolls. Secondly, with the current thruway authority, some aren’t from Western New York. We need to get them to help champion the issue,” Thompson said.

Fellow lawmaker, Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte said she was there to show solidarity with those looking for tax relief.

She said she is anxious to see the comptroller’s audit of the Thruway Authority.

“There’s a lot of things and a lot of information that can be contained in that audit that I think will drive the next steps we take as a legislative body,” Del Monte said.

Both groups marching today said it’s important for lawmakers to realize the fight against tolls can’t end with today’s long walk across the bridge.

“Stop the Albany two-step,” Paladino said. “Go back there and tell them we do exist up here in Western New York and we’re sick and tired of subsidizing New York City.”

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