Toll Rebate & Hearings

[Gregg]

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This just in from the president of the BROAD CHANNEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION
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I, FOR ONE, WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ROCKAWAY/BROAD CHANNEL COMMUNITY EXPRESS OUR OUTRAGE THAT MTA HEARINGS ARE NOT BEING HELD ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE WE LIVE - THE RESIDENTS MOST IMPACTED BY THE ELIMINATION OF THE RESIDENT REBATE PROGRAM.

I CALLED 212-878-7483 TO LODGE MY COMPLAINT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A MEETING BEING HELD IN QUEENS ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 20TH AT THE SHERATON LAGUARDIA EAST HOTEL, PHOENIX BALLROOM, 135-20 39TH AVENUE, FLUSHING. THIS QUEENS LOCATION IS 17 MILES AWAY FROM THE ROCKAWAY/BROAD CHANNEL COMMUNITY - THE RESIDENTS BEING MOST IMPACTED BY THE MTA'S GROSS INABILITY TO MANAGE ITS' BUDGET. THERE IS NO OTHER CONCENTRATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE AFFECTED BY THIS PROPOSAL LIVING FURTHER AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC HEARING. COINCIDENCE?
I THINK NOT!

AND THE IRONY IS THAT IF THIS REBATE PROGRAM IS ELIMINATED, THE ROCKAWAY RESIDENTS WOULD HAVE TO PAY A TOLL TO SPEAK AT ANY FUTURE HEARINGS.

IN ADDITION:

OUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN OUR APPLICATION TO THE NYCLU THAT THE BROOOKLYN DIOCESES HAS MADE ONE PARISH - ST.VIRGILIUS / ST. CAMILUS.
ELIMINATING THE RESIDENT REBATE PROGRAM WOULD PROHIBIT THE FREE EXERCISE OF PRACTICING THE CATHOLIC FAITH IN OUR ASSIGNED PARISH BY THE BROOKLYN DIOCESE.

WE HAD BETTER START GETTING OUTRAGED, AND SHOWING OUR RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION BEFORE THIS PROPOSAL IS RAMMED DOWN OUR APATHETIC THROATS.

ELLEN O'REILLY
PRES
BROAD CHANNEL CIVIC ASSOCIATION

[Gregg]

Public hearings that will be held concerning the elimination of the Resident Rebate Program for the bridge. In other words, reinstitution of the toll even if it is at a reduced rate.

Wednesday January 14th @Hilton, Trianon Ballroom, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, NYC
6:00pm. If BC residents work in the City, they can go right to the hearing (from work). There also will be a meeting in Queens on Jan. 20th. At this time we are trying to coordinate efforts w Rockaway to get many people to attend and get buses.

Spread the word!

Thank you.

Ellen O'Reilly
Pres
Civic Assoc

[Gregg]

Press Release from the office of Audrey I. Pheffer on January 27th 2009

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Assemblywoman Pheffer Leads Opposition Over MTA Proposal Eliminating the Resident Rebate Program

Assemblywoman Audrey I. Pheffer (D-Queens) voiced her outrage at the MTA’s purposed elimination of the Resident Rebate Program for the Cross Bay Bridge toll at a recent hearing in Queens. Assemblywoman Pheffer was joined at the hearing by many Rockaway and Broad Channel residents at the hearing who were also angered and dismayed over the proposal.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority has proposed the elimination of the Resident Rebate Program. The Program allows Rockaway and Broad Channel resident to travel across the Cross Bay Bridge at no cost. The Cross Bay Bridge connects the communities of Rockaway and Broad Channel and is the only Intra Borough Bridge in the nation.

“This is an ill-conceived and disastrous plan that would have a devastating affect on the community. Charging residents to go from one part of Queens to another is the same as placing a toll in the middle of Queens Blvd. It is unfair, unjust and I believe possibly illegal. The bridge should be free for all residents of Queens,” said Pheffer.

Assemblywoman Pheffer has pledged to fight in Albany for funding for the MTA that would allow for the continuation of the Resident Rebate Program. She has personally testified at three different MTA committee and board meetings, detailing the community’s plight. It is her mission to convince the MTA that it is imperative that this program not be eliminated. That is why when she learned of the MTA’s planned hearing to be held in Queens, she immediately organized a strategy meeting for the community. Many civic and community leaders attended and joined to forge a united community campaign. At the MTA hearing held on January 20, 2009, the Assemblywoman, community leaders and residents voiced their outrage at the removal of the Resident Rebate Program.

Since the hearing Assemblywoman Pheffer has received positive feedback from some of the MTA Board members. Unfortunately, the fight is not over.

“I will continue the fight in Albany to secure the necessary funding to maintain the Resident Rebate Program, but I also look to our community to ‘keep the heat on ’as we battle the MTA over this terrible proposal,” said Pheffer.

[John]

I dont live in broad channel or the rockaways but I would think that the people there should have access to things like schools and stores without paying a toll. I always thought that there was some law about how you should be able to get to city hall with out paying a toll. Has anyone else ever heard that?