The Sakonnet Bridge Toll - Where do we go from here??

Many people have asked, “Now that the tolls are up, why haven’t you filed a lawsuit??”  Some have gone so far as to suggest that I support a Sakonnet Bridge Toll.  It is time, once again, to clean up confusion created by the desperate tactics of the anti-toll movement.

First, we must go back in time.  The original idea was when the tolls went up that I was to proceed into Court under Article V.  The Article V challenge was simple: tolls are a tax, only the General Assembly can set tax rates, RITBA is part of the Executive Branch, RITBA setting the rates is a usurpation of authority and violates Separation of Powers under Article V.

However, we hit a detour.  The anti-toll movement handled their political affairs so poorly that not only did they fail at stopping the toll, they took Article V off the table.  When the General Assembly submitted the bill to freeze toll rates and then later amended that bill to put a ten cent toll on the Sakonnet Bridge, that meant that the Legislative Branch has acted and no Article V violation had been committed.  The opportunity for a lawsuit had been fumbled away by over eager people of little experience.  They were of such little experience that they actually celebrated before the ink was dry and looked silly so after when the amended bill was presented.

Why does the anti-toll movement want to present untruth?  Simply stated, desperation.  All their lies have caught up with them.  They said of their 7 bills, one of them had 54 signatures.  This was not true.  When told that all their bills were dead on March 16th, they derided the suggestion.  They told supporters that a meeting on their bills before the House Finance Committee was of value.  The Speaker responded by holding a press conference during this hearing which required the Chairman not to be present.

The anti-toll movement would not give up.  They said something would happen during the budget process.  It did not.  They promised 23rd hour negotiations that were not happening.  They actually tried to suggest that Rep. John Edwards of Tiverton was a member of the Leadership.  One of their bloggers tried to present him as the 3rd ranking member of the House. 

Finally, their gullibility proved to be their demise when the bait and switch was presented.

However, this is not the only time they have engaged in this type of conduct.  I am in the process of filing many complaints with the Ethics Commission, the Board of Elections, and with the Attorney General regarding the Open Meetings Act.  The anti-toll movement keeps trying to rush the process in order to discredit it.

The simple truth is this: politics matters.  Therefore, process matters.  Those complaints are about 8 steps away in a long process.  Lord knows how many “awkward” communications I will receive from the Portsmouth Solicitor along the way.  In order to be successful, I must practice patience.  The anti-toll movement has yet to display any patience.

For this reason, I want nothing, and have no need to be aligned with them.  I have found funding for my lawsuit.  The plan to find that in upper state New York worked.  I am sorry, but applications of methodologies that turn people away from your cause are not the best idea.  I will provide two examples.

The anti-toll movement, in a desperate attempt to attack me, has started to attack all people in recovery.  Do you know who this angers the most?  Patrick Kennedy supporters.  Many of them have confided in me that they want nothing to do with the anti-toll movement.  In a state like Rhode Island, how do you accomplish anything if all the Patrick Kennedy fans feel slighted?  I have no idea how Patrick feels himself since I have not spoken  to my old office mate (Patrick Kennedy, Tom Coderre, Bea Lanzi and I among many others were in the same internship class and members of the RI Young Democrats years ago) feels regarding the issue but I know where his supporters come down.

Secondly, the anti-toll movement refuses to practice message control.  At their recent rally, a pathetic gathering of 130 when they promised 3000, members of the anti-toll movement referred to Governor Chafee as “Governor Gump.” This is yet another sign the anti-toll movement should move away from creating fake internet profiles which they use to harass people and get onto the business of becoming serious.  Right now, as it has always been, the anti-toll movement is just a cover organization for various Tea Party groups.  This was very evident by the lack of elected folks at the most recent rally.  At least those in Office have caught on.

This is not to say any individual should not attend a rally.  If you need to hold a sign and scream at the government, by all means do so.  However, do not ever confuse “redressing your grievances” with actually being politically effective.  One is the harbor of the crank; the other requires intellect and hard work.

For these reasons, I will continue to bide my time.  The current play by RITBA is obvious.  In October, they will announce that the numbers of cars was going over the bridge was X and the number of tolls paid based on the honor system was Y.  The delta between X and Y, even at the ten cent rate, must be added to the growing $12 million deficit.  RITBA then votes to skirt the Legislation and by “sending” the Bridge to another member of the Executive Branch and the tolls are raised.  At that time, I will take my funding and go to Court.  Not a moment before will this happen.

In the meantime, I will continue to file documents with the Solicitor and the AG’s office until the complaints are in order.  That process too will be followed to the letter.

I am sure the anti-toll movement will rely on their incompetence, continued harassment, and ability to drive people from their cause to get nothing done.  Let us not forget, they drew more people to a meaningless hearing in the House Finance Committee than they did to a rally on a warm August Sunday.  The handwriting is on the wall.

I just wanted you to know that I have a plan.  They do not.  I continue to adhere to high standards.  They pick on the weakest of society and wish that those who are sick fail.  If you do not like the tolls, you have a choice between my way and their way.  I suggest you choose wisely.