End Bridge Toll Now

A copy of this letter was received at the
Gazette.
December 5, 2011
The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo,

I am writing to you to advocate for the termination of the toll on the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge for residents of Queens. As you know, for 12 years, the toll on the bridge was eliminated for people with an E-Z pass and who lived in Broad Channel or the Rockaways. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reinstated the toll in 2010 to close its budget deficit of $1 billion. There is no justification for residents of Queens to bear this toll.

As you know, the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge is the only one of the nine bridges operated by the MTA which is an intra-borough connection. The bridge allows residents from all over Queens to travel to the Rockaways. Use of this bridge offers the only practical access to postal services and retail shopping for the 3,000 residents who live in the Broad Channel and the 130,000 who live in the Rockaways areas.

Quite simply, the toll is a discriminatory fee against Queens’ residents. It forces them to pay a toll to travel from one part of the borough to another. It is a dubious and expensive distinction that my constituents who commute to New York City, who visit friends and family in Queens, and who travel throughout the area have to pay this toll.

You and I were raised in Queens. We understand and appreciate the area’s wonderful cultural and geographic diversity, particularly along the coastal areas in the Rockaways. I am sure that you would agree that this geographic diversity should not come at an unfair cost to the residents of the borough.

I ask you to make this a top priority on your agenda for relieving the economic burden on the citizens of my district. I look forward to working with you and other elected officials as we try to end the toll.

Sincerely,
Robert L. Turner
Member of Congress,
New York District 9

Participate In Government

To The Editor:

Amazingly, consumers seem to be spending and Americans appear to be shedding the anxieties that have stymied confidence.

American optimism is a remarkable resource that defines the U.S. as exceptional among all the nations.

Yet the problems and threats confronting the world are ongoing and real. The multitude of dangers that could impact the U.S. makes for jittery investors while causing fear in those whose decisions will affect future employment. It also provides fodder for political gamesmanship that disregards the common good in seeking electoral advantages.

The foolish vindictiveness of the political wars gave birth to the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street movements. At first glance these groups would appear as far apart as possible. The common thread is the unfairness felt by their members. Americans have concluded that government and the ground rules that have traditionally governed people’s lives have been turned into political spoils used to secure future support.

Politicians have concluded that most people do not vote. The voters who count are those who do so during primaries. As the most committed voters, they usually represent hardcore advocates of extreme positions. As a consequence, only those who pander to the extremes have any hope of winning their party’s primary.

Citizens are in the streets across the nation and at rallies decrying anyone who believes that government is a force for good. Probably those who are protesting will participate in the upcoming presidential election process. It would be a shame if potential voters conclude that the process is so alienating as to excuse them from voting. Only when voter apathy is defeated and Americans accept their obligation to participate can America begin healing from the polarizing cancerous political wars that currently are the norm.

Edward Horn
Baldwin, NY

Day Of Infamy Forever

To The Editor:

As we mark the 70th anniversary of the vicious and unprovoked attack by Japan against the United States at Pearl Harbor, we must never forget all of those soldiers, more than 2,000, including civilians, who were killed that day. They did not die in vain. Four years later in August of 1945, Japan finally capitulated and surrendered following the dropping of two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. One Japanese officer commented after the attack on Pearl Harbor, “I fear that we have awakened a sleeping giant.” He was so very right. The Japanese got just what they deserved. What goes around comes around. Let us remember all of those who lost their lives on that awful day and pray for them and their families and all those remaining survivors of the attack that will always live on in infamy forever.

John Amato
Fresh Meadows, N.Y.

Shareing Thoughts

To The Editor:

I have lots to say and am happy to share my thoughts with the Gazette readers on the Letters page.

Firstly, I agree with Congressmember Carolyn Maloney who wants a standard national act against using any electrical devices while driving. There is too much use of these iphones, cellphones, smart phones, ipads etc. and that causes distractions and accidents, injuries, fatalities and destruction.

A standard act that applies to all of the states in our nation must be enacted and it is very important.

In addition, I hope that our governor does not veto the legislation for livery cabs to pick people up from the street since millions of dollars are included in that piece of legislation for the purchase of medallions for these private livery cabs and that would add to the city’s revenue. If not enacted, our city will again be deep into another budget crisis.

We must not allow this to happen since we do not need more service cuts.

I applaud the work that is going to be done in the improvement of the Willets Point infrastructure in terms of storm sewage etc., since that will then allow more advanced construction and improvement of the underutilized, wasted land of Willets Point which in turn can be made into a thriving area.

I am impressed that the 114th Precinct will be hosting toy drives, parties and gifts for children this holiday season. That is the true meaning of the holiday.

Giving, caring, sharing and loving others.

In addition, I applaud our tireless advocate, Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. for all that he is doing to improve our borough and our city. I applaud the elimination of that diving pool in Astoria Park and the construction of an amphitheater which can add revenue to our borough, encourage visitors, tourists and entertainment and the display of talent, plays and culture.

Astoria needs to be revitalized and by so doing we can put our area on the map and expand, grow and thrive.

Cynthia Groopman
Long Island City