Protest draws opponents of tolls

by Larry Austin
Grand Island Dispatch, November 30, 2007

Grand Island’s Rus Thompson speaks under the watchful eye of a dozen members of the media.

The fictional Howard Beale from the movie “Network,” as portrayed by Thruway Authority toll opponent Carl Paladino, summed up the feelings of about two dozen toll protesters Saturday within sight of the North Grand Island Bridges.

“I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

A protester greets vehicle traffic at the North Grand Island Bridge.

Paladino won’t win any Academy Awards as the late Peter Finch did in the role, but his words were bracing to members of LaSalle PRIDE and No GI Tolls, who marched across the bridges on a cold and windy morning carrying signs and chanting in protest of a proposed toll hike and to ask for removal of the Grand Island toll barriers.

Rus Thompson of noGItolls.org, Patsy Mackenna of LaSalle PRIDE and Paladino of Ellicott Square Inc. have written a letter to Gov. Eliot Spitzer asking him to come to the Niagara Frontier and meet with the citizens to discuss removal of the toll barriers.

“Now it is time to give us in Western New York the same attention that you have given to opposing the proposed increase of rates by the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York City,” the letter said.

Protesters greet cars exiting Grand Island near the Thruway Authority toll barriers. They
presented petitions with more than 7,000 signatures to state politicians. (photo by Larry Austin)