It’s official.
After weeks and weeks of Grand Island business officials claiming the tolls stifle Island business in addition to numerous political officials saying the Thruway Authority’s $1.00 tolls aren’t necessary, there’s finally some tangible evidence of it.
An e-mail between the Holiday Inn and a potential client shows the deal falling apart due to the tolls and the perception of hassles at the bridges.
But meanwhile, politicians are also working to turn the bridges and the whole I-190 over to the state Department of Transportation. “Keep the Authority on the mainline” is what Assemblyman Sam Hoyt said at a recent Town Hall press conference announcing new legislation in the Assembly and State Senate.
That may lead to the elimination of the tolls, but right now that’s doing nothing to make Teresa Costello’s job easier at the Grand Island Holiday Inn.
While it’s very much a fact of life for her — that the tolls and the bridges are reasons for numerous lost accounts — that was the first time somebody actually put that in writing.
It was a series of e-mail exchanges between Costello and a company representative planning a lunch for 170.
“Thank you for being so patient with us.,” the potential client wrote. “Due to cost and concern about the tolls, we will not be able to use the hotel.”
Officials and business owners have said it’s the $1.00 reality and $100 perception that has area consumers often staying off the Island.
“All things else being equal, the business will go elsewhere,” said Costello.
Recently, she and others from Grand Island’s business community were among the first to show up at a recent tolls press conference.
But Grand Island Chamber of Commerce President John Bonoa, present there as well as the Town Board’s Monday workshop session, called on Hoyt to bring relief to the Island’s businesses sooner rather than later.
“There’s no immediacy to his approach,” Bonora said.
“I’m saying we’re losing business now; if there’s a way to get it done, do it now.”
“Just because there’s a new way to approach the issue doesn’t mean that it’s time for everybody to relax,” Bonora said.
“We’re losing Abraxis, and by 2009 they will be gone. If we are going to attract any business to come to this island we don’t need to have tolls as an issue.”
In other bridge and tolls news, Rus Thompson had this to say: “Today I received this letter of support for removal of the tolls from the Grand Island Bridges from Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco.”
The Assembly Bill number is A.10003 and the senate bill number is S.6824.
“We now have bill numbers for both houses in Albany so we will be able to track them as this important legislation moves forward,” he said.
“This is great news for all of us here in Western New York, not only will this help Grand Island out economically, this will save the taxpayers of Western New York over $25 million a year. This legislation will stop the insane commuter tax forced upon the people simply wanting to get to and from work.”
Local News
TOLLS: Holiday Inn loses its lunch over bridge tolls
- Local News
-
-
Child run over be car on Niagara Avenue
Falls Traffic Division investigators said an 11-year-old boy was struck after he darted into the street, in front of a car as it pulled away from a stop sign.
-
Militello paid $50K to leave Niagara-Wheatfield
Former Niagara-Wheatfield Superintendent Carl Militello is receiving a $50,000 from the district, according to a separation settlement agreed to on Feb. 1.
-
Autopsy unable to determine cause or time of Judith Burr’s death
An autopsy by an Erie County Medical Examiner has failed to determine either the time of death or the cause of death of Judith Burr.
-
Gerber resigns from SPCA board; calls for adding veterinarian to staff
A Town of Niagara veterinarian and long-time member of the SPCA of Niagara Board of Directors has stepped down.
Dr. William Gerber submitted his resignation on Tuesday. It was effective immediately. -
Has NYPA relicensing agreement led to a revival?
A state senator is calling for an audit of the low-cost power and cash used in the last seven years by Niagara County entities that have shared in the benefits of the 50-year relicensing agreement with the New York Power Authority.
-
Joseph Davis State Park gets some green
Officials in the Town of Lewiston received approval Thursday to spend a significant portion of the community’s incoming greenway funds on the redevelopment of Joseph Davis State Park.
-
Search continues for Falls jumper
State Park Police were still searching Thursday for a Falls man who jumped from the rapids bridge at Goat Island on Wednesday morning.
-
NU gets helping hand for campus projects
A new county entity formed to help organizations secure bond financing agreed on Wednesday to assist Niagara University in the development of its new science center, a proposed refurbishment at Meade Hall and other campus improvements totaling $48 million.
-
One Niagara tax break denied
It’s a no-go for a proposed tax break at One Niagara.
At least for now. -
County IDA adds local hiring clause
From now on, applicants seeking assistance through the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency will be expected to demonstrate their “best efforts” in hiring local workers for subsidized projects.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
