Letter: Replace Tolls With Mileage Tax

Bristol resident advocates for the elimination of bridge tolls and steep cuts in gas taxes, replacing all with an annual fee based on miles driven.

In seeing all the negative feelings surrounding the toll increases and proposed new tolls, I have a suggestion I would request you entertain. First of all, I applaud the efforts of RITBA in keeping the Mount Hope and Pell bridges the best and safest in the state. Considering how old they are and in what excellent condition they are in, it is shamefull that the other major spans in this state can't last more than 50 years w/o falling down. That is unaccepable!!! However, we all know this costs money. Nobody can doubt that. But, these funds are beginning to dry up. Consider a recent Congressional Budget Office report that indicates the Federal Highway Trust Fund has taken in more money than it has spent only once in the last 11 years. This …

•  23 Comments
• Photos (1)

John Coccio

9:28 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

No, not eliminate it, just drop it to 5 cpg. I suppose the "losers" would be people driving older vehicles that pay very little in excise taxes. Their burden would rise based on the fact that they would be paying a "use" tax based on mileage as opposed to a "value" tax based on the value of the car they own. However, even those people could benefit, as when the time comes to replace that old, …   more ›

Warren Man Hit By Car in Warwick Dies

Darrell Daugherty, of Market Street in Warren, died in Rhode Island Hospital Tuesday after the May 1 collision.

A Warren man, who was wearing headphones while walking on a cloudy night  and was hit by a car on May 1 has died, Warwick police reported on Monday, the Providence Journal reported. Darrell Daugherty, 51, whose last known address was Market Street, Warren, succumbed at Rhode Island Hospital over the weekend, according to a news release. The driver, John Robshaw, 31, of Nausauket Road in Warwick, is not expected to face charges in the accident, which occurred on Post Road near Fisher Road in Warwick around 10 p.m. on May 1. "The pedestrian was walking in dark clothing and wearing headphones at the time of the collision," a police news release read. "These factors may have played a role in the cause of the collision."

• Photos (1)

Police Log: Carjacking, Peeing in Public

The following is based on reports from the Bristol Police Department. An arrest dows not indicate a conviction.

Bristol police made the following arrests the week of April 30-May 7: Dylan Matteo, 19, 3526 Westminster St., Oceanside, NY, was charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly urinating in public on State Street. James McGowan, 22, of 221 State St., Apt. 2, Bristol, was arrested for allegedly violating a restraining order. Jason P. Mailloux, 33, of 160 Broad St., Providence, was arrested on five bench warrants for failure to appear, violation of probation, and conspiracy to violate the controlled substances act. Police arrested Mailloux after a foot chace, after they responded to reports of a possible carjacking at Metacom and Hope avenues. Paulina Lopex-Santos, 28, of 301 G St., Apt. 13, Washington, D.C., was arrested for alleged …

• Photos (1)

5 Things To Know Today

5 Things: Special Water Authority, Council Meetings

Here are five things you should know today in Bristol and Warren.

• Photos (1)

Police Log: Suspended Licenses and a Fugitive From Justice

The following are based on reports from the Warren Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction.

The Warren Police Department made the following arrests the week of April 30-May 6: Stephen Henson, 34, of 201 Pitman St., Providence, was arrested on a 6th District Court bench warrant last week when officers responded to Main and Union streets after reports that an intoxicated man had fallen down. James Torres, 32, of 130 South St., Woonsocket, was charged with driving on a suspended license after police pulled him over on Metacom Avenue. Michael Scott Fanning, 51, of 11 Arlington Ave., Warren, was arrested at Market Street and Schoolhouse Road last week on a fugitive arrest warrant from the California Department of Corrections. Jennifer L. Souza, 36, 202 Market St., Warren, was arreted on a 6th District Court bench warrant. Ashley A. …

• Photos (1)

Obituaries: Hilda Araujo, Jeanne Serpa, John Rutledge

A look at recent obituaries from the area.

  Hilda Araujo, 94, died May 13. Jeanne Serpa, 83, died May 13. John A. Rutledge, 68, died April 29.  

• Photos (1)

Residents Voice Anger Over Proposed Tolls

State officials told the crowd that fees on the Mount Hope or Sakonnet River bridges are unavoidable to maintain the spans.

Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority Chairman David Darlington hadn't yet made it through the second slide of his presentation when the questions started. East Bay and Aquidneck Island residents peppered Darlington and Department of Transportation Director Michael Lewis with pointed questions and comments, most opposing proposed tolls on the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges, throughout a forum last night at the Burnside Building on Hope Street in Bristol. The response was not an unexpected development, Darlington said. Residents have come out in force at previous public hearings on the proposal that would bring tolls to the Mount Hope Bridge for the first time since 1998. The fees to cross the bridge — if the General Assembly …

•  77 Comments
• Photos (2)

John H

8:17 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

@ Jack No the state won't lose it's revenue because you and the tourists will pay for the bridges. Anyone on the island not sucking on the hind tit of the Navy/Government will be suffering anyway: RI's brand of subsidized tourism enriches the few and enslaves the poor in minimum wage jobs, meanwhile the dwindling middle class pays the third highest water rates on the East coast as its property …   more ›

5 Things To Know Today

5 Things: Rain Likely, Learn About Steamboats

Here are five things you should know today in Bristol and Warren.

Showers are likely today, with a high of 63 degrees. The Bristol Technical Review Committee meets at 10 am to review plans for an auto detailing shop; and a budget subcommittee of the School Committee meets at 6:30 pm at the school administration building. There are no municipal meetings scheduled in Warren. The Bristol Art Museum presents an art talk on New England Coastal Steamboats at the Rogers Free Library in Bristol tonight.  The Bayberry Garden Club heads over to Portsmouth's Island Garden shop tonight for a lecture on hydrangeas. The Book Fair continues through this week at Kickemuit Middle School.

• Photos (1)