The Nassau County Bridge Authority that operates the Atlantic Beach draw bridge in New York, struck an unexpected blow to residents and local businesses with a whopping fifty percent toll hike especially for the single pass trip for passenger vehicles adding up even more for round trips from $4 to $6 for year 2023. This calculates to $168 per month and $2,016 yearly. That is if one round trip per each day is made. In 2024, another hike is imposed despite pleas made by the public together. The $3 cash toll, originally $2, becomes $8 rountrip in cash if you don't or can't successfully register with Ez-Pass. That's $224 for the month if you use the bridge once per day for the week and $2,688 for the year as a resident. For a two car household that's $448 per month or $5,376 per year, not counting if their business requires more trips or uses a commercial vehicle.  The original toll was already pricey, many deeming it altogether unnecessary. Residents and businesses are still struggling with the impact of the toll hike even after Ez-Pass as of November 2024. Ez-Pass did not resolve all problems. Our concerns and questions have been dismissed as "only a minority."

WATCH NEWS12 TV COVERAGE ON RESIDENTS OPPOSING THE OPPRESSIVE IMPACTS OF THE TOLL HIKES ON NOVEMBER 20, 2024

READ FULL INTERVIEW.

The Nassau County Bridge Authority Board Meeting on November 20, 2024 was an eye-opener clarifying if our toll hikes were necessary or excessive. According to Village of Atlantic Beach Trustee, Barry Frohlinger, a financial analyst, the NCBA had substantial liquidity to the tune of 14-20 million at the time when they imposed the toll hikes making the hikes unnecessary and excessive. One reason the NCBA say it was needed is because they suffered during the pandemic. Why didn't they apply for The Covid Relief Fund and exhaust all those options only resorting to hiking the public if no other sources were available.

Watch the Nassau County Board Meetings recordings on their website https://www.ncbaabb.com

This is only bridge charging a toll in Nassau County though it is run by a public benefit company. Empty promises to remove the toll after construction was complete resulted in an increase in the tolls. Two.

We know money for maintenence of the bridge and repairs is necessary. But bridge-goers want to understand if those toll hikes were necessary and how you got there. If money is needed, charge the toll increase to non-residents of Nassau County, not Atlantic Beach and Barrier island residents if no other source of funding from the government is available.

The public is entitled to ask questions and receive answers. What happened in the last few months that caused another toll hike planned for the new year, despite their promise to refrain from toll hikes for another five to ten years? Having a hike to $2 to $3 for passenger vehicles, since 17 years, does not answer the question.

Annual decals and pass cards are no longer in effect in year 2024. EZ-Pass cashless tolling replaced annual decals as of December 13th, 2023.

We welcome its arrival and embrace the new Era of Ez-Pass. Bravo, NCBA Commissioners, board members, change-makers and volunteers. Well done! 

Tolls are only payable by cash for $4 each way if you don't register with Ez-Pass. We leave wiggle room for growing pains as it settles into its new home and hope for the best. Ez-Pass should be our ticket to driving convenience in our Uber Lyft world. We have grown up. Hooray!

That said, however, we hope that the transition becomes less shaky as it gets its sea legs. The new registrants need information and reassurance how that the NCBA can help fix their problems. Stay the course.

 

 

 

 

News12 TV Interviews with residents about Ez Pass glitches. Applying for Ez-Pass was not so easy. Many residents need refunds for the $8 roundtrip tolls paid in cash, until the system is fixed. The NCBA said no to to refunds but the residents will go back now and ask the NCBA again.

We have been told by related parties on behalf of the Nassau County Bridge Authority, that if the residents of Atlantic Beach or Long Beach Barrier Island don't like the tolls or toll hikes, we should move away or use the other free bridge over five miles away just to get their destinations over the Atlantic Beach bridge where they work, shop, or otherwise contribute to society. Add another five miles to get where we want to go shopping in Cedarhurst. Atlantic Beach has no shops or supermarkets. Moving away is not an acceptable option.

 The Nassau County Bridge Authority is a public benefit company meant to serve the public as a draw bridge not the public to serve the NCBA. All public benefit companies are not outside of accounting to the public, free wheeling, or above the law. Thus, Open Meetings Law and Freedom Of Information Law exists to protect the public's right to know how toll income is being spent and to be treated equally and fairly.

Check out our interview in Newsday that breaks the toll rates and hikes down. There is a learning curve as we are creatures of comfort. It seems like there are too many different rates. Our heads are spinning.

Our hopes and needs: Make it fair and simple. Make the cash toll for passenger vehicles, the same as the Ez-Pass discounted rate of $2.50 ($5 roundtrip) for Nassau County with Atlantic Beach free and $1.50 ($3 roundtrip) for The Long Beach Barrier Island. $8 round trip for residents is a big ask. Rescind all the toll hikes of 2023 and upcoming 2024. Let's show you why...Let this serve to bridge the disconnect between the Nassau County Bridge Authority and bridge-goers.

Watch an excerpt of a Channel 12 News Interview with Alexis Pace, local advocate, teacher, board member on the Long beach school system, former candidate for Legislator, with our group, Atlantic Beach & Neighbors Covering Our Rally Calling for the Nassau County Bridge Authority To Rescind The Toll Hike of the Atlantic Beach Bridge and Make Their Financials Public

 

 

 

 

Read This Article on NewsBreak

These changes impact everyone who traverses the bridge especially those who make their home in or work in Atlantic Beach, The Long Beach Barrier Island also comprising East Atlantic Beach, The Atlantic Beach Estates, Long Beach, Island Park, Lido Beach, as well as The Five Towns, Long Island, Far Rockaway and visitors. A staggering 40,000 plus residents in the Long Beach Barrier Island alone depend heavily on the bridge for access to and from the Island, being the only bridge on the western part of the Long Beach Barrier Island. That adds up ultimately to millions of dollars per year of income from tolls. If at least one million profit is made minimum per year, what is agenda? How is our money being spent?

The Nassau County Bridge Authority reported over Eleven Million dollars in assets for year 2022 and Fifteen Million thereafter. We need a comprehensive audit to clarify if the hike is justified or excessive. They claim that the hike is needed to cover expenses for future capital improvements of the bridge because they are in debt. Later, the reason given for the drive for profit and toll hike is in anticipation of inflation. This is confusing. We want to understand

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nassau County Bridge Authority felt our presence as increased numbers of residents packed their waiting room in order to speak directly one at a time to them at their board meetings in the summer of 2023. As a result of recommendations made by the Authorities Budget Office, arising from a complaint, the Nassau County Bridge Authority engaged in better interaction with the public. Residents were heard and acknowledged face to face. Sadly, this progress was only temporary. Rates for this year of 2024 have not improved from the hikes in 2022 to 2023. There is only a gesture of a Fifty Cent discount to Barrier Island residents if they register with EZ-Pass for $169 annual or $199 for Nassau County. Otherwise, for an annual Ez-Pass for non-residents double that at $349. You heard that right. Though in comparison, rates are reduced if you pay upfront in one lump sum for an annual plan of Ez-Pass. For those who don't buy the annual plan, a cash toll for single passenger vehicle rides are still $3 for residents with Ez-Pass or in cash, and more, $4, without Ez-Pass for residents and non-residents of the Barrier Island. Our heads are spinning.

 

Extreme toll amounts are still unchanged without improvement from the hike in 2023, unfair, for commercially registered vans and trucks which is deterimental to commerce and businesses especially the persons and families, residents and non-residents that pay those toll hikes in the end. The burden on residents, non-residents, and businesses is disregarded in the interest of profit. It gets worse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is one of the most traveled bridges in New York State.

1. Traffic explodes during the summertime, flowing back to back, to and from, often round drips, the Long Beach Barrier Island, mixing residents with increasing number visitors from outside Nassau County seeking hard earned respite and fun over the bridge. The quaint seaside Village of Atlantic Beach, on south shore of Long Island, connects them to the NY-878 Nassau Expressway in Lawrence and direct access to the Rockaway Peninsula. Only from there can they come and go to Queens, and head towards or exit New York City. But, the scenic beauty of the area is belied by the new ugly predicament posed by the toll increase. It is crossed by vehicles about 6 million times annually. That's a lot of commuters unhappy about paying a toll let alone a substantial increase.

The toll hike comes at a very bad time.

1. Families are already struggling due to inflation and the rising costs of home ownership or rental housing besides other basic necessities like food and gas.
2. The cost of food rose 5.7% from June 2022 to June 2023. Government assistance SNAP food benefits, increased only over 3%. Depending upon the size of your family, a benefit of $600 would only increase to $622. This deficit compounds the burden for food banks, low income desperate to feed their family or single household.
3. Social security income due to disability, makes another income source impossible due to illness or compromises qualifying for the social security income.

4. The cost of groceries and maintaining a home are the top concerns of more than 6 in 10 Long Islanders, according to a new poll.

   The Siena College Research Institute found equal numbers of local residents — 65% and 64% — said prices for groceries and running a house are either a very serious or somewhat serious problem. The survey question referred to rent and mortgage payments, property taxes and repairs. Then, paying then over 64 percent in 2023 poll of Long islanders in nassau, known as an affluent area, and suffolk counties said utilities such as fuel for heat and gas besides water is a strain.

5. Covid changed the family dynamic and many families stayed that way eversince. The millions of dollars, squeezed out of the pockets of bridge goers for the toll increase, residents and non-residents alike, could be circulated back into commerce increasing business and cash flow on the Barrier Island, stimulating the economy instead of unfairly excessive monies elsewhere. 
6. 12,000 people are being layed off by UPS shipping services. Demand is reduced 7.4 percent daily domestically. People can't afford to spend as much as they did purchasing items online or otherwise. Restorting to cheaper deals on Amazon, Amazon now uses their own delivery services that may contribute to UPS demand reduction.

The older population is especially hit hard.

1. They are forced to seek government assistance to pay for heat or other utilities which is generally a one shot deal or even for rental cash assistance. The added expense of the toll even causes a stress to government assistance funds.              
   
2. The toll increase is even higher there than inside Nassau County. The rate of the toll should be based upon place of residency not registration. Add the cost of tolls for necessary workers who provide services that keep their household running, from cleaning to caregivers needed to take care of young children or elderly parents at home, an increasing scenario since covid, or both especially when both spouses are working.                                        
3. This is compounded by the already heavy burden of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic still causing widespread illness, consequently, periods of unemployment over and over again, as people contract multiple bouts from different strains of the virus, and increased expenses that require replenishing from buying masks, and medicine to food deliveries.
4. ONE THIRD of all Long Islanders are drowning in the cost of their mortgages. The burden is substantially worse for the SIX PERCENT of Long Islanders who are already straining below the low income status. The last thing they need is to add an unnecessary expense of hundreds of dollars per year just for an unjustified toll hike per car just to enter and exit their home and/or business. These are dangerous waters.

5. Almost three million New York households are dealing with housing costs that consume more than 30% of their household income, with 1 in 5 households experiencing a severe cost burden of more than 50% of their income going to pay for housing, according to a report by State Comptroller DiNapoli. 

   “For too many New Yorkers, finding and keeping an adequate and affordable place to live has become more and more difficult,” DiNapoli said. “Rising costs are stretching household budgets and forcing trade-offs with other essentials, like food and health care. The consequences of housing insecurity are wide-ranging and while low-income renters are the most cost-burdened, these financial pressures are increasingly felt by middle class households. Action is needed by all levels of government.”

6. Long Covid is becoming more common. People find it difficult to work like they used to which also burdens family who try to support them, and for those without that support system circumstances could be financially devastating, even causing them to need to sell their homes or downsize elsewhere. The government has cancelled their covid emergency financial support for low income on supplemental food benefits and unemployment programs among others.
7. Any other covid relief funds are not being publicized by local government if they are available. Everyone will be be feeling the fear without that safety net. One in five patients with Covid develop Long Covid. Income suffers an average of twenty percent leading to unemployment. Millions of Americans suffer COVID-19 symptoms months or years after their initial infection. Many experience loss of income, even as they face rising health care costs. Watch a personal story here.                      
8. The toll increase is the last straw all this weight can’t bear. Non-residents who work in the Barrier Island need to work longer hours and more days due to the added burden of the toll increase. Many are young saving for college and their salaries are limited working for the summer only. They are more likely to buy single passes, not being able to afford more cash in advance for a volume of passes at once. The cost of gas and car insurance already takes a big bite out of their income.
9. They're subject to the highest tolls and costs coming often from outside Nassau County, though they are a necessary asset, especially during the summer when beachgoers flood the Barrier Island and residents and visitors expect amenities to enjoy at beach-clubs and restaurants.             

 

 

 

 

 

 

The older population is especially hit hard.

 

1. Mobility limitations transferring in and out of vehicles rule out mass transit as an option. They depend on medical transportation and others on Uber or Lyft rides who often have to pay single pass tolls now increased which is passed back to the rider.
2. If the car is registered outside Nassau County, the toll is even higher. $8 roundtrip. Residents are scrambling to re-resiger their vehicle in the place of residence in order ro save the excess cost. The goal to earn more profit from car registration is back-firing and at the incomvenience of the busy resident who needs a computer and saavy to do it. 
   Double that for round trips. $349 with EZ-Pass but not everyone drives. So, you are back to $8 roundtrip. The toll increase creates undue hardship especially on the lives of retired residents and the disabled who are on fixed incomes like social security or public assistance with no room for toll increases in the budget.
3. Those who paid for an annual decal in 2023, are paying twice for many months unused, when their decal expires in the end of the year 2023 and they pay for Ez-Pass in January 2024. Where is the refund?
4. At a time of such widespread food insecurity, especially prevalent in the elderly, unemployed, or low income households, a toll increase is inhumane.
5. The toll increase compromises the personal health care of the elderly or disabled residents who need long term care. This applies to most older residents who moved to the Barrier Island in its early years.         

6. A growing share of people with low and fixed incomes will struggle to afford appropriate housing in the coming decade, as the number of older Americans is expected to skyrocket, Harvard researchers said in a recent report. By 2040, the number of households headed by someone age 80 or older will balloon to 17 million, according to the report.

   "There is a good news part of this, in that it's not a bad thing that there are a lot more older people living longer," Jennifer Molinsky, the report's lead author, told USA TODAY. "We just don't have the housing and supports that we need for this growing population."

   Because incomes decline later in life, especially after around age 80, people with the lowest incomes and the most serious health problems will have the hardest time affording both housing and necessary health care and assistance, Molinsky said.

   "The older population is growing especially at those ages when people's incomes are going down," Molinsky said, adding that people in their 60s and 70s often have significantly higher incomes than octogenarians.

   The report's findings match other data showing a growing number of Americans will struggle with housing costs later in life, said Linna Zhu, a fellow at the Urban Institute whose research focuses on housing for older adults...

7. 
8. The toll that deterred many personal care aides from taking cases in the Barrier Island due to modest salaries, now causes the agency to refuse cases labeling the area as difficult to service. It is no longer safe to live here. Our welfare is at riak.
9. The cost of living is unaffordable or maxing out in many households, especially the elderly or retired or those with large or growing families whose budget is exhaused or strained.
10. They may be surviving on loans from credit cards or reverse equity against their homes. A toll increase they are forced to pay may break their back and cause them to re-prioritize allocated income meant for essential bills.
11. With little option, they may need to refinance their mortgage, or apply for one, plummeting them deeper into debt that they can’t recover from or catch up. And what will they do, what will happen when a few months of missing mortgage payments, comes due with a foreclosure notice? An Offer In Compromise may not be acknowledged or approved by the mortgage bank. HUD counseling agencies can't always help beyong submitting an Offer In Compromise installments plan by a deadline to refinance to a lower rate. The Department of Treasury could add a 100k fee a hardship loan by the SBA is very late. Who will save them? Nobody.                                                                 
12. It won’t take much for that to happen when additional necessary expenses arise like out of pocket cost for medicines or co-pays that are not fully covered by their Medicare, AARP supplemental or private health insurance or even Medicaid.
13. The insurance premiums themselves consumes much of social security income. The cost of supplemental insurance rose 8.7 percent for year 2024 which translates to approximately $360 for the year.
14. Many elderly or retired or low income or just older citizens must rely on multiple health insurance policies in order to keep out of pocket expenses to a minimum. This expense takes priority over an unnecessary or excessive toll.
15. Nearly 14,000 people or one-third of Long Islanders who bought insurance on the exchange last year signed up for plans in "catastrophic" or bronze tiers, which have high deductibles, according to data from the state Department of Health. These tiers have the cheapest but not cheap, premiums, but highest out-of-pocket costs on the exchange out of necessity due to their medical needs. Out of pocket expenses are maxed already before having to find a way to fit in toll hikes.

Delivery services such as for food or laundry and other services

1. that residents have relied on often for years to make their lives easier, stopped serving the area due to the toll increase or others have had to double their delivery fees. Residents have had to stop patronizing their valued stores and services and are at a loss to replace them. It is a sad change forced upon them. It is cost prohibitive and impractical to continue to give their food or laundry or other services that use the bridge, the business any longer. The toll increase is another local pandemic hurting people and businesses.
2. Small vans used by local stores even in the Rockaways or other place over the bridge that needs to deliver to Atlantic Beach or the Long Beach Barrier Island, delivering groceries or other food, are subject as a commercial van to $16 toll roundtrip. This with the other actual expenses such as gas and labor get passed to the resident. The cost of a food delivery even a few bags, should not be subject to a charge as a van even if originally registered as a commercial van if they are delivering necessities like food. Otherwise, patronizing the local business, especially small supermarkets or butchers that residents depend on to supply them or fill their specific need for kosher requirements, a reasonable sized population, in order to feed their large family, will suffer the loss of income. The food order becomes impractical and likely unaffordable at $24 per trip or more if more than one delivery is needed especially on an important but small food order. The cost of delivery may cost half or equal to the cost of the food forcing the family to lose the food they need in order to afford delivery. 
3. Contractors and other businesses are harmed by the Atlantic Beach bridge toll hike                                                         Channel 12 Interview  Mario Borriello, a contractor whose business is closely linked to the bridge, now has to pay $8 instead of $4 to cross. He says that is too much for him to make ends meet.  
   "Every time I go over, it's eight bucks," Borriello says. "So, if I go over four or five times, it adds up."
   He says he is driving four and a half miles out of his way to use the free bridge in Long Beach.
   Vans and small trucks have to pay the $8 price tag to cross the bridge, medium trucks are $12 and heavy trucks are $16.
4. Ben Freiser, former owner of Beginnings Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, says the higher cost will likely be placed on him with more expensive shipments. He is also concerned some customers might not cross the bridge as often.
   "I'm a seasonal business owner so any increase I get this time of year, whether it's a dollar, 50 cents, it's a really hard hit," Freiser says.
5. As local businesses adjust to Long Island’s new $16 minimum wage increase, some employers said they are concerned about the impact increased labor costs are having on their ability to compete in an already high-priced business environment. If they are concerned about their their ability to operate profitably and compete with out of state businesses, adding a toll hike to their list of expenses, could be devastating to their ability to survive.
6. Suffice it to say the toll increase lowers the morale of each person and collectively of the 40,000 plus residents of the Atlantic Beach, Long Beach Barrier Island, not to mention, The Rockaways, 5Towns, Long Island, and everyone else that needs to use the bridge. No east feat. Congratulations is not in order.

The toll hike even diminishes the value of real estate and suppresses the market potential.

1. Prospective home buyers or renters are deterred seeking to avoid the unnecessary cost of the toll increase. In light of the already substantial property tax necessary to be a resident, adding the toll increase which could add up to a few thousand dollars just for one car daily for the year, makes it not worth the move. Many find residency just too costly, in comparison to the many other places to live especially for families with more than one car, the main group seeking to plant their roots.
2. Many prospective buyers and renters are lost to the toll increase. It is kinda hard to hide the glaring downside of living here, that is the toll and toll increase amidst the selling points. The toll increase does not increase the sense of exclusivity of Atlantic Beach and surrounding towns of the Barrier Island, already imparted by their breathtaking sunsets spanned by sparkling oceans or bay views and special amenities.
3. The toll hike does not deter or mitigate or obstruct crime. Financial frustration that could be stimulated by the toll hike catalyzes crime. The bridge slows traffic to a pause, as a structural aide to calm overflow of traffic. The toll increase does not instill calm. The toll and its hike only isolates adversely keeping potential commerce away and narrowing the market of buyers. The toll is imposed in bad faith.                      

Residents with larger families, a growing population, who have multiple cars,

1. some with adult children living at home, and those whose cars are registered outside Nassau County are taking the biggest hit.                                           .                                        
2. The toll increase is even higher there than inside Nassau County. The rate of the toll should be based upon place of residency not registration. Add the cost of tolls for necessary workers who provide services that keep their household running, from cleaning to caregivers needed to take care of young children or elderly parents at home, an increasing scenario since covid, or both especially when both spouses are working.                                        
3. Covid changed the family dynamic and many families stayed that way eversince. Families must spend more to care for aging parents or children at home. Medical and living expenses greatly increased. Spending is a priority for those expenses and can't be a priority for a toll.            
4. The toll increase crushes the already stressed family budget, that needs all it can to support living expenses for growing children like for school supplies, clothes, medicines, and food, as well as expenses like gas and insurance for multiple cars for necessary services.                                                    
5. Some families are young, just starting out and need to work two jobs or have a two person income household in order to make ends meet.
6. The added burden of the toll increase is double on a daily basis and sacrifices in the budget stresses relationships causing the family unit to suffer.
7. Covid changed the family dynamic and many families stayed that way eversince. Families must spend more to care for aging parents or children at home. Medical and living expenses greatly increased. Spending is a priority for those expenses and can't be a priority for a toll.            

 

 

 

 

 

The Long Beach Barrier island is vulnerable to environmental disasters being in the flood zone. Homeowners and business were destroyed or severely damaged.

1. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused devastation to homes, property, lives and even strain on government funds.
2. New York Rising, a local government assistance program stopped before needs for help tapered. It offered to provide costs to elevate homes for mitigation of damage for future flooding for those who qualified. It was not for repairs without elevation. Disbursement of funds were years slow to contractors and homeowners. This situation exacerbated prolonged repairs. Homeowners and businesses had to go out of pocket to make repairs in order to cover the extensive timelines between disbursements provided in installments.
3. Flood insurance carriers underpaid and were sued in the masses by environmental lawyers who revealed fraud by Fema also. 
4. Due to the lawsuits, FEMA instituted a reconsideration program for underpaying and altering reports. 
5. However, FEMA did not live up to their promises, even refusing to comply with signed proof of loss agreements they offered.
6. The courts failed to cause sufficient reimbursement to homeowners and businesses. 
7. Homeowners insurance and flood insurance carriers underpaid insurance holders forcing them to go out of pocket to remediate and  make repairs and even replace cars. Those living below grade were barely covered relying on friends and neighbors or churches and temples for help.
8. Flood insurance carriers increased premiums more than double to making it cost prohibitive to many after the storm reassignment of homes into flood zones such as for the Barrier Island being the worst.

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Last year, an average flood insurance premium in the Barrier Island could be approximately $1600 but $5,000 for certain homes.
2. Many are still paying for repairs living in a compromised state never made whole.
3. The Barrier Island sustained hurricanes and storms year after year or even sooner. Hurricane Irene and others.
4. The burden is compounded as the insurance carriers raise prices.
5. The storms forced insured to increase necessary living costs for survival from generators, to pumps and food to batteries and flashlights and evacuation to alternate lodging in other towns or cities.
6. Paying for hotel or motel rooms for months made replacing cars or other necessities difficult or impossible.
7. Further, food costs increased living away shorting the budget for rent of alternate lodging forcing people to go back home before the home was fully remediated or repaired.

EZ-PASS HAS SOME KINKS TO IRON OUT

1. Installation did not run seamlessly as the Nassau County Bridge Authority thinks despite testing. Testing wasn't sufficiently thorough.
2. 
3.  

The toll increase is excessive, unfair, and detrimental to all aspects of daily living in every age bracket, in every situation, in every town or city. A drawbridge should be a public service not act like a profit centered private company.      

TRANSPARENCY OF TOLL INCOME & EXPENSES IS OVERDUE 

1. The public should not have to resort to making FOIL requests for information.
2. Nassau County Bridge Authority Violated Open Meetings Law, Freedom of Information Law, and others according to the Authorities Budget Office and The Long island Herald Newspaper  There are still some corrections to make in response to ABO recommendations to a handful of reports. Numerous complaints were filed by attorneys and accountants based upon their personal experiences with the NCBA. 
3. The NCBA continues to make mistakes despite multiple complaints which resulted in extensive recommendations by the ABO, a government reporting agency. They started to make improvements adding a compliance section on their website. The public was hopeful improvements would continue. It increased transparency. However, progress, regressed into unfair and unequal treatment of the public, even muting brief minutes, during in November's board meeting.
4. Recently, they did not permit one to one conversation, in audio, with the residents who attended the Board Meeting though the NCBA put them into zoom from the waiting room. The NCBA said on their website that inviting live comments is a health risk. So, why not by zoom? Listen but not speak and record without permission.
5. The front gate was locked though the board meetings are open to the public.
6. This is a violation to ADA compliance besides OML. Someone using a wheelchair won't be able to safely enter without someone else lifting their assisting device and medical equipment over the side rail and the disabled party jumping over to get inside to the path to the front door of the office building. If they want to lock out press, though they are a part of the public, the NCBA should have a separate gate just for the public who are disabled.
7. They closed the gate to the public also when there is press attending which compromises the public comprising residents and other bridge-goers to enter in order to get to the front door.
8. Though Open Meetings Law does not obligate public bodies to invite participation of the public during board meetings, it is silent on that. However, if there is participation, OML obligates the public body to treat the public fairly and equally.
9. Receiving income from a toll with millions of dollars in assets of our money, is only ethical for them to invite our questions and comments in zoom.
10. Whether we pay $1 or millions, we are entitled to ask questions. After all they included our involvement as a guest, watching us and listening as wanted, inviting visual messages from us even seeing or reading our written messages on screen.      
11. The New York State Committee on Open Governments finds meetings scheduled too early or too late unreasonable. The NCBA changed the time of a recent board meeting to 10:30am from 6:30pm when most people are at work at their jobs needing to support themselves or family. As such, that early morning time for the board meeting is unreasonable. The public needs the NCBA board meetings to be held on a regular basis after their work hours end close to 6:30pm.                               
12. The Authorities Budget Office published this limited version report.
13.  There are others. More in depth.
14. The Nassau County Bridge Authority has not released complete financials to the public. Opinions by third party auditors conflict the NCBA reports. Without that information, an increase in the toll can’t be justified. In fact, with incomplete information only based upon an annual report and financial statement, the toll hike is NOT justified according to third party accounting reviews. Further audits for most recent years may be necessary to clarify and finalize a conclusion if they may not have been in debt and the hike was not due to debt but to accrue profit whether for maintenance and repairs or other expenses or in anticipation of inflation. It is understood that money is needed for maintanance and repairs besides payroll and benefits. The public would accept a hike if it were justified but how much would be fair and if it were the last resort to burden the public.
15. Now that Ez-Pass cashless tolling is installed, the public wants to know how it is paid for. Is the cost 5 million and does the MTA contribute or reimburse? Are two toll hikes from year 2022 and one planned for 2024 that doubles that, warranted in part or fully?
16. Approximately, THREE MILLION in salaries and benefits is projected according to their interview with Newsday.                                     
17.  The residents need transparency that would explain where the toll income is going and if the increase is necessary. NCBA costs will decrease due to automation and the need for fewer employees with the installation of Ez Pass and cashless tolls, not increase as they claim.
18. A citizens committee involved inside or outside as a liaison with the NCBA would have kept the public better informed of goings on such as advance notice of Ez Pass and how toll income is spent. They should have a say or make comments in all NCBA activities as advocates for residents and non-residents who use the bridge. The original volunteers had no say and were disbanded.
19. Important repairs for the bridge are still needed. There is capital from their toll income not yet spent needed for proper maintenance and safety improvements for vehicles as well as for pedestrians and cyclists.
20. The NCBA should examine their financials to exhaust alternate sources of income and make an increase in the tolls a last resort. Meetings with the NCBA failed to produce results. Thus, the public rallied as the force of one louder voice speaking out to be heard.
21. There are alternate sources of income from government programs such as Covid Relief fund. NCBA financials claim that Covid reduced their toll income. The toll increase should not be imposed upon the public. In light of the Nassau County who has jurisdiction over the program and appoints commissioners of the NCBA, the NCBA should have knowledge of this source.
22. Why can't our taxes be applied to pay some or all bridge expenses like the other bridge in Nassau County?
23. Isn't it our right how we choose to spend OUR MONEY? Outside of taxes, there are few, if no, other mandatory rules.
24. We should be so grateful for the bridge and toll hikes after 17 years, that we should not be entitled to ask questions or be made to feel disrespected as a resident? If we don't ask questions or discuss high costs of food with our supermarket, then why should we be entitled to question toll increases. In fact, some do ask and supermarket managers and owners, have helped with discounts on groceries or volume purchases of certain products needed. And if we ask questions to learn about how toll income is being spent, then we are unappreciative of the hard work of the NCBA. Of course, we still appreciate their efforts. The topper is that the resident who doesn't like the toll or accept the increase costs without question, should move away. And, if we need to go shopping ten minutes away over the bridge or run necessary errands, we should drive miles away using the free bridge in order to get there. Thanks for setting us straight. Thank you for the lesson. I am the better for it. After all, our judgement is poor having jobs that don't pay an impressive salary or any salary if charitable. We are ignorant despite having paid taxes over decades. The lesson was educational. These messages were made on behalf of the NCBA on their front steps by those closely tied. This is confusing. Isn't the Nassau County Bridge Authority a public benefit company? If we all move away, who is going to pay the tolls and increases. Isn't that advice or instruction counter-productive? And, as such we are entitled to transparency in compliance with Open Meetings Law. Isn't open government designed to protect and respect our rights? Are they ungrateful for making rules so we can ask questions? Thank goodness for the New York State Committee of Open Government and the Authorities Budget Office.

Therefore, for the sake of all the residents both personally and as a community, both economically and their quality of life, it is essential that the toll increase be rescinded and the strain of that extra cost be alleviated as soon as possible. To Start:

1. The residents of Atlantic Beach and neighbors of The Long Beach Barrier Island (comprising also East Atlantic Beach, Atlantic Beach Estates, Long Beach, Island Park, Lido Beach, Point Lookout) as well as Far Rockaway, The Five Towns, Long Island, and those employed or who visit there, together with support from:

- The Long Beach Latino Civic Association, Inc.

- Edgemere Community Civic

 Association, Inc. for Far Rockaway,

- Other Civic Associations, 

- Housing Associations and others

DEMAND THAT THE NASSAU COUNTY BRIDGE AUTHORITY RESCIND ALL TOLL HIKES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND MAKE THEIR FINANCIALS PUBLIC.

Your consideration of our collective concerned voice on this matter would be greatly appreciated at your earliest possible convenience. We all anxiously await your reply and pray for your assistance.

Please kindly reach us by email as soon as possible.

Also we would also like to discuss some crucial safety improvements for the bridge once you are available. Also, once the toll hike is rescinded, we respectfully request to discuss making the toll free to residents of Atlantic Beach and healthcare workers and if any toll, then discounted to other areas, and a list of other needs that the people call for. 

P.S.; Your kind attention to the personal comments of these residents and non-resident bridge-goers is requested…

*****Reasons For Signing ******

--------------- COMMENTS --------------

 

 

 

 

 

HARVEY WEISENBERG

Former New York Assemblyman, Humanitarian, Foundation owner, lifeguard, policeman, advocate for disabled and children with disabilities, author, spokesperson.

I support you, this petition. The toll is a burden to the people who live here and to businesses. People depend on this bridge to live here, residents and non-residents. The toll is not fair to them.

it makes the cost to live here unaffordable. I am for what is good for the people. That is our priority not money.

https://youtu.be/90W_wKhqKBs?si=mr0v4kwEt5jKlZkr

Alexis Pace, Long Beach School Board Member, activist, former candidate for Legislator, District 4, Nassau County, New York 

These toll hikes unfairly burden our residents and businesses, potentially harm our local economy, and make it less affordable to live and work here.

As Legislator, I will demand a comprehensive audit of the Nassau County Bridge Authority finances, and that they rescind the toll hike to start...

I am committed to fighting for Nassau County, District 4, and Atlantic Beach.

Together, we can hold the Nassau County Bridge Authority accountable to ensure it serves our best interests.

Helen Dorado Alessi, Long Beach Latino Civic Association

For many working people the bridge is their only access to employment. Due to ever increasing cost of living a toll increase for them would be a significant obstacle to getting to work. LB Latino Civic Association and its members are in favor of keeping toll costs where they currently are and not increasing the burden on working people.

Anonymous, Atlantic Beach

Charging tolls is a sin. The toll or where the toll income is going is a waste outside of necessary maintenance and safety improvements. It is not being used to advance thw welfare of the People or elevate their quality of life not to mention, the status that the residents pride themselves on inherent to the exclusivity that makes their town special. This is very worrisome. The toll hike is in fact of dire consequence. Nassau County should operate it with our taxes. The priorities of our local government is scary. Something is very wrong. PLEASE KNOW: For all the “pocket” change paid in over my lifetime as a resident, not only could that had paid for a car, but repairs from hurricane sandy, and life saving medicine for my aging mother. MOST IMPORTANTLY, the MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COULD HAVE BOUGHT US MORE AMBULANCES. My mother suffered and died as a result of this local emergency healthcare system. She had an obviously acute hemorrhagic stroke/bleed in the brain that needed emergent surgery. Instead, she was taken against her will to the local hospital that has no neurosurgery unit and was not given the hospitals ambulance to transfer her to another hospital because Columbia was not in their system. She was told to wait for a pick up which ended up being FOUR HOURS later. Her stroke expanded and obliterated her beautiful brain.

This happened because the local ambulance company refused to drop her off at the comprehensive stroke center in Manhassat, Northshore University Hospital though she insisted she wanted to go there. And she was right. They rush to dump patients off at St. Johns because its closer though has no neurosurgery. They rush because they need or want to get their ambulance back for the next patient. They do not have enough ambulances and/or greed somewhere doesn't want them to. A mobile stroke unit, stroke ambulance, costs 1.2 million dollars. We could have pritoritized our millions of dollars in toll “change” to buying a few stroke care ambulances. That would have saved many lives and averted anguish of disability. A police officer while waiting online for the emergency room, told me that the local government and EMS ambulance company knows the need but is not acting on it because of money. I would have been proud to say I live here. HOW DARE YOU ALL. SHAME ON YOU I SAY TO THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THIS PROBLEM OR PLAYED SILENT. My mother could have had surgery on time and not suffered. That will be our next petition. An apology would be patronizing.

Apologize by either causing the toll and hike, what a joke, to be completely rescinded… AND GIVING THE PEOPLE THEIR STROKE AMBULANCES. WE COULD HAVE HAD FIVE AMBULANCES IN NASSAU COUNTY MANY YEARS OVER. An average of six people per day are getting hit by strokes per day in one of Nassau County’s hospital. Nassau County has over ten hospitals. That is approximately 20,016 strokes. Even half of that statistic is stunning and tragic. Imagine…Many stroke emergencies may be subject to the same emergency internal policies of the business managers running the emergency protocal. IF IT WAS THE FAMILY OF THE NCBA AND THOSE SUPPORTING IT, I’M SURE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GRATEFUL FOR A LIFE SAVING STROKE AMBULANCE. PLEASE RECIND the toll hike and use the toll to buy stroke ambulances and related medical services. Where is all that toll money going? We need transparency.

The toll hike is patronizing. You think we don't know where our money is going? All we know is that is is being siphoned out slyly as if its spare change we don't need.
The hike is the last straw. Bridge goers have been taken advantage of because they are trapped in the dependency of the bridge to live our lives. There should not be two sides, the bridge authority versus The People. Profit vs. public service. 

Expect to hear the roar of the people. This is us taking notice. Together. We pray that you will cherish us as we have cherished our Atlantic Beach, The Long Beach Barrier Island, Far Rock, Lido, Island Park, Long Island, and elsewhere. My mother was a beloved “original” of Atlantic Beach who planted roots in 1962 and she lived out her entire life in the house my father built there for her taking care of family. She was the essence of Atlantic Beach. It’s a rainy day when adoring neighbors don’t see her taking her daily strolls proudly taking in the joy of her home, her village. The toll increase has darkened the view outside our windows. We have cherished and supported our local government. Will they take care of us?

Miles G. Atlantic Beach

I ordered meat and groceries from my  butcher/supermarket for my family. I don’t drive. I am elderly. To my shock I learned that I was charged $22 plus tip of $5 in order for them to deliver chicken from Far Rockaway to Atlantic Beach. Then I needed more food and got charged again because they had no other customer in AB to deliver to at that time. The company’s expenses are the toll at $16 roundtrip plus $5 for gas minimum. The charge for delivery is the company’s actual cost if not less than cost. This cost to me was $54 to take chicken in a small commercial van ten minutes away. This is insane thanks to the toll and toll híke. The toll should charge based upon contents delivered not the size of a van. It is not wearing out the bridge. Needless to say this reliable butcher supermarket which is reasonably priced and provides quality, will no longer receive my business. The toll makes the order sometimes half as much as the cost of the order. The amount I had to spend for delivery due to the toll, could have paid for more food like a few days worth, or medicines that  I need. It makes no sense to pay such exorbitant prices to receive my food order and business. It is a sad situation. No doubt all his customers in Atlantic Beach and The Long Beach Barrier Island will need to stop patronizing his business and others similarly affected and located by the size of their food or laundry delivery vans. The toll makes my food order cost prohibitive and not practical, unaffordable. We will miss him and the level of service that’s of great value to my family. Commerce to and for the Long Beach Barrier Island is going down the tubes single handedly by the toll and increase. Our local government has encouraged the toll increase. How is this possible knowing the serious consequences to thousands of residents and visitors? And what is the priority or who needing to receive so much of my money? I am on a limited income but even if I had the freedom of no budget, the toll and increase is unacceptable. Nobody wants to be reckless with their hard earned money or public assisted benefits.

Judy Jaffe, Atlantic Beach

First off I am 85 years old. I have lived in the Five Town area (mostly Atlantic Beach) since the 1960s. Last year was the first year that I did not buy a decal. I bought one for the previous 53 years; Therefore, I was not permitted to purchase a decal at a reduced price. I purchased a card instead. Today I tried to use a card to find out there are no more crossings on the card. I didn’t know because the machines that that record the crossings available on the card did not work. I was told that I could not buy a card at that booth and would have to pay the full crossings amount. I had to back up and go to another booth to purchase a card. Seriously frustrated in Atlantic Beach (my home now for over 40 years). Who is making these horrendous changes? And whose pockets are getting full?

Lorena M., Inwood and working in Atlantic Beach

I am an aide taking personal care of a dependent elderly bedridden resident of Atlantic Beach. I work 12 hour shifts almost everyday but often I have to work overtime to fill in shifts other aides should work. The agency who I work for can’t find any other aides to fill the shifts so I end up working sometimes 24-36 hours straight, back to back. This is to exhausting, and bad for my health. I do it to help the man and his family. The agency has to pay overtime but they often won’t. They only pay my usual rate. They take advantage of me and other aides. They say that it is the agency policy is not to pay overtime. I have no time to buy food or do errands for myself and can’t catch up on sleep. Most aides won’t take cases in Atlantic Beach or Long Beach because they have to pay a toll. It is an unnecessary and avoidable expense. They take cases elsewhere. We work hard for small salaries compared to the work, and can’t afford to give away any extra income. After taxes my income is small and I can’t afford all my living expenses. Aides and healthcare workers, should not have to pay any toll or at least refund it immediately if using Ez-Pass or other system. They should be given pre-paid passes. Many aides will still avoid the bridge if the toll is discounted. Please help as soon as possible!