SPECIAL: Open letter to local legislators

Dear Local Legislators,

My name is Fay Faron and I am president of Friends of the Ferry and a former CCCD Task Force member, one of seven who voted to recommend renewing the tolls on the Crescent City Connection Bridge.  I am writing on behalf of the non-sign-waving public who feel the same. 

As I am sure you know, the Task Force studied every aspect of this issue and contributed hundreds of hours, individually and collectively, to thoroughly explore if the bridge could, in fact, operate effectively should the budget drop from $27 million to zero. Sadly, the Times Picayune has never reported on WHY we came to the conclusion that the modest toll we pay was the best option for ensuring a vibrant quality of life for both the Eastbank and Westbank going forward into the future.

Most of us realized early on that the TP reporter, Paul Rioux had an obvious agenda as the focus of his articles was always whether we had the right to consider a toll option rather than report what “essential services” were at risk from losing this reliable funding source. Services like:

• A dedicated police force to remove debris and accidents and keep traffic moving
• Three ferries that keep 2.9 million users off a bridge that was already operating to capacity
• The iconic lighting that defines the New Orleans skyline, as well as street lighting beneath the bridge
• Grass-cutting, landscaping and litter pickup which the DOTD says they will abbreviate severely or eliminate entirely so our services are in line with what they maintain on other bridges
• Bridge maintenance for which the CCC Bridge would then have to compete with the state’s other 13,000 bridges and 16,000 miles of roadway via the Highway Priority Program
• Bonding capabilities which we would lose because we would have no dedicated revenue stream
• Federal funding which we would lose because we would be (1) unable to come up with matching funds and (2) we have refused to toll ourselves, the Feds have no inclination to fund our projects
• $5 million in dedicated funding via Highway Trust Fund #2 which would, without bonding, irrevocably return to the State.

Even after the Task Force report came out on February 1st, the Times Picayune never reported on our findings.  Never have they informed the public of the issues above. Their censoring of information has caused much of the public to come to the only logical conclusion: That they have nothing to lose – and a whopping forty cents to gain. After leading their readers down this path, our local legislators had little choice but to “do what the people want” - even though privately most have said that losing the tolls would be a disaster for our region. 

As you know, right now, legislators are attempting to plug up the holes left by this enormous loss of revenue.  One bill that particularly troubles me concerns the privatization of the ferries.

On the surface, it seems like a good thing that the DOTD is offering 16M for new ferries and $4M in subsidies to attract a private company to take over the ferries.  But the devil is in the details.  The deal is actually for the Chalmette ferry ONLY - with the “opportunity” to take over Algiers and Gretna.  These figures were not generated via any business plan and there is no evidence they are realistic to attract privatization. Should these arbitrary figures make it into law, and a private company who has actually done a business plan determine they cannot make a profit, they will simply pass.  And our historic ferries will be history.

The leaders of our region have agreed that tolls are essential for maintaining the services we have come to expect, both on the bridge and the ferries. That is why virtually ALL of Greater New Orleans’ civic and business organizations support the Task Force’s recommendation to renew the tolls:

• New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
• Jefferson Business Council
• Greater New Orleans, Inc.
• Transport for NOLA
• Harvey Canal Industrial Association
• Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
• Algiers Neighborhood Presidents Council
• Algiers Economic Development Foundation
• Plaquemines Assn. of Business and Industry
• St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce
• Algiers Point Association
• Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority
• Friends of the Ferry

Add to this list, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Gretna Mayor Ronnie Harris, NOLA City Councilwoman-at-large Jackie Clarkson and City Councilwoman Kristin Palmer.

Toll supporters might not be waving signs for the cameras but I do believe we make up the “silent majority.”  I have seen our members go from dedicated and determined to feeling increasingly defeated as our leaders pass on this hot potato issue.  Still, because we believe the loss of this dedicated revenue source to be so dire for our quality of life, we continue to fight – even as the clock in the Capital ticks on.

But I can assure you, if you will file a bill to renew the tolls, we are prepared to mobilize behind you. Here is our proposed course of action.

1. The Task force is available and anxious to share our findings before the Transportation Committee
2. We are setting up an online petition supporting the tolls. Our goal is 2500 signatures, starting with our newest partner, Transport for Nola’s 1500 members
3. Those individuals will then participate in a “push the button” email campaign to flood legislators statewide with letters of support for the tolls
4. When the bill comes for a vote, we have over 150 citizens committed to going to Baton Rouge to support the bill 

I realize the Governor is a huge factor in this issue but Governor Jindal has said publicly this is a “local issue.”  We intend to hold him to that.  And, of course, it is certainly in the rest of the states’ best interest to not have to share in financing the nation’s fifth busiest toll bridge. 

Please step up and be our heroes.  We are asking you to make sure we have a bill asking for toll renewal and to do all you can to ensure it passes. If you will do that for us, I can assure you “the public” will back you up on numbers that will put the sign-wavers to shame.

Fay Faron

Friends of the Ferry
Former Task Force member