‘No Toll Tax!’: Protesters rally ahead of vote to explore toll options for CFMB replacement
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — When it comes to replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, the plans are still up in the air but several people made it clear what they don’t want to happen.
Scores of people came out to Dram Tree Park on Monday afternoon to protest the toll option to fund the bridge replacement.
People in the crowd toted signs that read “No Toll Tax” and “Don’t Toll Me Bro.”
Elected officials and community leaders shared with the demonstrators how a toll would negatively impact people on both sides of the bridge.
“The volunteers from 28451 area code coming across that bridge to volunteer at our hospitals, Thalian Hall, Wilson Center, Cameron Art Museum…we want to charge them to come do free work?” said Brenda Bozeman, Leland Mayor.
“Over in Brunswick we have almost 10,000 people who travel to work every day into New Hanover County,” said Shelley Allen, Brunswick County Democratic Party Chair. “My understanding is their average salary is about $40,000 per year. So this would greatly impact the people who can afford it the least.”
The rally was held ahead of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization on Wednesday. At the meeting, the WMPO is set to vote on whether or not to move forward with a study to explore a toll option for the bridge replacement.
Earlier this month, Wilmington City Council and New Hanover County Commissioners voted to pass resolutions opposing the use of tolls.
While Wednesday’s decision does not guarantee a the toll, some people fear it would mark the point of no return.
“I think what it comes down to is the idea we’re going to explore a toll. Once this train leaves the station, it’s going to happen,” said Jill Hopman, New Hanover County Democratic Party Chair. “Just like the hospital sale and that turned into a disaster. This is the same privatization of public assets and it makes me really upset as a taxpayer and a resident here.”
“This is a state asset. The State of North Carolina should make that decision. It supports a state asset, the State Ports, which also supports the entire start of North Carolina as well as the nation with goods and services,” said Bill Saffo, Wilmington Mayor and WMPO Member. “Why should the people in Brunswick County and New Hanover County have to pay for it? It’s wrong. It’s wrong on so many levels and it’s not fair to this community.”
The WMPO will meet on Wednesday at 3 pm at the New Hanover County Government Center. The public can attend and there will be a public comment portion of the meeting.
