Press Releases: 10/30/09 Legislators Iannello, Reynolds Call for a County Tax Abatement Law for Home Improvements 10/08/09 Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello News Release 09/30/09 Iannello Calls on County Executive to Include Tax Cut in Budget 08/26/09 IANNELLO APPOINTED CO-CHAIR OF THE NIAGARA ERIE REGIONAL COALITION BY LEGISLATURE CHAIR MARINELLI 08/07/09 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO DEFENDS PREVAILING WAGE VOTE

Michele M. Iannello - District 10 February 19, 2009 IANNELLO CALLS FOR REMOVAL BRIDGE TOLLS Cites urgent health risk as need for quick removal Erie County Legislator Michele M. Iannello (D-Kenmore) is calling upon the Governor, New York State Legislature and the New York State Thruway Authority to remove the tolls on the South Grand Island Bridge. Iannello, a long time proponent of removing the tolls for economic reasons, is using the results of a recent study by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to call for immediate action. "It is imperative that the Grand Island tolls be removed immediately. Carcinogens created by cars idling to pass through the tolls is creating an absolutely unacceptable health risk for the residents of the Tonawandas, Kenmore, Grand Island and Riverside," stated Legislator Iannello. A recent Air Monitoring Project conducted by the NYSDEC in the area around the South Grand Island bridges concluded that the benzene levels were 100 times greater than what NYSDEC considers a risk level. Benzene is considered a Class A carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A major contributor is the idling and slowing of vehicles for lengthy duration while paying tolls at the South Grand Island Bridge. Previous attempts by many elected officials have failed to have the tolls removed for economic or health reasons. "I strongly encourage the Governor to use funds from President Obama's stimulus package to make the removal of the tolls as rapid as possible," added Iannello. In a resolution submitted to the Erie County Legislature at the February 5th session, Iannello stated that benzene and emissions from idling vehicles along with benzene and other toxins from nearby industries have created a levels of pollution 100 times greater than risks as defined by DEC. Benzene is produced by vehicles using both diesel and gasoline. Back to District 10 Homepage