Letter to the editor: thank you Sen. Addabbo and Assemblymember Pheffer Amato

Tom Grech is president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Photo courtesy of Queens Chamber of Commerce.

By Thomas J. Grech

To the editor:

On behalf of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, I want to publicly thank Senator Joe Addabbo and Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato for their hard work and partnership in eliminating the toll for Queens residents on the Cross Bay Memorial Bridge. Their advocacy and ability to work cooperatively with the MTA will help businesses thrive on both sides of the bridge.

Ever since the QCC’s first Queens Day in Albany, eliminating the toll has been one of our legislative priorities. We discussed it with every senator and assembly member with whom we met in Albany. The toll was an obstacle that discouraged people from visiting favorite restaurants, medical practitioners, retailers, recreational facilities and more. The issue resonated loudly with Senator Addabbo and Assemblymember Amato, who got the job done. Now all of Queens is open for business!

Thomas J. Grech, president and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce