The folks who contribute from time to time to JerseySmarts.com are not immune to this crisis. In fact, our own poetic contributor Joseph P. Martino recently sent me an editorial that he wrote about the excessive increases in the tolls. Here is Mr. Martino’s commentary, printed in full, for you to read.

HOW HIGH BRIDGE TOLLS NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE NEW JERSEY,NEW YORK AND TRI STATE AREA ECONOMY
JOSEPH P.MARTINO

The tolls on the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and metropolitan transit authority are out of control. To help reduce or defray the tolls — I think Mayor Bloomberg should sell the naming rights to all bridges to a large fortune 500 company.

If sports arenas and stadiums have corporate sponsors or branding why not the verrazano bridge? the bridge is an iconic landmark worth alot of money to a sponsor. the branding contact could run for 20 years and maybe bring the toll down a few dollars. the name ‘verrazano’ would always be retained for exp:(fictitious) the Apex Narrows Verrazano Bridge or, the Verrazano Narrows Apex Bridge.

***i would also suggest an Ezee Pass system where economist would estimate a mean annual cost for round trip travel on the verrazano bridge. REVISED: REGULAR HEAVY BUSINESS USERS COULD APPLY FOR PREPAID DISCOUNT CARD.*****

For example $2,000 dollars a year round trip total toll. the estimated $2,000 dollars could be paid up front for heavy users of the bridge offering the pre pays a discount Ezee Pass, *****card or sticker.the city/state would collect up front interest on the pre payers money.******

Regular rates would apply to non pre pays. i would like to know why 60 cents of every dollar collected from tolls on the port of (pa)new york authority bridges go to finance the world trade center? can we not find another source of revenue and stop penalizing motorist and commercial business? the consumer is further penalized because commercial companies are forced to pass along high bridge tolls to the consumer.

The high Bridge,tunnel and path tolls are anti productive to all, like all regressive tax we have reached the point of no return. as a former Brooklyn,staten island resident now living in new jersey i am forced to rations my motor trips into nyc. formerly brooklyn and staten island residents would drive to new jersey to save on clothing tax but now feel isolated and confined to their home boroughs by out of control high bridge tolls.

**the end result: lost business and loss of tax revenue for the city of new york from visitors from new jersey,Pennsylvania who have cut down on there trips to new york.. people who would normally attend movies, theatre,plays,opera,concerts,ballet, museum’s,sport events,the circus and shop and dine in the city. trucker and commercial business are forced to pass their costs to the consumer to survive the high tolls they are forced to pay.

NYC restaurants and other business like parking garages and lots are feeling the pinch in lost revenue. the total loss of business and tax loss for the city of new york/state will be enormous***. how do high bridge,tunnel and path tolls in the long term really benefit new jersey and new york economy.???????

an exploratory committee! of economist must be convened to figure out the money brought in from higher toll increases as opposed to the overall loss of business and revenue to new jersey and new york. some out of the box thinking is called for.

joseph p. martino
millburn, nj
former 70 year resident on new york city
american writer,poet,inventor,motivator (1937~)

And there you have it – one former New York City resident and current New Jersey resident’s take on the increasing cost of transportation in and around the tri-state area.

new jersey, come feel the love by joseph p.martino

new jersey is the state i’m so proud to call home, your always
on my mind when i’m away to long. just the mention of new jersey
lingers like a melody from a romantic song.
if i did not mention the wonder that is new jersey, I’d be remiss.
and if the thought or words should pass my lips, the experience

is akin to what one feels when viewing a total eclipse, that puts both mind and heart
in a state of bliss, just like a child giving their parents their very
first kiss.

the garden state is simply great, the people and scenery first rate.
the above statements are not open for debate.
history, historic cities, towns and villages and beautiful ocean resorts
in the greater atlantic city region
that line the beaches are world renown, Atlantic city like all the
rest is a world class town.
rivers, lakes, ocean and mountains too, the sights of which is to good to be
true, so come on down and enjoy the view.

copyright joseph p.martino millburn,nj travel poet, inventor, motivator.

Wonderful!

Ireland and Her People
SAINT PATRICK’S DAY

Land of pristine lakes, Verdant valleys and pastoral country side.
Sea swept coastlines, cliffs that climb up and skyward from the ocean waves.
Sun that warms both heart and summer air, casting long
Shadows upon the mist that lingers in the sweet meadow.
Music that delights the ear, while settings one’s heart a-flutter.
“Danny Boy” not just a song, but a nations “anthem”
Brilliant minds, scholars, poets, playwright, authors and men of letters.
Great universities and halls of higher learning.

Great statesman and parliamentarians.
St. Patrick her holy patron.
The harsh famines that gave way to the tidal wave of immigration that never diminished the Irish sprint and gift of laughter of her great
People who contributed resource and talent to their newly adopted home-lands.

Wow! Thanks again to Joseph P. Martino of Millburn, NJ for his great poetry!

“I have traveled far and wide but could never stay
Away for very long before feeling this yearning
Buried deep inside my soul to return to the city of
My birth, the greatest place on earth. I’m as driven
To return home as a lemming jumping off a clift,
If you get my drift.
Or a salmon swimming upstream, back to, and as fast
As possible to my beloved city by the bay.
New York City I must say.

Where else could I ride the Staten Island ferry?
Or take a breezy walk across the Brooklyn Bridge?
Visit the statue of liberty, when downtown?
The worlds symbol of freedom and liberty standing
Watch high over the harbor, elegantly dressed in her
Flowing robes torch and crown.
Where could I walk from Battery Park via Broadway’s
Canyon of heroes?
Stop off at wall street and city hall?
Eat all my favorite foods in Chinatown and little Italy,
And walk away full, but never guilty?
What a lovely way to spend a day
New York City I must say.

Where could I buy a knish or a special dish anytime
of day? Enjoy a walk through soho, the village any
“Greenwich time” of day?
Browsing and buying is an art form here, from highbrow
Galleries to vendors various works of art. talented
Artisans selling on sidewalk stands and stalls each
And every day.
New York City I must say.

The empire state building is a storied structure in more
way than one. Sitting atop 34th. street where could you go for the
Heights and see all the visionary sights in a day?
Attend an opera, ballet, recital or a play?
Walk across 42nd.street, the crosswalk of the world?
Head north up Broadway, Or as we new Yorkers refer
To as “the great white way.”
New York City I must say.

Where else could I stroll side by side, across town, up and down?
And all around the world two greatest Mecca’s of shopping in the world?
Madison and fifth, what two great streets to buy a gift!
Where else could you enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral To
Give thanks and pray?
New York City I must say.

Where could you walk, visit and attend Carnegie hall, central
Park, Columbus circle, Lincoln center and 72nd. street and the
Upper west side all in a day or two?
All just a walk or ride away. Now you know and maybe understand
This compulsion to quickly return to this great city,
When away?
For you see I have the worlds right here at my home and doorstep.
A magical city-world where everything and anything of value
And worth in this world is only a short walk, bus, taxi or
Subway ride away!
New York City I must say.”

Copyright Joseph P.Martino 2006

Thank you again to Mr. Martino for his poetic contributions to JerseySmarts.com!

Here comes Santa on Christmas Eve
by Joseph Martino

Here comes Christmas it’s that time of time of year for Santa
to appear.

snow is falling on the ground,…..everywhere you look snowflakes
can be found.children wearing mittens in the snow,…..making snow
balls they intend to throw.

jingle bells a ringing, jing-a-ling,the sounds of Christmas echos
ring. parents and children skate on the lake,…..the children
home for holiday break.

Children dream of Santa Clause,…..as parents shop without a pause.
the days are bright, the nights so clear,….the love and spirit of Christmas permeates throughout the wintery air.

Christmas carols sung at night,….under a dancing moon that glows
so bright.chestnuts roasting, grownups toasting this special time of
year,…..after a nip or two, all our woe’s and troubles seem to
disappear.

here comes santa it’s Christmas Eve,….he’s finally here it’s hard
to believe. santa and his reindeers are now flying high,….their
lonely silhouettes dot the blackboard sky.

Empty stockings line the living room wall, hung for boys and girls
who have images of santa’s gifts racing through their minds,….
all in hope that they will find,…..their stockings filled to the
very top with toys and presents of every kind.

copyright joseph p.martino 2004 authored oct.1,2004

Thanks once again, Joe, for a great Christmas poem to get everyone in the spirit!

It’s Christmas time in New Jersey

“It’s Christmas time in New jersey, come see and hear,
all the sights, sounds and the glow and sparkle of lights so pretty,
that comprise the heartbeat, rhythm and sparkle of our great,
big wonderful welcoming state and cities.

It’s Christmas time in New Jersey our cities, towns and villages,
are now all adorned in their most glorious dress,
as church elders prepare the baby Jesus creche.

Christmas trees on town halls, stores, homes, lawns and malls are all shining bright.
Gaily decorated in colored bells, tinsel, garlands, angels and lights, that glow and sparkle day and night,
boy oh boy what a magnificent and inspirational sight.

As Santa Clause makes out his Christmas list, making sure no girl or boys requested
toy will be forgot or missed. as Santa Claus extends his warm and welcoming Christmas greeting to everyone throughout our great state.

” Merry,Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to one and all.”
For, it’s Christmas time in New jersey.”

Copyright Joseph P. Martino – Poet, Writer
Millburn, NJ 07041

A special salute to Columbus, Italy, Italians and her Italian American sons and daughters. A pride of Italian heritage and culture on Columbus Day.
* Author: copyright Joseph p. Martino TRAVEL POET

Art and culture that nurtures and inspires mind, heart and soul.
Music, language and literature that that makes our spirit soar and Hearts sing with joy.
Scientist, explorers, inventors always challenging the frontiers of discovery.
haute couture fashion and designers.
home of the 2006 world cup champions, world class sports and athletes.
The beauty of her majestic cities, mountains, scenic land, lakes,
Rivers and ocean sea that captivates the mind,heart and naked eye.

Italian cuisine, wine and drink that teases the palate, the vineyards and olive gardens of tuscany that satisfy our appetite for fine food,wine and lust for life.
Hospitality and warmth of her people, that touches, then
Melts the hearts of people who come to visit her.

History, antiquity and teaching of the great saints of the church that gives us all a deeper sense
Of self, and who we are in life.

This is Italy, this is Italian and Italian American pride, heritage and culture on Columbus Day.

Copyright Joseph p.martino 2004 revised 2009 American author, poet, motivator, inventor, world traveler (1937~) Millburn, NJ

Thanks again, Joseph!

Speaking of healthcare, one of the subscribers to this blog (by the way, have you subscribed to the blog yet? If not, go to the top of this page and subscribe there!) sent in his proposal to reform healthcare. It’s interesting, to say the least. Frankly, I think there is merit in the proposal, which is copied below from a recent op-ed:

A proposal to reform medical care and save the federal and state governments and the American taxpayer billions over the long run.

Federal and state governments would pay all costs of a medical school education for students who otherwise would not be able to afford a medical school education. No student would be excluded, provided that upon completing medical school, the doctor would be obligated to provide a percentage of their time and practice for treating low-income patients deemed eligible by federal and/or state governments.

The doctor would be obligated to treat a small percentage of eligible low-income people for free (office visits only). The percentage and number of years of obligation to do so would be decided by peer review. The less money provided to the students for their medical education, the smaller the percentage of their obligation for treating the eligible poor.

Participating doctors would not bill Medicare, Medicaid, insurance companies for the treatment of the eligible poor, thus saving federal and state governments billions of dollars in the long term.

The cost of the free medical school education provided by federal and state governments would be offset by the savings achieved by not having doctors bill Medicare, Medicaid and the insurance companies. Students in any stage of medical school would immediately be eligible to participate.

Doctors would have the option to treat eligible patients in their office, at hospitals or clinics. Clinic space could be provided for out of office visits.

The same premise can be applied for health providers and caregivers willing to participate under the same above rules and obligations. The federal/state governments would defray all cost to all eligible health providers and caregivers to open up their medical practice/office. Doctors, labs, chiropractors, and therapists would be eligible under my proposed program.

The potential saving to the federal/state governments from non billing by participating caregivers would be enormous.

Regarding unnecessary diagnostic tests that are ordered by doctors out of fear of medical malpractice, a meeting of the minds could be convened among federal and state policy leaders, bar association representatives, medical insurers, and health providers, to come to an agreement of understanding as to limiting diagnostic tests deemed unnecessary.

Joseph P. Martino
Millburn, New Jersey

What do you think?