Comments on: David Weprin: The Parking Garage Industry’s Valet? http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:01:47 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/comment-page-1/#comment-32881 Spud Spudly Wed, 20 Jun 2007 20:21:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/#comment-32881 Good job Brad. The only way to get an accurate accounting of contributions by parking interests is to know the names of all the parking interests, the parking companies, whatever industry groups they're represented by and the key players. The Campaign Finance Board database -- while far and away better than most similar databases -- doesn't let you search by industry, so research like you attempted is difficult. Good job Brad. The only way to get an accurate accounting of contributions by parking interests is to know the names of all the parking interests, the parking companies, whatever industry groups they're represented by and the key players. The Campaign Finance Board database -- while far and away better than most similar databases -- doesn't let you search by industry, so research like you attempted is difficult.

]]> By: Brad Aaron http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/comment-page-1/#comment-32858 Brad Aaron Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:44:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/#comment-32858 Spud, I searched the city database for parking contributions to local candidates, and though there were others, Weprin lead the pack by far. It should be noted, however, that even Weprin's "take" from the parking industry is miniscule compared to his total contributions. What was most significant, I thought, was that several parking garage owners contributed the maximum allowed by law -- and that some of these folks were literally writing checks to Weprin's campaign committee as he was compaigning against pricing. Also, the Post found twice as much in contributions to Weprin as I did, so it could be that others have taken in more than I was able to discern. Spud,

I searched the city database for parking contributions to local candidates, and though there were others, Weprin lead the pack by far.

It should be noted, however, that even Weprin's "take" from the parking industry is miniscule compared to his total contributions. What was most significant, I thought, was that several parking garage owners contributed the maximum allowed by law -- and that some of these folks were literally writing checks to Weprin's campaign committee as he was compaigning against pricing.

Also, the Post found twice as much in contributions to Weprin as I did, so it could be that others have taken in more than I was able to discern.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/comment-page-1/#comment-32856 Spud Spudly Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:21:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/#comment-32856 I'm all for investigative journalism of this type, and I've known Dave Seifman for years and know that he's a very good reporter. I'm also loathe to defend Weprin. However, did anyone see whether the parking industry has donated to other politicians as well? I mean, it's not like Weprin is all alone on this one as the vast majority of his fellow Queens pols also oppose congestion pricing. I'm all for investigative journalism of this type, and I've known Dave Seifman for years and know that he's a very good reporter. I'm also loathe to defend Weprin. However, did anyone see whether the parking industry has donated to other politicians as well? I mean, it's not like Weprin is all alone on this one as the vast majority of his fellow Queens pols also oppose congestion pricing.

]]> By: Brian Ketcham http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/comment-page-1/#comment-32759 Brian Ketcham Tue, 19 Jun 2007 03:23:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/#comment-32759 The poor parking industry. The 1973 Clean Air Plan for NYC (which I wrote) put a cap on off-street parking below 96th Street. The parking industry went crazy--until they found they could increase rates five fold. Those folks who can afford to pay their rates today can easily pay a toll. Especially when they impose a cost (congestion delay, increased traffic accidents, environmental damages) of about $40 for every trip into Manhattan. We all suffer those losses. The poor parking industry. The 1973 Clean Air Plan for NYC (which I wrote) put a cap on off-street parking below 96th Street. The parking industry went crazy--until they found they could increase rates five fold. Those folks who can afford to pay their rates today can easily pay a toll. Especially when they impose a cost (congestion delay, increased traffic accidents, environmental damages) of about $40 for every trip into Manhattan. We all suffer those losses.

]]> By: futurebird http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/comment-page-1/#comment-32750 futurebird Mon, 18 Jun 2007 21:48:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/06/18/david-weprin-the-parking-garage-industrys-valet/#comment-32750 I take it the garage operators are not from Queens? I take it the garage operators are not from Queens?

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