Comments on: Times Calls for End to Free Parking Monopoly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ohio Business http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-283582 Ohio Business Mon, 27 Dec 2010 20:41:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-283582 Parking is such a huge problem, something needs to be done! Parking is such a huge problem, something needs to be done!

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38972 Angus Grieve-Smith Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:46:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38972 Here's another thing about living in other cities: I think that the time I've spent in other places has given me a valuable perspective on New York. Another Streetsblog commenter (wish I could remember who) pointed out a few months ago that the large number of pedestrians and transit users in New York have made life good for the motorists in many ways: the city has street life and is not full of garages and parking lots, people often know their neighbors and relate to them, etc. More importantly, in most of the city if these motorists get out of their cars, they still have places they can walk without being buzzed or screamed at, or having things thrown at them. It's possible to be a part-time motorist here, and it's possible because of all the full-time transit users. http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38644 These are things that many people in other cities miss and want to get back. A lot of "born and raised" New Yorkers are still fantasizing about the coming age of glorious motoring. I've been there and seen it, and frankly it sucks. I came back here to get away from it. I think that that perspective is valuable, and it doesn't just come from temporary exiles like me but from the strip-mall refugees. Here’s another thing about living in other cities: I think that the time I’ve spent in other places has given me a valuable perspective on New York. Another Streetsblog commenter (wish I could remember who) pointed out a few months ago that the large number of pedestrians and transit users in New York have made life good for the motorists in many ways: the city has street life and is not full of garages and parking lots, people often know their neighbors and relate to them, etc. More importantly, in most of the city if these motorists get out of their cars, they still have places they can walk without being buzzed or screamed at, or having things thrown at them. It’s possible to be a part-time motorist here, and it’s possible because of all the full-time transit users.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/38644

These are things that many people in other cities miss and want to get back. A lot of “born and raised” New Yorkers are still fantasizing about the coming age of glorious motoring. I’ve been there and seen it, and frankly it sucks. I came back here to get away from it. I think that that perspective is valuable, and it doesn’t just come from temporary exiles like me but from the strip-mall refugees.

]]> By: plist http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38970 plist Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:27:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38970 Parking illegally to get a cruller is a pretty pathetic use of power. Parking illegally to get a cruller is a pretty pathetic use of power.

]]> By: Slopion http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38969 Slopion Tue, 23 Oct 2007 20:11:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38969 New York has always been of, by and for people who came from other places. Doesn't matter where you were born, doesn't matter why you came, doesn't matter how long you've been... if you live here now, you have a legitimate say in how things work. New York has always been of, by and for people who came from other places. Doesn’t matter where you were born, doesn’t matter why you came, doesn’t matter how long you’ve been… if you live here now, you have a legitimate say in how things work.

]]> By: Ian Turner http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38967 Ian Turner Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:41:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38967 Murray Hill, Now that you've stated how you feel (about which there can be little more to say), perhaps you'd like to elaborate on *why* you feel the way you do. What makes the police uniquely entitled to break this particular law? Murray Hill,

Now that you’ve stated how you feel (about which there can be little more to say), perhaps you’d like to elaborate on *why* you feel the way you do. What makes the police uniquely entitled to break this particular law?

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38966 Spud Spudly Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:38:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38966 You forgot the Naked Cowboy. You forgot the Naked Cowboy.

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38959 Angus Grieve-Smith Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:12:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38959 I'm a native New Yorker, and I'm insulted by the whole "Go back to Ohio" business too. In addition to its long tradition of immigration from Europe and other places, New York has been enriched by migrants from within the United States as well, such as Alexander Hamilton, Edgar Allan Poe, Bill Buckley (who ran for Mayor on a platform that included congestion pricing), Andy Warhol, Malcolm X and David Byrne. It may not be as glorious as escaping a pogrom, but escaping the narrow-minded bigotry of American small towns has always been a factor. I would argue that New York has been defined almost as much on the basis of "not like the bad parts of the U.S." as "not like the bad parts of Europe." I've got both sides: my mom's family escaped from pogroms in Eastern Europe, and my dad escaped from the fire-and-brimstone revival tents of West Texas and harassment at the hands of Milwaukee Nazis. Those who suggest that migrants from other parts of the country don't have something legitimate to be escaping from betray their own ignorance. I’m a native New Yorker, and I’m insulted by the whole “Go back to Ohio” business too. In addition to its long tradition of immigration from Europe and other places, New York has been enriched by migrants from within the United States as well, such as Alexander Hamilton, Edgar Allan Poe, Bill Buckley (who ran for Mayor on a platform that included congestion pricing), Andy Warhol, Malcolm X and David Byrne.

It may not be as glorious as escaping a pogrom, but escaping the narrow-minded bigotry of American small towns has always been a factor. I would argue that New York has been defined almost as much on the basis of “not like the bad parts of the U.S.” as “not like the bad parts of Europe.”

I’ve got both sides: my mom’s family escaped from pogroms in Eastern Europe, and my dad escaped from the fire-and-brimstone revival tents of West Texas and harassment at the hands of Milwaukee Nazis. Those who suggest that migrants from other parts of the country don’t have something legitimate to be escaping from betray their own ignorance.

]]> By: Murray Hill Commuter http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38957 Murray Hill Commuter Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:10:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38957 Law Enforcement has its privileges. I feel that they should be able to park where they want and when they want. They cannot have their duties hampered by whiny people who live in Starbucks and go to Town Hall meetings to socialize. Cops need to be able to park when and where they park. They are cops...it is one of the perks. Law Enforcement has its privileges. I feel that they should be able to park where they want and when they want. They cannot have their duties hampered by whiny people who live in Starbucks and go to Town Hall meetings to socialize. Cops need to be able to park when and where they park. They are cops…it is one of the perks.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38949 Spud Spudly Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:48:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38949 George, you're comparing people who fled violence and political repression with people who left suburbia. My ancestors came here to get away from the Czars and their pogroms and to practice their religion and raise their children in peace. The people you're talking about didn't like driving to Walmart. George, you’re comparing people who fled violence and political repression with people who left suburbia. My ancestors came here to get away from the Czars and their pogroms and to practice their religion and raise their children in peace. The people you’re talking about didn’t like driving to Walmart.

]]> By: Slopion http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38948 Slopion Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:36:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38948 vnm, No reason you can't build garages and housing. This is a city. Build high. Where I'm sitting in Brooklyn I see no lack of construction, and whatever is preventing it from being affordable, it ain't parking. Also, Silver Spring? Please. Straw man. You'd have to bulldoze the city Robert Moses-style to make that happen, and at least in this thread no one's advocating that... although maybe Bentley guy would like to jump in. Whether it's garages or permit parking, a system through which people make choices and pay for them (as opposed to parking on city streets for free, like now) is preferable to the status quo and more politically attainable than an active, deliberate program of reducing parking. vnm, No reason you can’t build garages and housing. This is a city. Build high. Where I’m sitting in Brooklyn I see no lack of construction, and whatever is preventing it from being affordable, it ain’t parking.

Also, Silver Spring? Please. Straw man. You’d have to bulldoze the city Robert Moses-style to make that happen, and at least in this thread no one’s advocating that… although maybe Bentley guy would like to jump in.

Whether it’s garages or permit parking, a system through which people make choices and pay for them (as opposed to parking on city streets for free, like now) is preferable to the status quo and more politically attainable than an active, deliberate program of reducing parking.

]]> By: george http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38947 george Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:25:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38947 the whole "midwesterners go home" thing is pretty overdone at this point. a hell of a lot of (mostly rural) european immigrants came to ny in the 19th and 20th centuries - probably some of your parents or grandparents. and they sure as hell didn't drive - just their kids or grandkids, many of whom then moved out to the suburbs, the rest remaining in the city, some to turn into streetsblog trolls thinking they have some superiority because they lucked into being born in the city. would you send all your irish, italian, and eastern european ancestors back because they changed the city they moved into? those irish who organized politically? those jews who founded labor unions? the people who need to get lives are not those discussing substance on this blog with people with similar interests (isn't that the point of all websites?), it's the people (aka trolls) dropping in here and inserting ignorant and emotionally inflammatory fluff into the discussion that is meant to hurt people's feelings. enough of that - go spew your bile on curbed. the whole “midwesterners go home” thing is pretty overdone at this point. a hell of a lot of (mostly rural) european immigrants came to ny in the 19th and 20th centuries – probably some of your parents or grandparents. and they sure as hell didn’t drive – just their kids or grandkids, many of whom then moved out to the suburbs, the rest remaining in the city, some to turn into streetsblog trolls thinking they have some superiority because they lucked into being born in the city. would you send all your irish, italian, and eastern european ancestors back because they changed the city they moved into? those irish who organized politically? those jews who founded labor unions? the people who need to get lives are not those discussing substance on this blog with people with similar interests (isn’t that the point of all websites?), it’s the people (aka trolls) dropping in here and inserting ignorant and emotionally inflammatory fluff into the discussion that is meant to hurt people’s feelings. enough of that – go spew your bile on curbed.

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38936 Doc Barnett Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:12:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38936 High, the message that you first tagged onto claimed to have been written by a proud Bentley driver. And this "native" trolling is the boring. New York is always changing--perhaps that's what should be accepted, rather than capitulating to an automotive love affair that fortunately characterizes suburbville more than 21st century New York. High, the message that you first tagged onto claimed to have been written by a proud Bentley driver. And this “native” trolling is the boring. New York is always changing–perhaps that’s what should be accepted, rather than capitulating to an automotive love affair that fortunately characterizes suburbville more than 21st century New York.

]]> By: plist http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38933 plist Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:52:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38933 Life is change, those who can't adapt go the way of the dinosaur. You can cry about old lost New York but I prefer New Amsterdam! Life is change, those who can’t adapt go the way of the dinosaur. You can cry about old lost New York but I prefer New Amsterdam!

]]> By: vnm http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38929 vnm Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:35:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38929 Stupid - way to go. But that's retarded. Go back to the midwest? Where everyone drives? Even if we were from there it wouldn't make sense. We're here because NYC is the place to be in America if you DON'T drive. High IQ wants us to build affordable housing, but Slopion would build parking garages instead of housing. Slopion, the idea of building garages is horrible. Ever been to downtown Silver Spring (or wherever)? It is the lack of driving that makes New York the exciting and unique place that it is. Build more parking garages, and hence more traffic, and you start to take away the soul of the city. Devote the land to affordable housing instead. Stupid – way to go. But that’s retarded. Go back to the midwest? Where everyone drives? Even if we were from there it wouldn’t make sense. We’re here because NYC is the place to be in America if you DON’T drive.

High IQ wants us to build affordable housing, but Slopion would build parking garages instead of housing.

Slopion, the idea of building garages is horrible. Ever been to downtown Silver Spring (or wherever)? It is the lack of driving that makes New York the exciting and unique place that it is. Build more parking garages, and hence more traffic, and you start to take away the soul of the city. Devote the land to affordable housing instead.

]]> By: High IQ http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38927 High IQ Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:31:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38927 Who owns a Bentley? Who owns a car for that matter, Doc? We could move, we choose not to. So it is not chance, my presumptive friend, that we remain and scorn newcomers who want to change the habits of everyone else. It is not too late. Smallville will always welcome you back. Who owns a Bentley? Who owns a car for that matter, Doc?

We could move, we choose not to. So it is not chance, my presumptive friend, that we remain and scorn newcomers who want to change the habits of everyone else.

It is not too late. Smallville will always welcome you back.

]]> By: Doc Barnett http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38924 Doc Barnett Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:16:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38924 Streetsblog is read by the bike lobby (who?) and apparently an influx of self-proclaimed Bentley driving geniuses who require free parking. (Something in there doesn't add up.) Future Alex Marshal post: Why is the livable streets movement dominated by those who live in New York by choice rather than chance? Streetsblog is read by the bike lobby (who?) and apparently an influx of self-proclaimed Bentley driving geniuses who require free parking. (Something in there doesn’t add up.)

Future Alex Marshal post: Why is the livable streets movement dominated by those who live in New York by choice rather than chance?

]]> By: Sam Lowry http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38920 Sam Lowry Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:06:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38920 The people who park on sidewalks are cops and court officers. If you take away their "placards", they'll just find another way to identify themselves to each other and continue parking as they do with impunity. The issue is not the placards (which do not give anyone the right to park on sidewalks or in bus stops, or in front of hydrants). The problem is the behavior of these law enforcement agents, who reserve for themselves the right to park illegally and offer each other "courtesy". All this focus on the piece of cardboard is misplaced. The people who park on sidewalks are cops and court officers. If you take away their “placards”, they’ll just find another way to identify themselves to each other and continue parking as they do with impunity. The issue is not the placards (which do not give anyone the right to park on sidewalks or in bus stops, or in front of hydrants). The problem is the behavior of these law enforcement agents, who reserve for themselves the right to park illegally and offer each other “courtesy”. All this focus on the piece of cardboard is misplaced.

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38918 Angus Grieve-Smith Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:34:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38918 Clayton, they already take <i>my</i> legitimate space - the sidewalk, since I'm walking most of the time. I'd much rather they park in an actual parking spot, or better yet, take the train. Clayton, they already take my legitimate space – the sidewalk, since I’m walking most of the time. I’d much rather they park in an actual parking spot, or better yet, take the train.

]]> By: Clayton http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38917 Clayton Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:21:54 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38917 I don't get it. If you take away all of the placards from those who have one, they'll just take up our legitimate spaces. Which forces me to drive around to find a space now two times the time I would normally drive around. Keep the placards, abuse away! I don’t get it. If you take away all of the placards from those who have one, they’ll just take up our legitimate spaces. Which forces me to drive around to find a space now two times the time I would normally drive around. Keep the placards, abuse away!

]]> By: High IQ http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/comment-page-1/#comment-38913 High IQ Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:02:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/10/22/times-calls-for-end-to-free-parking-monopoly/#comment-38913 Stupid is not so stupid. You guys really should go back to the Smallvilles that spawned you. Americsns will never give up their love affair with the automobile. Accept that and move on. Instead of participating in this circle jerk everyday, there are better ways for social change. When was the last time any of you wrote a letter protesting the war or for affordable housing? You just type away here to be read by the same little bike lobby. Roosevelt was right: A chicken in every pot! A car in every garage! Stupid is not so stupid.

You guys really should go back to the Smallvilles that spawned you.

Americsns will never give up their love affair with the automobile. Accept that and move on.

Instead of participating in this circle jerk everyday, there are better ways for social change.
When was the last time any of you wrote a letter protesting the war or for affordable housing?
You just type away here to be read by the same little bike lobby.

Roosevelt was right:
A chicken in every pot!
A car in every garage!

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