Comments on: Pricing Hearings Begin With Away Double-Header

By: Cameron Williams

Cameron Williams — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:25:12 +0000

I agree with Pablo, these so-called "public" hearings are a sham; the public is not given enough advance notification to participate. I asked more than a dozen politicians AND the nice people at Transportation Alternatives how to get in touch with the commission on congestion—NO ONE would answer, because my agenda differed from theirs. (And that's a pathetic excuse to deny a citizen access to the democratic process.)

It would seem the last thing anyone actually wants is democracy.

However, I was able to register to speak at Klitgord Auditorium, 285 Jay Street, Brooklyn on Thursday, 1 November 2007, at 6PM to present my ideas, and I invite all to attend. Whether you agree with me or not (I think Bloomberg's plan doesn't go far enough), come to support democracy, and to strike a blow against demagoguery.

By: Niccolo Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 16:51:40 +0000

Ah but Pablo you must admit there was some great posturing. If the politicians in Manhattan can't do it, where is your political support going to come from Douglaston?

By: Pablo

Pablo — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:12:52 +0000

I attended the Commission's "Public" Hearing at Hunter College last night. It was very disappointing that this event was so poorly publicized and that it was dominated by Politicians and Interest groups. Both these groupings have platforms to speak about this issue. The regular public however does not have this platform and that is what the event should have been.

By: jmc

jmc — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:15:17 +0000

"Business owners said the proposal would hurt companies that must make multiple trips to Manhattan each day."

Ugh, more misinfiromation.

Personally, I find it very easy to drive down from the Bronx to Manhattan toll-free and find free on-street parking. Another advantage is that it only takes me 25 minutes to get from the Northeast Bronx to Stuyvesant Town, as opposed to 50 min - 1 h by transit. Traffic and parking are never really a problem. Oh, did I mention this is at midnight on a Tuesday?

I have a sneaking suspicion that almost all of these people who drive into the CBD during the congestion pricing time period have some sort of subsidized parking.

By: JF

JF — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:14:41 +0000

If Rockland is affordable for New York City firefighters, teachers, court clerks, etc., it's only because taxpayers are subsidizing their trips, from bridges to roadways to parking. This is just unsustainable, and if we want to stop contributing to global warming it needs to stop. If Jaffee had some kind of plan to stop it, it might be worth a listen. But no, she just wants to shoot down any plan that would inconvenience the poor court officers.

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:36:06 +0000

"Without access to additional operating assistance, from the congestion pricing revenue stream or from some other source, much of the cost of carrying diverted commuters in Westchester will fall again on the most regressive of taxes, the local property tax."

Actually, by increasing occupancy on buses, such a diversion might save the county money.

"I am proud to say that Rockland is home to more New York City firefighters than any other county besides Richmond. Not to mention teachers, court clerks, hospital workers - in short, the people who keep the city running. These workers cannot afford a tax on going to work."

Assuming they are using one of the Port Authority crossings to drive to and park in Manhattan, the net increase in cost would minimal.