Comments on: Paul Newell on Congestion Pricing and Reforming Albany http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Sat, 05 Jul 2008 22:08:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49420 Spud Spudly Thu, 01 May 2008 13:34:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49420 That's a very good question indeed, whether he "went to bat" for CP. And certainly the system is corrupt. And I don't like being a position of defending Silver. But if he had actively killed off congestion pricing it would never had been an open issue right up until the last day of the federal deadline -- it would have been DOA many, many months ago. I'm still rooting for you though. That's a very good question indeed, whether he "went to bat" for CP. And certainly the system is corrupt. And I don't like being a position of defending Silver. But if he had actively killed off congestion pricing it would never had been an open issue right up until the last day of the federal deadline -- it would have been DOA many, many months ago. I'm still rooting for you though.

]]> By: Paul Newell http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49399 Paul Newell Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:24:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49399 Bluto- Thanks. Are you in the neighborhood? Come by and volunteer. CP – We’re definitely working on using internet as a powerful tool for organizing. Facebook is a great tool. I invite all SBlog readers to join my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Newell/9742301892 Spud – Given that Silver exerts that kind of control over other issues, yes. His role is not to protect his members from “the heat” of going against their constituents’ concerns. His role is to run the Assembly for the people of New York State. There he failed. The key question for Lower Manhattanites is “What is the point of being represented by the Speaker of the State Assembly if he refuses to go to bat for our vital health and quality of life concerns?” Bluto- Thanks. Are you in the neighborhood? Come by and volunteer.

CP – We’re definitely working on using internet as a powerful tool for organizing. Facebook is a great tool. I invite all SBlog readers to join my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Newell/9742301892

Spud – Given that Silver exerts that kind of control over other issues, yes. His role is not to protect his members from “the heat” of going against their constituents’ concerns. His role is to run the Assembly for the people of New York State. There he failed.

The key question for Lower Manhattanites is “What is the point of being represented by the Speaker of the State Assembly if he refuses to go to bat for our vital health and quality of life concerns?”

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49380 Spud Spudly Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:55:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49380 C'mon Paul. It's fair to say that Silver failed to give CP his full support, but how can you say that he "actively killed" it off? Everything that I've seen indicates that he was mildly in support of CP but his people were adamantly opposed. Do you have info to the contrary? I like your proposals for systemic change, but under the current system it's not a legislative majority leader's job to expose his members to criticism or else he wouldn't be the leader for long. If his members were for it and he supressed a vote that would be entirely different, but they weren't. C'mon Paul. It's fair to say that Silver failed to give CP his full support, but how can you say that he "actively killed" it off? Everything that I've seen indicates that he was mildly in support of CP but his people were adamantly opposed. Do you have info to the contrary? I like your proposals for systemic change, but under the current system it's not a legislative majority leader's job to expose his members to criticism or else he wouldn't be the leader for long. If his members were for it and he supressed a vote that would be entirely different, but they weren't.

]]> By: Competitive primaries http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49375 Competitive primaries Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:04:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49375 By the way, did anyone catch this great tidbit from the <a href="http://origin.observer.com/2008/after-congestion-pricing-sheekey-friends-silvers-challenger" rel="nofollow">Observer</a>: <blockquote>Minutes after Kevin Sheekey went on NY1 and blasted Sheldon Silver for not having the "courage" to vote on the mayor’s congestion pricing plan, Sheekey officially made a new Facebook friend: Paul Newell, one of two Democrats seeking to oust Sheldon Silver in the September primary. The chain of events goes like this. Congestion pricing died on April 7, at 3:02 p.m; Sheekey began publicly ripping into Silver on April 7, during the 7 p.m. broadcast on NY1; Newell and Sheekey became friends on Facebook on April 7, at 8:42 p.m.</blockquote> Now, it's not clear who invited who to be friends or if someone introduced them, but it's cool that political alliances are being formed in cyber space... By the way, did anyone catch this great tidbit from the Observer:

Minutes after Kevin Sheekey went on NY1 and blasted Sheldon Silver for not having the "courage" to vote on the mayor’s congestion pricing plan, Sheekey officially made a new Facebook friend: Paul Newell, one of two Democrats seeking to oust Sheldon Silver in the September primary.

The chain of events goes like this. Congestion pricing died on April 7, at 3:02 p.m; Sheekey began publicly ripping into Silver on April 7, during the 7 p.m. broadcast on NY1; Newell and Sheekey became friends on Facebook on April 7, at 8:42 p.m.

Now, it's not clear who invited who to be friends or if someone introduced them, but it's cool that political alliances are being formed in cyber space...

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49370 Larry Littlefield Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:01:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49370 (Sorry, I meant 63rd and Lex. And I meant out-of-system as in if you exit the F train at 63rd St. you get a free metrocard transfer to the Lexington Avenue line there.) They could do out of system there, and for the G. The time lost to go up and down the stairs and around the corner, however, may be greater than the time saved by transferring rather than going up 6th Avenue and then east in Midtown. The best place of an out of system transfer is on the two-sides of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. People get off, walk across, and get back on for a nice stroll without having to pay extra, even on a pay-per-ride. (Sorry, I meant 63rd and Lex. And I meant out-of-system as in if you exit the F train at 63rd St. you get a free metrocard transfer to the Lexington Avenue line there.)

They could do out of system there, and for the G. The time lost to go up and down the stairs and around the corner, however, may be greater than the time saved by transferring rather than going up 6th Avenue and then east in Midtown.

The best place of an out of system transfer is on the two-sides of the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. People get off, walk across, and get back on for a nice stroll without having to pay extra, even on a pay-per-ride.

]]> By: J. Mork http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49368 J. Mork Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:57:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49368 Sorry, I meant 63rd and Lex. And I meant out-of-system as in if you exit the F train at 63rd St. you get a free metrocard transfer to the Lexington Avenue line there. Sorry, I meant 63rd and Lex.

And I meant out-of-system as in if you exit the F train at 63rd St. you get a free metrocard transfer to the Lexington Avenue line there.

]]> By: Mayor Bluto http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49367 Mayor Bluto Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:49:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49367 Newell's already got my vote. I too have been waiting aeons for someone to challenge Silver for his seat. Thanks, Paul! Newell's already got my vote. I too have been waiting aeons for someone to challenge Silver for his seat. Thanks, Paul!

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49361 Larry Littlefield Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:01:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49361 (I don't see why they don't have a free out-of-system transfer there, like they do at 53rd STreet and Lex.) The 53rd and Lex transfer is recent, and was only built as part of the construction of the Citycorp building. The local stations on the original IRT were orginally only 5 cars long. They were extended in the 1960s, and several stations were closed at that time. One platform at Bleeker was extended south, facilitating the transfer, and another was extended north, away from the IND on Houston. Since the Chryste connection was not built until 1967, only the Culver line (currently the F) was running to Broadway/Lafayette station, so maybe it didn't seem as important. Yet the decision not to provide the transfer was made at the same time the 3rd Avenue El was being eliminated. (I don't see why they don't have a free out-of-system transfer there, like they do at 53rd STreet and Lex.)

The 53rd and Lex transfer is recent, and was only built as part of the construction of the Citycorp building.

The local stations on the original IRT were orginally only 5 cars long. They were extended in the 1960s, and several stations were closed at that time. One platform at Bleeker was extended south, facilitating the transfer, and another was extended north, away from the IND on Houston.

Since the Chryste connection was not built until 1967, only the Culver line (currently the F) was running to Broadway/Lafayette station, so maybe it didn't seem as important. Yet the decision not to provide the transfer was made at the same time the 3rd Avenue El was being eliminated.

]]> By: J. Mork http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49355 J. Mork Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:24:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49355 I don't see why they don't have a free out-of-system transfer there, like they do at 53rd STreet and Lex. Of course, you can always get an unlimited card and make your own free out of system transfer. I don't see why they don't have a free out-of-system transfer there, like they do at 53rd STreet and Lex.

Of course, you can always get an unlimited card and make your own free out of system transfer.

]]> By: Paul Newell http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49346 Paul Newell Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:05:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49346 Ben – Thanks again for the opportunity to reach out to SB readers. Again, I’ll check in throughout the day and try and answer reader questions. People can contact me directly through our website at http://www.newellnyc.org/. Larry – Very true, but the biggest single improvement would be the decrease in through traffic, particularly on Canal, Delancey, Allen, Division, West, Broome, and Pike Streets. And the transit improvements don’t stop at the Broadway Lafayette / Bleeker St. connection (though that is huge). There were also improvements planned for the Brooklyn Bridge, Whitehall Street, East Broadway, Bowery, Grand Street and South Ferry stations. There are also additional buses planned for M101/M102/M103 (Bowery), M15 (Allen, Pike, Madison Streets), and M1/M2/M3/M4 (downtown). A full breakdown of the transit improvements planned for Lower Manhattanites that Sheldon Silver threw away can be found at http://www.e-benchmarks.com/congestion/factsheets/mh/silver64.pdf CP- We are running to win in 2008, and I know it can be done. If ever there was a year when Americans – New Yorkers included – are ready for change, this is it. Please help us get there at http://www.newellnyc.org/donate.html. Thanks. Urbanis - Thanks for your support! Thanks, Paul Newell Democrat for Assembly, 64th District Lower East Side, Chinatown, Financial District, Battery Park City www.NewellNYC.org Ben – Thanks again for the opportunity to reach out to SB readers. Again, I’ll check in throughout the day and try and answer reader questions. People can contact me directly through our website at http://www.newellnyc.org/.

Larry – Very true, but the biggest single improvement would be the decrease in through traffic, particularly on Canal, Delancey, Allen, Division, West, Broome, and Pike Streets.

And the transit improvements don’t stop at the Broadway Lafayette / Bleeker St. connection (though that is huge). There were also improvements planned for the Brooklyn Bridge, Whitehall Street, East Broadway, Bowery, Grand Street and South Ferry stations.

There are also additional buses planned for M101/M102/M103 (Bowery), M15 (Allen, Pike, Madison Streets), and M1/M2/M3/M4 (downtown).

A full breakdown of the transit improvements planned for Lower Manhattanites that Sheldon Silver threw away can be found at http://www.e-benchmarks.com/congestion/factsheets/mh/silver64.pdf

CP- We are running to win in 2008, and I know it can be done. If ever there was a year when Americans – New Yorkers included – are ready for change, this is it. Please help us get there at http://www.newellnyc.org/donate.html. Thanks.

Urbanis - Thanks for your support!

Thanks,
Paul Newell
Democrat for Assembly, 64th District
Lower East Side, Chinatown, Financial District, Battery Park City
www.NewellNYC.org

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49345 Urbanis Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:01:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49345 I agree. I work in that neighborhood and the lack of connection between the B/D/F/V at Broadway - Lafayette and the uptown 6 at Bleecker is frustrating! I agree. I work in that neighborhood and the lack of connection between the B/D/F/V at Broadway - Lafayette and the uptown 6 at Bleecker is frustrating!

]]> By: Competitive primaries http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49343 Competitive primaries Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:52:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49343 Paul Thank you for running on transportation/ congestion pricing and ethics/democracy as major issues. I hope you make an impact in this election . I know you are running to win this time, but have you decided what you might do if you lost by a little or a lot? I hope you will keep running if you get a good showing. We need more competition in primaries for all democrats. Paul

Thank you for running on transportation/ congestion pricing and ethics/democracy as major issues. I hope you make an impact in this election .

I know you are running to win this time, but have you decided what you might do if you lost by a little or a lot? I hope you will keep running if you get a good showing. We need more competition in primaries for all democrats.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49338 Larry Littlefield Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:23:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/04/30/paul-newell-on-congestion-pricing-and-reforming-albany/#comment-49338 On the subway, the most useful improvement on the radar for Silver's district and mine in the walking connection from the B/D/F/V at Broadway/Lafayette to the Uptown 6 at Bleeker. I'll bet a heck of a lot of people live near the East Broadway, Delancy, Second Avenue, and Grand Street stations and work or attend school on the densely populated East Side. It was in the 2000-04 MTA Capital Plan. Where is it? There sure have been a lot of member item grants and pension enhancements in the years when that wasn't built. On the subway, the most useful improvement on the radar for Silver's district and mine in the walking connection from the B/D/F/V at Broadway/Lafayette to the Uptown 6 at Bleeker.

I'll bet a heck of a lot of people live near the East Broadway, Delancy, Second Avenue, and Grand Street stations and work or attend school on the densely populated East Side.

It was in the 2000-04 MTA Capital Plan. Where is it?

There sure have been a lot of member item grants and pension enhancements in the years when that wasn't built.

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