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Friday, August 31, 2018
Vol. 6, No. 35
BACK TO SCHOOL
ROSLYN ESTATES EYES STATE LEGISLATORS SHORT-TERM RENTAL FEE DISCUSS L.I. SOUND
PAGES 29-36
PAGE 2
PAGE 43
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E. Hills man helped push NYC Uber cap
HARBOR LIGHTS
Lobbying firm used coalition to achieve victory for cab industry BY R E B ECC A K L A R A little more than two years ago, when Gotham Government Relations took on the campaign to get an Uber cap passed in New York City, the taxi industry was at “rock bottom” and the mobile ridehail app was ascendant, Gotham founder Brad Gerstman said. “Uber was at the pinnacle and the height of success in New York City, and then lucky us we get handed the reins,” Gerstman said in an interview. Despite the challenge, Gotham led the taxi industry to a recent victory. Earlier this month, New York became the first city in the nation to pass a bill limiting ride-hailing services in a 39-6 City Council vote halting new vehicle licenses for ride-hail service drivers. Gerstman, an East Hills resi-
dent, co-founded the lobbying firm about 10 years ago. It was first based in Roslyn, but moved to Garden City in 2014. The firm also has a Manhattan office. What sets Gotham apart from other lobbying firms is its dual role in both communication and legal functions, Gerstman said – juxtaposing his firm with ones that focus solely on either legal work or communications. To take on Uber, Gotham established New Yorkers for Equal Transportation Access, a coalition of immigrant individual taxi medallion owners and advocates for people with disabilities. Gerstman said changing the narrative around Uber was key in helping get the legislation passed. Although Uber dubbed itself a technology company, it was in fact a transportation company, GerstContinued on Page 50
PHOTO BY LUKE TORRANCE
Visitors snap photos of floating lanterns at the Long Island Water Lantern Festival Saturday at North Hempstead Beach Park. See story on page 3.
Full service to resume on Port LIRR branch BY LU K E TORRANCE The Long Island Rail Road will return the Port Washington branch to full service next week, according to timetables
posted on its website. Since the middle of July, service on the route has been reduced so work could be done on the Harold Interlocking railroad junction in Long Island City.
The work being done there is part of the East Side Access project, which will allow LIRR trains to access Grand Central Station. Starting on Tuesday, the Continued on Page 51
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