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Volume XXI • Number 13 • March 27-April 2, 2014 •
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Congestion tax rears its ugly head again By RIVERDALE REVIEW STAFF One of the most controversial and hated ideas of the Bloomberg administration has returned. Last week “Move NY,” an advocacy group led by former Department of Transportation Commissioner “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz, unveiled a revamped plan for “congestion pricing,” which would bring tolls to the free East River bridges. In an effort to bring “fairness” to the current toll structure, Move NY’s plan calls for existing tolls to be lowered on outer borough bridges in exchange for adding $15 tolls to the currently free East River bridges. Locally, the plan purports to lower the toll on the Henry Hudson Bridge--which is $2.44 by EZ Pass each way--down to $1.44 by EZ Pass each way. “The Move NY Plan will generate $1.465 billion of badly needed new revenue each year – revenue that will be ‘lockboxed’ and invested in capital projects that maintain and upgrade our transit system and regional road network,” states the Move NY website. However, skepticism about the new plan is already being expressed by local elected officials. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said, “Congestion pricing was a bad idea when it was proposed a few years ago and it is still a bad idea. I was a leader in the opposition last time because it was a plan that would have disproportionately hurt Bronxites, especially those living in the most northern parts of our borough, including the neighborhoods in my district. While we have not seen a specific proposal yet, we know that the basic concept is one which penalizes Bronxites and those residing in
the boroughs outside of Manhattan. Unlike his predecessor, Oliver Koppell, new Councilman Andrew Cohen is expected to oppose the new scheme. The cost of driving into Manhattan and parking a car is already very high. Adding to the cost will likely have only a marginal affect on traffic volume. It will certainly raise money, but there are fairer ways to do that. The possibility of a slightly lower toll on the Henry Hudson Bridge means nothing, since that toll -- and all other tolls including the congestion pricing toll -- could then be raised at any time. Congestion pricing will dramatically increase the cost of living for those affected by it. Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., who as an Assembly Member helped lead the fight to kill the Bloomberg congestion pricing plan in Albany in 2008, also remains opposed to the idea. His office noted that, among other things, Borough President Diaz is skeptical that the lower bridge tolls in the outer boroughs would amount to a “Trojan horse,” helping to build support for the proposal today but leading to higher tolls on those same bridges in the near future--after the new plan was enacted. “Congestion pricing was then and remains now a bad idea for this city,” said Borough President Diaz in a statement. Congestion pricing is likely to play a major role in local elections this summer, especially in the expected primary race between State Senator Jeff Klein and former City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell. In 2008, then-Councilman Koppell voted in favor of
congestion pricing, despite considerable local opposition to the plan that included Assemblyman Dinowitz, Congressman Eliot Engel and Community Board #8. Virtually every poll on the issue showed that City residents did not support the earlier plan, with opposition in the Bronx typically higher than the rest of the city. A November 2007 Quinnipiac Poll showed 61 percent of city residents opposed to congestion pricing, with 70 percent opposed in the Bronx. In contrast, State Senator Klein was opposed to the proposal, and called its defeat in Albany “a victory for the middle class.” “We need to ensure that New Yorkers have a reliable and effective public transportation system before we apply what is essentially another tax on the middle class,” said State Senator Klein at the time. “All New Yorkers deserve the expectation of a speedy and efficient commute. Congestion pricing would’ve cost Bronx residents $2,500 or more a year per driver at a time when New Yorkers are struggling in the wake of the housing crisis and a severe downturn in the economy. I have been opposed to congestion pricing since its introduction and will continue to oppose it.” Unlike his predecessor, Oliver Koppell, new Councilman Andrew Cohen is expected to oppose the new scheme. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who as a member of the City Council voted to oppose congestion pricing, last week said the new plan included “innovative ideas” and praised Schwartz for his efforts, though he also noted his previous opposition.
Oh, so close: Manhattan College falls shy of a victory over Louisville By DANIEL YNFANTE Two minutes and 34 seconds. That’s the time that separated the Manhattan College basketball team from pulling off one of the biggest wins in its history. But after a Tyler Wilson layup gave Manhattan a 60-58 lead at the 2:34 mark, Louisville went on a 13-4 run to close the game and crush Manhattan’s dreams of advancing onto the next round of the NCAA Tournament. For Manhattan head coach Steve Masiello, who was taking on his mentor Rick Pitino, the defeat was one of the most agonizing of his career. “It’s emotional,” he said. “You look down, and the guy who kind of made you who you are is your enemy for 40 minutes. So it’s tough. You know, it’s an honor to be on the other sideline, but it’s about the kids. It’s not about me. My kids played. Their kids played. I thought it was two very good basketball teams. “But it’s tough. It hurts. You know, if I’m going to lose to anyone, I guess lose to him.” Manhattan came into the game as a heavy underdog
against the No. 4 seed and defending champions Louisville Cardinals. So as Manhattan stayed in the game and never trailed by more than eight, and when the scoreboard at one point read 58-55 Manhattan, the thought arose of whether they could pull off an upset of epic proportions. To many, it came as a surprise that the Jaspers were able to go toe-to-toe with the Cardinals, but for head coach Rick Pitino, it was exactly what he expected. “I knew this game was going to be this way,” he said. “When we play against ourselves in practice it’s a nightmare. We don’t play well against ourselves, our style, and we knew it was going to be a carbon copy.” Manhattan’s leading shot blocker Rhamel Brown knew what to expect as well. “We were very confident going into the game,” he said. “We knew we could match their aggressiveness, their toughness and their strength in the front-court and in the back-court as well.” From the start of the game, the
Jaspers came out and did what they did best all season: defend. Their tenacious defense kept
Louisville’s leading scorer Russ Smith in check, as he went 3-9 from the field, and it held Lou-
isville to a mere 36.4 field goal percentage. Continued on Page 3
Local elected officials and PS 24 PA Co-Presidents Attended the annual PS 24 PA fundraising auction this past Saturday. Pictured from left to right are State Senator Jeff Klein, PS 24 Co-President Tracy Shelton, City Council Member Andrew Cohen, Congressman Eliot Engel, PS 24 Co-President Farrah Rubin, and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz.