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Volume XX • Number 36 • August 29 - Sept. 4, 2013 •
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City agrees to end phony parking fines By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER Folks can now park their cars with impunity in a controversial space on Independence Avenue. The space, clearly marked in a row of angled parking spots in front of 3777 Independence Avenue, has one peculiar feature: a curb cut. The cut is an artifact of a crosswalk that used to span Independence Avenue at West 238th Street. But that crosswalk has been history since the road from West 232nd Street to West 239th Street was repaved and outfitted with new parking space demarcations more than a year ago. Notwithstanding the absence of a crosswalk and the presence of parking space lines, traffic enforcement agents have been issuing parking tickets there, in deference to the defunct curb cut. “There are some predatory traffic agents who gleefully give out tickets even when they surely must know that it’s unconscionable to do so,” Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said. Carol Holt found a summons for $165 on her windshield when she parked in the spot, four spaces away from one end of the circular driveway for 3777 Independence Avenue. “We were actually told by some police officers that this was a bad ticket, and we did win at traffic court after two visits and multiple photos taken of the area,” she said. “But why should unsuspecting citizens have to bear the brunt of this obviously wrongful citation?” Holt said she knows people “have gotten one of these tickets” when she sees them taking photos of the spot and the surrounding street signs. “The city painted lines there indicating those parking spots,” Dinowitz said. “Therefore, it’s disgraceful that a traffic agent would even think about giving out a ticket there. Now, if it’s the intention of
Parking space occupied by black car used to be a crosswalk. It isn’t anymore, but city is still issuing parking tickets there. the city to not allow parking there—that’s how it used to be before they repaved— then they should mark it clearly.” According to a New York City Department of Transportation spokesman, the agency is “reviewing a community request to delineate space for pedestrians in front
of the existing pedestrian ramp.” The spokesman did not respond as of press time to a request for the source of the “community request,” which seems odd, considering that parking spaces in the area are more sought after than are spaces for pedestrians in front of ramps.
“I’m not sure you need a curb cut there,” Dinowitz said. “There are curb cuts on the corners where people should be doing their crossing. This is in the middle of a block. The real answer is that they should eliminate the curb cut at that location Continued on Page 13
As Stanton tries to explain his strip club ties, Cohen offers economic plan
Andrew Cohen, candidate for City Council in the 11th District, announced his business development plan for the northwest Bronx, a comprehensive set of priorities for the future economic growth and development of the communities of the district, which include Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Norwood, Woodlawn and Bedford Park. Meanwhile, his opponent, Clifford Stanton, has become increasing hamstrung by continuing to field questions about the large campaign contributions he accepted from the owners of Scores, the famous chain of strip clubs. “A strong business community requires us to not only encourage companies to move here, but to help our existing businesses grow as well,” said Cohen. “Growing the economy will benefit all New Yorkers, not only be increasing job opportunities but also by increasing revenues which can improve city services and make our streets more vibrant. My plan will help bring new businesses and new customers to our neighborhoods, creating new options for consumers and new jobs in
the process.” Cohen’s multi-fold plan offers opportunities for both new and existing businesses to expand in the Northwest Bronx, such as: Vacant property audit: Andrew Cohen and his staff will take full inventory of the vacant properties and storefronts in every corner of the district, and will work with landlords to find appropriate tenants to fill those vacancies. Infrastructure improvements & street beautification: Andrew Cohen will work to bring funding to the district for sidewalk renovations, planters and other aesthetic measures in our business districts, including Broadway between West 230th and West 238th Streets, 204th Street and Bainbridge Avenue, and Riverdale Avenue and Johnson Avenue shopping districts. Streamline regulation: As a City Council Member, Andrew Cohen will support policies designed to decrease regulatory headaches for businesses, in a wide variety of areas. He’ll work to ensure that regulations are sen-
sitive to the scale of the outer boroughs, aren’t overly cumbersome to small business and are used to deter bad behavior, not finance the city budget. New business events: Andrew Cohen will work with local development corporations and business improvement districts to come up with new events designed to highlight the many commercial and culinary offerings of the northwest Bronx. Promoting area eateries and businesses will attract potential new customers in other parts of the Bronx, Manhattan, Westchester and all over the region. Webster Avenue BID: Andrew Cohen will work to create a Webster Avenue BID to help promote and improve the Webster Avenue commercial corridor. “The communities of the 11th City Council District have so much to offer, and as Council Member I will highlight our neighborhoods to new businesses and new customers. Not only will this add new consumer options for our current residents, it will make our neighborhood a retail and culinary destination, bringing new customers to our business districts,” said Cohen.