taft2012
04-10-2013, 05:29 AM
http://queenscourier.com/2013/nyc-housing-authority-residents-outraged-over-parking-hikes/
Although this is a local story, it speaks volumes of a problem deeply ingrained into our society.
All of NYC's Housing developments were built adjacent to mass transit facilities, on the theory that "the poor" would not have cars. Of course "the poor" do have their own cars (and we won't even delve into the cost/quality of these cars, which would make your head spin if you saw them), they just don't want to do like everyone else in the congested borough of Queens does and pay to park these cars.
And why should they? Their housing, food, and medical care is paid for by the taxpayers. Why should they have to pay more to park cars that they theoretically shouldn't even be able to afford?
I always say we have the richest poor people in the world. Indeed we do.
Queens residents are outraged over a price hike in the city Housing Authority’s annual parking rates.
“Raising the cost to park in public housing . . . is a slap in the face to all,” said Monica Corbett, president of the Pomonok Residents Association. “These fee increases hurt all residents, especially our seniors and fixed income population.”
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has spiked parking costs for some residents from $75 to $340 for non-discounted drivers, $60 to $272 for seniors and handicap, and $150 to $650 for on-site employees.
“NYCHA’s massive parking fee hike is unfair enough, but springing it on residents with next to no notice and requiring payment in full up-front really adds insult to injury,” said former Assemblymember and City Council candidate Rory Lancman. “NYCHA needs to focus on fixing its many shortcomings, from backlogged repairs to inadequate security, and not gouging residents.”
Uh, how about gouging the taxpayers? Is that a concern to anyone anymore?
Assemblymember Mike Simanowitz said the change would force people to look for parking on public streets.
“The idea that our city streets will be further choked with vehicles is simply unacceptable,” he said.
And whose vehicles are those already parked on the streets? Those would be the cars of working stiffs in Queens, who come home from work and have to drive around for 30 to 40 minutes every night looking for a parking space, because they don't have reserved parking spaces like "the poor" living in public housing do, the poor who don't even have to go out and work.
Although this is a local story, it speaks volumes of a problem deeply ingrained into our society.
All of NYC's Housing developments were built adjacent to mass transit facilities, on the theory that "the poor" would not have cars. Of course "the poor" do have their own cars (and we won't even delve into the cost/quality of these cars, which would make your head spin if you saw them), they just don't want to do like everyone else in the congested borough of Queens does and pay to park these cars.
And why should they? Their housing, food, and medical care is paid for by the taxpayers. Why should they have to pay more to park cars that they theoretically shouldn't even be able to afford?
I always say we have the richest poor people in the world. Indeed we do.
Queens residents are outraged over a price hike in the city Housing Authority’s annual parking rates.
“Raising the cost to park in public housing . . . is a slap in the face to all,” said Monica Corbett, president of the Pomonok Residents Association. “These fee increases hurt all residents, especially our seniors and fixed income population.”
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has spiked parking costs for some residents from $75 to $340 for non-discounted drivers, $60 to $272 for seniors and handicap, and $150 to $650 for on-site employees.
“NYCHA’s massive parking fee hike is unfair enough, but springing it on residents with next to no notice and requiring payment in full up-front really adds insult to injury,” said former Assemblymember and City Council candidate Rory Lancman. “NYCHA needs to focus on fixing its many shortcomings, from backlogged repairs to inadequate security, and not gouging residents.”
Uh, how about gouging the taxpayers? Is that a concern to anyone anymore?
Assemblymember Mike Simanowitz said the change would force people to look for parking on public streets.
“The idea that our city streets will be further choked with vehicles is simply unacceptable,” he said.
And whose vehicles are those already parked on the streets? Those would be the cars of working stiffs in Queens, who come home from work and have to drive around for 30 to 40 minutes every night looking for a parking space, because they don't have reserved parking spaces like "the poor" living in public housing do, the poor who don't even have to go out and work.