Parking Tix in the News

Aug. 31, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"NYPD Arrests Suspected Parking Meter Thief"
by Dave Carlin, CBS 2 News reporter

PTF: "This guy, Maurice Mizrahi, is my new hero. He did want I've always wanted to do. That is, destroy some of those armless bandits. Yes, he did it to steal money from the meters. But the result was free parking spaces for the everyman. Thank you, Maurice."

Parking Tix in the News

PTF: "Nice perks. Maybe I should run for NYC Council? Where do I sign up?"

Aug. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Councilmen with Own Parking Spaces Spent NYC Money on MetroCards, Cabs"
by Kathleen Lucadamo, Daily News City Hall Bureau

Aug. 14, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Mike KOs Pol Parking Privileges"
by Erin Einhorn and Frank Lombardi, Daily News City Hall Bureau

Parking Tix in the News - Update

PTF: "More good news."

July 10, 2008, NY Post:
"NYPD'S PARKING-PERK BLITZ BAGS 1,000 COPS"
by Murray Weiss, NY Post Criminal Justice Editor

See a chart of the breakdown of offenders.

Parking Tix in the News - Update

PTF: "I don't believe it."

Jan. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Number of Parking Tickets Dropped in '07"
by Bob Kappstatter, Daily News Bronx Bureau Chief

Parking Tix in the News - Update

PTF: "More news, not good, of course."

June 20, 2008, NY Post:
"IT'S 'EXHAUST'ING"
by Pilar Conci and Hasani Gittens

June 20, 2008, NY Post:
"TICKET TO JAIL OVER 'ASSAULT'"
by Kyle K. Murphy and Peter Cox

June 20, 2008, NY Post:
"NEW 'BLOCK THE BOX' $OCK"
by Fredric Dicker

Parking Tix in the News - Update

PTF: "My apologies for the long delay in updates."

June 18, 2008, 1010WINS:
"NYPD to Crack Down on Illegal Parking Today"
by 1010 WINS
Complete Article: The New York Police will conduct an illegal parking crackdown today, the second in three months.
About 150 cops and several tow trucks will hold a ticketing and towing blitz in lower Manhattan, targeting illegally parked cars and those with fake parking placards, according to a police source.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly warned drivers against using face placards during a radio show on Monday.

June 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Jackson Heights Angry as City's Parking Ticket Capital"
by Nicholas Hirshon, Jeff Wilkins and Rich Schapiro, Daily News Staff Writers

PTF: "Go to this link http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/06/15/graf_parking-map.gif to see a chart of where the most and the least parking tickets were issued by police precincts."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In no particular order.

May 16, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Traffic Enforcer Says Officer Beat Him Bloody for Parking Summons"
by John Marzulli, Daily News Staff Writer

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In no particular order.

May 2, 2008, NY Post:
"'TIX BLITZ' FAKERS GET WRIST SLAP"
by Leonard Greene

Driving Politicians in the News

News about politicians and their rides in the news.

May 2, 2008, NY1 News:
"Fossella's Blood Alcohol Was Twice Legal Limit"

May 2, 2008, NY Post:
"POLS GET FREE RIDE"
by David Seifman, City Hall Bureau Chief

May 1, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"S.I. Congressman Fossella To Explain DWI Arrest"
reported by Magee Hickey

May 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Staten Island Rep Vito Fossella Apologizes After DUI Bust"
by James Gordon Meek, Melissa Grace and Corky Siemaszko, Daily News Staff Writers

May 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"NYC Congressman Charged with DWI Outside DC"
by Matthew Barakat, Associated Press Writer

May 1, 2008, NY1 News:
"S.I. Congressman Arrested For DWI"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In no particular order.

May 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Thousands of Cops Lose Parking Permits"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

PTF: "More potential clients for me."

May 1, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"No More Free Parking For 25,000 NYC Employees"
by Associated Press

PTF: "Finally. This should have happened a long time ago."

May 1, 2008, NY Post:
"'PARK' ABUSE CURBED"
by David Seifman, City Hall Bureau Chief

PTF: "No more parking permits. No more parking perks for city employees."

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

In no particular order.

April 29, 2008, NY1 News:
"DOT Announces New Program To Cut Down Traffic"

April 29, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Congestion Pricing Plan Was a Regressive Tax on Bronxites"
by Ruben Diaz Jr.

April 29, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Drivers Fume Over $4 Gas, But Pump On"
by Lisa L. Colangelo, Daily News Staff Writer

April 29, 2008, NY Post:
"TRAFFIC BLIGHT: CONGESTION TOPS CITY WOES: POLL"
by Matthew Nestel and Rita Delfiner

April 29, 2008, 1010WINS:
"NYC Puts Out New Traffic Congestion Plan"
by Associated Press

April 28, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"City Looks to Ease Traffic Woes"
by Matthew Schuerman

Parking Tix = Hidden Tax

Why does everything cost so much more in Manhattan than on Staten Island? Or any of the other three outer boroughs of NYC, Queens, Bronx, Brooklyn.

Of course, there are many factors that go into the final retail price. Rent, labor, tolls, taxes, advertising, & etc. But I want to, using one specific consumer item, guess-timate how much parking tickets, as a cost of doing business in Manhattan, adds to the cost of that consumer item. In Manhattan.

I have selected the ubiquitous plastic bottle of Coke. The price where I am in Manhattan is $1.50 for a 20 oz. bottle of Coke. Sold by vending machines where I work my day job. Of course, the price may be higher or lower where you are in Manhattan.

For example, how much more does it cost in Manhattan vs. Staten Island?

On Staten Island, one of the Super Stop and Shops is running a special this week on six-packs of 16.9 oz. Coke bottles. Buy 3 six-packs for $9. Which translates into 50 cents per bottle. A huge savings for Staten Island shoppers. 50 cents per 16.9 oz. Coke on S.I. vs. $1.50 per 20 oz. Coke in Manhattan.

So, for $1.50 on S.I., you can get three 16.9 oz. Cokes. For $1.50 in Manhattan, you get a 20 oz. Coke.

Can you imagine how much more it would be with Mayor Mike's stupid conge$t tax? $1.75 or $2 for a 20 oz. Coke. Maybe more depending on where you are in Manhattan.

With numbers two Coke delivery truck drivers gave me, lets do some calculating.

But, please, note that I am here doing mostly guess-timates. I am not claiming my numbers are definitive in any way. I may be short or over by several cents. Please, take my guess-timates with a grain of salt. Thank you.

Let us assume that one Coke delivery truck in one day, making deliveries in Manhattan, is issued 3 double-parking tickets. One double-parking ticket costs $115.

So, that's $115 x 3 = $345/Coke truck/day. For each Coke truck, each day on average, it collects $345 worth of parking tickets.

How much does that work out for each 20 oz. Coke bottle? One Coke delivery truck delivers on average 60 cases in one day in Manhattan.

One case = 24 bottles of 20 oz. Coke. So, 1 Coke truck x 60 cases x 24 bottles = 1,440 bottles.

Now, lets divide the total of the tickets collected by one Coke truck by the total number of Coke bottles that it delivered in the same day it collected its tickets.

Tickets $345 / Bottles 1,440 = 24 cents/bottle/day. So, for each 20 oz. Coke bottle, it's share of the tickets is 24 cents.

But. Of your $1.50 for that 20 oz. Coke you bought in Manhattan, 24 cents does not go toward paying parking tickets. In reality, about a nickel (5 cents) out of the $1.50 goes to pay off parking tickets.

One of the two Coke delivery truck drivers I had talked to said that last year the company's trucks were issued $2.2 million total in parking tickets. However, the company has a full-time parking ticket fighter who goes to court and fights and fights and fights. As a result, $2.2 million was reduced to $500,000 in actual fines paid.

So, you're paying for their full-time tix fighter and their reduced fines. $500,000 + full-time salary = $550,000 maybe. Which roughly translates into a nickel a Coke bottle.

Of course, for you, a nickel a bottle isn't a lot of money. However. If you add up all the products and services you consume in Manhattan, then all those nickels and dimes add up to maybe $50 or up to a $100 per year. Staying in the conservative ballpark.

That's a hidden tax you pay to play in Manhattan. For the other four boroughs, your hidden tax is smaller. Of course. Maybe $25 or up to $50 a year. Staying in the conservative ballpark.

$25 a year or up to $100

If we look at that nickel per Coke bottle from the delivery truck drivers point of view. Then the parking tickets are a big deal. Because the company used the expense of all the parking tickets as a reason to limit their wage increase in their last contract.

One of the Coke delivery guys I talked told me that last year their parking tickets totaled $2 million. Which their full-time parking ticket fighter reduced to $500,000 last year.

As a result of all the parking tickets the company had to fight and the reduced tix it ended up paying, the Coke delivery guys' pay increase was a tiny 1.1% in their last contract negotiations.

Their current contract, the Coke delivery guys are not happy campers, to say the least.

What I find really disturbing is the "We can't do anything about it" attitude that one of the Coke delivery guys espoused. That made me really sad. The NYC Dept. of Fraud and their thugs essentially stole their pay raise. And, while the Coke delivery guys were, of course, angry about it, they felt helpless to do anything about it.

I thought I lived in America. What happened to life, liberty, and the American way?

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

April 19, 2008, NY1 News:
"Congestion Pricing May Have A Comeback"

April 19, 2008, NY Post:
"CONGE$TION SCHEME IN THE SHOP"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "Looks like a sequel for Mayor Mike's conge$t tax scam is in the works."

April 18, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Congestion Pricing Not Dead, City Says"
by Matthew Schuerman

April 18, 2008, NY Post:
"NYERS CHEER CONGEST-FEE NIX"
by Fredric U. Dicker
Complete Article: New Yorkers are glad that Mayor Bloomberg's $8 congestion fee is dead, a Quinnipiac poll yesterday showed.
Fifty-six percent of suburban voters, 59 percent of city voters - who would have borne much of the brunt of the proposed $8-a-vehicle tax to enter lower Manhattan - and 47 percent of upstate voters opposed the plan.Just 32 percent of all voters, and only 36 percent of city and suburban voters, expressed regret that Bloomberg's plan had been killed last week.

Bogus Parking Ticket Vanishes Mysteriously

An update of my previous post, "Bogus Parking Ticket: Coincidence or Reprisal?" Published on Tue., April 8, 2008.

To recap, about March 17, 2008, started a war of words with the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the Dept. of Finance), trying to help three victims of bogus parking tickets.

Fri., April 4, 2008. After a routine online check for bogus parking tickets issued to my NY plate # DUP1713. I found a bogus summons issued to my plate #, in Brooklyn, on Mon., March 24, 2008.

Summons #: 1155516485
Issued on: Mon., March 24, 2008; 03:08, am or pm?
Location: At the intersection of W/S Liberty Brooklyn
Code Violation: 21, no parking-street cleaning
Fine: $45
Vehicle Description: 2003 Lexus sedan, color: empty

But my NYS vehicle registration states DUP1713 is a 2006 Honda Pilot, suburban, blue. I wish my NY plate # DUP1713 was a Lexus. I'd be happy with even a 2003 Lexus. Although the Honda Pilot is a good choice.

Mon., April 7, 2008. Filed a hearing-by-Web defense. And e-mailed the NYC DOF.
"What's up fools? What's with the bogus tix? You're all a bunch thieves. Is this payback? Go to hell! A-holes. I don't back down. Long live the fighters! " No, I didn't say that.

Sat., April 12, 2008. After an online check of my hearing status, the NYC DOF's system tells me: "No unpaid parking violations were found for the plate number you have entered. ... " The Dept. of Fraud dismissed my bogus parking ticket ASAP. But without any explanation whatsoever.

Of course, I had printed out a copy of the handwritten summons and the tix details page. For my own records. Just in case the Dept. of Fraud decided to "lose" the evidence. Dismiss the fake tix like it never existed. "What tix? We don't know nothing about no stinking tix."

I want answers. Who issued the ticket? Was it an incredible coincidence? Or was it retaliation? Given all the missing information on the ticket, why was it entered into the NYC DOF's system?

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

In on particular order, whatsoever.

April 12, 2008, NY1 News:
"Port Authority Toll Hike Helps Decrease Weekly Traffic"

PTF: "You don't need no stupid conge$t tax scam plan. Toll hikes alone will decrease traffic congestion into the CBD (Central Business District). You don't need a system of cameras and another layer of bureaucracy in Manhattan."

April 10, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Keep Congest Plan Alive, Says Fed Big"
by Pete Donohue, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Can you say, 'Federal conspiracy?'"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

First, I want to give a shout out to "jj" and "monitor lcd" who were both kind enough to post positive comments about my blog on my blog. Thank you, "jj" and "monitor lcd."

In no particular order, whatsoever.

April 10, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Politicians Fear Congestion Backlash"
by Lisa L. Colangelo, Daily News Staff Writer

April 9, 2008, Staten Island Advance:
"With Toll-Plan Defeat, Mayor Losing Grip on Relevance"
by Sally Goldenberg

April 9, 2008, NY Post:
"'PARK' SHARK BUST"
by Murray Weiss and Philip Messing

Mar. 25, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Ticket Dumping, Part 2"
by John Deutzman

Mar. 25, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Ticket Dumping, Part 1"
by John Deutzman

Bogus Parking Ticket: Coincidence or Reprisal?

Since about March 17, 2008, I've been fighting a war of words with the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the NYC Dept. of Finance). Helping three victims of bogus parking tickets all issued in Queens by the infamous T-405 command.

After they were found guilty, I demanded copies of the their hearing records. I gave the NYC DOF ample time to provide them to me. Result: Empty mailbox. I just kept getting the old run-around. Then I filed two complaints against the NYC DOF with the NYC Dept. of Investigation. For violating the NYS Freedom of Information Law.

Mayor Mike and Slush Fund Queen Quinn claims we have a more transparent and open city government. Yeah, right, we do. I think both are on crack.

Last Fri., April 4, 2008, while doing a routine check for parking tickets issued to my Honda Pilot (NY plate # DUP1713), I found an obviously bogus ticket issued to my Honda.

After having been issued a bogus ticket in Dec. 2006 that I only learned about when I got the late notice with a $10 late penalty. I do at least a once a week check online for bogus tickets issued to my NY plate # DUP1713. The school of hard knocks taught me to practice defensive parking ticket fighting.

The fake summons was issued on March 24, 2008, in Brooklyn. For allegedly violating code 21 ( no parking-street cleaning), I was fined $45. The vehicle described on the summons was a 2003 Lexus sedan. I wish. The reality, according to my NYS vehicle reg., is that my "2003 Lexus sedan" is a 2006 Honda Pilot suburban. Maybe in the future, I'll drive a Lexus.

My first thought was that this is an incredible coincidence. But maybe this is retaliation? A message from the NYC Dept. of Fraud to back off. To stop my independent investigation of their "official misconduct."

If it is a reprisal, then it didn't work. Because I'm a fighter. Long live the fighters!

Conge$t Tax? No way!

Sweet victory! Sweet victory! Death to Mayor Mike's conge$t tax.

April 8, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Mayor Bloomberg Unleashes Fury as Sheldon Silver Halts Congestion Pricing"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 8, 2008, NY Post:
"SHEL GAME WASN'T PERSONAL - THIS TIME"
by Fredric U. Dicker

April 8, 2008, NY Post:
"CONGE$TION HITS END OF THE ROAD"
by Kenneth Lovett and Patrick Gallahue

April 8, 2008, NY Times:
"$8 Traffic Fee for Manhattan Gets Nowhere"
by Nicholas Confessore

April 8, 2008, NY Times:
"Bloomberg Tactics Were Highhanded on Traffic Plan, Lawmakers Say"
by Diane Cardwell and Danny Hakim

April 7 , 2008, NY Times:
"City Room: Congestion Pricing Plan Is Dead, Assembly Speaker Says"
by Nicholas Confessore

April 7 , 2008, 1010 WINS:
"State Assembly Rejects Bloomberg's Congestion Pricing Plan"
by AP

April 7, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Silver: NY Legislature Rejects Manhattan Traffic Fee"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau, and Elizabeth Benjamin

April 7, 2008, NY Post:
"DEFIANT MIKE DOOMS CONGE$TION BID: POLS"
by Kenneth Lovett and Frankie Edozien

April 6, 2008, NY Post:
"SPEAKER: CONGESTION PRICING REJECTED"
by AP

April 7, 2008, NY1 News:
"Congestion Pricing Plan Dead"

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

In no specific order, whatever seems to make sense to me.

April 5, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Changes May Be Needed for Traffic Plan"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 5, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"Albany Democrats Oppose Congestion Pricing"

April 4, 2008, NY1 News:
"Clock Ticks On Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "Die conge$t tax! Die, die a horrible death. Conge$t tax plan, be no more."

April 3, 2008, NY1 News:
"Last-Minute Deal Could Revive Congestion Pricing Before Deadline"

April 3, 2008, NY1 News:
"State Assembly Debates Congestion Pricing"

April 3, 2008, NY1 News:
"S.I. Commuters Concerned About Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "I drive on Staten Island. Commute to Manhattan on mass transit. On Sun., drive to church in Queens. I'll only drive into Manhattan when I only must have to. However, I'm concerned about Mayor Mike's conge$t tax plan. Because it'll adversely effect all NYC-residents. Even those who don't ever have to drive into Manhattan. And, if you don't think it'll effect you, then you must be on crack like Mike."

April 2, 2008, NY1 News:
"Fate Of Congestion Pricing Still Hangs In The Balance"

April 2, 2008, NY1 News:
"All Eyes On Silver Who Holds Key To Congestion Pricing"
by Rita Nissan

April 1, 2008, NY1 News:
"Congestion Pricing Plan Heads To Albany"

Conge$t Tax? NO!

Please, join me in voicing a strong "NO!" to Mayor Mike's conge$tion tax. I've already e-mailed my "Conge$t Tax? NO!" message to Gov. Paterson, my NYS assemblyman, and my NYC council member. Don't wait. The deadline is Mar. 31, 2008.

Contact NYS Governor David Paterson.
Link: http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html

Contact NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Link: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064

Find your NYS Assembly representative at assembly.state.ny.us
Link: http://assembly.state.ny.us/

Find your NYC Council member at council.nyc.gov
Link: http://council.nyc.gov/

For more about Mayor Mike's conge$tion tax, visit the following:

"Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free" website
Link: http://KeepNYCFree.com/

"Stop NYC Congestion Tax" website
Link: http://www.stopnyccongestiontax.org/

"Stop NYC Congestion Pricing Tax" video on YouTube.com
Link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rz9A14ox5Yg

Thank you.

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

In no particular order whatsoever, it's easier this way for me.

April 3, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Assembly Democrats Haggle Over Congestion Pricing Plan"
by Elizabeth Benjamin, Adam Lisberg, and Celeste Katz, Daily News Staff Writers

April 3, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Under Plan, N.Y. Drivers Entering Manhattan on Bridges Would Also Pay"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 2 , 2008, NY Times:
"City Plans to Raise Hudson River Tolls Draws Corzine's Fire"
by David W. Chen and Ken Belson

PTF: "Even Gov. Corzine thinks Mayor Mike is on crack."

April 2, 2008, NY Post:
"'Congestion' War with NJ Governor"
by Patrick Gallahue and Kenneth Lovett

PTF: "Mayor Mike's conge$tion tax plan is turning out to be more trouble than it's worth. Now, we'll have a lawsuit from NJ governor Corzine to look forward to."

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Colangelo: Mayor Touts Labor's Backing; Uniforms Still Want Congestion Pricing Parked"
by Lisa Colangelo

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Plan for New, More Frequent Transit Options Before Congest Plan Starts"
by Pete Donohue

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Kids' Health and IQ Could Improve with Congestion Pricing Plan"
by Jordan Lite, Daily News Staff Writer

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Editorials: The Big Green Light"

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Politicians Who Back Congestion Pricing Wonder: Is It Gutsy - Or Career-Ending"
by Bob Kappstatter, Kerry Burke and Kirsten Danis, Daily News Staff Writers

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Pork Handouts Offered to Pressure Council Members to OK Congestion Plan"
by Juan Gonzalez

April 2, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Some Council Members Drove to City Hall to Vote Against Congestion Pricing"
by Caitlin Millat and Frank Lombardi, Daily News Writers

Dec. 11, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Traffic Congestion Plan Could Hit 3rd Rail"
b Pete Donohue and Helen Kennedy, Daily News Staff Writers

April 2, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Congestion Opposition Cries Foul"
Complete Article: REPORTER: Councilman Lewis Fidler, who led the opposition, claims the mayor promised a campaign fundraiser as an incentive for an undecided council person who dropped by Gracie Mansion before the vote.
FIDLER: While that member was there, the mayor suggested that he would do a fundraiser for that member. I think that for a mayor who is so holier than thou, talking about pay-for-play or whatever - that's hypocritical and inappropriate.
REPORTER: Fidler says he can't reveal the identity of the council person. The mayor has been a fierce critic of so-called "pay-to-play," but has also been quick to contribute to candidates who he felt support the city.
A spokesman for Bloomberg dismissed Fidler's charge as baseless and coming from "a sore loser."
No word yet from Albany on when congestion pricing will be voted on there.

April 1, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"NY Drivers Respond to Congestion Pricing Vote"
Complete Article: Drivers are reacting with skepticism following the City Council's approval of congestion pricing.
REPORTER: John Cameron, a field engineer who drives from Manhattan to various parts around the region every day, said the $8 fee would not do much to improve traffic jams.
CAMERON: I don't believe it's going to change drivers’ habits whatsoever. It might change a small percentage of the people, but it's not going to change enough to make a difference.
REPORTER: The City Council voted 30 to 20 last night in favor of the proposal. The state legislature must vote before Monday in order for the city to qualify for a $350 million federal grant.The bill's prospects in the assembly are uncertain.

April 1, 2008, NY Daily News:
"City Council OKs Traffic Congestion Plan"
by Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

April 1, 2008, NY Post:
"'CONGE$T' BARELY WINS COUNCIL OK"
by Patrick Gallahue

Mar. 31, 2008, NY1 News:
"City Council Passes New Congestion Pricing Plan"

Mar. 30, 2008, WABC-TV:
"City Council to Vote on Congestion Pricing Monday"

Mar. 30, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"Anti-Congestion Pricing Rally Held In Chinatown"
by Cindy Hsu

Mar. 30, 2008, Staten Island Advance:
"Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Christine Quinn Pushing to Rally Support for the Initiative"
by Tom Wrobleski

PTF: "Right on brother! Says Mayor Mike: 'The revenue from the conge$t tax will all go to improving mass transit.' Don't be fooled. If you believe him, I've got a great bridge I want to sell you. And don't buy his line about the conge$t tax generating $500 million a year. It'll fall short. And they'll double it. $8 will be raised to $16 before you can say, 'congestion pricing' three times."

Mar. 30, 2008, WCBS-TV:
"Deadline Draws Near For NYC Congestion Pricing"
by Magee Hickey

Mar. 30, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Secretaries, Law Clerks Grab Gratis Spaces on Public Parkland, News Finds"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Stop the madness! Stop the parking perks! I mean, I don't get one. I pay taxes. Where the heck is my parking perk? Where's my free parking spot? No where, that's where."

Mar. 28, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Robocalls Blast Congestion Pricing"
Complete Article: New Yorkers around the city are getting anonymous robocalls urging them to convince their City Council people to vote against the congestion pricing plan. The call says the Metropolitan Transportation Authority can't be trusted to spend the money on mass transit.
TAPE: And as for promises that the funds will only go for improvements, the MTA admits that 67 percent will be spent on everything but new bus and subway lines. And they just canceled the improvements promised to get the March fare increase.”
REPORTER: The Mayor's office says the contention that the money won’t go to mass transit is false. A Bloomberg spokesman says the plan will garner $500 million a year for mass transit improvements. Councilmember Walter McCaffrey, who is leading the main opposition group, maintains his group didn't fund the calls.

Mar. 28, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Traffic Fee Foes in Queens Take to the Street"
Complete Article: "Honk if you are against congestion pricing" — that was the message on signs a few Queens politicians and business leaders held aloft for motorists at the Queensboro Bridge this morning. Organizer and City Councilman Tony Avella says the location was chosen to make a point.
AVELLA: People don't drive as you see here, into Manhattan for the pleasure of it. They drive because they have to.
REPORTER: The council and state lawmakers have until April 7 to agree to a congestion pricing plan, or risk losing federal funding.

Mar. 28, 2008, NY Post:
"City Jumps the Gun on 'Congest' Jobs"
by Patrick Gallahue Transit Reporter

PTF: "What a huge waste of money. Well-paid jobs to help City Hall rip-off working class Americans."

Mar. 27, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Silver Turns a Key on Congestion Plan"
by Frank Lombardi and Joe Mahoney

PTF: "I'm starting to lose hope now. I still don't think Mayor Mike's conge$t tax scheme will happen. But I'm worried."

Conge$t Tax in the News - Update

In no real order, saves me a lot of time trying to figure which comes before the other. I'm so lazy. Lazy blogger, bad blogger.

Mar. 21, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Over Next Two Weeks, State to Decide Whether to Approve Congestion Plan"
by Juan Gonzalez

PTF: "Super column by Senor Gonzalez. Hit the working class, but give the rich a discount? Is Mayor Mike on crack, again?"

Mar. 24, 2008, NY1 News:
"City Council Remains Divided on Issue of Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "Die conge$t tax, die. Die a horrible death. No one with half a brain wants you to live. Death to taxes. Especially, idiot taxes like the conge$tion tax (a.k.a. congestion pricing)."

Mar. 25, 2008, NY Post:
"Show Us the Transit $$, Say Congest Foes"
by Patrick Gallahue and Frankie Edozien and Andy Geller

PTF: "Similar theme as the NY1 News report about conge$tion tax debate in the NYC Council. Will the revenue from the conge$t tax go to the general fund? Or will it all go to improving mass transit? History strongly suggests that will not happen. Maybe at the start. But eventually some, at least, will end up in the general fund."

Mar. 25, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Mayor Bloomberg and Allies Work to Win Converts to Congestion Pricing Plan"
by Kirsten Danis and Adam Lisberg, Daily News City Hall Bureau

PTF: "More questions. Will charitable organizations be exempt? Like the meals-on-wheels nonprofit God's Love We Deliver. Will cops, firefighters, cancer patients, and others be exempt? Will low-income drivers get a tax credit? If NJ drivers are exempt, how will Mayor Mike make up the difference? Free residential parking permits for people who live outside the conge$t zone? More questions, no easy answers."

Mar. 24, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"City Council Hears Testimony on Congestion Pricing"
Complete Article: City Council Members are hearing testimony for both opponents and supporters of congestion pricing today. Mayor Bloomberg's aides again dangled the prospect of losing a $354 million federal grant as an incentive to approve the plan within the next seven days.
REPORTER: Queens Council Member Melinda Katz, who opposed congestion pricing, criticized that tactic.
KATZ: We are basically thanking the federal government for giving us the money to give us permission to tax ourselves and to me that doesn’t make sense.
REPORTER: The federal grant is supposed to pay for more buses and other upgrades to prepare the mass transit system for the additional riders who would give up driving rather than 8-dollars to get into the busiest parts of Manhattan.
The hearing continues through this afternoon. Another session will begin at 6 p.m. to accommodate people's work schedules.

Congestion Tax in the News - Update

Bad news for NYC drivers, good news for Mayor Mike and his supporters.

Mar. 21, 2008, WNYC New York Public Radio:
"Paterson Backs Congestion Pricing"
Complete Article: Gov. David Paterson has come our in support of congestion pricing. Gov. Spitzer had been in favor, but Paterson had reserved judgment. Paterson’s support is crucial for passage of the legislation which would charge drivers in Midtown in peak hours. Mayor Michael Bloomberg says a bill must pass both the Legislature and the City Council by March 31 for the city to receive hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds for mass transit.

Mar. 21, 2008, NY1 News:
"Paterson Announces Support for Congestion Pricing"

PTF: "I had high hopes for Gov. Paterson. Now, he's my enemy. Down with Gov. Paterson. More of the same rubbish. He's turning out to be more like that old idiot, former Gov. Spitzer."

Mar. 22, 2008, NY Post:
"New Gov Unclogs Congest"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "A little more background info."

Feb. 13, 2008, NY Post:
"Tight Parking Spot"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "If you think you'll be able to find a parking space outside of the congestion zone, think again. Because a recent DOT survey says there ain't no parking spaces now. The neighborhoods ringing the proposed congestion zone in Manhattan have few parking spaces open now for drivers looking to avoid Mayor Mike's congestion tax."

Congestion Tax in the News - Update

In reverse chronological order:

Mar. 21, 2008, NY Post:
"But What's Mike Really Think?"
Complete Article: "That is one of the stupider things I've ever heard. Are you kidding? It's insanity." - Mayor Bloomberg, reacting to a claim by Rep. Anthony Weiner(D-Bklyn.), a 2009 mayoral candidate, that congestion pricing could lead to reduced federal transportation aid for the city.

PTF: "Mayor Mike you're the one who's insane. Rep. Weiner is the sane one. That's exactly what the Feds want to do. The Febs are sick and tired of having to hand out Fed transportation aid to each and every DOT in America. Instead, the Febs want each and every DOT to generate their own transportation funds. Congestion tax = huge savings for the Federal government."

Mar. 20, 2008, NY Post:
"Mike Pitches Congestion Pricing to New Governor"
by Patrick Gallahue and David Seifman

PTF: "New Gov. Paterson is on the fence. Which is good. Means he can be influenced. He hasn't made any decisions for or against. Please, don't delay. Write, call, e-mail Gov. Paterson today. Urge him to dump Mayor Mike's congestion tax.

Go to his "Contact The Governor" webpage at
http://www.ny.gov/governor/contact/index.html

Do all three, call, e-mail, write a letter. 'Say, 'NO!' to Mayor Mike's congestion tax.' The deadline is March 31, 2008. There's still time. So, don't waste it."

Mar. 16, 2008, NY Post:
"'Congest' Plan Hits Another Pothole"
by David Seifman

PTF: "Former Gov. Spitzer was for Mayor Mike's congestion tax. Our new Gov. Paterson is 'noncommittal' which means that the congest tax is a long shot but not dead. So, don't sit on your ass thinking you don't have to anything. The problem will just go away. Mayor Mike's got the money and the influence and the will to make it happen. He's not going to give up. He's going to give it his all. Until the Fed's deadline of March 31, 2008."

Mar. 14, 2008, NY Post:
"'Conge$t' Bid Takes Us for Ride: Poll"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "You'd have to be an idiot to believe that most or all of the money generated by Mayor Mike's congest tax would actually go towards improving bus and train service. I'm sure some of the revenue would. But politicians love to put revenue into the general fund. Which means they're free to spend the general fund as they see fit. They don't want to be forced to spend it on specific items. They can't be trusted."

Mar. 4, 2008, NY Post:
"Congestion Move vs. NJ"
by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "So, I'm not the only New York resident who doesn't like those strange NJ people. Stick it to NJ. Coming into our city. Breathing our NYC air for free. Stealing our NYC parking spaces. Stealing jobs from NYC residents. Get a job in your own state! Damn it! Of course, I'm just joking. Actually, not really."

Feb. 28, 2008, NY Post:
"Assembly Cool to Conge$tion"
by Kenneth Lovett

PTF: "The New York State Assembly is not hot for Mayor Mike's congestion tax. Which is good. But don't declare, 'War Won' yet."

Feb. 26, 2008, NY Post:
"'Congest' Plan Gets 500G Ads"
by by Patrick Gallahue

PTF: "These pro-congest ads claim the congest revenue will be spent on mass transit. However, I would argue that the revenues will end up in the general fund. Maybe not right away, but eventually it will. Do you think all the revenue from our water bills go to maintain all those old pipes?"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In reverse chronological order:

Mar. 24, 2008, NY Daily News:
"City to Curb Abuse of Parking Placards"
by Josh Max

PTF: "Right now just a lot of talk, talk, talk. When the heck are they actually going to reduce the fakes and the unnecessary?"

Feb. 3, 2008, NY Post:
"NYPD Daily Blotter"
by Erika Martinez & Tatiana Deligiannakis

Excerpt: Manhattan
Two NYPD traffic-enforcement agents were arrested for writing bogus tickets, cops said yesterday.
Mohammad Islam and Mohammad Saleh were charged with forgery, official misconduct, falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing."

PTF: "Just the tip of the trash pile. Ultimately, Mayor Mike's to blame. He's created a work environment where the cops, traffic agents, and the hearing judges feel free to commit fraud. In order to scam drivers in NYC for more than $500 million every year."

Nov. 7, 2006, Streetsblog.org:
"Two Doubleparked Traffic Agents, Sunnyside Up"
by Glenn McAnanama

PTF: "This is one of the many reasons why New Yorkers hate traffic agents. They only enforce parking rules (when not issuing fake tickets). They, apparently, do not have to obey parking rules themselves. Makes me want to scream, 'Bloody murder!'"

Parking Tix in the News - Update

Mar. 15 , 2008, NY Times:
"Study Quantifies the Frustrations of Parking"
by William Neuman

PTF: "This study only proves what most New Yorkers who drive into Manhattan already know. Vehicles with legit and fake parking permits are clogging the streets. Mayor Mike has to reduce real and fake placards by a lot more than 20%. 20% is a start, not the solution. I don't get a placard. Where's my placard? Stop the abuse. Stop the madness."

Congestion Tax in the News - Update

Not really an update, more like background info. For those who have not been following the news about Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan. Again, in reverse chronological order:

May 29, 2007, Streetsblog:
"How Many New Yorkers Actually Commute to the CBD?"
by Aaron Naparstek

PTF: "Aaron N. makes a very good point. The majority of NYC residents do not commute by car into the CBD (Central Business District, Manhattan south of 60th St.). However, it is the majority of NYC residents who will have to suffer the side effects of Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan. Which are businesses forced to close or to move outside the CBD. More pollution and congestion in the outer boroughs. More crowded buses and trains. And criminals stealing car plates and cloning (i.e., making fake plates) plate numbers."

June 7, 2007, Streetsblog:
"Spitzer Backs Congestion Pricing"
by Aaron Naparstek

PTF: "Yes, I know Spitzer isn't the governor any more. Wanted to provide more background info for those who are just learning about Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan."

June 21, 2007, NY Sun:
"Spitzer Presses Silver on Congestion Study"
by Annie Karni, Staff Reporter of the Sun

PTF: "More background info about Mayor Mike's past efforts to get his congestion tax plan through Albany."

July 19, 2007, NY Daily News:
"Congest Fight U-Turn"
by Michael Saul & Joe Mahoney

PTF: "Now that Ex-Gov. Spitzer has finally resigned. Our law-makers can get back to work. But don't think that just because Spitzer is no more. That Mayor Mike's congestion tax plan is dead. Because you'd be dead wrong. While the congestion tax plan is likely to die from lack of votes, it's not dead yet. Mayor Mike has the money and influence to squeeze it through somehow. I will give him his due. He's a fighter. He doesn't quit. You don't become a billionaire by being a quitter."

July 26, 2007, NY State Government:
"Statement of Governor Spitzer on Congestion Pricing"
by [Ex-] Governor Spitzer

PTF: "A millionaire like Spitzer who regularly pays for $1,000 per hour prostitutes. Of course, can't understand how much of a burden an additional $2,000 per year in congestion taxes would be for a working-class family. Or a billionaire like Mayor Mike. Of course, I'm not implying that Mayor Mike pays for high-class prostitutes like Ex-Gov. Spitzer. Just that both are obviously on crack if they think that trying to squeeze an extra $2,000 per working-class family makes sense."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

Feb. 10, 2008, NY Post:
"Placard Sharks Hit Bravest"
by Ginger Adams Otis & Joshua Rhett Miller

PTF: "I feel a little bad about feeling so happy after I read this article. A little bit bad but can't help smiling. Last year I was telling my co-workers that, with the congestion tax, criminals will be making fake plates (i.e., cloning). It'll become a lucrative and non-violent crime. No one believed me. They thought I was crazy. Which I am. Now, breaking into a firefighter's car to steal his parking permit is a much more serious crime. At least to me. So, a criminal who will not hesitate to break into a firefighter's vehicle will also not hesitate to make fake plates for customers who don't want to pay a congestion tax."

Queens: Bagel Bus Stop Tix Trap

This parking ticket trap must be the most diabolical trap I have ever heard or seen. Reminds me of the infamous tix trap where the NYC DOT had planted a parking meter inside 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

This trap is five parking meters on one half of a short commercial street. But it's also an Express QM1A bus stop (7am to 9am, Mon. to Fri.). My church member Dave P. tipped me off to it ("Thank you, Dave.").

This past Sun. afternoon I went there and took photos of the trap.
Photos of the "Bagel Bus Stop Tix Trap" online at Flickr.com
Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24615876@N08/sets/72157604088752019/

It's in Queens. The street is on 73rd Ave. between Bell Blvd. and 215th Street. Half of the street, starting from Bell Blvd., is a regular bus stop (Q75, Q88, & QM1A) without any parking meters. The other half of the street has five parking meters, ending at 215th Street.

In the morning, an unsuspecting driver parks at one of the meters, pays the meter, then goes into the Bagel Shoppe to get a bagel and coffee. But, when he comes back to his vehicle, he finds a $115 summons for illegally parking in a "No Standing" zone. Because this half of the street is also an Express QM1A bus stop from 7am to 9am, Mon. to Fri. All NYC bus stops are "No Standing" zones.

The City of NY loves "No Standing" tickets. They are a huge money-maker. Combined with the fact that the NYC DOF has a "No Mercy" policy for "No Standing" tickets. Even if a driver decides to fight his "No Standing" tix, the Dept. of Fraud will eventually get its due.

In regards to the other side of the story, that is the logic of the NYC Dept. of Transportation behind the parking meters/express bus stop combo. I will make an attempt to get their side of the story. I don't expect to get a response. I will keep you up to date.

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In reverse chronological order:

Mar. 5, 2008, NY1 News:
"Your S.I. News Now: New Fine for Unattended Cars Combats S.I. Auto Theft"
by Bree Driscoll

PTF: "WTF is this BS? Instead of catching the car thieves, the NYPD has decided to go after the drivers. A bogus $35 ticket for an unattended vehicle with the key in the ignition. Blame the victim? Has the world gone upside-down? I'm I crazy? Here's my message the Mayor Mike and his mob enforcers: 'Fight car theft, go after the car thieves. DO NOT go after the drivers!'"

Mar. 8, 2008, NY Times:
"Traffic Plan Needs Votes on Council, Survey Finds"
by Ray Rivera

PTF: "Recession + Congestion Tax = Insanity. You can't squeeze water out of a rock."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

Mar. 6, 2008, NY Times:
"No Parking Spots? Here Are About 142,000 Reasons"
by William Neuman and Al Baker

PTF: "A City of NY parking permit (a.k.a. a parking placard) should never be a 'perk.' There should be a real reason for a city employee to use one. I mean, there was and is too many city employees abusing their 'perk.' And let us not forget to mention all those fake parking permits copied for the friends and family of city employees."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In reverse chronological order:

Feb. 28, 2008, NY Post:
"Assembly Cool to Conge$tion"
by Kenneth Lovett

PTF: "Some good news for NYC drivers. Hopefully, the New York State Assembly will do the right thing and kill Mayor Mike's stupid congestion tax scam."

Feb. 28, 2008, 1010WINS:
"Yonkers City Council Approves Traffic Cameras"
by Associated Press

PTF: "Watch out! My fellow NY drivers outside NYC. Traffic cameras will be watching your every move. Gov. Spitzer needs your dollars to fill his estimated budget deficit of $384 million. Source: Feb. 11, 2008, 'New York's Budget Deficit Deepens' by Michael Gormley."

Feb. 27, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Says Queens Parking Tickets Bogus"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Mayor Mike and his thugs can't be expected to police themselves properly. When the fox is guarding the hen house, the chickens are in big trouble. And the chickens are us, unfortunately. The assistant manager at my day job last year got a bogus parking ticket. He has NJ plates. Allegedly, he was parked at a 'No Standing' zone. But doesn't recollect ever having parked outside. Or getting a parking ticket. So, it's definitely not only one or only four or only a dozen dirty traffic agents. My guess is that, at least, 50% or more of NYC's traffic agents write bogus tickets some of the time. In order to fill their 'illegeal' ticket quotas."

Mar. 4, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Cops Probe Bogus Parking Tickets"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Reporter Hays follows up on her previous article about bogus Queens parking tix."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

Feb. 12, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Tickets Written Early"

PTF: "The Fox 5 Investigates team caught dirt-bag traffic agents writing tickets before they were supposed to. Apparently, an error in the system. Their digital hand-held scanners are not synchronized with the official U.S. time. Making it easier for them to write bogus tickets that seem to be legit. And almost impossible to beat."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

Feb. 11, 2008, Fox 5 News:
"Fox 5 Investigates: Red-Light Imposters"

PTF: "Very interesting, very scary story. This woman's NYS plate number, apparently, cloned by another person. (Note: Cloning or car number plate theft is a big problem in the UK.) The other person in a different car with her cloned plate racked up two "red light camera" tickets. The criminal with her cloned plate didn't get in trouble, of course. She did. Because the plate number is hers. Last year I tried to warn people about cloning. This year we'll probably see more stories about it. Criminals running red lights and getting parking tix with someone else's plate number."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In reverse chronological order:

Feb. 7, 2008, NY Daily News:
"No Skirting Traffic Rules, Judge Tells Blind Patient's Husband"
by Matthew Lysiak, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "This judge (actually, an administrative law judge) has got to be on crack. I'm going to start an online petition to have this A-hole fired.

Petition Title: Fire Judge Irwin Strum
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/firejudgeirwinstrum/index.html
Please, sign the petition. Lets stop the madness!

Mayor Mike and his thugs need money so bad, they have to shakedown the sick and the elderly. Stories like this make me wonder. How, the heck, are we, as Americans, different from the Communist Chinese or Iranians or North Koreans? We don't expect there to be any justice in those countries. But don't we expect justice, common sense, compassion in the U.S.A?"

Jan., 10, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Meter Maid Writes 'Em A Cruel Ticket"
by Matthew Lysiak & Tracy Conner, Daily News Writers

PTF: "NYC traffic enforcement agents are the modern equivalents of the tax collectors of the Bible. I can't stand them. Too bad Jesus isn't here to save their souls. I'd put all of them on the express bus to Hell."

Dirty Judge Can't Read Map

This past Sat., Feb. 2, 2008, in my mailbox, appeared the audio tape of my live hearing with ALJ Joan Giaccio on June 4, 2007, at the Staten Island Payment Center.

I didn't think I'd ever get it. I wrote a letter, mailed postcards, e-mailed, and I even talked to a real person at the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. the NYC Dept. of Finance). Plus, I filed a complaint with the NYC Dept. of Investigation. I guess all my hard work eventually paid off.

The audio tape is definitely low quality. Lots of background noise. But I can make myself out and ALJ Giaccio from the tape. Better late and low quality than never and nothing. Next time I'll remember to record with my own equipment. (For sure.)

After some trial and error, I converted the audio tape into one MP3 file, 9.7MB. And put it on the Net. So, anyone can access it. Anyone who has broadband Internet access, of course.

If you don't have the time to listen to the whole hearing, I've summarized ALJ Giaccio's three main points. Her three "reasons" why I was quilty. (Where does Mayor Mike find these A-holes?)

This piece of human garbage tried to convince me that "1 Richmond Terrace" was the whole block. From "1 Richmond Terrace" to "75 Richmond Terrace." So, it didn't matter where exactly my Honda was parked. (What? Am I speaking English? Yo, judge, do you know how to read a map?)

According to former ALJ Haskell Nussbaum, author of Beat That Parking Ticket, the location indicated on the summons must be un-ambiguous. If the location is not clear, the summons must be dismissed.

This "thing" also argued that Google Maps are one year old. Therefore, their maps don't make for good evidence. The Google Maps of "1 Richmond Terrace" and "75 Richomnd Terrace" that I showed her. No good because they're too old. (Again, huh?)

Even if Google Maps are two or five years old. The entrance to the S.I. Ferry and that street, Richmond Terrace, have not physically changed. The Ferry Terminal has changed a lot. But I didn't park inside the Terminal.

To top it all off, ALJ Giaccio told me that the police officers are patrolling the parking lot to "fight crime." So, apparently, I'm a criminal. Because I parked illegally. Parking illegally is the first step to a life of violent crime. (It's a good thing I was caught early in my life of crime. Hopefully, I'll be able to turn my life around. Thank you ALJ Giaccio.)

It's only my opinion that the cops are really filling their ticket quotas. According to ALJ Giaccio, the cops are fighting crime. (How noble. What a load of #$%@ BS!)

To sum up, "1 Richmond Terrace" is the same as "75 Richmond Terrace." The entrance to the S.I. Ferry has moved several times. And I'm a criminal because I refuse to obey parking rules to the letter. (Thank you ALJ Giaccio for educating me. Go to hell! You piece of human trash.)

Below is the link to the MP3 of my live hearing:

http://www.box.net/shared/yxk559t6ok

The page that loads will allow you to either play the MP3 or download it.

Double Parking Urban Legends

Filed under NYC urban legends. Too many New York City drivers are totally ignorant of their own parking rules. Which helps the NYC Dept. of Fraud (a.k.a. Dept. of Finance) generate more than half a billion dollars every year.

Myth #1: Turning on hazard lights makes it OK to double park.

False. To quote the NYC Dept. of Transportation: "Double parking passenger vehicles is illegal at all times, including street cleaning days, regardless of location, purpose or duration."

Myth #2: Keeping the engine on makes it OK to double park.

Again, false. See Myth #1.

Myth #3: Having someone in the vehicle makes it OK to double park.

Again, false. See Myth #1.

Myth #4: Alternate street parking means double parking is OK.

Again, false. See Myth #1.

However, to correct the NYC DOT, according to Beat That Parking Ticket by Haskell Nussbaum. It is OK to double park if you are dropping off or picking up a passenger. As long as you do so expeditiously. Of course, what you think is expeditious and a traffic agent thinks is expeditious may differ.

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In reverse chronological order:

Jan. 16, 2008, NY1 News:
"Public Sounds Off on Congestion Pricing Plans"

PTF: "Instead of this Rube-Goldberg-esque system of cameras that will encircle Manhattan. Why not just have the NYPD randomly stop drivers and, at gun point, take all their cash? And Mayor Mike and City Hall will be able to keep more in revenue without the huge expense of cameras everywhere. In either case, essentially the same."

June 28, 2005, NY Times:
"What Parking Ticket Quota? Police Prefer to Call It an 'Expectation'"
by Mike McIntire

PTF: "FYI: Section 215-a of the Labor Laws of New York State prohibits ticket quotas. Therefore, ticket quotas are illegal. Right? So, traffic agents and police officers don't have quotas to fill every month. Right? There aren't any ticket quotas. And I never curse when I drive. Like you."

Parking Tix in the News - Update

In reverse chronological order:

Jan. 17, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Markowitz Curbs His Sidewalk Park Habit"
by Elizabeth Hays, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "Another example of rampant parking permit abuse. If parking rules apply to me when I park my vehicle in NYC, then the same rules should apply to everyone else. Right? City employees have run amok with legit and fake parking permits for too many years. It's time to stop the abuse. A 20% reduction is a good start. But should not be the end."

Jan. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Tickets and Car Thefts on the Decline"
by Veronika Belenkaya, Daily News Staff Writer

PTF: "As far as I'm concerned, not enough of a decrease in parking tix for me. Dear NYPD: Fight crime first!"

Jan. 15, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Number of Parking Tickets Dropped in '07"
by Bob Kappstatter, Daily News Bronx Bureau Chief

PTF: "Although parking tix last year (2007) went down 6% citywide. I predict that 2008 citywide parking tix will go up. 'The Independent Budget Office has projected a $3.1 billion shortfall for the upcoming budget, which begins July 1.' (Source: Jan. 12, 2008, "Bloomberg Won't Vow No '08 Tax Hikes" by Kirsten Danis, Daily News City Hall Bureau Chief.) A $3.1 billion shortfall is a pretty good reason for Mayor Mike to hike parking tix quotas. Which don't exist. Because NY State Labor Law section 215-a forbids it."

Jan. 8, 2008, NY Daily News:
"Seeing Orange with Parking Ticket Blitz"
by Jess Wisloski

PTF: "Where are the studies showing that parking tix increase safety for pedestrians? Where? No where. Because no such study exists. Parking tix are all about revenue generation for towns and cities. All across the U.S.A., towns and cities are more concerned about making money than the safety of its residents. Visit the Newspaper, a journal of the politics of driving."

Jan. 8, 2008, Reuters:
"'Parking Wars' Just the Ticket"
by Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
"A reality TV series about the lives of parking agents of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Airing on the A&E channel, Tues., 10pm, Parking Wars. Check it out. Let me know what you think. I don't have cable TV. Too poor from all those $#%! parking tickets. Just kidding. Just poor-paying job."

Jan. 5, 2008, NY Times:
"Paring Down Parking Permits, and Raising a Fuss"
by Anthony Ramirez

PTF: "Of course, some city workers have legitimate reasons for their parking permits. However, too many city workers have abused their permits for too long. How can we tell the legit from the abusers? We can't. Again, parking rules should apply to everyone. Just because you work for the city doesn't make your job more important than mine. I'm a law-abiding taxpayer who works hard for each cent I earn. Where's my parking permit?"

Nov. 2, 2007, NY Times:
"Judges on Other Side of the Bench Plead Not Guilty"
by Jonathan Miller

PTF: "With all due respect to my fellow drivers in NJ. Another reason why I don't like NJ. Four municipal judges caught fixing parking tickets, their own and their friends. Clear examples of official misconduct. They'll probably get a slap on the wrist. I really doubt they'll actually do any time in prison."