WHAT WAS JOHN LIU THINKING????? SAME AS DAVID WEPRIN that's what.

So now John Liu wants to run for Comptroller. Whoop di do! I guess he saw that the office of Public Advocate was filling up fast and his ratings were in the toilet. As they should also be for the office of Comptroller.



NYC voters should expect that candidates running for the office of Comptroller be on the up and up and have a brain. They should have a pristine record of dealing with finances. That is - they should not be involved with any questionable goings on involving hiding things from the public, supporting fraudulent legislation and supporting legislation that would cost the tax payers money at the expense of a private questionable industry that only politicians and lobbyists support. What industry is that do you say ... well the carriage horse industry ... what else?!



GET THIS:



Council Member Liu recently signed on as a sponsor of Intro 653-A, the industry bill that would (among other things) provide the drivers with a rate increase, joining his cohort, David Weprin. Presently the drivers (officially and according to the law) make $34 for 1/2 hour and $10 for each additional 1/4 of an hour. They have not had a raise in 20 years (or so they would want you to think.)



Boo hoo.



The truth is that the industry took this matter into their own hands years ago and charge EXORBITANT rates through their web sites. Did you really think they wanted to wait for the City Council. There is no difference between booking a ride on the web sites and catching one at the hack line. The law applies to both. If you do not believe me, take a look at this web site for NY Tours. $173.95 for 40 minutes!!! Jumping Jehassafeffers .... when according to law, 40 minutes should be $34 for the first 1/2 hour and another $10 for each additional 1/4 hour. So it should be $44 tops. This is outrageous.



What is wrong with you, Mr. Liu and Mr. Weprin? Why are you supporting fraud? Please explain yourselves.



How will you handle the city's money? If it is anything like this, you should both get a job in the private sector -- try Wall Street. Neither of you deserve to be our Comptroller.



You think this is an anomaly you say? Well take a peek at these two other web sites: Gotham Carriages -- $98 for 40 minutes ... or Manhattan Carriage - they charge $40 for 17 minutes and ask you to call for the price for other rides. Hello! it is $34 for 1/2 hour. Doesn't anyone pay attention. Mr. Liu - Mr. Weprin - what gives with you two? Are you getting some hefty campaign contributions?



OK - now with the rest of this highly questionable legislation.



Take a look at #17-330-j. A bit hard to comprehend? This is what it really means: The ASPCA has been overseeing the carriage industry for like forever. They have peace officer status and can issue violations and tickets. They volunteer their services for free to the city. This bill would get rid of the ASPCA oversight along with any city agency and the police department -- notice the text in brackets that gets removed. Why -- well the ASPCA, one of the more conservative animal welfare organizations is in favor of a ban of the horse-drawn carriage industry in New York City. Although they are not opposed in principle to horse-drawn carriages, they are for NYC because they say that there is NO WAY the industry can operate humanely. Why people like Liu and Weprin are not listening to an organization founded by Henry Bergh, horse advocate, is beyond my comprehension.



I happen to love the ASPCA. They are conservative and do not rush into things. They are solid and not extreme. When they take a position, I generally agree with it. They know about animals, animal issues and the NYC carriage industry. This responsibility should not be taken away from them and given to shady representatives of the carriage industry. Gee, maybe the Teamsters will get the contract.







The gist of this is that the industry would self regulate -- but who would pay for it? Well not them, that's for sure. The RFP would most likely be prepared by the Department of Consumer Affairs or Department of Health and Mental Hygiene ... a contract would be awarded .... and the cost would be picked up by NYC's tax payers. At the expense of what - closing a health clinic for people or a senior citizen center? Yes - that is exactly what will happen!



Is this who you really want for Comptroller? Liu or Weprin. Either they are stupid; they think we are stupid; or they don't care about this.



Can either David Yassky or Melissa Katz do a better job? Only the shadow knows ... but I think anyone who is outraged about what has happened on Wall Street should be just as outraged at this development and think twice before voting for these losers.



Oh BTW - did I mention that Speaker Christine Quinn, Queen of the Slush Fund scandal, is in closed door talks with the industry lobbyists? No? How could I forget? She supports the industry. Of course, no surprise there since her godfather was the late Tom Manton, Emperor of the Queens Democratic Party who "appointed" her speaker.



And you thought this was a democracy? Silly you.

PROHIBITING TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING? LET'S BE FAIR ABOUT IT!!

The New York Times recently reported that Council Member David Weprin is planning to introduce a bill into the NYC Council that would prohibit AUTOMOBILE drivers from text messaging when they are driving. It sounds very responsible ... after all, it is against the law for automobile drivers to talk on their cell phones while driving ... why not text messaging too? ALL drivers should be focused on the road. The operable words here are “ALL” and “AUTOMOBILE.”

I would support this bill with enthusiasm if it covered all drivers on the road. And by that, I mean it needs to include horse-drawn carriage drivers - the ones who drive all over mid-town Manhattan; the ones whose "engines" leave calling cards for people to step in.

Believe it or not, carriage drivers are not required to have a NYS Drivers License to operate their 19^th century contraptions better known as a carriage or buggy. This means they can drive while using their cell phone. They can also read magazines, stand up while driving and my favorite - make u-turns with impunity.

“ What!” You say. “But they drive right in the thick of traffic! How can that be.? I have seen them on many occasions get into messy situations with cars and taxis. I have seen them squeeze in between cars on 9^th Avenue. What gives? Is the City nuts? I’m moving to Canada! Where's my suitcase!"

There, there, now. If you go to Canada, try Toronto. They got rid of horse-buggies in the 1970s. Unfortunately, I do not have too much hope to give you in your quest for sanity and fairness since Mr. Weprin has already taken sides in the horse-drawn carriage debate by supporting a bill that would increase rates for carriage drivers. For those of you who do not know, this is a cash only business. And as with businesses of this type, drivers do not have to report exactly what they earn. Who would know?

Considering that this small industry is the subject of a lot of controversy now, it would behoove Mr. Weprin to stay out of the fray rather than to award the industry a carte blanche rate increase with no give-backs. Particularly since he is running for Comptroller and as such would be handling the City’s money, he should be beyond perceived conflicts of interest.

“My goodness” you say. “Doesn’t the Mayor and Council members – particularly Mr. Weprin care about the safety of pedestrians?” And I say - “Get real." Mr. Weprin only cares about being elected Comptroller so he can control the City’s money and support the carriage industry.

It is the voters – YOU – who have to see the irony in this – Weprin running for comptroller and supporting a cash only business. There are other more qualified candidates for Comptroller such as Council Member David Yassky who has announced his candidacy.

Mr. Weprin’s quote about text messaging is from the New York Times:

“It’s a risk to drivers, obviously, and also to passengers and pedestrians,” Mr. Weprin said in an interview. “You’re not looking at the road and you don’t have both hands on the wheel” when engaged in text-messaging. “The probability for accidents is too high to ignore.” Mr. Weprin said the bill would be modeled on New York State’s ban on the use of cell phones while driving, which imposes a $100 fine for the first infraction.”

Well, Mr. Weprin, you should be fined $100 for introducing such an incomplete, shallow bill.

Of course, drivers should not be on the phone - texting or otherwise when they drive. That is just plain common sense. But this must include ALL DRIVERS.