Pete Davis’ article on the Queens Chamber of Commerce study of the proposed car fee for access to Manhattan below 60th Street was interesting.
NYC Council Finance Committee Chairperson David Weprin’s concerns about the economic impacts of congestion pricing remind me of his positions on other issues. Weprin in the past came out against both the construction of a new Pathmark supermarket in Fresh Meadows and Wal-Mart in Rego Park. Both projects would have supported several hundred jobs during construction and then full-time jobs for several hundred other Queens residents.
Elected officials can set a good example for others in reducing automobile congestion. Mayor Bloomberg uses mass transit on a regular basis. Shouldn’t all our elected officials lead by example and do the same? Why does Councilmember Weprin have a taxpayer-funded staff member, charged to his Council administrative budget, driving him around town? Maybe someday he will join the rest of us by using public transportation which assists in reducing both congestion and air pollution.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
