| Much has been in made in the last week of the bill | | | | made it easier for motorists to find parking spaces |
| passed by the New | | | | and reduced |
| York City Council that would eliminate the need to | | | | illegal parking in bus stops and at fire hydrants.These |
| feed parking meters | | | | statements raise an intriguing question:* Judging by |
| on Sundays. Mayor Bloomberg has been against this | | | | Commissioner Weinshall's remarks that free metered |
| from the beginning | | | | parking on Sundays will increase illegal parking, |
| and has vowed to veto the legislation, but mayoral | | | | shouldn't the |
| aides acknowledge | | | | officials concerned with the city's revenue be rejoicing, |
| that they would likely not have the necessary votes | | | | considering that |
| to defeat an almost | | | | the city will earn much more money from an increase |
| certain override. The vote in favor of the bill was 41 to | | | | in parking tickets |
| 3.Both Mayor Bloomberg and Transportation | | | | than it will lose from a decrease in meter revenue?Up |
| Commissioner Iris Weinshall | | | | until 2002, metered parking was for the most part free |
| have stated that many council members signed on to | | | | on Sundays. |
| the bill because of | | | | Was the situation regarding low turnover and |
| election-year politics.But is the elimination of Sunday | | | | motorists hogging parking |
| parking meters merely a political ploy or | | | | spaces so dire in "the good old days"?Not according |
| will it really help New Yorkers?Here are some | | | | to the Rev. John Boyd, Sr., a pastor of New Greater |
| interesting things to consider:* In separate statements | | | | Bethel |
| regarding eliminating the need to put money | | | | Ministries in Queens Village. He states that the |
| in the meters on Sundays, Mayor Bloomberg has said | | | | argument that drivers |
| that it will cost the | | | | who hog spaces manipulate meters is incorrect - he's |
| city $7 million in annual revenues from the meters, | | | | noticed more |
| while Commissioner | | | | problems at his Jamaica Avenue church since the |
| Weinshall has put the number at $12 million a year. | | | | Sunday rules were |
| Wouldn't one think | | | | implemented."I didn't have half the problems I'm having |
| that these figures should be more consistent?* | | | | now," said Boyd.Metered parking on Sundays in NYC |
| Whether city $7 million or $12 million, the figure is a | | | | is expected to become a thing of |
| mere fraction of | | | | the past some time in September.Erik Feder is "The |
| the $500 million that the city reaps annually from | | | | Parking Expert"; he has done extensive research |
| parking | | | | on the Manhattan parking scene, including driving on |
| tickets.Commissioner Weinshall has stated "The | | | | every single street |
| purpose of meters, regardless | | | | in Manhattan and writing down the parking regulations |
| of which day they are in effect, is to turn over parking | | | | on each and |
| spaces so that | | | | every sign. He is available for interview, commentary |
| more customers and other individuals can gain access | | | | or quotation. |
| to a particular | | | | Consider using Erik as a source when any issue |
| parking spot in busy commercial areas". High turnover, | | | | regarding parking in |
| she added, | | | | NYC arises. |