16 THE COURIER SUN • MARCH 21, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com TAKEN FOR A RIDE ANGER OVER PARKING RATE HIKES BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] The Department of Transportation (DOT) could be taking extra money out of commuters’ pockets this summer. The organization made a proposal to increase fares up to 233 percent for municipal lots, and residents aren’t looking to pay up. Councilmember Donovan Richards held his term’s fi rst press conference outside one of those lots at the Rosedale Long Island Railroad (LIRR) train station, where commuters travel day in and day out, paying to park in the lot. “This is attacking our pocketbooks, our expenses and this is just something that we cannot tolerate,” said Alfred Osbourne, Rosedale resident and permit holder at the LIRR lot, who is still recovering from Sandy. “I have other bills, and now to get hit by this? It’s unsustainable.” Richards said that this increase is “unwarranted,” and “nothing but greed.” Although no numbers are fi nalized, the increase would go up from the current $110 monthly rate for parking, said Osbourne. “We cannot afford these steep increases that they are proposing,” said Richards. “Considering the current economic climate facing working families in my district, this . . . increase would disproportionately affect residents.” New City Councilmember Donovan Richards held his fi rst press conference with his mentor, State Senator James Sanders, to protest the Department of Transportation’s proposed fare increases at municipal parking lots. State Senator James Sanders, Richards’ former boss and mentor, also attended the press conference to voice his support for his prior chief-of-staff and opposition to the proposed increases. “What will this increase result in?” he asked. “A better maintained area? Will it be safer? Is the DOT putting up signage or walkways? I would argue no.” Sanders said he will stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Richards on this issue. The two suggested alternative means for the city organization to get the money it needs, such as cutting from corporate subsidiaries. THE COURIER/Photo by Maggie Hayes “Look at them before forcing everyday citizens to take it out of their pockets,” said Richards. However, a DOT statement said that the parking rate adjustment is the fi rst at the Rosedale lot in many years. “Bear in mind that there are only 12 permit holders at this lot, and that their effective daily parking rate is increasing from approximately $1.15 to $1.40, still well below the market rate for parking in this area,” said the statement. The DOT also said it received no comments on the rate from Rosedale permit holders. Meeks in Venezuela for Chavez funeral BY MAGGIE HAYES [email protected] The death of Hugo Chavez could breathe new life into the United States’ relationship with Latin America. Congressmember Gregory Meeks attended the former Venezuelan president’s funeral to mourn with a nation -- and also work with leaders from around the world. “I hope that we got the door open for better communication,” said Meeks, who said he hopes to improve trade relations. “It was an honor to represent the U.S..” The representative also hopes that the U.S. can secure Latin American cooperation with drug enforcement, airport security and trading for oil, among other things, and he knows that Venezuela represents a powerful sector of Latin America. While in Venezuela, Meeks met with leaders from the Caribbean, South America and Central America, as well as other delegations from around the world. He also spoke with opposition parties, and with the then-Vice President Nicolas Maduro. “We had a chance to converse, and hopefully improve our relations,” he said. Maduro thanked President Barack Obama for sending Meeks on behalf of the U.S., and recognized the fact that he went with intentions to strengthen international relations. “All in all it was a successful trip, in which we know that Chavez was controversial, but I think the message was relayed and we hope to move forward,” Meeks said. When the Full-Service commercial Printing Digital • Offset Variable Data Printing • Mailing Services Scan Here for $25.00 Off Or use our online quote form and mention this ad 110 Schmitt Blvd., Farmingdale, NY 11735 Forecast is Color! 631-694-1500 www.directprintingconnection.com
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