Op-Ed
OTHER VOICES
MTA services continue to be a bargain
For those public officials,
MTA board members and
others who oppose any fare
increases and will be quick
to demagogue on this issue
(for political purposes to win
upcoming elections), just
how would the MTA balance
financial shortfalls?
Which capital improvement
projects should the MTA cancel
to help balance the budget and
avoid fare increases?
Which route(s) would you
support service reductions to
save operating dollars?
Would you volunteer to
reduce service, cancel or delay
any capital projects benefiting
constituents in your district?
What future union contracts
would you ask for more flexible
work assignments, hire part
time employees, contract out
more work to the private sector
and reduce salary increases?
Will you ask employees to
increase their contributions
toward medical coverage and
retirement pensions?
MTA services continue to
be one of the best bargains
in town. Since the 1950s, the
average cost of riding either
the bus, subway or commuter
rail has gone up at a lower rate
than either the consumer price
index or inflation.
The Metro Card introduced
in 1996 affords a free transfer
between bus and subway. Prior
to this, riders had to pay two
full fares.
A majority of residents
purchase weekly or monthly
NYC Transit bus/subway Metro
Card, LIRR or Metro North
ticket which reduces the cost
per ride.
In the end, quality and
frequency of service is
dependent upon secure revenue
streams.
We all will have to contribute
— be it at the fare box or
tax revenues generated by
different levels of government
redistributed back to the MTA.
“TANSTAFFL,” or “there
ain’t no such thing as a free
lunch,” or in this case a free
ride.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
AMAZON HYSTERIA
I was troubled to see the staged protest against
Amazon by a few people and organizations that
don’t represent the mainstream beliefs of Queens
residents.
These businesses help the economy by providing
goods at decent prices and more importantly, hiring
workers who pay taxes and pass their hard earned
money into the local economy. A recent survey of
millennials stated that they would rather give up
alcohol than shop Amazon.
While a company like Amazon didn’t need tax
savings and other incentive packages, their impact
in Long Island City and the City will make us exceed
Silicon Valley in the number of technology jobs.
While New York is hemorrhaging people every year
to other states and the continuous downturn in jobs
from Wall Street to Major NYC Banks, this is relief
to our challenging economy.
Make no mistake, Amazon is not a Saint. It has
destroyed retail corridors throughout our country,
giving a consumer the ability to shop electronically
for almost anything and receive it on their door step
within two days. But we can’t blame Amazon. It is
technology that changes our course of events.
However, we do not need to demonize Amazon or
even Target. We must embrace them for what they
will provide to us and our economy.
Long Island City should be proud. The addition
of Amazon and other companies prevents us from
the ravages of Detroit which was once cherished and
now downtrodden.
All you need to do now is read the papers and
watch the news to see that Capitalism is under attack.
The almost drumbeat attack on successful wealthy
Americans is alarming to. Their voice in pushing
out businesses like Amazon or Target is alarming
and un-American. These are the same people that are
willing to allow illegal residents to enter the country
and receive free health insurance on the backs of
the taxpayers, who receive no benefits from their
government they subsidize. These hypocrites look to
push businesses out but bring illegal people in.
These people don’t speak for us. Their hypocrisy
rivals their ignorance. Let’s all come together
and accept that we live in America and not some
Communist Country that seeks to demonize the
wealthy and successful individuals who dared,
worked hard and earned the American dream. I love
Long Island City and welcome my new neighbor -
AMAZON, with only the best.
John J. Ciafone, Esq.,
Astoria/Long Island CIty
ASTORIA TIMES ■ BAYSIDE TIMES
FLUSHING TIMES ■ FOREST HILLS LEDGER
FRESH MEADOWS TIMES
JACKSON HEIGHTS TIMES ■ JAMAICA TIMES
LAURELTON TIMES ■ LITTLE NECK LEDGER
QUEENS VILLAGE TIMES ■ RIDGEWOOD LEDGER
WHITESTONE TIMES
BRIAN RICE
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