Submitted by Totally Agree, Nov 10, 2007 00:09

Anthony Weiner is so on the money. NYC has lost $300-million to illegal permit abuse by government sector employees since 9/11 [Bruce Schaller report - 2006; NYC LOSES $46-MILLIDON/YEAR DUE LOST PARKING METER REVENUE BECAUE OF GOVERNMENT SECTOR COMMUTERS PARKING ILLEGALLY ON METERS - correct my math if I'm wrong). Let's get educated - the BACK of the parking permits that govenment sector commuters use tells them where they can park and for how long (3-hours) - these are commuters, not people who are working and "on official business". Finally, Weiner brings illegal permit abuse to to light. The greater area of Downtown Manhattan below Canal Street is a Department of Transportation designated "NO PERMIT AREA". Despite this, thousands of parking violations are committed everyday by government sector commuters who are enticed to block streets, park on hydrants and bus stops and meters with impunity, I live in Chinatown and I have witnessed many longtime small businesses fold because of illegal permit abuse alone. Iris Weinshall - the former DOT commissioner, Ray Kelly, and Bloomberg have turned a blind eye for years, especially since 9/11 - they have exempted 150,000 permit holders from the law by letting this illegal parking situation exist, and there is no guarantee that congestion pricing will be any different. New York City needs permanent NO PERMIT PARKING signs to be posted, and existing laws and regulations regarding parking permits strictly enforced. This would reduce congestion in NYC by thousands of vehicles everyday and improve our air and quality of life - and, check this out - the cost to do this would be virtually nothing. (Think about $46-million/year just from the parking meters alone)

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