Boro Park – Council Member Simcha Felder assured the community that volunteer organizations traveling in and out of Manhattan were not forgotten in the congestion pricing proposal passed by the New York City Council earlier this week. Community volunteer organizations applauded Councilman Felder for his efforts to accommodate them and the important work they do.
Prior to his vote for the proposal, Councilman Felder reached an agreement with the Mayor and the administration that adequate accommodations be made for these important organizations. Since the measure now goes to Albany for state approval, Councilman Felder sent letters to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, and Governor David Paterson to continue to advocate for the volunteer organizations.
“I understand the concern shown for the volunteer organizations, but want to reassure the community that I have been working with the Mayor and the administration to secure the accommodations the organizations need,” Felder said.
“We appreciate the advocacy of Councilman Felder to make sure Chesed will continue to operate when the congestion pricing program is in effect,” said Abraham Strulovic of Chesed. “Congestion pricing will not prevent us from helping people get to and from hospitals and doctors offices.”
Shimshon Heskel of Mekimi said, “Councilman Felder is making sure the needs of Mekimi will be accommodated in the congestion pricing plan.”
Though the proposal was passed on Monday, the details of its implementation are still being worked out. Councilman Felder is confident that the result will be satisfactory to the volunteer organizations and the community.
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16 Responses
What about the 98% of people that are not volunteers? Why should they have to pay so much more? I think this plan is for the pits.
I would like to thank Simcha for costing us schleppers who have no choice but to use their cars in the city hundreds of extra dollars a year in hard earned parnassah. How couod he vote for this added tax on us? He should be severly criticized not applauded for what he has done. Simcha,How about working with the mayor to accomodate us and not a few volunteer organizations. WHERE IS THE UPROAR OVER HIS VOTE?
I dont get it. If your a volunteer you should get into the city for free?? What if i’m on food stamps? why should that be any different?
He still voted FOR the pricing plan!! He may keep the volunteers (however you spell that) happy, but what about the rest of us??
Thanks to Simcha we now have to pay a tax to get out of the city. One thing I’m still trying to understand, if you want to clear the congestion in the “heart” of Manhattan, why tax those who stay on the FDR or West St. in order to get to NJ, Monsey or upstate?
And what about the people that drive for chessed that are not part of any official “volunteer organization”. Who is looking out for their interests.
All those who take the tunnel don’t have to pay more. In other words if you have $, you can stay on the roads, if your’e getting a middle level income Bloomberg and Felder are telling us to go take a train. Pretty easy for a billionaire and a guy who gave himself a 25,000 raise last year.
What about the traffic in Brooklyn and Queens? Why is there no congestion pricing for those Boros? It must be because Mayor Bloomberg doesn’t live in those lower class Boros. Simcha I am sorry you have greatly disappointed me.
The people don’t want this plan. Period.
shame on youi councilman felder first you voted for the largest property tax hike in NYC history (19 percent increase) now again you found away to put your interest first and not look out for the ppl that elected you and you vote for this highway robbery!!!
did bloomberg promise you anything? and than you have the chutzpah to make it look like your fighting for volunteer org’s after you voted yes for congestion pricing ripping off the average citizen again in order to further your own political career.
Why is an important issue like this not being put to a referendum for the whole city to vote on? Why are politicians the ones giving the go-ahead?
#8 don’t give them any ideas.
Bloomberg dosen’t have to worry about where he’ll get the extra money, he probably dosen’t know where to put the money he already has! And Simcha dosen’t have to worry either, as long as congestion pricing dosen’t come to boro park. If he would have to pay more money, every time he wants to go to his office, he wouldn’t vote for it so fast. It’s bad enough that all the tolls and bridges went up, MR. FELDER, WE DON’T NEED THIS!
#3 If you’re on food stamps, then sell your care and use public transportation. You’ll save a lot of money.
My family has never owned a car, and I (now married) don’t have a car either.
Simcha let us down!!!!!! This is ANOTHER TAX!!!
What’s the big deal for the volunteers, I am sure their CHESED org. can reimburse them the $8.00.
this simcha felder has been doing a terrible job.
how much longer will he be in office?