Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) slammed the “unnamed source” quoted in the NY Post article Monday regarding Ocean Parkway. The article insists that Hikind only had selfish motives in taking on the NYS DOT and Governor Cuomo’s office regarding the hazardous and dangerous traffic changes being implemented on Ocean Parkway.

“According to the NY Post, my motives behind fighting these disastrous changes are because they will affect my block, which couldn’t be further from the truth; these claims are preposterous,” Hikind said. “These traffic changes have nothing to do with Avenue L, and I’m sorely disappointed that the NY Post allowed themselves to be used by the Governor’s office and an unnamed source. The idea of taking a second look before changes were implemented was supported by all local elected officials, as well as a unanimous resolution passed by Community Board 12 to postpone the changes until further review.”

“I have countless letters, emails and copious notes detailing the entire timeline of my objections to this project, which date back a year ago,” Hikind said. “Instead of arguing these changes on its merits, the unnamed source and the NY Post have decided to malign my name and ignore the thousands of residents and all the other elected officials who have spoken out against these dangerous traffic changes.”

Last week, Assemblyman Hikind met with NYS DOT Deputy Commissioner Phil Eng, NYC DOT officials and several elected officials including, Council members Chaim Deutsch and Mark Treyger, Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz, representatives from Public Advocate Tish James’ office, Comptroller Scott Stringer’s office, Senator Simcha Felder’s office, Councilman David Greenfield’s office and representatives of the Governor’s office to discuss postponing the changes until further review.

In presenting NYS DOT’s own accident statistics along Avenues J, P and Kings Highway, Hikind refuted the state’s justification for moving forward with eliminating right turns. “Governor Cuomo’s office and the NYS DOT were like deer in headlights,” Hikind said. “Instead of having the courage to take a second look at these changes, this became an ego trip. The silence on the part of the NYS DOT and Governor’s office is deafening. What a slap in the face to the thousands of people you supposedly represent.”

After careful review of NYS DOT’s statistics, Mayor de Blasio and the NYC DOT requested Governor Cuomo suspend the traffic changes slated for Ocean Parkway until further review, but were completely ignored. “Thank you Mayor de Blasio and NYC DOT for listening to the concerns of our community,” Hikind said. “Unfortunately, Governor Cuomo failed to do so. What a complete and utter embarrassment. Government is supposed to work for the people, not against them. Apparently, the NYS DOT and Governor Cuomo know what’s best for Ocean Parkway and its residents more than the lifelong Ocean Parkway residents.

(YWN Desk – NYC)