Category: News

Ibrahim Barrie, a pedicab driver and immigrant from Sierra Leone, is seeking a dialogue with Mayor Bill de Blasio as the City Council is about to vote on a bill that could significantly impact his livelihood. The proposed bill, part of de Blasio’s plan, aims to reorganize the horse carriage industry within Central Park, establish a new stable for the horses, and restrict pedicab operations to the park’s northern end above 85th Street. This restriction has sparked protests from the pedicab community, predominantly consisting of immigrants, who argue that the mayor’s proposal will push them out of business by limiting their access to the more tourist-frequented lower parts of Central Park.

Barrie and over a hundred pedicab drivers have rallied at City Hall, demanding to be included in discussions about the proposal, which they believe was made without adequate consideration of its impact on their industry. The Department of Parks and Recreation claims the rule aims to create balance within the overcrowded park, but pedicab drivers fear it will end their operations by excluding them from their main business area. An alternative suggestion from the pedicab community involves negotiating a compromise that allows them to operate between 59th to 77th Street, preserving their access to tourists and ensuring their survival. Despite these concerns, Mayor de Blasio’s office has not directly addressed the pedicab drivers’ requests, stating only that an adjustment was needed for balance.

For more information:

https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2016/01/pedicabs-not-yet-hopeless-plead-with-de-blasio-for-seat-at-the-table-030668

City Council members raise concerns with de Blasio’s preliminary budget

The New York City Council is scrutinizing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s $82.1 billion preliminary budget, highlighting concerns over gaps in funding, particularly for libraries, the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), and youth programs. Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland pointed out the need for full funding for libraries and expressed alarm over the financial state of HHC, which is set to receive a one-time $337 million to aid its restructuring. The Council is also pushing for more investment in youth programs, contrasting with the administration’s proposal to cut a $24 million summer program for youth. Councilman Jumaane Williams emphasized the importance of youth programs in preventing gun violence, expressing disappointment in the budget’s lack of sufficient funding for such initiatives.

The preliminary budget lacks new significant spending initiatives seen in de Blasio’s earlier terms, like universal prekindergarten, with City Councilman Daniel Garodnick noting that a functional and responsible budget need not be grandiose. Amidst these discussions, controversy looms over a potential $25 million expense for relocating carriage horse stables to Central Park, a plan also involving restrictions on horse carriages and pedicabs. This plan, intended to fulfill a campaign promise by de Blasio, has drawn criticism from various stakeholders, including animal rights activists, the Teamsters, pedicab operators, and park goers, leading to frustration among City Council members over the administration’s handling of the issue. City Councilman David Greenfield criticized the compromise as a “lose-lose-lose” situation that leaves no party satisfied and raises concerns about the use of public parkland for private interests.

For more information:

https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2016/01/city-council-members-raise-concerns-with-de-blasios-preliminary-budget/180383/

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s long-standing quest to overhaul the Central Park carriage-horse industry highlights several of his administration’s weaknesses, including a disregard for facts, contempt for taxpayer funds, and subservience to special interests. Despite initially promising to ban the industry, de Blasio now proposes reducing the number of horses and relocating them within Central Park, coupled with banning pedicabs from the park’s lower areas. This plan faced significant scrutiny during a City Council hearing, where administration officials failed to provide concrete answers to basic questions about the necessity and logistics of the proposal, including traffic safety concerns and the cost of constructing new stables in the park.

Critics argue that the mayor’s plan lacks factual basis, particularly regarding the safety of horses and potential conflicts between horses and pedicabs, and question the significant expenditure of potentially $25 million on a stable. This expenditure, viewed as serving special interests rather than the public, reflects a pattern of decision-making influenced by campaign donations rather than evidence or public benefit. The controversy surrounding the carriage-horse bill is emblematic of broader concerns about de Blasio’s governance, including issues with homelessness statistics and prioritization of donor interests over those of various city stakeholders.

The article suggests that de Blasio’s electoral security, despite these controversies, stems from voters’ focus on immediate personal concerns rather than broader governance issues. As the City Council prepares to vote on the carriage-horse proposal, it remains to be seen whether council members will align with the mayor’s plan or heed the criticisms of its opponents.

For more information:

https://nypost.com/2016/01/25/the-carriage-horse-fight-exposes-all-of-de-blasios-weaknesses/

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration has faced criticism for its lack of clarity regarding the impact of its plan to reduce the horse carriage industry in New York City. Key details such as the number of carriage drivers who will lose their jobs, the cost of housing carriage horses in a Central Park city-owned building, and the rent carriage operators will be required to pay remain unknown. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of the issue during a City Council hearing, highlighting the absence of critical information.

The plan, a compromise between de Blasio, some City Council members, and the Teamsters union representing drivers, also proposes banning pedicabs from the south end of Central Park. However, city officials have not engaged pedicab drivers in discussions and lack data on the number of pedicabs operating in the park. The lack of involvement and data was criticized by Council members, including Margaret Chin and Jeff Lynch from the transportation department, pointing to a broader issue of oversight and engagement in policy making.

De Blasio’s commitment to banning horse carriages, a promise from his mayoral campaign motivated by animal rights concerns and supported by significant campaign contributions from horse carriage opponents, has been challenging to fulfill. The current plan to relocate carriage horses from Manhattan to Central Park and reduce their number from 220 to 75 has raised concerns about its feasibility and the city’s preparedness, with some officials admitting the absence of a detailed plan or budget.

Criticism from City Council members has been sharp, with concerns over the proposal’s vagueness, potential job losses, and the public benefit of the changes. The administration’s inability to provide concrete details on the financial and operational aspects of the plan has led to skepticism and frustration among council members and stakeholders, including animal rights advocates, pedicab drivers, and horse carriage operators. The dialogue during the City Council hearing reflected a broader discontent with the administration’s approach to managing this issue, highlighting tensions between policy objectives, practical implementation, and stakeholder interests.

For more information:

https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2016/01/de-blasios-horse-plan-meets-city-council-jeers-030431

City officials faced scrutiny from the City Council during a hearing on a proposed bill to limit carriage horses to Central Park and construct a new stable, but provided limited details, especially regarding the stable’s location and the impact on pedicab drivers. The Parks Department mentioned a building on the 86th Street Transverse as a potential site for the stables, yet no final decisions have been made, and an environmental study is ongoing. Councilmembers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of specifics, including the project’s cost, estimated at $25 million, and the timeline, with concerns that the proposed October 2018 completion date is unrealistic. The plan also includes reducing the number of carriage licenses and banning pedicabs from operating below the 85th Street Transverse, raising concerns about job losses in both industries. Officials admitted they couldn’t provide data on how many pedicabs operate in Central Park or how many jobs might be lost due to the changes. The hearing saw strong reactions from council members, pedicab supporters, and various stakeholders, with more than 100 people signed up to give testimony.

For more information:

https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160122/civic-center/city-provides-few-details-on-carriage-horse-plans-council-says/

During a City Council hearing, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to downsize and relocate New York City’s horse and carriage industry to Central Park faced strong opposition and skepticism from council members. The administration struggled to provide details on the cost, location, and job impacts of a proposed new stable for the carriages, leading to frustration among lawmakers. City Councilman Barry Grodenchik likened the proposal to buying “an empty bag with a hole in it” due to the lack of information.

Additionally, the plan’s provision to ban pedicab rides south of 85th Street in Central Park was criticized for potentially ruining pedicab businesses without having conducted a traffic impact study. Despite this, the city’s director of operations, Mindy Tarlow, suggested that a compromise could be possible, stating the city is open to listening and finding a balanced solution.

Carriage drivers and a Teamster official expressed concerns about job losses and the timeline for the new stables, which are not required to open until October 2018. The bill proposes reducing the number of horses from around 170 to 110 by the end of the year.

The plan has drawn support from animal rights advocates, including NYCLASS, who rallied outside City Hall. Mayor de Blasio, who received significant donations from NYCLASS during his 2013 mayoral campaign, had initially promised to ban the carriage industry but shifted to pushing for its downsizing and relocation as a compromise due to lack of support in the Council.

For more information:

Mayor’s horse carriage plan faces tough questions in City Council hearing

The proposed legislation to reform New York City’s carriage-horse industry, introduced to the City Council and billed as a compromise, has met with dissatisfaction from various stakeholders. The plan, resulting from a prolonged debate between animal-rights groups who favor a ban and carriage-horse drivers defending their trade, would confine horse carriages to Central Park with a reduced fleet and require the construction of a new stable within the park. Despite being agreed upon by the Teamsters union representing the carriage drivers and NYCLASS, a leading animal rights group, there are significant concerns. The legislation proposes reducing carriage licenses from 180 to 110 by December 2016, a move the Teamsters are seeking to modify to mitigate job losses. NYCLASS supports the compromise as a step towards protecting carriage horses, though they prefer a total ban.

Pedicab drivers, unexpectedly impacted by the proposal which restricts them to operating north of 85th Street in Central Park, express that the changes will adversely affect their livelihood. They claim they were not consulted on the plan, which would severely limit their access to tourists. The plan for a new stable by 2018 raises additional questions regarding its location, cost, and feasibility within the proposed timeline. Throughout a lengthy City Council hearing, members voiced their concerns and skepticism, indicating the compromise might not be as satisfactory as intended. With no clear next steps announced and many unresolved issues, the future of the legislation remains uncertain.

For more information:

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/01/carriage-ban-compromise-not-everyone-likes.html

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to overhaul Central Park’s carriage horse industry faced significant criticism at a City Council hearing. The proposal aims to remove horse carriages from Manhattan streets and reduce their numbers, providing a new stable in Central Park funded by the city. However, the administration struggled to answer key questions regarding costs, job losses, and specifics of the stable’s location and construction timeline. Pedicab drivers, particularly affected by a ban from the park’s tourist-heavy southern section, expressed outrage, feeling unfairly targeted to protect the carriage industry. Council members were disappointed by the lack of clarity and detailed planning, questioning the urgency and feasibility of the proposal. The plan, supported by the animal advocacy organization NYClass for its potential to alleviate animal cruelty, was criticized by other animal welfare groups as insufficient. Pedicab driver Ibrahim Donmez highlighted the disproportionate impact on pedicab drivers, many of whom are immigrants, questioning the value placed on their jobs compared to carriage drivers. No vote on the proposal has been scheduled.

For more information:

https://abc7ny.com/central-park-horse-carriage-pedicab-city-hall/1170050/

At a City Council hearing, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration faced difficulty answering questions about the proposed compromise on the horse-carriage industry, leading to criticism from council members who felt political motives were rushing the deal. The administration could not provide details on the cost of renovating a stable in Central Park, the job losses among horse-carriage and pedicab drivers, or specifics about carriage trips and pedicab numbers. Under the deal, pedicabs would be restricted to the northern parts of Central Park, and the number of horses would be reduced from 180 to 95, with a stable built in the park estimated to cost about $20 million of public money. This proposal has faced opposition from park advocates and was scrutinized by council members frustrated by its terms and lack of consultation. Despite the Teamsters union’s “in concept” agreement to the compromise due to fears of a ban, they admitted dissatisfaction with the bill and anticipated job losses for 40 to 50 members. The hearing, which lasted nearly seven hours, saw officials unable to confirm details, considering alternative stable sites, and unsure about the completion of an environmental impact study. Council members expressed disappointment with the mayor’s office’s lack of preparedness and transparency, while pedicab drivers, excluded from negotiations, protested alongside horse carriage drivers outside the chamber.

For more information:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/city-council-grills-officials-over-proposed-deal-on-horses-1453492243

Ibrahim Barrie, a 28-year-old immigrant from Sierra Leone, has built a life and business driving a pedicab in Central Park, New York. Over nearly a decade, Barrie has transformed his job into a thriving venture, owning three pedicabs and teaching new drivers about the trade. However, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s proposal to limit horse carriages in Central Park and ban pedicabs south of 85th Street threatens the pedicab industry, potentially depriving drivers like Barrie of access to key tourist areas and landmarks.

The plan, part of an attempt to regulate the more influential horse carriage industry, has caused significant concern among pedicab operators, who rely on tourists for their income. Despite occasional negative perceptions of pedicab drivers overpricing rides, most are diligent, licensed professionals contributing to the city’s vibrant tourism sector. The industry, capped at 850 registration plates, consists predominantly of immigrants without a union to protect their interests.

City officials have not clarified why pedicabs were included in the deal with the horse-carriage business, a move that aligns with de Blasio’s campaign promise supported by some of his political donors. The proposal has sparked fear among drivers like Barrie, who supports his family in New York and Sierra Leone through his work. Barrie’s day starts with a lengthy commute from South Brooklyn to Central Park, where he navigates through traffic to share the city’s stories with visitors, providing a peaceful and engaging experience away from the stress of his past life in war-torn Sierra Leone.

The City Council’s response to the job losses potentially caused by the proposal remains vague, with Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito suggesting there are other opportunities in the city. Meanwhile, pedicab drivers like Barrie face an uncertain future, as the peaceful sanctuary of Central Park and their livelihoods hang in the balance.

For more information:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/with-pedicab-driver-makes-a-life-1453505677