Yellow Light, Red Light, 1, 2, 3

The Nassau County Legislators are patting themselves on their backs for installing red light cameras all around the county. They are so excited at the prospect of bringing in an expected $13 Million in Revenue in 2010 (http://newsday.com/1.2212978) that now they are asking Albany for another $25 Million to put up more cameras (Syosset Jericho Tribune Oct 1, 2010). You'd think they would wait until the program paid for itself. This is another example of government spending gone crazy.

But to the point, is Red Light Cameras for public safety or for government revenue? I think the example above makes it obvious that our legislators love for red-light photography is only equal by their love of green backs. Red light cameras do not make the road any safer. In fact, I would contend that it makes the roads more dangerous as motorists have to worry about the car in front of them slamming on the brakes at the site of yellow. The yellow light was created to avoid such a hazard. But, the problem of the yellow light as well as road rage in general has come about because of two simple underlying issues on the road. If these issues were addressed, I think the need for the cameras (as far as safety is concerned) would be diminished as the roads would be much safer. What are these underlying issues?

1. Traffic lights that are not in sync with each other, causing drivers to stop at every other block.
2. Inconsistent timing of the Yellow light.

Let's first look at the synchronization of traffic lights. I'm not saying that every light should turn green as I approach it (although it would be nice). I do think that once a driver hits a red light they should have a reasonable expectation to have the traffic light go their way for a good stretch within the speed limit, before coming to another red light. But, that is not the case on most roads in the area. In fact, on many roads it would seem that the timing of the lights are set to actually frustrate a driver. Thus, generating road rage, and thus making a driver more likely to want to blow through that yellow light. I don't think any driver minds hitting a red light or two, but when every light seems against you... it could make even the mildest mannered person scream.

The second is the inconsistent timing of the yellow lights. At some corners the yellow may stay on two or three seconds while at others the yellow light barely has a chance to appear before the red light comes on. I understand that different intersections require different timings. I know that I have gotten into the habit of watching the walk signs for a signal of when a traffic light is about to change, but not every intersection has a pedestrian crossing. With modern technology I think the yellow light should be retooled. Perhaps embedding a countdown so a motorist knows whether they should slam on the brakes. Although, if they have the countdown to see as they approach the intersection, it would give them fair warning. If an embedded countdown is not practical, why not set the yellow light to blink as it changes, blinking faster as the time ticks down. I actually remember seeing this on old traffic lights that had only red and green. The green light would begin to blink just before turning to red as a warning to drivers.

Maybe it's time to start being fair to motorists again, instead of seeing them as a revenue stream. The government taxes us on the sale, registration and inspection of our cars. They put toll booths up to collect money as we leave the island, they tax our fuel, and they lay traps out to catch us if we miss a light. And most of the money collected for all this goes to the MTA. How about doing something nice for the drivers for a change?

Campaign Contributions and the Media

I consider myself a big believer in freedom of the press and free speech. But, I have to wonder whether it is reasonable to expect that the media to be unbiased in the election process. I was outraged the other day when I saw that Newsday's parent company, Cablevision donated $40,000 to Andrew Cuomo's NY Gubernatorial Campaign.

To their credit, Newsday did disclose it in an article in their paper. However, that is only a small portion of their contribution. Again my source: http://politics.newsday.com is a Newsday site however it shows that Cablevision's overall contribution is $145,000 (not including an additional $11,000 from Dolan family members). The same searches show no results for similar donations to Carl Paladino's campaign.

 I find this very concerning afterall, with such a heavy bet on one candidate it would be hard for them to keep their coverage unbiased. Admittedly, Paladino appears to be shooting himself in the foot these past few days but when I read these reports in the newspaper or see it on News12, I have to question whether or not the comments are being sensationalized or being taken out of context.

I do feel that Newsday's coverage of the campaign has been slanted from the beginning. Whenever Cuomo makes a comment it is highlighted in the headlines and whenever Paladino does something it makes the inside pages, except for his missteps. I kind of understand Paladino's frustration last week when he lashed out at the reporter. Maybe Cuomo is perfect and has made no mistakes, I doubt it every human makes an error. But, the size of the contributions makes me question and creates a big doubt that Cuomo would be a good choice. I really wish that there were more than two major parties in the system. I hate having to vote based on the evil of two lessers.

Author's note: I'm not sure if the Newsday link above is available to non-subscribers. Just in case, here is a link to an image of the Cablevision Contributions to Andrew Cuomo's campaign as of October 13, 2010.
Click Here to View.

Fighting the MTA Taxpayer Abuse

I have always gotten a chuckle whenever I hear the MTA use their slogan, "Going your way." I laugh at the audacity of this agency to actually try and make us believe that they are doing anything any way but their own. Take a look at the recent increase in the fares. They are proposing the largest hikes in a long time during a time that the economy is bleak. Yeah, I know some eggheads in Washington pronounced the recession is over. Try telling that to the people still on the unemployment line. But, I digress...

Today in Glen Cove Bill Schoolman came to address the Chamber of Commerce and enlightened the group of local businesses about the abuse that the MTA has inflicted on this region during the Agency's 40 year history. The latest fare hikes and MTA Payroll Tax are only the latest in the MTA's crimes. I was happy to see that there are others out there that are getting outraged over this issue and I hope that come November it is reflected in the voting results.

Bill had enough and is fighting back with a lawsuit against the MTA Payroll Tax. His investigation found that this burdensome tax contains five violations of the NYS Constitution and one violation of the Public Authorities Law. He spells it out on his website:

http://www.mtataxpayerabuse.com/ 

He represents a growing group of concerned citizens who have had enough and are ready to fight back. He demonstrates the total disregard to fiscal responsibility that the MTA displays. For example:

• MTA Salaries represent 58% of the total MTA Expenses
• MTA Salaries and related benefits are greater the MTA Revenues ($8.0 Billion vs $6.1 Billion)
• MTA has $3.7 Billion in Investments that could be liquefied to avoid service cuts
• MTA has spent of $600 million in overtime, approved without question, 77% undocumented)
• $20 Million spent on an employee lounge at Grand Central Station in October 2009

Please, I urge you to visit his site, sign up for the newsletter and tell your friends and neighbors. It's time to get angry and to take a stand. The MTA has not stopped increasing their greed in 40 years. It's not going to stop until we stand up and say enough is enough!

Join the fight! Remember when you vote on election day who voted for the MTA Tax and let the hear you with your vote!

Irony and the Long Island Railroad

Wow! Talk about all the irony these past few weeks on Long Island. First Long Islanders spent three days in a panic, spending tons of money over Hurricane Earl that never showed. Then yesterday in 15 minutes we had an intense storm with all the devastation but no warnings. I think Mother Nature is having a good laugh at our ability to predict weather.

But no where is the sense of irony as strong as with the LIRR. For yesterday another storm brought yet another failure. This on the same night that they held a hearing to discuss fare hikes. I really question their need to raise fares as I continue to look in bewilderment as they as talk with pride about new construction for Grand Central Station, the Old Post Office building next to Penn Station and additional subway lines. I come to the same question:
Why is the MTA spending money to build more lines of service when they can't even handle the current lines of service? When they in fact keep reducing current service and threaten even more cuts?

How is this fiscally responsible. Why not shut down these extra construction projects that will not realistically be completed in this decade and will surely cost more than budgeted, and put that money to keep our current services working. Adding a new station in Manhattan is not going to help anyone during the current economic crisis. Keeping the fares down, the trains clean and on time will retain ridership and keep money in people's pockets. Let's stop the unnecessary construction and maintain what we have.

Another ironic detail about yesterday's storm compared to the last LIRR outage just a couple of weeks ago. During the previous outage, all train lines were out for days with the exception of the Port Washington branch. Local news crews were out in Port Washington getting reactions from boastful residents about how smart they were that they live close to such a reliable branch. I had to laugh this morning when due to the aftermath of the storm, the Port Washington line was the only line to be suspended due to debris on the tracks. Is that irony or karma?


I'll leave you with one last bit of irony. The LIRR has been looking to move their Penn Station service across the street to the old Post Office building in Manhattan. Personally, I'd hate to see that. It's hard enough for commuters to rush from subway to railroad in the time allotted, I would not like to see that sprint turn into a marathon run. But, I was thinking in light of the LIRR's record of achievement during inclement weather, if they were to move into the old Post Office, they would need to change that famous inscription above the doors or face false advertising charges. You know the insription,
"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"

New Voting Comes to Long Island - Shades of Florida

Being a technology person, I love when I get to play with new gadgets. This November I'll get to try out the new voting machines that have come to Nassau County.

Since the election of 2000, I've watched with some interest in the various technologies in voting that were being developed to avoid the troubles that happened with Florida's paper electronic voting. I was comfortable with New York's old fashioned manual lever machines. I guess, I grew up with them and remember standing on my dad's shoes as he let me in the voting booth with him, flipping the levers. So, patriotism mixed with nostalgia allowed me to believe that our machines were fine.

I knew that one day a new technology would come along. But, I was disappointed when I received my voting notification this past week and saw that we were adopting a paper ballot that would be scanned into the system. Have they forgotten all the controversy ion Florida? People complaining that the paper ballot was too hard to read? That it was too hard to pick the right boxes? Now, we're going to have everyone filling in little circles with number two pencils like an SAT exam?

I can hear the critics complaining now. People complaining that the circles were too big, too small, too confusing. They didn't read the screen. They used the wrong type of pen or pencil. They wrote in the margins, etc. I wonder if the politicians have set up this scenario on purpose in order to create questions so they can contest an outcome that they don't like.

I'm disappointed that they did not choose a more modern and less confusing system. How would I have designed it? Simple, the voting booth would be like an ATM. A person would step into the booth and the screen would show them the choices for each position. In fact, I would go so far to allow each candidate to post a photo and a small statement. This way even a candidate in an obscure local race could help people make a choice. Voters would make their choice on the screen then press complete. A summary screen would display for them to confirm their vote. They press confirm and the vote is entered. Since a paper trail is required, the voting machine would then spit out a paper receipt which could then be placed in a collection box in case a recount is needed. Meanwhile, all the votes are tallied nice and clean with little to no margin for error.

I guess we'll see how everything will run next month. Although, as with anything new I do expect to see a few glitches, I just hope that New York does not become the next Florida.

The Increasing School Tax and The Declining Enrollment

As all the excitement of Back to School starts taking over parents around Long Island I remember reading a Newsday article on July 17th, "LI children age 9 or younger decrease by 10 percent" by Olivia Winslow (Link).

The US Census data shows a 10 percent drop or 40,500 fewer residents 9 and younger on Long Island since the turn of the century. Overall school enrollment has decreased across Long Island since 2005. So, why then are school budgets still escalating?

Maybe the school officials need to take some math classes because it seems so logical, less students mean less resources needed which equals in lower budgets. I know, I can hear some people already saying "won't someone think of the children?" I know it's not politically correct to challenge the school board after all they are only caring for our children and they are our precious future. Hogwash! The school boards are thinking only of their pockets and precious jobs. In my opinion this just a case of spend all your budget so you can ask for more next year. My local school board was so good with their budget that they were able to afford a neat electronic LED message board to announce their school board meetings on. Gee, thinking of the cost to purchase and install the sign, not to mention the monthly electric bill, do you think they could have used that money for something better? Oh, like buying a couple of extra books, hiring another teacher or maybe paying for some extra-curricular activity that they keep telling us is so important?

Speaking of extra-curricular activities, I find it highly offensive that the community should pay for these this. I'm not opposed to school tax entirely. I think that it is each resident's responsibility to help fund education. I just think it should be reasonable, fair and centered around education. That means paying for teachers, books, administration and maintenance of school property. But, when it comes to activities like sports or after school clubs, I draw the line. These activities are selective and the cost of these should be funded by the students who partake in them and their parents. The school can provide the venue and supervision, but should not foot the bill for supplies or anything else. Let them do a bake sale or car wash to raise money.

It also seems like there is a belief that smaller classes mean a better education. Frankly, I think that is just the Teacher's Unions looking  to get more teachers hired. I can't say I blame them as teachers are very under appreciated in our society. However, when I was a kid, growing up in the late 60's, 35-40 children in a classroom was the average. I think the increased pressure drove us to work harder for recognition. During my elementary school career was when the change from the old school (1950's) style of strict education was giving way to the newer, softer, new age education. Even at a young age I noticed the difference when my textbooks were changed and found the newer ones fluffier and easier to get through. I think back on that today and wonder of that was better. Would I have developed different in a more competitive environment?

I have to think yes. In Asia class sizes are huge and yet they consistently produce students that beat our students in academics. I have to think that it is the competition that drives them to do better.

In my opinion our current classroom structure and concepts about budgets were created in the 1950's during a time of prosperity and population explosion. We need to rethink our education system and how we fund it. In truth, I stopped voting on my school budget because I believe it is a farce especially in New York State. This became apparent a few years ago when the school budget was voted down, twice and the school board overrode the vote because there was money that needed to be paid. How can they do that? I felt cheated and I still do. There is only one line of candidates to vote for and if anyone tries to challenge that line, they are ostracized by the current school board members. If you vote against the budget, they pull out the kids with puppy dog eyes crying to save their school.

Then if it gets voted down again, New York State grants them a contingency increase. In all fairness, this was the first year in my recollection that the contingency budget was a 0% increase. However, in past years the contingency was 3% or 4% even more. In my opinion, if the budget is voted down, the school budget should be the same as the previous year. Afterall, that was the last approved budget. I mean, imagine walking into your boss's office and asking for a 7% raise. Then you're turned down and you say, "Well since taxes went up and the kids need to pay for tuition, so I'll just take a 4% raise instead, Thanks." Do you think you'd be successful? Of course not! You continue receiving your current salary and have to make do (assuming your boss didn't fire you for acting so crazy).

My main point is that the school budgets need to get back in line with reality. They need to start thinking of the community as a whole not just the children but, the parents as well. Especially during hard times, and declining enrollment. That is the whole point of the free market system. During these times, families are moving to areas with lower costs and lower taxes. As a result, other areas have a declining population and require less services. So, reduce the cost of our schools, lower our school taxes then our community becomes attractive to families again. They move back, they start paying into the system, generating more revenue so that you can regrow the school system again. Only, with a larger population, the additional costs are more easily shared. It seems like basic economics, and I learned that in school with 35 kids in my class.

MTA: Going Their Way

I commuted from Long Island to Manhattan for about 10 years and, although I don't need to currently, I will most likely return to a daily commute very soon. Luckily for me, Glen Cove is serviced by Long Island Transit buses so, I will not need to use the MTA's Long Island Railroad nor subway. But, many of our fellow Long Islanders are forced to suffer the painful change at Jamaica and the underground tunnel at Penn Station.

In my opinion, the MTA has lost it's way long before I moved to the island in 2000. The agency was founded in 1965 initially responsible for regulating and subsidizing the commuter railroads, including the LIRR. Later it grew to include the NYC subways, buses and bridges. Why does government always think monopolies are good things when it pertains to themselves? This daunting agency now pretty much controls all the public transportation in downstate New York. Talk about totalitarian control!

The agency is governed by a 17 member board made up of members appointed by the Governor of New York and recommended by the Mayor of New York City, and the County Executives of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties. The NYC Mayor gets to recommend 4 members while County Execs only get to choose one each. Hmm, no wonder they always fight to save the subway fare while the LIRR fares always climb disproportionately higher. The Executives of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties each get to appoint a member as well, however they only get one collective vote. All members must be ratified by the State Senate.

I get so upset with this agency as I see them as an unresponsive and arrogant group. They collect tax money from more sources then you can imagine and still cry for more money. They were caught with two sets of books just a few years ago and still nobody questions when they claim that they have a budget crisis. I want to know what the other set of books say.

What really baffles me is that when challenged they immediately start talking about service cuts, even cutting out certain lines and services. Then in the same breath they take pride in telling you how they are building the tunnel to Grand Central Station or building the Second Avenue Subway or moving Penn Station to the old Post Office site. My question is:

If they can't take care of the stations, tracks and routes that they have now, how can they even think about adding more to their load??

I mean, think about it. If I were in financial stress and couldn't afford to take care of 3 rooms in my house, would I be thinking of building an addition to the house? You would say that I was crazy and being financially irresponsible. You would tell me to first take care of the rooms that I have, get my finances together, save and then consider my addition. Wouldn't you? Why doesn't the MTA take all those billions being spent on these construction projects and put it to keeping essential services? Later, when the financial crunch is past, then we can start building new tracks.

Just take a look at Jamaica Station and you can see how money is wasted in construction. Now, I was at the old Jamaica Station and I will admit that for the most part, the new station is a vast improvement. However, visit the Mezzanine on a brisk winter morning and you will see or feel the joke. The area was meant as a respite for travelers waiting for their train. Yet, the top portion of the area is wide open allowing, wind, rain and snow to flood the area. Didn't anyone think about closing this area up? Then there is the moving sidewalk to nowhere that cuts the whole area in half. Besides being of no real use to travelers since it is awkwardly placed for subway riders, it blocks also LIRR commuters moving from the west to east stairwells. The money for this little toy would have been better used if they had put escalators on the east side stairwells.

I guess the real message of my rant, is that I believe that the MTA Board is out of touch with the commuters. I would bet that most of them have never been inside a subway or bus in years. In my opinion this agency was created to protect the politicians (like the Governor, NYC Mayor and County Execs) from public outcry over increased fares and taxes. I understand that hard measures need to be taken at times, but the MTA board needs to be held accountable. So, I suggest that the members become elected by the regions they represent and that each region get only one member (sorry NYC). Let the MTA budget be approved by the voters just like school board budgets are. Let the MTA members be held responsible to answer to the public for their actions.

Glen Cove Ferry a Good Idea?

I’m very happy to live in Glen Cove. It is one of only two cities that are in Long Island. We have three local beaches, about a dozen parks and even our own municipal golf course. I feel very privileged to live in this area despite the hour plus commute to Manhattan.

I agree that commuting to Manhattan is a drag. It’s a big chunk of time that I would rather be somewhere other than sitting on a bus or in a train. Glen Cove is lucky that we have three LIRR train stations in our jurisdiction. Plus, we are not charged for the privilege of parking at any of our stations. That may be because many of our residents drive down to Mineola or Port Washington in order to take express trains.

Recently, an express bus line began operating in Glen Cove, providing transportation between Glen Cove, Manhasset and Manhattan (Downtown and Midtown). Long Island Transit (http://www.longislandtransitny.com/) provides reliable commuter service at a price much less than the MTA. In addition the busses also include free WiFi service on board. This is a really great service at a great price.

Recently, Glen Cove Mayor, Ralph Suozzi broke ground on a Ferry Terminal (Glen Cove Ferry Project). This has been an ongoing dream of administrations since the last ferry service shut down in 2001. The reason for the shutdown was lack of passengers. The reason for the lack of passengers was that the ferry was priced higher than the railroad, limited schedule and only one location to disembark in Manhattan. Meaning it was not convenient at all.

Now the vision of a new ferry that will revitalize downtown is once again being built. Only, in my opinion this project is doomed to the same fate as the last ferry project. I don’t believe that there are enough commuters that want to pay extra for a boat ride into Manhattan on a limited schedule. Even if they manage to add a few cruises to the Connecticut Casinos (or maybe soon, Montauk Casinos?) there is not enough need. But, I do believe there is a way to make the ferry successful to the point that it would revitalize the Glen Cove Waterfront.

What is my idea? Instead of a commuter ferry to Manhattan as the base for this venture, why not make a vehicular ferry to Connecticut? Look at what the ferry service has done to Port Jefferson. My wife and I occasionally travel to New England and gladly pay the fare to skip all the traffic and congestion driving through Queens, the Bronx and Westchester. Plus, it’s a nice break in the road trip. If we had the option to do that from our hometown, we would jump on it.

I would be willing to bet that the ferry would also entice a large number of people making the trek to New England from Queens, Nassau all the way to Western Suffolk, wne the drive to Port Jeff begins to be closer. In think this would drive tourist traffic through Glen Cove. It would bring people waiting for the ferry grabbing something to eat, maybe even doing some shopping on their way up to New England and even on their way back. A service like this might even be able to help subsidize a Manhattan commuter ferry and be able to keep the fares competitive with the RailRoad and Bus.

Well, that’s my idea. What do you think? Let me know with your comments!

Next on the blog: Cool Apps for the Blackberry!