A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
Suffolk County Legislator Rob Calarco and Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory – Under the leadership of Legislators Calarco and Gregory, the Suffolk County Legislature this week voted 17-1 in support of the creation of a Complete Streets Implementation Fund by way of an amendment to the County’s 2015-2017 Capital Program. Starting in 2016, the fund will annually allocate $250,000 to projects that carry out the County’s Complete Streets Policy, which was adopted in 2012.
Jersey City Councilwoman Candice Osborne – Jersey City Councilwoman Candice Osborne introduced an ordinance for a one-year pilot program that would make a section of Newark Avenue vehicle free for most of the day and during the evening seven days a week.
Senator Chris Murphy – Last week, Connecticut’s junior Senator called on the federal government to raise the federal gas tax in order to pay for national infrastructure projects. Federal funds make up more than half of Connecticut’s transportation spending, and with 406 “structurally deficient” bridges in the state alone, the looming bankruptcy of the Highway Trust Fund should be of particular importance to Connecticut residents.
Township of Edison, NJ – Edison Township has again been awarded the New Jersey Smart Workplaces Award by Keep Middlesex Moving, an award that honors organizations, employers and individuals who provide commuter benefits to their employees. Edison has gone above and beyond by maintaining a fleet of hybrid vehicles, among other transit and commuter-friendly services.
LOSERS
New Haven, CT Board of Alders – The Board of Alders voted Monday to approve a bond transaction that includes $1.7 million to build an enormous parking lot adjacent to the car-oriented Route 34 West development.
Paterson, NJ motorists – After crime, potholes are considered by voters to be the second biggest issue in the town of Paterson. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough public works employees to keep up with patching the roads, and given the $807 million state budget gap, the town’s request for $2.5 million in state aid to reconstruct 19 streets likely won’t be answered anytime soon.
Staten Island residents – Borough President James Oddo and other Staten Island politicians and planners are predicting an imminent decline in quality of life for residents and commuters unless major improvements are made to the borough’s transit infrastructure.
If Chris Murphy wants the gas tax raised to fix Connecticut roads and bridges why doesn’t he introduce a bill to raise the Connecticut gas tax? That way Connecticut would have the money without going through a grant process and huge amounts of paperwork.