HORSE SENSE
Periodic updates about issues and actions concerning New York City's Carriage Horses
Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
www.banhdc.org
Horses Without Carriages International
www.horseswithoutcarriages.org
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WHAT A WEEK IT'S BEEN
NYClass began a new campaign highlighting racist and homophobic rhetoric we hear from some of the carriage drivers. But it seems to have backfired and some of the Council Members are using it as an excuse to oppose the ban.
We first heard about this new campaign through Capital NY on June 30 - Anti-carriage group targets Council, provokes early reaction. Then the NYDaily News was only too happy to print several more pieces.
We are not taking a position on whether we think the ad campaign was wise or not. But we do know that we all have been the recipient of the carriage drivers' vile vicious rants -- racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic. Most of it was not documented. Their vile comments often come out faster than turning on the video on your cell phone. The council members who are listed in these articles are being disingenuous and were just looking for a way out. Remember Casablanca - Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!
[a croupier hands Renault a pile of money.]
Unfortunately, this issue will not be decided on its merits. Although there are exceptions, most of the City Council members only care about their economic self interests. They do not care about the horses or the "poor" drivers. They will go where they get the most support - from the Mayor or from the Teamsters. And if the Mayor has done nothing, then the answer is clear. One Manhattan CM has his eyes on a Congressional seat that might be available for him to run for in 2017 when his term expires. He expects the support of the Queens Democratic Party, which supports the carriage drivers - and the Teamsters. Yet - FoILing his office showed the majority of mailings and phone calls support a ban. Is it any wonder that the last mayoral election saw a turnout of 24% of registered voters? TAMMANY HALL IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL IN NYC.
PINOCCHIO'S NOSE KEEPS GROWING
Daily News: STOP Lying!
In their July 2nd editorial, the Daily News states about NYClass: "The allegedly progressive group is now smearing all 350 unionized workers in the industry based on the odious outbursts of just three." In an editorial dated On May 17th, another editorial referred to 400 jobs.
Sorry Daily News - but you lie. There are only 120 union members according to Demos Demopouous' response to City and State -- and only 263 licensed drivers in the carriage trade (source: Department of Consumer Affairs, February 2015)
If you have not read it already - PLEASE read my new blog on the so called union membership. Horses And Humans Are Being Exploited By New York City
DONNY MOSS OF OURTURN.NET SPEAKS OUT
Where are you Mayor de Blasio?
We have been talking amongst ourselves for some time - very disappointed in Mayor de Blasio for letting the carriage ban issue get away from him and allowing the Daily News to control the dialogue. When he had been asked recently about the issue by a reporter, he resorted to comments about the electric car, which are not even in the bill - Intro 573. He is unprepared. His office continues to tell us that the bill will happen but the Council is in summer session now. The opportunity for a hearing has passed.
None of us wanted to speak out about this and criticize the mayor. But it seems the time has come. We are pleased that Donny has broken the proverbial ice and spoken out in a respectful way. This is his new blog on theirturn.net. NYC Mayor de Blasio on Horse Carriage Ban: "Just Watch Me Do It."
CITY & STATE WINNERS AND LOSERS
City & State announces their Winners & Losers for 7/5/15.
- LOSERS: Allie Feldman - It sounds like the NYCLASS executive should be holding her horses-at least when it comes to lobbying lawmakers. The New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets' latest ad campaigns have put off some, including City Councilwoman Debbie Rose who claimed she's been so inundated by those calling for a ban on horse carriages that she opposes the measure. In the Bronx, City Councilman Ritchie Torres described mailers alluding to carriage drivers' alleged derogatory statements as "deeply offensive," and at least five others said it left them less inclined to support the proposed horse carriage prohibition.
This links to the NY Daily News - the bastion of Yellow Journalism. But the thing to get out of this is that the City Council members do not want to be bothered with their constituents or anyone else providing information on an issue. Remember for most, it is all about their economic self interests, which clearly lie with the Working Families Party and the Teamsters, which support the drivers. It is absurd for CM Debi Rose to take this position: "who claimed she's been so inundated by those calling for a ban on horse carriages that she opposes the measure." Does City & State hear itself? So Ms. Rose is annoyed at all the calls from her constituents and others who favor a ban. She is, after all, on the Transportation Committee, which is city wide and it is her responsibility to take those calls. But because of that she has decided not to back the bill to ban horse-drawn carriages. HUH! She needs to resign from office if she does not like it. She is an elected official -- what part of that does she not understand?
ETHICAL CITY COUNCIL or TAMMANY HALL POLITICS
Where is CM Daniel Dromm?
Are these the kinds of people who have been elected to the City Council? A thoughtful and honest person may not like an ad campaign but will not use it as an excuse to take a position on a bill. They will be able to sort through the fray. Accusing someone of racial or homophobic epithets is beside the point, which is that the trade is inhumane and unsafe It should be shut down. Period. Shame on all the Council Members who will use this as an excuse to oppose it.
And where is CM Daniel Dromm in this mess --and CM Ydanis Rodriguez? Missing in action that's for sure. Dromm introduced the bill then disappeared and Rodriguez chairs the Transportation Committee. When former CM Tony Avella introduced the first ever/historical bill to ban horse-drawn carriages in 2007, he was always out there talking with the press about the issue. He was yelled at, maligned and threatened by carriage drivers -- but he kept it up.
Seems like the new rule of action is DO NOT CALL THE CITY COUNCIL ABOUT A PROPOSED BILL. They are much too delicate and will do what they want to anyway. Most are just looking for an excuse to oppose the bill because they will get Teamster and Working Families Party support in the next election. SHAME ON ALL OF THEM.
ONE YEAR AGO -- NOTHING HAS CHANGED
Activists Urge Mayor to Keep His Promise and Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages
This demo was in front of Gracie Mansion about a year ago. Click here for video.
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