Tamaqua Club Presents
MAS SWING 15 PIECE BIG BAND
Performing music and songs from the Great American Songbook
Includes Music from Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman & Tommy Dorsey
Sunday, April 28 th
Tickets $30.00 pp
Hot Buffet included
Casual Dress / Parking on Premise
Dance Floor / Handicap Accessible
84 Ebony Court in Gerritsen Beach
Brooklyn, NY 11229
718.646.9212
(located at the end of Channel Ave. off Gerritsen Ave.)
For reservations please contact:
2: 00 pm - 5:00 pm
Marie Stack 917.841.1617 email: mariestack2001@yahoo.com
mariestack.com
BAY RIDGE JEWISH CENTER
4th Avenue at 81st Street
Sunday, May 5, 2019
9am to 4pm
Over 50 vendors, new & used items, collectibles, jewelry, crafts, gifts & more.
Free Admission Refreshments available
Take the “R” train to 77th Street.
718-836-3103 or fl eamarket@brjc.org
THE CITY CLERK
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
45TH COUNCILMANIC DISTRICT
Pursuant to provisions of Section 25(b)(1) of the Charter of the City of New
York, notice is hereby given that a special election will be held in the
Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings on, Tuesday, May 14, 2019,
between the hours of 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM for the purpose of electing a
candidate for the 45th Councilmanic District. Only registered voters in this
district are eligible to vote.
For any information on whether you are eligible to vote or where your poll
site is located, please call (212) V-0-T-E-N-Y-C. TDD for the hearingimpaired
is (212) 487-5496.
The City Clerk of the City of New York
COURIER L 12 IFE, APRIL 26–MAY 2, 2019 M BR B G
Fair tolls
Local pols aim to provide Brooklynites
with fare discount for Verrazzano
BUILDING BRIDGES: Local pols want to reduce the fare for Brooklynites who frequently
travel the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Photo by Steve Solomonson
BY AIDAN GRAHAM
Brooklynites who frequently cross the
Verrazzano-Narrows bridge could soon
see a steep fare discount, if a group of
Kings County pols have their way.
Legislation introduced by State
Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D–Bay
Ridge) and Assemblywoman Mathylde
Frontus (D–Coney Island) would
provide Brooklyn residents using the
city’s E-ZPass system who drive across
the bridge at least 10 times each month
the same reduced toll price as Staten
Island residents.
Brooklynites using E-ZPass system
currently fork over $12.24 on each
trip to the island borough, whereas
Staten Island residents are charged a
discounted rate of $5.50.
At an April 16 press conference
announcing the legislation to even
out the fares, Gounardes blasted
the price disparity as excessive and
unacceptable.
“For the thousands of Brooklyn
residents who rely on the bridge
for travel to work, school and medical
appointments, these outrageous
rates are unaffordable, unacceptable,
and highlight the gross inequities
of New York’s transit system,”
he said.
The legislation, which would apply
only to non-commercial vehicles,
mimics the MTA’s decision earlier this
month to eliminate the $2.29 E-ZPass
toll on the Cross Bay Bridge for all
Queens Residents.
Frontus criticized the MTA for constantly
increasing fares for traveling
New Yorkers, including on the Verrazzano,
where fares have more than
doubled since 2008.
“It’s time for the MTA to stop passing
the buck,” she said. “The line has
to be drawn somewhere when you see
consistent increases in fares without
corresponding tangible benefi ts being
produced to match the burden.”
Freshman U.S. Rep. Max Rose (DBay
Ridge), who represents both sides
of the Verrazzano, encouraged the effort,
arguing that Southern Brooklyn
and Staten Island’s interlinked communities
should not be separated by
excessive fi nes.
“It is about time that we recognize
that Staten Island and Brooklyn are
one community, and rising tolls are
becoming a barrier between families
on both sides of the bridge,” he said.
“I applaud Sen. Gounardes’ efforts to
give Brooklynites a break, and make
it easier for them to reach their jobs
or visit their families on Staten Island.”
City Councilman Justin Brannan
(D–Bay Ridge) lent his support to
the state legislators’ effort, arguing
for equality in fares for residents on
either side of the Verrazzano.
“Nobody is saying Staten Island
shouldn’t get a discount, but what
about Brooklyn?” he said. “It’s about
time we are part of the conversation
since, last time I checked, the bridge
has two sides.”
The legislation, Senate Bill S4490 ,
is currently awaiting a vote by the
Senate’s Transportation Committee.
/mariestack.com
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