News | Morningside Heights
City services feel economic pinch
City servicesfrom transit to parks, schools to policehave all felt the pinch of economic downturn. Under Mayor Michael Bloombergs proposed budgetwhich will be subject to City Council approval in Juneeach city agency will lose about $1 billion. Local officials and advocates find it difficult to predict the extent of the potential impact on Morningside Heights and the surrounding areas.
By Aaron Kiersh • April 24, 2009 at 8:03 AM
By Aaron Kiersh • April 24, 2009 at 8:03 AM
City services—from transit to parks, schools to police—have all felt the pinch of economic downturn. Under Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed budget—which will be subject to City Council approval in June—each city agency will lose about $1 billion. Local officials and advocates find it difficult to predict the extent of the potential impact on Morningside Heights and the surrounding areas.
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The Department of Parks & Recreation will eliminate seasonal employees. Still, Brad Taylor, secretary of the Friends of Morningside Park and chair of the Community Board 9 Parks Committee, said the local area has dodged major losses. "The cuts have not had a major effect on Morningside or other city parks. We have to wait for the summer to see if the loss of seasonal employees will make any difference."
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Ellen Barnaby, who lives just northeast of Morningside Park and walks her dog there every day, said "I've lived in the area for years, and Morningside used to be untouchable. Still, they could spend a lot more time keeping it clean and keeping drugs out. More people doing upkeep would be nice."
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Budget cuts will force the Police Department to delay recruiting classes. But despite funding cutbacks, Dan Perez, SIPA '10, said, "I have not seen one bit of difference in the past year." Perez feels safe around campus, noting, "I would expect that fewer officers may create a problem, but so far there has been no evidence of that either here or where I live in Chelsea."
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Of all the city agencies, the MTA is perhaps the most strapped for cash, and will implement a fare-hike to remedy the deficit. "I live downtown, and this situation affects me a lot," said Abhinav Mathur, a student at Columbia's School of Continuing Education. "I am pretty broke as a student, and every dollar does count for me. Twenty or thirty extra for an unlimited pass will really change my budget. I will be able to spend less on food."
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"Once I start working full-time again, the fare hike is going to impact me severely," Morningside Heights resident Dana Horn said. "I'm not a math person, but I'm confused about how they are requiring more money but providing less service. This does not make sense."
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City Council member Gale Brewer, who represents the Upper West Side, said, "We won't mind a small fare increase, but please don't cut service. We need buses and subways. We don't have anything else. There are few cars around here. The seniors are desperate for buses."
***
Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for riders' advocacy group, the Straphangers Campaign, said, "The solution is challenging, but the problem is crystal clear. We are looking at higher fares, service cuts, and no money for future upgrades. But we shouldn't just be looking at money for the agency. We need new checks and balances to make sure this never happens again."
***
The Department of Parks & Recreation will eliminate seasonal employees. Still, Brad Taylor, secretary of the Friends of Morningside Park and chair of the Community Board 9 Parks Committee, said the local area has dodged major losses. "The cuts have not had a major effect on Morningside or other city parks. We have to wait for the summer to see if the loss of seasonal employees will make any difference."
***
Ellen Barnaby, who lives just northeast of Morningside Park and walks her dog there every day, said "I've lived in the area for years, and Morningside used to be untouchable. Still, they could spend a lot more time keeping it clean and keeping drugs out. More people doing upkeep would be nice."
***
Budget cuts will force the Police Department to delay recruiting classes. But despite funding cutbacks, Dan Perez, SIPA '10, said, "I have not seen one bit of difference in the past year." Perez feels safe around campus, noting, "I would expect that fewer officers may create a problem, but so far there has been no evidence of that either here or where I live in Chelsea."
***
Of all the city agencies, the MTA is perhaps the most strapped for cash, and will implement a fare-hike to remedy the deficit. "I live downtown, and this situation affects me a lot," said Abhinav Mathur, a student at Columbia's School of Continuing Education. "I am pretty broke as a student, and every dollar does count for me. Twenty or thirty extra for an unlimited pass will really change my budget. I will be able to spend less on food."
***
"Once I start working full-time again, the fare hike is going to impact me severely," Morningside Heights resident Dana Horn said. "I'm not a math person, but I'm confused about how they are requiring more money but providing less service. This does not make sense."
***
City Council member Gale Brewer, who represents the Upper West Side, said, "We won't mind a small fare increase, but please don't cut service. We need buses and subways. We don't have anything else. There are few cars around here. The seniors are desperate for buses."
***
Gene Russianoff, staff attorney for riders' advocacy group, the Straphangers Campaign, said, "The solution is challenging, but the problem is crystal clear. We are looking at higher fares, service cuts, and no money for future upgrades. But we shouldn't just be looking at money for the agency. We need new checks and balances to make sure this never happens again."
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