See quotes below from todays New York Times, and yes it is clear people are having a conversation but they are hesitating about the word compromise. And yet, that is clearly what is needed here on 34th Avenue with the street closures. Just like with the vaccine rollout, we should be mindful of who runs up to the mic to speak and who is hesitant and has real questions but is fearful of backlash. Read below as clearly, the politicians are walking a tightrope on this issue. JH is not a transit desert but many people and businesses and school have vehicle based needs here and do not feel they are being given the same platform to speak freely without some snark or name calling. If it was so clearly a win for everyone why aren't any of the mayoral candidates saying so??
“People talk about streets in the context of the future of the city and what the city will look like,” said George Arzt, a political consultant and former press secretary to Mayor Edward I. Koch. “They want more parks and bike lanes. They want a better quality of life.”
Still, the issue becomes “a real migraine for candidates,” Mr. Arzt added, because the next mayor will have to strike a balance between the push for a more livable city and the daily demands of businesses, emergency services and New Yorkers who depend on cars to get around, especially in transit deserts outside Manhattan.
