James Vacca
Streetsblog Basics
The NBBL Files: Norman Steisel’s Ideas Became Jimmy Vacca’s Bills
Editor’s note: With yesterday’s appellate ruling prolonging the Prospect Park West case, Streetsblog is running a refresher on the how the well-connected gang of bike lane opponents waged their assault against a popular and effective street safety project. This is the fourth installment from the six-part NBBL Files.
December 20, 2012
James Vacca’s Pet Peeve Committee Is Back in Session
The City Council transportation committee met today, and if you thought the council was due for a break from dreaming up motorist entitlements, think again: this afternoon's agenda was all about parking.
December 5, 2012
Three Killed in Traffic in Three Days as City Council Dithers
Three pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes on consecutive days in Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan this weekend.
October 22, 2012
Vacca Lectures DOT on NYPD Delivery Cyclist Enforcement
The City Council Transportation Committee is on a mission to bring bike delivery workers into compliance with traffic laws, but council members appear unsure as to how to go about it.
September 7, 2012
Vacca Calls for Thorough NYPD Inquiry Into Death of Cyclist David Oliveras
A young Bronx man was killed by the driver of a BMW SUV just after 7 p.m. last Wednesday evening. The driver was traveling northbound on Williamsbridge Road when he struck cyclist David Oliveras, who was pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital.
April 16, 2012
Are Council Members Ready to Pay for Their MTA Wish List?
The New York City Council doesn't like the MTA's budget. And really, who would? Fares and tolls are scheduled to rise in 2013 and again in 2015, bus lines cut in 2010 aren't scheduled to ever come back, and the MTA is assuming net zero increases for transit worker compensation. It's a product of worldwide financial crisis and Albany fiscal skullduggery, and it isn't pretty.
March 6, 2012
In Speech, Vacca Promises Support for Select Bus Service, Pedestrian Safety
In a speech this morning at NYU's Rudin Center for Transportation, City Council Transportation Committee Chair James Vacca laid out his agenda for the coming year. His remarks focused on efforts to support Select Bus Service outside the Manhattan core and to improve pedestrian safety. Also on Vacca's list were curbing placard abuse and enforcing existing regulations on commercial cyclists.
February 21, 2012
NYPD’s Lax Crash Investigations May Violate State Law
Unacceptable. Absurd. "Next to useless."
February 15, 2012
After Hearing, Vallone and Vacca Support Strengthening Careless Driving Law
This morning's City Council hearing on traffic crash investigations is already having an impact. Public Safety Committee Chair Peter Vallone, Jr. and Transportation Committee Chair James Vacca announced today that they will introduce a resolution in support of Albany legislation to make it clear that the police can enforce the state's careless driving law.
February 15, 2012
Q Poll: Chris Quinn’s Parking Agenda Out of Touch With New Yorkers
To hear Christine Quinn tell it, New Yorkers are crying out for relief from unjust parking policies. Over the last two years, it seems that when City Council members weren't flogging legislation to add layers of bureaucracy to DOT's street safety program, they were tripping over themselves to absolve motorists of one responsibility after another.
February 9, 2012