Marty Markowitz

While we weren't looking, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver apparently had a change of heart on congestion pricing, and is reportedly now willing to go along with some version of the plan, as long as it is supported by City Council Democrats.

The Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission wants to reduce the size of the proposed congestion pricing zone, replace cameras with higher parking fees, and possibly toll the East River bridges, according to a (subscription only) story by Erik Engquist in Crain's New York Business today.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

A knowledgeable tipster submitted this gem to UncivilServants, the web-based watchdog for government parking abuse in New York City. The yellow Porsche Carrera, above, was spotted parked in front of a fire hydrant on the east side of Seventh Avenue, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, between Sterling Place and St. John's Place at about 7:30 pm on Sunday, July 29. On the dashboard, a Dept. of City Planning placard ensures that the windshield of this little beauty is unlikely ever to have a parking ticket placed upon it. A Patrolmen's Benevolent Association card sits atop the parking placard for good measure.

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and 9th St. resident Konrad Kaletsch at Dizzy's Diner, Eighth Ave. and 9th St., August 2, 2005. That's DOT Borough Commissioner Lori Ardito in the background wearing shades and looking none too happy to be harangued by Park Slopers demanding safer streets.

If you live in or around Park Slope, Brooklyn, then please take just a minute to click this link and send a fax to Borough President Marty Markowitz expressing your support for DOT's traffic safety plan for 9th Street. 

Forty-eight hours in, here is what some elected officials are saying about PlaNYC and congestion pricing.

Looking down Park Slope's 9th Street at Prospect Park West. They call this "excess capacity."

London officials closed the northern side of Trafalgar Square to traffic creating a vibrant new public space.