Friday, January 10, 2025
Vol. 2, No. 2
THE GATEWAY TO NASSAU COUNTY SERVING FLORAL PARK, BELLEROSE AND STEWART MANOR
Urban Explorers celebrate a year of adventures
Congestion pricing launches despite legal challenge New York City’s landmark congestion pricing program, the first of its kind in the United States, officially began on Sunday, January 8th. The initiative, designed to alleviate Manhattan’s notoriously traffic-clogged streets, imposes a daily toll of $9 for most drivers entering the “congestion relief zone” south of 60th Street. The program, modeled after successful systems in cities like London, aims to generate $15 billion to fund critical repairs and upgrades to the region’s transit network, including subways, buses, and commuter rail lines. Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials expressed optimism about the program’s potential to reduce traffic while supporting much-needed infrastructure improvements.
Toll Mechanics and Enforcement
The Floral Park Public Library Urban Explorers recently celebrated the holidays, and a year filled with adventures, on Friday, December 27th at Nancy's in Floral Park.
Hempstead Town Mulchfest
The holiday season may be wrapping up, but Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin says there’s plenty of fun to unwrap at the Town’s 5th Annual Mulchfest! This beloved event invites residents to bring their Christmas trees to Veterans Memorial Park in East Meadow
on Saturday, January 11, to have it shredded down into mulch for personal use. This eco-friendly program ensures that a family’s Christmas tree continues to embrace the season of giving by providing rich nutrients all year long. What’s more, the herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats at Norman
J. Levy Park and Preserve will also be on the receiving end of some pine gifts, as excess mulch will be donated to the goats as a tasty snack. “Mulchfest is back for the fifth year in a row and the goats at Norman J. Levy Park and PreSee page 2
Drivers entering the zone will have their fees calculated based on several factors, including the time of day, vehicle type, and whether they used exempt routes like the FDR Drive. Charges will appear on motorists’ E-ZPass accounts within days of their trips. Non-E-ZPass users will receive toll bills by mail. While proponents argue that congestion pricing will make Manhattan more navigable and environmentally friendly, some drivers are bristling at the added cost.
Legal Battle Brewing
The program’s rollout has not been without controversy. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin, with backing from federal, state, and local officials, has filed a lawsuit against New York State. The suit accuses the MTA of bypassing the New York State Administrative Procedure Act by failing to file the plan in the State Register and denying residents the legally mandated 45-day public comment period. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin said, “Governor Hochul and the MTA have completely silenced the voices of hardworking Long Islanders, rushing this plan through with no public comment or transparency. This is not just wrong – it’s illegal.” The legal challenge underscores broader objections to the See page 2
FP Police Department 2024 stats PAGE 4 Hempstead Town plans Mulchfest PAGE 2