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for larger version       Why Not Study The Problem First,
Before Signs Are Put Up The Department of Transportation's move to put up the controversial new "No Parking" signs along Rockaway Beach Boulevard between Beach 126 Street and Beach 139 Street in the face of community opposition makes little sense, especially when the agency says that it will review the new rules "in a couple of months," with the stated possibility that they would be removed at that time should "the new plan not work out." We wonder why it would not be more prudent for the DOT to review the plan with the community prior to putting up the signs. That would save lots of angst, not to mention lots of money for the city. In the few weeks that they have been active, those opposed to the plan have secured several hundred signatures on a petition asking that the plan be delayed for further study. Those petitions include the names of many Belle Harbor and Neponsit residents who say that they knew nothing of the plan when it was first proposed and had no part in vetting it. Past officials from the Rockaway Park Homeowners and Residents Association told The Wave that the association actually voted in opposition to the plan when it was proposed a few years ago. Yet, the present officials of that organization and the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association continue to say that the residents who belong to their organizations approved the plan. There is enough evidence of opposition to the plan for the DOT to review its efficacy and to hold local hearings on whether or not residents really do want no parking in that area - something that would impact negatively on both those residents who rent apartments and those homeowners who have apartments to rent. The time to do that is prior to putting up the signs - not once they are already in place. | |||||
