BASED ON A LIE: THE FAILURE OF THE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE BAN

BASED ON A LIE 

 "If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth" --  a profound and disturbing quote attributed to Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s Propaganda Minister in Nazi Germany,  but also to Vladimir Lenin, founder of the  Russian Communist party.

This is exactly what happened with the defeat of the campaign to ban the inhumane and archaic horse-drawn carriage trade in NYC,  something that any caring, civilized people would have done long ago.   It is unmanageable  and an ongoing embarrassment to the city.  

Those who wanted to defeat the horse-drawn carriage ban included the self-serving Teamsters and other unions, carriage owners and drivers, many politicians – and the media – mostly the NY Daily News – all with their own reasons – but getting behind the real truth had nothing to do with it.   

 NYC horse collapses - Sept. 2, 2016

Loss of Good Union Jobs:  The main lie was that the shuttering of this trade would cause a loss of “good union jobs.”  That claim was not only not questioned by many Council Members but was used to make their case to people who believe everything they read.   They wanted union support when they came up for reelection.  Truth be damned. 

Stable Land:  The second lie was that the real estate developers were lusting over the stable land so they could make lots of money putting up luxury apartment buildings. 

Both of these lies resonated with people – job loss and unfairness by the real estate industry – David and Goliath.  But to those of us who know the truth it just confirmed that too many people believe what they read and hear and do not exercise critical thinking.  Other lies did not quite catch on as well but served as the cake icing to support the big lies – the number of horses who have died while working in the trade; horses would go to slaughter; the age of the industry to make it appear iconic; exaggerated size of stalls; horse vacations;  industry regulated by several city agencies with pages and pages of regulations; highly exaggerated financial contribution to the economy; safety being a non-issue.  Start with one lie – and if it catches on and the chumps buy it, then the sky’s the limit. 

I have written about this many times in my blogs – challenging the media – especially the NY Daily News for perpetuating lie after lie to ensure that the carriage industry remains in NYC.   It has now been ten months since the failure of the ill-conceived bill that foolishly proposed building stables in Central Park but it seems that this phony issue is still rearing its ugly head. 

Back on the Scene:  Now re-enter head of the Transport Workers Union, John Samuelsen.  In an October 23, 2016 op-ed piece in the NY Daily News he gratuitously attacked Mayor deBlasio whose administration once again turned the other cheek and did not fight back.    “Transport union boss rips Mayor deBlasio for ignoring everyday New Yorkers, warns labor leaders to rethink supporting him in next election.” 

Samuelsen did a good deed last January when he came to the defense of the pedicab drivers who were being shafted by the City via the proposed legislation – but they never unionized so one wonders if this ploy was just to get attention.   He obviously has his own ax to grind with the mayor – and I say – have at it – but not on the backs of the horses please, promoting lies.  Does Mr. Samuelson have so little respect for his supporters that he will lie to make a point? 

This is from the Daily News article and I have highlighted the lies with my comments below challenging them. 

“Real estate interests, meanwhile, for years have been drooling over the West Side properties where the popular horse carriage drivers stable their beloved animals. Giving tourists rides through Central Park is a pretty good union job. It has allowed many men and women to put food on the table, and put their children through college.

What did de Blasio do? He repeatedly tried to prohibit carriage rides in the city and wipe out hundreds of jobs. That would have set the stage for real estate barons to finally buy the properties and put up more skyscrapers that 99% of New Yorkers can't even afford.

In seeking the ban, the mayor claimed he was concerned about the horses' health and welfare. Another crock. He never even bothered to actually visit the stables. And as the New York Daily News reported, independent experts said horses are "healthy, happy and well cared for."

As one veterinarian said in The News: "These horses are being treated with pride and compassion, often by their individual owners/drivers.  It never was about the horses. It was about Bill and his campaign donors and proxy attack dogs in the real-estate industry. The mayor clearly sided with the ultra-rich real estate industry (aka his campaign donors) over the trade union movement and all workers.”

Whoa:  This has been very successful propaganda.  Babes in the woods, de Blasio and his administration did not stand a chance.    De Blasio was never adequately prepared about the carriage horse issue and either would or could not challenge the lies coming from the unions, Council Members and the media.  He did not even know the language of the original bill, talking about the electric cars in a question and answer event in the Mid West.   He, like most Democratic politicians, are beholden to the unions.    

Why:  Why was the NY Daily News out to get him – obviously using this issue as a metaphor for something else.   Perhaps it was because they never wanted him to be Mayor.   

Unions, on the other hand,  are losing membership throughout the country.   By taking this issue on,  lying about the good union jobs – and winning – it was hoped to elevate their status. 

Construction Union Jobs:  The far west side is part of massive new construction to gentrify the area.  To even suggest that real estate developers are drooling over the paltry stable property is embarrassing.  These are relatively small plots, which could bring the owners at least $10 million for each one if they decided to sell, which is their choice and not a land grab as some has suggested.  

Hudson Yards is the biggest development project in the city since Rockefeller Center was built in the 1930s, translating into hundreds of union jobs.  New construction may well grow up around the stables, leaving the stable owners with devalued property.   The ultimate joke will be on them. 

The irony over this silly dishonest claim is that new construction brings UNION JOBS.  Mr. Samuelson and his Teamster friends are being disingenuous. Unions have benefited greatly by the growth of construction all over the city, but particularly Hudson Yards and the adjacent areas.  The construction jobs in Hudson Yards has been a windfall for the unions.  

Good Union Jobs for carriage drivers?   No way.  Of the approximately 244 carriage-driving licenses, only about 120 drivers belong to the Teamster local.  Without total participation, it is not a “union shop” and there are no benefits.  This means no medical, sick or vacation days – and certainly no 401ks to save for retirement.  So to even hint that this is a good union job compared to what the MTA workers have is insulting to all of us – not the least to loyal union members.   This ploy was to bring down Mayor de Blasio and he was not astute enough to fight back.  It also propped up the owners of the 68 medallions, most of whom pay little in city income taxes because of their extensive deductions in a cash only business. 

As for those “independent” experts who claim the horses live a great life – name them please with all of their affiliations.  We do know that the “study” that showed how calm city horses are was paid for by the carriage trade and only tested on a handful of horses.  

 NOT a good union job. 

 About unions:  I generally support unions – they helped create the middle class.  But this is not about the value of unions - it is about the ethics and morality of lying to get your way, which must be indefensible in a civilized, democratic society.   The truth is that unions are in deep trouble all over the United States.  But lying to get attention will not ultimately help. 

Yes, I have had the "audacity" to criticize the unions here - but please – no death threats.  It has happened before.  Vicious comments on the blog - anonymous or not - will be deleted and/or reported.  You will not get your 15 minutes of fame on my dime.

This is a link to the accident record we have kept.  It does not include the “accident’ that occurred on Labor Day weekend, pictured above,  when a driver forced his horse to make a turn and the horse collapsed. 

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THE MYSTERIES OF THE HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE HACK LINE IN NYC

HACK LINE MYSTERIES ....

On Thursday night at the hack line -- November 12, 2015 -  horse after horse was left unattended near Seventh Avenue, standing around waiting for fares that never came.  This is not unusual. 

It is both dangerous and illegal to leave carriage horses unattended and untethered in New York City.  It is written into the NYC Administrative Code - §17–330  Regulations. 
But no one in authority is paying attention.

It also raises the questions: where is all the business? And why is the carriage trade digging in their heels to keep this questionable business.? 

We have observed this many times.  No business.  So we continue to ask the question:  WHY!

Why does this cash only business still exist?   What/who is behind it?   Fewer than 250  licenses have been issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs to drive a horse-drawn carriages.  Some of those licensees are not actively involved and live in other cities and countries, holding onto the license because it is inexpensive.  There are only 68 medallions / owners.   The other drivers are independent contractors who have to take care of their own taxes and get a percentage of their fares.  Only 120 drivers belong to the union.  Because it is not 100%, it is not a union shop and this means that there are no  benefits.  No health care, no vacation days, no 401 K/s.  Nothing.  It is name only.  This obviously means that they are not "good union jobs" as many think.  

So why are they still hanging on?

Why is the Mayor and City Council allowing this inhumane and unsafe business to continue?  Why are they afraid of this tiny group of people? 

These are the $64,000 questions.  

Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight  © Mary Culpepper

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Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight  - © Mary Culpepper

Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight - © Mary Culpepper

Carriage drivers standing around by the wall, as their horses are unattended: illegal, dangerous, and curious -  where is all the business that has made them dig their heels in?   © Mary Culpepper

Unattended and untethered -- no driver in sight - © Mary Culpepper

Carriage driver is so bored that he's relaxing in the back of the carriage, leaving his horse unattended illegally and endangering the public safety as well as the horse.  © Mary Culpepper

OPEN LETTER TO COUNCIL MEMBER ERIC ULRICH ABOUT NYC'S CARRIAGE INDUSTRY

AN OPEN LETTER TO COUNCIL MEMBER ERIC ULRICH

Council Member Eric Ulrich was first elected to the  NY City Council in  2009.  He is the only Republican from Queens and represents Rockaway Peninsula as well as South Richmond Hill, Howard Beach, South Ozone Park and Woodhaven.  

Queens is also a fairly conservative borough and home to many carriage horse drivers.  According to his City Council page, Mr. Ulrich is only 28.  This means he was  7 years old when the  last big fight to control and regulate the out of control carriage business occurred.  This resulted in the drivers being able to work their horses in many parts of the City, with no thought to public safety.   The Mayor at that time was Rudolph Giuliani, followed by Michael Bloomberg, neither a friend to animals.  

As a Republican  Mr. Ulrich's support for a ban on horse-drawn carriages was not expected, but at least he was not trying to hurt the administration by spilling his guts to the Daily News just for attention.  Well that all changed. On Friday, February 13, the NY Daily News published this article telling how Mr. Ulrich decided to speak out. 

I sent the following e-mail to CM Ulrich's chief of staff about this article:

I make reference to the article in the Daily News on Friday, February 13th about Council Member Ulrich making the decision to oppose the bill to ban horse-drawn carriages. 

Please show this e-mail to the Council Member.  I understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion - but as the old saying goes - not to their own facts.  

This is the quote attributed to the Council Member:

"I believe that every New Yorker, not only carriage drivers, should have access to a good paying job, retirement security, and the opportunity to give their kids a better shot at life. That is what the American dream is all about and that is what is [at] stake here," he said.   And this:  "cannot, in good conscience, vote for any legislation that would deny hardworking people a chance to earn a decent living."

I agree with the Council Member.  Everyone should have access to a good paying job with benefits -- just like members of the City Council do.  But the NYC carriage trade is not that, which is what the Council member is referring to in this context.  I have been working on this issue consistently since 2006 but before that since the early 1990s.  We have tried for years to shut it down because it is inhumane, unsafe and operates on a laissez faire basis.  The authorities have looked the other way.  My research is based on truth, talking to people who previously worked in the industry.  

GOOD PAYING JOBS:  There are about 250 people who have a license to drive a carriage; not 300 or 500 or even 1,000.  Of those 250, about 60-65 are the owners who own the 68 medallions.    

• The balance of that number is:   

           - part timers or others who hold on to the license because it is inexpensive -- much cheaper than the license to drive a pedicab.  This is because the carriage trade has always had access to the City Council members and those in high echelons of government.  After all, it all began with former Mayor William O'Dwyer in the late 1940s.   

           - one woman operates her business in Cape May, NJ and no longer works in NYC

           - another owner lives in Sicily and comes to the city a few times a year to collect his money.

          - others whose names I recognize live out of town, no longer work in the industry and keep the license to pad the numbers.  

     

• The only people you are protecting by not supporting the bill are the owners -- not the drivers.  Their business model is questionable and dishonest to say the least.  It is a cash only business.  You have undoubtedly heard that it generated  $19,000,000 annually.  This is the number that has been bandied about for some time.  It is a fabricated,  contrived number put out there to compare that income to what might come in  from the electric cars.  it is made up.  There is no way to prove this because it is not one big industry but many small ones that file separate tax returns.  The amount reported to the IRS is far, far  less, which means a very small number is given over to NYC income taxes.
• The Teamsters Local purportedly representing the carriage drivers is not a real union shop.  Not everyone belongs to it. There was never a vote.  What legitimate union puts owners and workers in the same local?   It simply  does not happen.  The Teamsters' role is that of bullies/lobbyists,  to put the fear of God in Council Members implying they will work against them in the next election.  Consequently, there are no benefits -- no health care, vacation or sick days, 401K's, etc.  Nothing.  This is what you support.   
• When you speak of retirement security - what exactly do you mean - other than the owners keeping their sweet cash only deal while the authorities - yes the City Council - look the other way while the industry pays as little tax as possible.   It is corruption.  
• But the ones who get a really bad break here are the workers.  Most, if not all, are independent contractors - misclassified.  They get 1099s and not W2s.  They make little and have nothing to save for their "retirement" as you call it.  It is up to them to pay their own income tax and Social Security.   Those who need health care are often on medicaid.  
• The workers should have the opportunity to get a real solid job - possibly in a real union - with benefits and the opportunity to fund a 401k for their retirement.  A robust job program, which has been offered (and will be worked out) by the deBlasio administration will really help these workers.  
• Why couldn't you wait until the Environmental Impact Study was completed before you decided to "oppose" this bill.  Why couldn't you offer to work with the Administration to develop those "good paying jobs with retirement security" -- for everyone - not just the Entitled 68."  This would have been a great opportunity for a Republican to be part of this solution.  
• Two of the stables are in the path of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment project - one on 37th St. and one on 38th St.   Each property is worth about $10,000,000.  The owners are waiting for the right time to sell.  It will happen - sooner rather than later since redevelopment is moving along.  If this bill fails, when the stables are sold, many workers/drivers will lose their jobs, while the owners retire in luxury.  It will be too late to provide an alternate industry for them at that point.   Many will access public assistance since they are probably not eligible for unemployment insurance. Is this OK with you?  In the meantime, you could have been helping them into a real job with benefits.  

So Councilman -- this is what you are really supporting because you have some disagreements with the deBlasio administration.  Corruption, paltry jobs, questionable union practices -- workers who are forced to go on Medicaid because their incomes are so low they cannot afford insurance.  

Did you ever question why the media is mostly on one side of this issue?  They are certainly not the experts. 

You still have the opportunity to do the right thing and be on the right side of history and support this bill; to make this a more humane city  - not just for animals, which many people care about  - but for the exploited workers.  I believe people look at those in politics with new respect when they change their mind and admit that they were wrong.  It is a sign of character.  Former Mayor Bloomberg did that when he spoke out in favor of the pedicab business when  the carriage owners were trying to ban them.   

If you want to read the truth about any of these issues, you will find it here.  We are a totally volunteer, grass roots organization, originally founded in 1994 and then focusing on the carriage horse issue in 2006.  No salaries - no conflicts of interest.  

https://www.thedodo.com/community/banhdc/

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/author/Elizabeth_Forel/

http://www.carriagehorsesnyc.blogspot.com

Very truly yours,

Elizabeth Forel

President / Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages 

NO PLACE FOR A HORSE -- IN THE MIDDLE OF CLIMATE MARCH PARADE

Editor's Note:  this is revised as of 9/27/14 based on new information concerning the Department of Transportation.  See highlighted area below. 

No place for a horse … 

Teamsters and carriage drivers put horse in harm's way by using him in the Climate March ... and it was illegal.

The first ever People’s Climate March was held in NYC on Sunday September 21^st.    It was wall to wall people – estimates of  350,000 – some were as high as 400,000.  Lots of noise – bands, drummers, rolling crowd whoop – when that happened, it was so loud, I had to cover my ears.  I got there at 10:30 and it was not until 1:00 pm that we began to move – by baby steps.  It was exciting and exhilarating - a great time for people. 

But never for horses. 

At 3:25 into this video from the March organizers, a moment of silence is held followed by sounding the “climate alarm,” which translated into people shouting as loud as they could, banging drums, using noise makers.  This happened many times  during the march.   I call this a “rolling crowd whoop” because it started at the front of the march and made its way back.  During the march, there was a mix of chants, bands, drums, parade noise – sometimes so loud it would rattle your ear drums.    

It was no place to bring a horse. 

this is an example of the constant noise level of the march - video taken on 42nd St. 

It was no place to bring a horse.

The People’s Climate March organizers said there would be no horses in the march  -- for obvious reasons.

But that did not stop the carriage drivers.    There they were with a horse-drawn carriage in the middle of the crowded march.  The horse did not look relaxed.   The horse did not have a choice.  Talk about narcissistic, selfish and greedy.    And cruel.  Very, very cruel. 

 

Carriage horse pimped out by drivers; Although wearing blinders, his eyes look terrified

And Illegal! 

On Sundays, the horse-drawn carriages are allowed to work only in Central Park until 7pm, after which they can go into certain areas of the city.

Drivers must apply to the Department of Transportation for a variance if they would like to work their horse carriage outside of the existing regulations.  They did not. This was confirmed by the Manhattan Borough Commissioner.  She told me that no request was made and if it had been, they would have denied it because of the danger of a 2,000 pound horse in the march.   

§   19-175   Variance  for  special  events.  a.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of section 20-381.1 of the code, the owner or operator  of  a  horse  drawn cab may apply for a variance from the provisions of section  20-381.1 for the limited purpose of carrying out a contract to provide a  horse  drawn “cab” for the “filming” of a “movie,” “television show” or “commercial; or for a wedding, parade, or other special event as shall be  defined  by  the commissioner by rule. The commissioner shall grant such  variance when he or she determines that the issuance  of  such  variance  would  not have an adverse effect on vehicular or pedestrian congestion,  commencement of theatrical productions or public safety.   

b. A variance application shall be in such form as prescribed  by  the  commissioner  and  shall  be submitted to the commissioner no fewer than  three business days prior to  the  date  of  the  event  for  which  the  variance is requested.

c.  The  commissioner  may  require  the  payment  of  an  application  processing fee in an amount to be established by rule.

d. The commissioner shall issue a document  specifying  the  variance.  Whenever  a  horse drawn cab is being operated in accordance with a duly  issued variance, such variance shall be carried by the  driver  of  such  horse  drawn  cab  and  shall be produced upon the demand of any police,  traffic, parks  or  other  enforcement  officer  authorized  to  enforce  section 20-381.1 of the code.

e.  Use  of  a variance by any person other than the person to whom it  was issued, or for any purpose other than the purpose for which  it  was  issued,  shall subject the person using such variance to a civil penalty  of not less than five hundred dollars.

 This is a very serious offense but I can guarantee that no one will be fined because of the fear of Teamster retaliation.   The carriage drivers put everyone at risk -- the horse, them and the many march participants.  Since our campaign began in 2006, we have documented many spooking accidents in which  people have been trampled by spooked and bolting horses and died from their injuries.  

 Horses are very sensitive creatures and their nature should be respected.  They have acute hearing and don’t like loud noises. The danger of putting a horse in this kind of noisy parade environment is that he could spook and bolt, hurting himself and others.  But even if he did not spook, it was cruel to subject him to such a stressful environment to make a point about jobs.

Many of these drivers do not deserve to be the custodians of such precious animals - animals they consider property - like a car or television.   The horses are clearly a means to an end – to bring in income -  and when they do not make the grade anymore, most are laundered through the Amish farmers on their way to auction and then slaughter.  The law does not require records for horses sold outside NYC as most are.   

Because they have no shame and are insensitive to being hypocrites,  the drivers carried signs that read “ Teamsters – climate justice” and “Teamsters – green jobs.”

These are the very same Teamsters that  support the Keystone XL Pipeline.  

The Keystone XL pipeline has been called the pipeline to environmental disaster.   Does anyone see the hypocrisy here?  Teamsters marching in an environmental issues parade.  This is how the march was unfortunately co-opted by special interest groups that have no interest in environmental justice but just want the photo op. 

This is from Common Dreams - 10 Reasons to Oppose the Keystone XL Pipeline.   

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