Good Monday morning. Here’s a glance at opinion content published in the weekend editions of The Journal News:
Saturday, Oct. 15
Nov. 8 election: Commentary
Marianna Stout and Ina Aronow, officers of the League of Women Voters in Westchester County, offer tips for voters in advance of the Nov. 8 general election.
Sunday, Oct. 16
Tappan Zee Bridge: Editorial
We comment again on last week’s news that a replacement for the aging Tappan Zee Bridge had been fast-tracked by the Obama administration. Mass transit, we argue, must be a component in any new crossing. We write:
The Obama administration, looking to speed up job creation in this stalled recovery, has put plans for a new Tappan Zee crossing on the fast track; the Federal Highway Administration has taken over as lead agency for the project, and public briefings are already scheduled for next week. The new breakneck speed follows a decade during which planning and progress moved as slowly as Rockland-bound traffic on the Tappan Zee during the evening commute.With the new developments, it is as if Robert Moses was being channeled by the White House. The project’s sudden rapid pace is reminiscent of the master builder behind the region’s highways, parkways, bridges, tunnels, playgrounds and parks. But another aspect of Moses looms large. The man called “the power broker” shoved through massive projects with little (or in spite of) public input, and all but ignored public transportation as he laid the groundwork for suburban sprawl.
Are we on track for repeating some of Moses’ mistakes? According to the formal announcement of next week’s public briefings, “Because of the current economic realities which severely limit financing capability” the various federal and state agencies will ”… advance a project that will address the needs of the Tappan Zee Hudson River crossing alone. Transit improvements will not be considered.”In other words, any public transportation will have to wait. For how long? Given the track record of such delays, many anticipate an eternity. …
Occupy Wall Street: Commentary
Frida Ghitis of The Miami Herald comments on the Occupy Wall Street movement. Ghitis argues that frustration with America’s financial system is justified.
Boston Red Sox
Phil Reisman weighs in on the collapse of the Bronx Bombers’ archrivals in his Sunday offering.
Monday, Oct. 17
Herman Cain: Commentary
Gannett’s Chuck Raasch assesses the ascendant candidacy of Herman Cain, the former chairman and CEO of Godfather’s Pizza who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.