Lentol Touted As Possible Silver Replacement
Williamsburg Assemblyman Joe Lentol, who chair’s the Brooklyn Assembly Delegation, is among those in the running to succeed longtime Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who was arrested and charged with political corruption yesterday alleging he took millions of dollars in bribes in return for favorable legislation for real estate developers.
Lentol, 72, is also considered the dean of the Brooklyn delegation and is the longest serving assemblymember from the borough having been in office 32 years.
“Would I be interested in the future, if Shelly were to step down? Sure. But at the moment, I’m supporting the speaker,” Lentol told the New York Post.
The only other Brooklyn lawmaker that commented on Silver fall from grace was East New York Assemblyman Charles Barron, who said Silver should step down.
“This is a distraction, and if any part of these charges are true it is a shame, it is a disgrace,” Barron told reporters.
Silver, 70, who represents the Lower East Side of Manhattan, has been the speaker for 21 years.
MTA Raises Subway and Bridge Tolls
Several Brooklyn lawmakers responded to the MTA hiking both subway fares and the toll on the Varrazano-Narrows Bridge.
The increases, which will take effect March 22, includes going from $2.50 to $2.75 for a single subway ride, $30 to $31 for a weekly card, and from $112 to $116.60 for a monthly.
Riders who load $5.50 or more onto their MetroCards will get an 11 percent bonus, double the bonus under the previous plan.
Tolls for the Verrazano Bridge are charged only for those entering Bay Ridge from Staten Island. They will jump from $16 from $15 and 4 percent for E-ZPass customers.
“I am deeply disappointed in the MTA’s decision to raise fares and tolls on hard-working Brooklynites, whose wallets are already stretched to their limits. I understand the capital needs in the system, including dozens of unmet challenges and opportunities in Brooklyn, but it is my belief that the state’s surplus should be used to offset their deficit and related infrastructure needs, a belief I first espoused back in November when I boycotted the celebration of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge’s 50th anniversary,” said Borough President Eric Adams.
“Additionally, Governor Cuomo should identify a sustainable funding stream for the MTA in his budget to meet the needs of growing ridership. Local and state leaders should bring the MTA back to the drawing board to discuss this issue, and I would hope that Brooklyn’s needs would occupy a significant seat at the table where they discuss it,” he added.
East Flatbush City Councilman Jumaane Williams said he was disappointed the MTA voted to raise its price, which comes too close to recent increases that did not produce better service or improved stations.
“New York City relies on mass transit, especially in District 45, which needs expanded bus service accessibility and additional express bus service to get Downtown Brooklyn or into Manhattan. Despite the M.T.A.’s attempt to keep prices low, it is my hope that the agency draws back its spending or improves the system for all New Yorkers. I call on our elected officials in Albany to help the M.T.A. find a better way to secure funding so biennial fare hikes at the commuter’s expense does not become the norm,” Williams said.
Senator Marty Golden: “The rising cost of the Verrazano Bridge toll has become prohibitive not only for Staten Island residents, but for Brooklyn residents as well. On a regular basis, I speak with folks who live in my district, and work in Staten Island, and we recognize the true cost this toll is having on personal finances.”
