Monday, August 23, 2010

The key word is "unlicensed"

From the Times Ledger:

Some local businesses, community activists and drivers are fed up with the moving trucks parked at Corona Plaza on Roosevelt Avenue and National Street.

Dr. Ruben Diaz, a dentist who has been working across the street from Corona Plaza for 11 years, said the parking problem with the moving trucks has been going on for over a decade. He said he is upset that local politicians have not done anything about it yet.

“Those trucks have always been there,” Diaz said. “There is nobody that can do anything.”

The moving trucks are operated by mostly unlicensed companies that serve the Latino community of Corona and other parts of Queens. People go to them because it is cheaper to hire them than pay licensed professionals. That’s why many movers park near the plaza by the No. 7 line’s 103rd Street station to find customers.

According to city’s Department of Transportation (DOT), anyone parking at a meter is required to pay the rate and is only permitted to park for the amount of time displayed on the parking sign. But some of the drivers of the moving trucks park in a metered space for longer than the two-hour time allowed, which is a violation that carries a penalty of $35. DOT spokesperson Monty Dean said the enforcement of the traffic rules is handled by the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Ruben Peña, president of the community organization Corona Community Action Network (Corona CAN), said he wants the moving trucks to leave the area so that visitors can park and shop.

“The only problem that we have is the infamous moving trucks that occupy the meters every day,” Peña. “It is an inconvenience for the local businesses.”

Javier, who did not want give his last name, has been working as a mover out of Corona Plaza since 1996. The Ecuadorian native said he knows that it is difficult to find parking in the area, but that it’s not because of the moving trucks. He said he knows what they are doing is not legal, but he said they are providing a good service to the community and they pay insurance to do it.

“The businesses accept us,” Javier said. “Like any situation, there are people who are upset. They have their right to complain. Instead of fighting the moving companies they need to fight against drugs and liquor.”

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Im sure they all have nys cdl licenses,have nyc tax stamps,etc.

Anonymous said...

Hey,like the hookah parlors and the illegal basement dwellings and the litterd blocks that never get tickets, if it immigrant its exempt!

"Immigrants water the Democratic Machine's roots."

Anonymous said...

Why do illegal immigrants need moving companies? Once they get here they never leave.

Anonymous said...

You don't need a CDL to drive those kinds of trucks that are in the photo.

26,000 LBS on up total gross weight requires a CDL.

Deke DaSilva said...

Wow! If Dr. Ruben Diaz and Ruben Peña were just plain old white guys named 'Smith' and 'Jones', they'd probably get charged with a "hate crime!". These guys better watch what they say, or else the boys from La Raza and MS-13 (whatever the hell the name of that street gang is) are going to show up and have them get with the program!

Instead of fighting the moving companies they need to fight against drugs and liquor.

Well Javier, in my experience, the guys working for the illegal moving companies are usually the ones using the drugs and liquor, so we might as well kill 2 birds with one stone!

Anonymous said...

" He said he knows what they are doing is not legal..."


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You mean, being here in the first place?

Anonymous said...

Why do illegal immigrants need moving companies? Once they get here they never leave.
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They hop around from one apartment to another.

I'm sure these trucks never make a run more than 5 miles away.

Anonymous said...

"I'm sure these trucks never make a run more than 5 miles away."

If that's all then who needs licenses or insurance. Viva la Vida!

Anonymous said...

What don't you need a government licence for nowadays??? Next the regulators will want to know when I'm gonna take a queens crap...

All these fools running around who believe they live in a Free Country...what a joke!