Sunday, February 2, 2014

Vallone, Jr.: garbage scofflaw


From the Daily News:

Former Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. was among thousands of New Yorkers slapped with up to $300 in fines for a little-known violation — dragging trash out to the curb too early.

Sanitation agents have issued a staggering 13,841 fines all across the city in the past six months — simply for taking the trash out too soon, according to city records.

“The city should have made this one of the violations they warn you about first — both for people who are unaware of the law and for people like me who on one occasion wasn’t going to be home at 4 p.m.,” Vallone told the Daily News.

With the exception of winter months, when trash can be taken outside after 4 p.m., property owners and landlords are expected to keep garbage inside until after 5 p.m. in order to reduce the amount of time the trash sits out in the open, according to the city’s Administrative Code.

The rule is in place to avoid cans from being blown over onto sidewalks. And it also prevents a passerby from dropping garbage onto the outdoor heaps.

The fines range from $100 for a first offense to $300 for repeat offenders, but many of them never pay, records show.

In 2012, the city issued nearly $3.6 million in fines, but only about $2 million has been paid thus far, according to the Environmental Control Board, an administrative court charged with handling such sanitation cases.

In 2013, the city imposed nearly $3 million in fines, including late fees, but only $1.5 million has been paid.


It doesn't look like he's planning to go away anytime soon...

19 comments:

Tony Barretta said...

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Anonymous said...

The city should have made this one of the violations they warn you about first — both for people who are unaware of the law and for people like me who on one occasion wasn’t going to be home at 4 p.m.

While the sentiment may be true, one can't help but think that Peter only expresses it because HE got dinged. Given the documentation of the awful conditions we've been treated to by Joe Moretti, it's nice to see DoS getting some backbone. Welcome to life in the city you helped helped govern for 12 years, Honorable!

Anonymous said...

That ad screams Mid life confusion.

Anonymous said...

Not much of a story. He's no longer in office.

Anonymous said...

Why would anyone give him money? It would be better spent given to the ASPCA!

Anonymous said...

Given the documentation of the awful conditions we've been treated to by Joe Moretti, it's nice to see DoS getting some backbone.

I'd like to see a map of where the violations have been issued. Are they only enforcing the rules in the "wealthy" (i.e., white) areas? When they start issuing violations in Jamaica, I'll believe.

Anonymous said...

What was his birthday fundraiser all about? Maybe he had some bills to pay.

Anonymous said...

Did not show up at his successor's inauguration.

Poppa said he had a 'virus.'

Anonymous said...

He knew all about the sanitation rules and laws -- he is no better then anybody else -- who is he kidding

Anonymous said...

No early birds tolerated here, NYC is too lazy

The Queens Crap Society Page said...

Yup, Old Man Vallone did say Junior had a "virus" at Costa's gig last week at LIC HS. And Gioia was nowhere to be seen at McCaffrey's funeral.

Anonymous said...

How much did Stinky lay out for.his ducat?

Anonymous said...

He was a city councilman, why didn't he address the issue of preditory fining while he was in office. He should talk to Paul and see if they can introduce some sanity into this situation.

ron s said...

Gotta love that scowl......

While on that subject, they seem to be moving ahead with the medical center on 31st st. that damaged houses on the next block...does anybody have recent info?

Anonymous said...

Petey, Jr. desperately wants to become Queens D.A.

Anonymous said...

Is he kidding us? The guy was trying to run for QB Prez and he didn't know about this? He'll never go away because he 1) can't get a real job 2) is an incompetent lawyer and no one in their right mind would hire him as an attorney.

The only racket he knows is the family business - suck the blood of Queens residents.

Anonymous said...

Interesting how Queens pols just don't do well outside of their sandbox.

What do people in the other 4 boroughs see that we are blind to?

Anonymous said...

this man just will not go away and give his community a break.

what do we have to do to rid ourselves of this family's ambitions with our community?

haven't we had enough?!?!?

Anonymous said...

"He was a city councilman, why didn't he address the issue of predatory (sp) fining while he was in office"

Actually he raised the issue of predatory fining several times during his tenure on the Council