THE FIG FILE 11.18.08

The Fig File: I'd like to welcome everyone to my official blog here at wor710.com . I'm really excited at the opportunity to report and post my take on stories that you may or may not have come across here on The John Gambling Show or on another one of your favorite shows on WOR. I’ll also throw in some of my experiences wandering around the Tri-State and even give you a backstage pass to the John Gambling Show. So sit back, relax and read on!

Here's an item you'll most certainly hear discussed on the John Gambling Show in the coming days: the revival of the commuter tax. If you have listened to our show in the morning, you have heard Mayor Bloomberg say that there will be tough decisions made to balance the budget - possibly slashing programs and services and even a long hard look at raising taxes . Given that reality,  why not a long hard look at the commuter tax?

I did some homework and found that the tax brought in as much as 360 million a year for the city - that’s a nice chunk of change. That’s 360 million dollars that can go to hiring new recruits to the NYPD, money that can go into easing some of the MTA’s woes thus putting the skids on service cuts or even (gasp) increased Metrocard fares. That 360 million might even be higher now that the city sees more people coming to work and play each day (and night) from the Tri-State area - so I ask again, why not a commuter tax?

I know an increase in taxes is the last thing anyone wants to hear, but as a young man living in this great city all my life, I know that this town is the breadth and heart of our country. As the Big Apple goes, so does the rest of the country, even the world. I think a commuter tax is worth serious consideration. It’s either that or tolls on the East Side Crossings - and that’s a whole other can of worms.

Inside Studio Four: Notes from The John Gambling Show: Ever wonder what John is talking about when he mentions his “stack of stuff”? Well, it is a pile, and I mean a hefty pile of articles clipped from a variety of news papers and other various sources that is set right next to John and his coffee each morning as he does the show. We never know what story John is going to pluck out of his infamous stack of stuff, but you can be sure it will be something intriguing! Oh and those two in the control room that John sometimes affectionately refers to? Well that’s our Technical Director and Engineer Al Randal and myself.

Odds and Ends: Looking for something different to do on a weekend? Check out the the lower West Side's Highline Ballroom for a great line-up of eclectic music, a delicious well priced menu and a relaxed atmosphere. I experienced the Highline Ballroom for the first time a couple weeks back and was impressed with what I saw - in an age of over priced crowded venues for music, The Highline Ballroom offered seating right near the stage and had a great view of band. Check it out!

Highline Ballroom
http://www.highlineballroom.com/
431 West 16th St. NYC, NY 10011