The Fig File for 02.23.08 by: Mike Figliola

The Fig File: MTA Ridership Up, Next: Onto Albany To Urge Ravitch Recommendations.

The joke is on us again. In an age dominated by multi million and billion dollar Ponzi schemes, big Government giving away tax payers money to the tune of 787 billion bucks, Unemployment at the highest and new hires at its lowest it’s been in years, The American Automaker disappearing, The average American unable to own a home, one looks to the local amenities to maintain some sort of stability. That is the start of a rather long winded joke.
 
Here’s where it gets funny. New data in a press release by the MTA states that bus and subway ridership increased to 2.37 billion in 2008, a 3.1 percent increase for 2007 - the highest percentage of riders ever and the biggest increase in over 30 years. That translates to over 4.7 billion dollars hoarded from the tax paying working class schlub. The MTA expects another 1.5 billion in revenue from their real estate holdings through 2013. This from the same agency who is proposing cuts in subway and bus service across the board. As Ralph Cramden might say: Well hardy har har har har har.

Prepare for the side splittingly funniness: on Tues February 24th the MTA’s top brass is going to take their limousines and town cars across the RFK Bridge and onto the Taconic, or maybe the Thruway and make a straight run up to Albany to “urge state legislators to support the transportation funding recommendations proposed by the Ravitch Commission.” As we all know the Ravitch Commission is full of madness: toll hikes on East Side Bridges, Payroll Taxes, Service decreases and Fare increases all to account for the massive budget deficit ‘afflicting’ the Metropolitan Transit Agency.

OH REALLY.

Let’s recap shall we?

In 2008, The MTA has the biggest ridership increase in over 30 years featuring a 4.7 billion dollar revenue. The MTA will take in another 1.5 billion beans by 2013 through real estate holdings. Next, high ranking members are traveling to Albany to urge support for the Ravitch recommendations which will increase fares, decrease service, place tolls on East Side crossings and implement Pay Roll taxes.

I think this bears repeating:

In 2008, The MTA has the biggest ridership increase in over 30 years featuring a 4.7 billion dollar revenue. The MTA will take in another 1.5 billion beans by 2013 through real estate holdings. High ranking members are traveling to Albany to urge support for the Ravitch recommendations which will increase fares, decrease service, place tolls on East Side crossings and implement Pay Roll taxes.

I am not repeating the statement to waste space but to reinforce the sheer madness behind the budget and governance of the MTA; the amount of fiscal corruption and mismanagement, the hutzpa that goes into telling The Tri-State that there have been more riders using the MTA’s services than ever before and yet, in another quietly placed press release say that top brass is going to Albany to lobby for increased wallet rape on you and I. Where is the outrage? Where is the call to arms? Where is the very public boycott of this city and its services for allowing this sort of devilry?

I tell you what: I wish for an old spaghetti western gun fight, you and I  versus them, right down near Boss Tweed’s court house, high noon in the shade of the Brooklyn Bridge. Desparado style: Shot of Jim Beam, Twenty paces, Turn and Fire.

Somehow I know I’ll end up dead. The joke’s on me. Oh, and you.

Odds and Ends: The Cock Crows In Hell’s Kitchen.

My good friend Rico Malta has done it again. Not too long ago, I wrote about his Upper West side spot Arte Café and if you had a chance to eat the sumptuous cuisine he features there, then take the 2 or 3 train down to 42nd street, walk up and on over to his newest venture Gallo Nero (The Dark Rooster). Gallo is an intimate, candle lit, rustic Italian inspired restaurant that left me licking my plate of fresh crab risotto as well as the salty sweetness of the prosciuto off the tips of my fingers. The grilled chicken breast melted in my mouth contrasted by the fried crispy zucchini that was paired along with it. And for all you wine aficionados, the Super Tuscan list features choice selections moderately priced per glass or bottle. I finished my night at Gallo with a perfect glass of Grappa - Hemingway style. Go check out Gallo Nero for yourself for lunch or dinner - even for a drink or two. The service, setting and yolk of Rico’s restaurant is good from midday to twilight. Or until the Rooster crows.
 
Gallo Nero
402 West 44th Street
NY 10036
212.265.6660
www.gallonerony.com