Bill de Blasio On Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry: "It's Over"

NY Daily News ^ | December 30, 2013 | Erin Durkin

[Alice in Wonderland]

I like horses and I like Central Park and I like horses in Central Park.

Central Park, a man-made park, has lakes and streams and woodlands and rambles and meadows. Its separate circulation systems were specifically designed as carriage drives, equestrian paths and pedestrian walkways. It is one of the most inspiring combinations of architecture, landscape design and urban planning to be found anywhere on the face of the earth. It is the heart of New York City. There is no comparable urban green space to be found anywhere.

I like the idea that a city kid can go to the middle of Manhattan and see and touch a horse. People and horses like each other and have worked together for ages. People who know and spend time with horses know it’s not inhumane to make them draw carriages. That’s what draft horses were born to do. They have massive strength, yet are so gentle that even children can lead stallions.

The horses of Central Park are the last of the many wonderful working horses which actually built New York City. These magnificent horses are our Living History ... our Heritage. A horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park is a magical experience and a beloved attraction for both residents and visitors to the city.

But NYCLASS, an animal rights organization, wants to end this 150-year tradition. They claim that it is inhumane and cruel to the horses… that the horses are abused.

Nothing could be further from the truth. The horses are very well taken care of and have a very good life. The horse-carriage industry faces some of the most rigorous regulations of any industry in the city. Five separate city agencies monitor their operations, as does the ASPCA. The horses have mandatory work hours, mandatory vacation on pasture, and cannot work when the temperature is above 89 or below 18 or if it is raining or snowing. As long as the relationship between horse and driver is built out of love and respect, both benefit. In the past 30 years there have only been three horse fatalities. There is no compelling data to support ending the industry and the livelihood of those in it.

But in reality, this has NOTHING to do with the animals’ welfare – it’s all about money and real estate. Manhattan real estate is very valuable and developers have their eyes on the redevelopment of the west side. NYCLASS was founded by a real estate developer who wants the land the horse stables currently occupy for his Hudson Yards/Hell’s Kitchen real estate development project.

The anti-Horse Carriage group has eloquent speakers on their side and the new mayor in their pocket. In light of the more than $1.5 million NYCLASS spent on getting di Blasio elected, is it any surprise he wants to return this political favor first? It’s always good to see politicians tackling the pet projects of special interest groups that made significant campaign contributions on their first day in office. It’s worth noting that NYCLASS also poured hundreds-of-thousands of dollars into an effort promoting candidates in eight City Council races … the very same City Council that will be voting on this issue.

The new mayor campaigned with the promise of jobs for New Yorkers. Now he wants to ban the carriage horses ... putting horses, drivers, stable custodians, and support staff out of work. He’s also sending any movie or television production company elsewhere if they want to use a horse and carriage in their production. More jobs lost, and less dollars flowing into NYC. It doesn’t make economic sense for the city.

NYCLASS animal activists don’t care about the reality of what happens to the horses. They chant and hold up signs for the cameras but they have no involvement in the care or rescue of horses. These gallant creatures will likely be slaughtered when the businesses close down.

Again, this is not about cruelty to horses … it’s all about money and real estate. Many cities, New York included, owe their existence to the noble horse drawn vehicle. How quickly this contribution is being forgotten. There should be a place here for generations to see how things moved before the pollution spewing internal combustion engine took over. But welcome to modern-day America, where activists buy elections and then get to dictate to the rest of us.

Organizations in league with NYCLASS:
ASPCA - donated over $450,000 between 2008-2011 to NYCLASS
ED SAYRES - CEO of the ASPCA and co-founder and co-president of NYCLASS
PETA - partner organization
HSUS - partner organization
MAYORS ALLIANCE FOR NYC ANIMALS - Jane Hoffman, Executive Director is also the Treasurer of NYCLASS
ANIMAL HAVEN - Archie Gottesman, President of the Board of Directors and Owner of Edison Properties).
STEVE NISLICK - co-president and co-founder of NYCLASS and CEO of Edison Properties (parent company of Edison ParkFast and Manhattan Mini Storage)
MANHATTAN MINI STORAGE - funded PETA’s anti-carriage-horse campaign featuring Lea Michele

[ZULU]

WOW!!

Interesting. Things are not always as they seem in the socialist sewer of New York City.