Laura
08-23-2010, 05:08 PM
http://blog.silive.com/westshore/print.html?entry=/2010/08/saying_they_were_promished_fre.html
Saying they were promised free parking, seniors of Sea View housing fume over new fee
Published: Monday, August 23, 2010, 12:43 PM Updated: Monday, August 23, 2010, 4:49 PM
Judy L. Randall
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Residents at a senior housing complex in Seaview are fighting a new $40-a-month parking fee, saying they were promised free, on-site parking at the Park Lane when they moved in last year.
"If we don’t pay, where do we park, the forest?" said tenant Mary Jane Mariotti, pointing to the wooded property that surrounds the 86-unit development. "This is their way of getting extra income from seniors who are on a fixed income."
Tenant Mike Polito, who submitted a protest petition signed by dozens of seniors to an on-site property manager, pointed to a brochure that advertised the facility’s amenities, including free parking.
But manager Victor Garvin said a second brochure promised only on-site parking.
However, Garvin told the Advance senior management has decided to "revisit" whether to institute the fee. He said the topic of a fee came up after a few residents asked for reserved spots.
Garvin said a fee could be charged for those who want personal parking sports close to the building, but remain free for those willing to park in an unrestricted area nearby.
Residents received a letter from Garvin Aug. 20 informing them of the $40 fee beginning Aug. 31.
Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island), in siding with the seniors, called the proposed fee a "scheme" and a "cynical bait and switch."
© 2010 SILive.com. All rights reserved.
Saying they were promised free parking, seniors of Sea View housing fume over new fee
Published: Monday, August 23, 2010, 12:43 PM Updated: Monday, August 23, 2010, 4:49 PM
Judy L. Randall
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Residents at a senior housing complex in Seaview are fighting a new $40-a-month parking fee, saying they were promised free, on-site parking at the Park Lane when they moved in last year.
"If we don’t pay, where do we park, the forest?" said tenant Mary Jane Mariotti, pointing to the wooded property that surrounds the 86-unit development. "This is their way of getting extra income from seniors who are on a fixed income."
Tenant Mike Polito, who submitted a protest petition signed by dozens of seniors to an on-site property manager, pointed to a brochure that advertised the facility’s amenities, including free parking.
But manager Victor Garvin said a second brochure promised only on-site parking.
However, Garvin told the Advance senior management has decided to "revisit" whether to institute the fee. He said the topic of a fee came up after a few residents asked for reserved spots.
Garvin said a fee could be charged for those who want personal parking sports close to the building, but remain free for those willing to park in an unrestricted area nearby.
Residents received a letter from Garvin Aug. 20 informing them of the $40 fee beginning Aug. 31.
Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island), in siding with the seniors, called the proposed fee a "scheme" and a "cynical bait and switch."
© 2010 SILive.com. All rights reserved.