Nasty, Personal, Elitist and Not a Bronxite

PlaNYC identifies North Riverdale, a neighborhood represented by Bronx Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz, as one of 22 New York City neighborhoods with a higher than average concentration of Manhattan-bound drivers. (Download the transportation section, page 86)

Bronx Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz wasn’t happy with Streetsblog’s presentation of his Riverdale Press editorial against congestion pricing last week. Dinowitz sent a response to the New York Press. In it, he suggests that my comments about his editorial were “nasty and personal” and that some of the support for congestion pricing “is very elitist in nature.” He notes repeatedly that I’m not “a Bronxite,” suggests that I twisted his words, and makes a few points around the substance of the Mayor’s plan as well.

I’d like to give a call or write a letter to Dinowitz. State Assembly Democrats can’t be written off. They will have a vote over whatever congestion reduction plan emerges from the 17-member traffic mitigation commission. Aside from letting him know that my family has deep roots in the Bronx, how should I respond to Dinowitz? What would be the most productive approach here, do you think? Suggestions are welcome, especially if you’re a Bronxite or, like hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of non-Bronxites each week, you happen to drive through the Bronx on your way to somewhere else.