At a press conference yesterday at Kaufman Studios in Queens a number of reporters grilled the reporter on the carriage horse debate, in which more and more evidence seems to confirm a majority of New Yorkers are not in favor of a horse-less Midtown. The last exchange: “Two questions, which is have you had a look at all at the car or the specifications of the car that would replace it? And, if so, are you still supportive of whatever bill would emerge? And number two – you had talked earlier about the good middle-class jobs that this industry provides – and many of your friends in labor are saying that’s just the same with the horse carriage industry. And they’re a bit confused that you can reach the conclusion that it’s inhumane –
(Mayor Bill De Blasio) I – Look, we can relitigate this a hundred times if everyone wants to, but I think I’ve said it many times over last year, so let me try one more time. I believe it’s inhumane – horses working on the streets of New York City, the biggest city in the country. Something is wrong with that picture. There have been a number of accidents. It’s not right. We should change it.
Major cities around the world have made this action – taken this action – over the last few years. This is not something happening in isolation. A lot of other cities have come to the conclusion this doesn’t make sense in this day and age. There are some jobs involved. We want to protect the employment of those individuals. We have an alternative that we think will do that. It’s not about one car another. The concept of a replica electric car I believe in – I haven’t seen this particular design, but I’m certain there’s one or more good options that we can use. But our job is to create a humane, safe, clean outcome that also creates job opportunities. And the first of those opportunities will go to the people doing the work now. “
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