To The Editor:
Re “Tightening the reins on Downtown newsstands” (news article, June 15):
“Tightening the reins on Downtown newsstands” is bad news for both paid and free newspapers. In the 1960s, NYC was blessed with over 12 daily newspapers sold at hundreds of neighborhood newsstands.
Excessive regulations have contributed to the reduction in newsstands over past decades. Even worse, there are those who want to reduce the numbers of vending machines distributing free daily newspapers such as AM New York and Metro New York along with numerous weekly newspapers such as Downtown Express and its sister publications – The Villager, East Villager and Chelsea Now. Don’t forget the Village Voice, New York Press and City Hall.
How fortunate we are to be living in one of the few remaining free societies, with a wealth of information sources available for any citizen to gain access.
Today, there continues to be an ongoing circulation battle between the New York Times, New York Daily News and Post in New York City. They face competition from other daily newspapers such as Newsday, Staten Island Advance, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal. Many of these papers count on sales by local newsstands. These same newsstands provide gainful employment for hundreds of operators along with distributors. Newsstands generate sales taxes, which help support municipal services. All free newspapers collectively rely on several thousand freestanding vending machines. Most owners and employees are our neighbors. They contribute to NYC and pay taxes just like you and the rest of us.
No wonder there are so few newsstands when any potential investor has to run the gauntlet between the Departments of Consumer Affairs, Transportation, Landmarks Preservation Commission and Arts Commission. Owners of the Downtown Express and faithful readers should be concerned about Community Board 1 and the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center meddling in the distribution of newsstands.
The increasing hostile environment and intolerance by some against newsstands will inevitably expand to go after the Downtown Express and all other free newspapers. They are all heavily dependent on vending machines for distribution to reach a majority of readers.
In the marketplace of ideas, let us hope there continues to be room for everyone including our neighborhood local newsstands and free standing vending machines.
Larry Penner
