The TRUTH can not be hidden. The hearing at City Hall went VERY well. We were vindicated in many areas. Over 500 people packed the chambers with another 100 in the overflow room. The crowd was equally divided between those who want the carriages to stay and those who don't. There were 160 people who testified, about 80 on each side. I left after 6.5 hours and it was STILL in full swing. There was no vote last night, but it seems that Avella's bill to ban our iconic industry is
D-E-A-D.
I will be posting more information later on some of the crazier happenings of the event (and believe me, there were many....a three ring circus comes to mind).
Now its just a matter of wait-and-see if we are going to get a rate increase; the first in 20 years.
I will keep everyone posted........
THANK YOU to everyone for their continued support of our industry. I hope that our successes will resonate to stop legislation that hurts those of us who work with animals. The animal rights terrorists must be STOPPED!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The NYC Carriage Drivers are Teamsters!
The NYC carriage drivers have made history as the first modern carriage horse industry in America to join the Teamsters Union. As you may know the Teamsters were originally formed by horsemen who drove teams of horses delivering heavy freight in 1903. These men, their horses, and their Union kept America running. Since then the Teamsters Union has swelled to over 1.4 million members nation wide, with 120,000 in NYC alone.
Our Local is 553. In the late 1800's we were known as the Team Coal drivers, a group of horsemen who delivered coal all over this great city. Since the automotive era, however, the Local has been made up of the oil delivery drivers who still call the buildings where they keep their oil trucks "barns".
As Teamsters, we and our brothers have access to political representation at the city, state, and national level. Owning and operating an animal enterprise such as ours, is a labor issue as much as it is an animal issue. Here in NYC, we have demonstrated the checks and balances that are in place for our horses, as well as the good care we provide them. Should the same not be available to the carriage drivers, the stable workers, the stables owners, and any other worker in our industry?
We should note that being a member of this Local in no way pits the drivers against the owners, or vise versa. We are all members together; owners, drivers, stablemen, etc.
Here is the link to the article in the NY daily News....
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/01/25/2009-01-25_carriage_drivers_join_teamsters_as_city_.html
And here is a link to the article in The Irish Echo...
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=19017
Our Local is 553. In the late 1800's we were known as the Team Coal drivers, a group of horsemen who delivered coal all over this great city. Since the automotive era, however, the Local has been made up of the oil delivery drivers who still call the buildings where they keep their oil trucks "barns".
As Teamsters, we and our brothers have access to political representation at the city, state, and national level. Owning and operating an animal enterprise such as ours, is a labor issue as much as it is an animal issue. Here in NYC, we have demonstrated the checks and balances that are in place for our horses, as well as the good care we provide them. Should the same not be available to the carriage drivers, the stable workers, the stables owners, and any other worker in our industry?
We should note that being a member of this Local in no way pits the drivers against the owners, or vise versa. We are all members together; owners, drivers, stablemen, etc.
Here is the link to the article in the NY daily News....
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/01/25/2009-01-25_carriage_drivers_join_teamsters_as_city_.html
And here is a link to the article in The Irish Echo...
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=19017
Friday, January 23, 2009
My videos are back up on Youtube
After many weeks, my videos are finally back up on YouTube. They were taken down after the animal rights nuts flagged them all. My, my how desperate they must be to have to flag videos so people don't see the truth.
If you would like to see them you can go here.
http://www.youtube.com/user/StopLiesSeeTruth
There are 13 videos so far. They show everything from our stables, to our horses at work, regulations and licenses, our farm where they vacation and retire. We also have posted several videos we took over the Christmas season when the activists were in full tilt. You can see for yourselves how "stable" these people are in the videos....its hilarious and sad all at the same time.
If you would like to see them you can go here.
http://www.youtube.com/user/StopLiesSeeTruth
There are 13 videos so far. They show everything from our stables, to our horses at work, regulations and licenses, our farm where they vacation and retire. We also have posted several videos we took over the Christmas season when the activists were in full tilt. You can see for yourselves how "stable" these people are in the videos....its hilarious and sad all at the same time.
Liam Neeson on The Daily Show
Liam Neeson spent most of his interview time, last night, speaking about our carriage horses instead of promoting his own movie. He had just come from our stable down the street before his interview and was mighty impressed.
"These are the fittest, well fed, best kept horses Ive ever seen." Liam Neeson.
"Have you been in these stables? I would move in tomorrow." Liam Neeson.
Coming from an avid horseback rider and horse lover, Mr. Neeson's statements made us feel like dancing for joy!
Oh, what a kick in the pants this must be to know-nothing Alec Baldwin, who has never so much as even attempted to do any independent research into our horses. Not to mention the fact that he doesn't know anything about horses in the first place.
"They have holiday for months on these Amish farms." Liam Neeson.
We have been saying this for years to the PETAphiles who lie about our business and tell people our horses don't vacation. Of course, liberal Jon Stewart wasn't paying attention to what Mr. Neeson said and commented that "Living on 52nd and 11th isn't a holiday for a horse."
If you re going to lead an interview...PAY ATTENTION!
If you would like to watch the interview yourself, please go here....
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=216562&title=liam-neeson#Scene_1
Thank you Mr. Neeson for seeing the TRUTH about our business! Its been a long, hard road for us. But, as we've always done, we will muddle through and show the world how well cared for our horses are and how much we truly LOVE them!
"These are the fittest, well fed, best kept horses Ive ever seen." Liam Neeson.
"Have you been in these stables? I would move in tomorrow." Liam Neeson.
Coming from an avid horseback rider and horse lover, Mr. Neeson's statements made us feel like dancing for joy!
Oh, what a kick in the pants this must be to know-nothing Alec Baldwin, who has never so much as even attempted to do any independent research into our horses. Not to mention the fact that he doesn't know anything about horses in the first place.
"They have holiday for months on these Amish farms." Liam Neeson.
We have been saying this for years to the PETAphiles who lie about our business and tell people our horses don't vacation. Of course, liberal Jon Stewart wasn't paying attention to what Mr. Neeson said and commented that "Living on 52nd and 11th isn't a holiday for a horse."
If you re going to lead an interview...PAY ATTENTION!
If you would like to watch the interview yourself, please go here....
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=216562&title=liam-neeson#Scene_1
Thank you Mr. Neeson for seeing the TRUTH about our business! Its been a long, hard road for us. But, as we've always done, we will muddle through and show the world how well cared for our horses are and how much we truly LOVE them!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Liam Neeson Speaks Out in Defense of our Carriage Horses!
Irish Echo, front page story, January 14, 2008
Hands off!
Actor Liam Neeson slams animal rights 'extremists'
By Peter McDermott January 14, 2009
Liam Neeson, Ireland's best-known Hollywood star, has defended New York's horse & carriage industry from its critics in a letter to members of the City Council.
The actor writes that there's been a "coordinated attempt by animal activists and a certain Queens council member to ban the industry from the city."
City Councilman Tony Avella's bill to put an end to the city's horse & carriage trade will be discussed at a hearing on Jan. 30. At the same meeting, the horse & carriage workers' proposal for a fare increase -- the first in 19 years, if it's agreed -- will also be debated.
Neeson's letter continues: "As a horse lover and rider, I am deeply disturbed by the unnecessary and misguided political and extreme rhetoric against the horse-drawn carriage industry and feel obliged to counter this action.
"The horse-drawn carriage business is an iconic part of this city, employing hundreds of dedicated, hard-working men and women, caring for well-bred, well-trained horses and attracting tourists to New York City for over 100 years.
"As a proud New York resident, I have personally enjoyed the beauty of Central Park on a daily basis for many years, and these horses are an undeniable integral part of that experience. The notion that a well-nourished horse pulling a carriage through Central Park is considered cruelty may fit in with animal activists' extremist view, but not with the rest of us," writes the star who played Michael Collins, the founder of the Irish state, and sex researcher Alfred Kinsey on screen and is slated to portray Abraham Lincoln and Ian Paisley in upcoming film projects.
He frames his closing argument in economic terms: "Surely we have a responsibility to protect commerce, especially one with such history, and one I truly feel helps define this city. May pragmatism prevail."
The Ballymena, Co. Antrim-born star, who has dual Irish and British citizenship, signs the letter "Liam Neeson OBE."
Stephen Malone, a New Yorker who followed his County Louth-born father into the industry, also made the economic argument in an interview with the Echo.
"Two and half million people lost their jobs last year and it's mind-boggling that he [Avella] wants to take away more jobs," he said.
Malone said that the industry is bringing forward a legislative package with its demand for an fare increase, even though it's already closely regulated. It wants the veterinarian's checkup of horses to be twice yearly.
It wants to improve record keeping, too. Under the proposals, each owner has to keep a logbook on the premises for his set of horses with information on shots and worming.
Malone and his colleagues aim to "upgrade, improve and protect every aspect of the industry."
However, the biggest obstacle to improved pay and conditions is the vociferous animal rights group that harasses the industry workers. Carolyn Daly, a spokesperson for the horse & carriage industry, said that allegations of cruelty are absurd. "People talk about the horses' 'instinct to flee,'" she said. "We're dealing with domesticated animals; they're not wild stallions. They've never had to hunt for food."
"They're trust fund horses," Malone said. "Born with a silver bit in their mouths."
As for safety concerns, the "record speaks for itself and our insurance record speaks for itself," Malone said. "We wouldn't be here if it didn't."
More than 100 pedestrians died on New York's streets in 2008, he said, and his industry took in hundreds of thousands fares without incident.
Malone said that despite the downturn in the economy, the industry, which employs 400 people, had a good Christmas season.
But the current cold snap is keeping the horses and drivers off the streets.
"We'll work one or two days this week," Stephen Malone said. "This is our time to spend with our families that we don't have during the rest of the year."
This story appeared in the Irish Echo issue of January 14-20, 2009
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18971
It ws also picked up by the Daily News
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18971
And on MSNBC.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28740427/
Hands off!
Actor Liam Neeson slams animal rights 'extremists'
By Peter McDermott January 14, 2009
Liam Neeson, Ireland's best-known Hollywood star, has defended New York's horse & carriage industry from its critics in a letter to members of the City Council.
The actor writes that there's been a "coordinated attempt by animal activists and a certain Queens council member to ban the industry from the city."
City Councilman Tony Avella's bill to put an end to the city's horse & carriage trade will be discussed at a hearing on Jan. 30. At the same meeting, the horse & carriage workers' proposal for a fare increase -- the first in 19 years, if it's agreed -- will also be debated.
Neeson's letter continues: "As a horse lover and rider, I am deeply disturbed by the unnecessary and misguided political and extreme rhetoric against the horse-drawn carriage industry and feel obliged to counter this action.
"The horse-drawn carriage business is an iconic part of this city, employing hundreds of dedicated, hard-working men and women, caring for well-bred, well-trained horses and attracting tourists to New York City for over 100 years.
"As a proud New York resident, I have personally enjoyed the beauty of Central Park on a daily basis for many years, and these horses are an undeniable integral part of that experience. The notion that a well-nourished horse pulling a carriage through Central Park is considered cruelty may fit in with animal activists' extremist view, but not with the rest of us," writes the star who played Michael Collins, the founder of the Irish state, and sex researcher Alfred Kinsey on screen and is slated to portray Abraham Lincoln and Ian Paisley in upcoming film projects.
He frames his closing argument in economic terms: "Surely we have a responsibility to protect commerce, especially one with such history, and one I truly feel helps define this city. May pragmatism prevail."
The Ballymena, Co. Antrim-born star, who has dual Irish and British citizenship, signs the letter "Liam Neeson OBE."
Stephen Malone, a New Yorker who followed his County Louth-born father into the industry, also made the economic argument in an interview with the Echo.
"Two and half million people lost their jobs last year and it's mind-boggling that he [Avella] wants to take away more jobs," he said.
Malone said that the industry is bringing forward a legislative package with its demand for an fare increase, even though it's already closely regulated. It wants the veterinarian's checkup of horses to be twice yearly.
It wants to improve record keeping, too. Under the proposals, each owner has to keep a logbook on the premises for his set of horses with information on shots and worming.
Malone and his colleagues aim to "upgrade, improve and protect every aspect of the industry."
However, the biggest obstacle to improved pay and conditions is the vociferous animal rights group that harasses the industry workers. Carolyn Daly, a spokesperson for the horse & carriage industry, said that allegations of cruelty are absurd. "People talk about the horses' 'instinct to flee,'" she said. "We're dealing with domesticated animals; they're not wild stallions. They've never had to hunt for food."
"They're trust fund horses," Malone said. "Born with a silver bit in their mouths."
As for safety concerns, the "record speaks for itself and our insurance record speaks for itself," Malone said. "We wouldn't be here if it didn't."
More than 100 pedestrians died on New York's streets in 2008, he said, and his industry took in hundreds of thousands fares without incident.
Malone said that despite the downturn in the economy, the industry, which employs 400 people, had a good Christmas season.
But the current cold snap is keeping the horses and drivers off the streets.
"We'll work one or two days this week," Stephen Malone said. "This is our time to spend with our families that we don't have during the rest of the year."
This story appeared in the Irish Echo issue of January 14-20, 2009
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18971
It ws also picked up by the Daily News
http://www.irishecho.com/newspaper/story.cfm?id=18971
And on MSNBC.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28740427/
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Its been Changed!
The hearing is now Friday, January 30 at 10 am in council Chambers at City Hall. Be there to help defend our horses and drivers! We want VINDICATION!!!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
The BIG Day!
Our hearing is coming up soon. This hearing at NYC Hall will see two bills. One by Tony Avella, whom the NY daily News gave the Knucklehead of 2008 award to. His bill would make it illegal for horse carriages to exist in NYC. Pffft. This bill is dead in the water already. Its a joke.
The second bill is a bill to give us a raise. We haven't had a raise since 1989. Yes! 1989! In that 20 years the cost to stable our horses in NYC has doubled, mostly because of feed prices. The cost of maintaining a second or third horse on a farm outside the city has tripled. The cost of trailering services to haul our horses to and from these farms has tripled. Farrier services to keep the horses hoofs in good condition has more than doubled. Vet services have more than doubled. The list goes on and on. Yet, here we are in 2009, still charging $34 for a ride through the park. How can the city expect us to make a living without a raise in 20 years? It sounds ludicrous reading what I'm typing. 20 years!
So, the hearing will be January 29 at 10 AM in City Hall chambers. Wish us luck! We don't really need luck, though, since we already have the truth on our side. Wish us the best!
The main purpose of this hearing, from our point of view anyway, is to show everyone the truth about how our horses live. We want to expose the ARA's for the liars they are. We want Tony Avella to be exposed for the liar and ignoramus he is. We want vindication! We deserve it.
The second bill is a bill to give us a raise. We haven't had a raise since 1989. Yes! 1989! In that 20 years the cost to stable our horses in NYC has doubled, mostly because of feed prices. The cost of maintaining a second or third horse on a farm outside the city has tripled. The cost of trailering services to haul our horses to and from these farms has tripled. Farrier services to keep the horses hoofs in good condition has more than doubled. Vet services have more than doubled. The list goes on and on. Yet, here we are in 2009, still charging $34 for a ride through the park. How can the city expect us to make a living without a raise in 20 years? It sounds ludicrous reading what I'm typing. 20 years!
So, the hearing will be January 29 at 10 AM in City Hall chambers. Wish us luck! We don't really need luck, though, since we already have the truth on our side. Wish us the best!
The main purpose of this hearing, from our point of view anyway, is to show everyone the truth about how our horses live. We want to expose the ARA's for the liars they are. We want Tony Avella to be exposed for the liar and ignoramus he is. We want vindication! We deserve it.
NY Daily News Editorial.....Rational Thought isnt Dead, Yet!
NY Daily News
Sunday, January 4th 2009
The equine equation
Neigh, we say. Neigh! People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and City Council PETAphiles are trying again to sever the alliance between homo sapiens and equus caballus.
Specifically, they're out to shut New York's carriage-horse business, breaking a bit of the bond that began when humans domesticated horses 6,000 years ago. (We learned that through the Museum of Natural History's recent exhibit on horses.)
Over the centuries, humans created more than 200 breeds, from the muscular Clydesdale to the striking golden palomino and elegant Arabian. For more than 3,000 years, humans have ridden the beasts into battle. For more than 1,000 years, horses have plowed fields, cleared forests, herded cattle - and pulled carriages.
This sacred friendship between two species must go on. The PETApoops must be stopped. Otherwise, they'll come for the dogs, too.
Just you watch.
Hers the link...
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/01/04/2009-01-04_court_of_limited_appeal_top_legal_talent.html?page=1
Sunday, January 4th 2009
The equine equation
Neigh, we say. Neigh! People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and City Council PETAphiles are trying again to sever the alliance between homo sapiens and equus caballus.
Specifically, they're out to shut New York's carriage-horse business, breaking a bit of the bond that began when humans domesticated horses 6,000 years ago. (We learned that through the Museum of Natural History's recent exhibit on horses.)
Over the centuries, humans created more than 200 breeds, from the muscular Clydesdale to the striking golden palomino and elegant Arabian. For more than 3,000 years, humans have ridden the beasts into battle. For more than 1,000 years, horses have plowed fields, cleared forests, herded cattle - and pulled carriages.
This sacred friendship between two species must go on. The PETApoops must be stopped. Otherwise, they'll come for the dogs, too.
Just you watch.
Hers the link...
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/01/04/2009-01-04_court_of_limited_appeal_top_legal_talent.html?page=1
Animal Rights Activists
The battle has now come to a head. The ARA's are harassing and attacking us and our customers at work. It was so bad, that on one particular day, channel 11 news (NYC) caught a lady named Roxanne Delgado calling children a**holes while riding in a carriage. The news story that followed showed the sickening actions of the ARA's in full display. Their actions on that day included screaming, name calling, making children cry, and shoving video cameras in tourists faces.
I took the video and had a friend of mine post it on YouTube. It was taken down shortly thereafter. The ARA's are so frightened of the truth they have turned to flagging every pro carriage video on YouTube. ALL of my videos were taken down, as was my entire account! Be assured, though, they will be reposted. The simple minded ignorance of the ARA's can not, and will not, compete with the truth about how much we care and love for our animals.
The video can now be seen at http://petablows.homestead.com/index.html. PLEASE visit this site and see for yourself the actions of the "compassionate PETA members". Actually, the PETArds weren't the only group there that day. Another group, apply entitled W.A.R. (win animal rights) has also joined the harassment campaign. You have to question the tactics and mental stability of anyone who would name their supposedly "peaceful animal lovers" group war.
We have been the target of an organized campaign of harassment that has been documented though video and other evidence. These fascists have been posting slanderous videos on YouTube. Some show people who are supposedly being "overcharged" by carriage drivers. We all know how easy it is to hire people to say or do things...now isn't that right, PETA? Other videos show our horses working in snow! OMG! Who ever heard of a horse in snow! They'll melt! This video was done by the one and only Donny Moss. A wish-he-was celebrity who lies and misrepresents our business to others for PETA. Donny thought he would make a living out of slandering us, but thankfully, people could see through his sham of a movie "Blinders". He must have ran through a few editing machines in the making of this piece of crap. Propaganda at its worst! Anyway, as a friend of mine said, he must need more invitations to PETArd cocktail parties. Because he spent his day video taping us at work in the snow. He says "a horse slipped and did the splits"! HA HA! If that were true, Donny, the horse would have a couple of broken legs, you LIAR! Its funny, too that he didn't manage to tape that, even though he had a video camera on the whole time! LIAR!
Its ludicrous. They, including our old pal Tony Avella, are alleging abuse. ATTENTION, TONY AVELLA: We went to work that day BEFORE the storm began. We went in shortly thereafter, without incident. All horses and drivers returned to the stable safely. We waited until the ASPCA (who regulates under what conditions they consider working the horses to be adverse) told us to leave and we did. It is the ASPCA who regulates us, and THEY determine under what conditions we work. NOT Tony Avella or the other PETArds like Roxanne Delgado or Elizabeth Forel.
The last few months have been difficult. But, as we always do, we will prevail. We must keep our heads high and ignore the utter nonsense that spews from these peoples foul mouths.
I took the video and had a friend of mine post it on YouTube. It was taken down shortly thereafter. The ARA's are so frightened of the truth they have turned to flagging every pro carriage video on YouTube. ALL of my videos were taken down, as was my entire account! Be assured, though, they will be reposted. The simple minded ignorance of the ARA's can not, and will not, compete with the truth about how much we care and love for our animals.
The video can now be seen at http://petablows.homestead.com/index.html. PLEASE visit this site and see for yourself the actions of the "compassionate PETA members". Actually, the PETArds weren't the only group there that day. Another group, apply entitled W.A.R. (win animal rights) has also joined the harassment campaign. You have to question the tactics and mental stability of anyone who would name their supposedly "peaceful animal lovers" group war.
We have been the target of an organized campaign of harassment that has been documented though video and other evidence. These fascists have been posting slanderous videos on YouTube. Some show people who are supposedly being "overcharged" by carriage drivers. We all know how easy it is to hire people to say or do things...now isn't that right, PETA? Other videos show our horses working in snow! OMG! Who ever heard of a horse in snow! They'll melt! This video was done by the one and only Donny Moss. A wish-he-was celebrity who lies and misrepresents our business to others for PETA. Donny thought he would make a living out of slandering us, but thankfully, people could see through his sham of a movie "Blinders". He must have ran through a few editing machines in the making of this piece of crap. Propaganda at its worst! Anyway, as a friend of mine said, he must need more invitations to PETArd cocktail parties. Because he spent his day video taping us at work in the snow. He says "a horse slipped and did the splits"! HA HA! If that were true, Donny, the horse would have a couple of broken legs, you LIAR! Its funny, too that he didn't manage to tape that, even though he had a video camera on the whole time! LIAR!
Its ludicrous. They, including our old pal Tony Avella, are alleging abuse. ATTENTION, TONY AVELLA: We went to work that day BEFORE the storm began. We went in shortly thereafter, without incident. All horses and drivers returned to the stable safely. We waited until the ASPCA (who regulates under what conditions they consider working the horses to be adverse) told us to leave and we did. It is the ASPCA who regulates us, and THEY determine under what conditions we work. NOT Tony Avella or the other PETArds like Roxanne Delgado or Elizabeth Forel.
The last few months have been difficult. But, as we always do, we will prevail. We must keep our heads high and ignore the utter nonsense that spews from these peoples foul mouths.
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