Port Authority Starts Out Mornings Right

Matthew Schuerman — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 23:05:29 -0400

Food is pricey in this town, and when you eat it with other hot shots, it costs even more. Here, from a response to a Freedom of Information Act request, are some examples of how executives of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have spent their lunch money—i.e., your tolls, landing fees, docking charges, etc.--over the last year or so:

$3,500 for 10 people to eat at a “vice chairman table” at the New York Building Congress's Leadership Awards Luncheon on April 17, during which the Port Authority’s chairman and executive director presented an award to construction executive Dan Tishman, whose firm is building the Freedom Tower for the Port Authorty;

$1,300 for two tickets to the New York Building Congress Industry Recognition Dinner at the Grand Hyatt, Oct. 19, 2006;

$1,100 for 20 people to eat at an Association for a Better New York (ABNY) breakfast March 2 with Governor Eliot Spitzer;

$1,200 for 20 people to hear the same Governor Spitzer speak about six weeks later at a Crain’s New York Business breakfast;

$550 to reserve a 10-person table at an ABNY event last Nov. 16, featuring Senator Hillary Clinton;

$550 for a 10-top at another ABNY breakfast, May 15, headlined by Anthony E. Shorris, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey;

And, the highest figure in the pack: $7,381.80 for 10 tickets to the annual black-tie banquet thrown by the Real Estate Board of New York at the New York Hilton Hotel on Jan. 18, 2007.

Compared to those prices, $2 for a Peppermint Pattie at JFK sounds like a steal.

Observer » Port Authority Starts Out Mornings Right

Port Authority Starts Out Mornings Right