By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
For one week every fall, residents of Bay Ridge set aside their differences to do what they do best — party.
This year was no different. With three unique festivals in seven days, the party felt like it never ended. But taken together the celebrations remind us all of why life at the end of the R continues to be Brooklyn’s best-kept secret.
The secret can be boiled down to two things that in this case go hand in hand: diversity and food.
This year’s grub-fest kicked off last weekend with The Holy Cross Greek Cultural Festival, a three-day event which began on Friday, Sept. 21, and showcased our community’s prominent Greek presence.
Locals who wondered down to Ridge Boulevard found traffic closed from 86th to 84th streets for the most-famous (and perhaps only) loukoumades-eating contest in Brooklyn, not to mention live Greek music, rides, and plenty of ouzo (which is an anise-flavored liqueur best known for inebriating generations of uninitiated backpacker tourists).
But this party wasn’t just for toga-lovers
Last Saturday’s Ragamuffin Parade featured a scene that was equal parts Sesame Street and David Lynch, as an army of three-foot tall King Kongs, Dora the Explorers, Batmans (Batmen?), and Little Mermaids dutifully marched down the street together in the 41st annual installment.
The sight was beautiful as it was macabre, with children (some soaked in fake monster blood) taking over Third Avenue (“Children of the Corn,” anyone?) as adults stood in the background, only coming out to occasionally steer their costumed tykes away from the overpriced balloon merchants.
If that wasn’t enough fun, the next day’s Third Avenue festival featured plenty of food, not to mention a minor street-side political convention.
All the local pols had similar pitches, offering small bribes like tote bags and stickers in exchange for e-mail addresses — but the most original may have been the Brooklyn Democrats for Change, which offered Bazooka Joe chewing gum (the ones with the comics) to those brave enough to fork over contact info.
But the festivals were about more than really great food, creative costumes, and sketchy-looking rides: these 10 days were a kaleidoscope of shapes, colors, and smells that strike at one of humanity’s few remaining common denominators, resonating right at an instinctual core within all of us (besides hunger) — the need for whimsical celebrations.
The concept of celebrating our existence, for the sake of existing, isn’t something that is too common in this day of age, and it is an overall feeling that is carried throughout Bay Ridge most of the year — a communal vibe, if you will.
In a town where outsiders paint us as fractured along political and cultural lines, the festivals showcased our harmonious diversity, where everyone sets aside his differences in the name of funnel cakes and falafels.
That should be a big part of the reason Bay Ridge is a community that finds itself worthy of celebrating, again, and again, and again.
But just don’t tell anyone.
It’s our secret.
Matthew Lysiak is a writer who lives in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
Funny little footnote to last week’s story about Councilman Domenic Recchia’s challenge to five-term Rep. Vito Fossella: The Congressman’s campaign staff quickly pounced on Recchia’s out-of-district address, but The Sink couldn’t help but notice that the phone number for the Committee to Re-Elect Vito Fossella has a 703 area code — that’s Virginia, folks. …
Overheard on Sunday at Salty Dog, the firefighter bar on Third Avenue between 75th and 76th streets: “I will never watch another Mets game so long as I live,” one dejected fan screamed at the big screen as the Marlins put up seven in the top of the first. “Or at least I won’t until next year.” …
Poly Prep completed a $4.5-million upgrade of its track and athletic fields. The new field is now covered with something called Mondoturf Ecofill, a rubber substitute that retains about 20 degrees less heat than black rubber, supposedly lowering athletes’ fatigue. …
The tornado-ravaged Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, which is at Fourth Avenue near 67th Street, will be holding a concert/fundraiser in the sanctuary on Sunday, Oct. 21 at 4 pm. The event will feature songs and duets by Elizabeth Inghram and Douglas Jabara and the suggested donation is $30, but everyone is welcome. Rev. David Aja-Sigmon has been busy praying overtime, especially since he is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and now those loveable losers are in the playoffs.
Showing posts with label yellow hooker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yellow hooker. Show all posts
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
This grass has cyber-roots
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
The revolution began with a click. For those who believe all those stereotypes about Internet chat rooms making the world a less personal place, an abject lesson can be learned from one group of local cyber-geeks.
That’s because Internet-savvy residents of Bay Ridge are now witnessing a new form of community activism, as a group of locals on the popular chat site Bayridgetalk.com site have punched through the gray world of HTML-coded anonymity and transformed themselves into real world tool of change.
It all began like it usually does in the word of bloggers — with a complaint.
In this case the post involved a suspected crackhouse, allegedly located on 93rd Street between Third and Fourth avenues.
Like most things in the blogosphere, the allegations were long on hyperbole but short on details.
“I live two blocks down from this crackhouse,” said poster Concerned Mom. “Bay Ridge is a very nice neighborhood, and I would like to see it stay that way. Does anyone have any suggestions of things we can do?”
This post quickly became a magnet for other residents — who until that time were strangers to each other — with similar concerns about the house.
Those familiar with the Internet know what happened next: complaints, complaints, and more complaints. But instead, this time something truly revolutionary happened.
Quicker than you can type “LOL,” the fantasy relationship of the online chat room mobilized into a real world plan to push the community into action.
“Both CB10 and the 68th Precinct hold monthly public meetings,” posted one regular BRT PetShopBoy. “We need to organize a group, get on the agenda, show up and get it on the record.”
This wasn’t just a case of cyber-bluster: the plan was quickly in motion. A handful of the online complainers left their keyboards behind and showed up in the flesh at the last Community Board 10 meeting. They have also been contacting local pols and have gotten on the radar of the 68th Precinct (and the press, though I suppose that’s obvious).
In other words, they have effectively made it an issue. This isn’t to mean that the group will have success or that the crackhouse (or whatever it is) will be shut down, but it is notable in another important aspect.
Of course, there is nothing new about online activism. Blogs like Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn have been mobilizing residents against hot button issues since Al Gore invented the Internet.
But what is new is that this was a group of strangers who discovered a problem, discussed it in a chat room, and got it on the community agenda.
I’ll update you down the road to see if the Community Board or the local cops fix the problem at the alleged crackhouse, but as far as this reporter is concerned, the cyber-surfers have already scored their first success:
Now, has anyone seen that crazy monkey that can bake cherry pies on YouTube? It is truly amazing.
Matthew Lysiak is a writer who lives in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
Sign of the times? Residents better hope not. A large sign on 95th Street proudly instructs drivers that they are on Fifth Avenue — the only problem, as our astute source pointed out, is that the Fifth Avenue sign was installed on Fourth Avenue! …
House Party! Snacks and drinks were in heavy supply as local supporters of Rudy Giuliani gathered around a big monitor at a 92nd Street home to speak to their presidential candidate of choice live via Web cast last Wednesday. Dung-covered Virgin Marys were not invited. …
Take that, Mahmoud! Days after Iranian President Ahmadinejad made headlines for trying to visit Ground Zero and giving a speech at Columbia University during his trip to New York for a United Nations session, Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) announced he would introduce legislation to outlaw leaders “of any country classified by the State Department as a sponsor of terrorism” from leaving participating in any event outside the United Nations. The bill, according to Fossella’s press release, “would also restrict the leader’s movement only between the airport, his county’s mission, his hotel and the UN headquarters.” Nice idea, but couldn’t the Iranian president simply have booked a room at the Millenium Hilton, across the street from Ground Zero? …
Maybe we’re idiots (please, hold your applause), but The Sink can’t figure out how the register line works at the Paneantico Bakery Café on Third Avenue near 91st Street. Last Sunday, we were waiting in what we thought was a line at the popular café when customers began ordering from our left, right and even from behind us. And all we wanted was a croissant!
The Brooklyn Paper
The revolution began with a click. For those who believe all those stereotypes about Internet chat rooms making the world a less personal place, an abject lesson can be learned from one group of local cyber-geeks.
That’s because Internet-savvy residents of Bay Ridge are now witnessing a new form of community activism, as a group of locals on the popular chat site Bayridgetalk.com site have punched through the gray world of HTML-coded anonymity and transformed themselves into real world tool of change.
It all began like it usually does in the word of bloggers — with a complaint.
In this case the post involved a suspected crackhouse, allegedly located on 93rd Street between Third and Fourth avenues.
Like most things in the blogosphere, the allegations were long on hyperbole but short on details.
“I live two blocks down from this crackhouse,” said poster Concerned Mom. “Bay Ridge is a very nice neighborhood, and I would like to see it stay that way. Does anyone have any suggestions of things we can do?”
This post quickly became a magnet for other residents — who until that time were strangers to each other — with similar concerns about the house.
Those familiar with the Internet know what happened next: complaints, complaints, and more complaints. But instead, this time something truly revolutionary happened.
Quicker than you can type “LOL,” the fantasy relationship of the online chat room mobilized into a real world plan to push the community into action.
“Both CB10 and the 68th Precinct hold monthly public meetings,” posted one regular BRT PetShopBoy. “We need to organize a group, get on the agenda, show up and get it on the record.”
This wasn’t just a case of cyber-bluster: the plan was quickly in motion. A handful of the online complainers left their keyboards behind and showed up in the flesh at the last Community Board 10 meeting. They have also been contacting local pols and have gotten on the radar of the 68th Precinct (and the press, though I suppose that’s obvious).
In other words, they have effectively made it an issue. This isn’t to mean that the group will have success or that the crackhouse (or whatever it is) will be shut down, but it is notable in another important aspect.
Of course, there is nothing new about online activism. Blogs like Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn have been mobilizing residents against hot button issues since Al Gore invented the Internet.
But what is new is that this was a group of strangers who discovered a problem, discussed it in a chat room, and got it on the community agenda.
I’ll update you down the road to see if the Community Board or the local cops fix the problem at the alleged crackhouse, but as far as this reporter is concerned, the cyber-surfers have already scored their first success:
Now, has anyone seen that crazy monkey that can bake cherry pies on YouTube? It is truly amazing.
Matthew Lysiak is a writer who lives in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
Sign of the times? Residents better hope not. A large sign on 95th Street proudly instructs drivers that they are on Fifth Avenue — the only problem, as our astute source pointed out, is that the Fifth Avenue sign was installed on Fourth Avenue! …
House Party! Snacks and drinks were in heavy supply as local supporters of Rudy Giuliani gathered around a big monitor at a 92nd Street home to speak to their presidential candidate of choice live via Web cast last Wednesday. Dung-covered Virgin Marys were not invited. …
Take that, Mahmoud! Days after Iranian President Ahmadinejad made headlines for trying to visit Ground Zero and giving a speech at Columbia University during his trip to New York for a United Nations session, Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) announced he would introduce legislation to outlaw leaders “of any country classified by the State Department as a sponsor of terrorism” from leaving participating in any event outside the United Nations. The bill, according to Fossella’s press release, “would also restrict the leader’s movement only between the airport, his county’s mission, his hotel and the UN headquarters.” Nice idea, but couldn’t the Iranian president simply have booked a room at the Millenium Hilton, across the street from Ground Zero? …
Maybe we’re idiots (please, hold your applause), but The Sink can’t figure out how the register line works at the Paneantico Bakery Café on Third Avenue near 91st Street. Last Sunday, we were waiting in what we thought was a line at the popular café when customers began ordering from our left, right and even from behind us. And all we wanted was a croissant!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Has Ridge hum been solved?
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
City Councilman Vince Gentile thinks he’s solved the mystery of Bay Ridge’s great hum-conundrum. But this columnist isn’t ready to award him a MacArthur grant.
The lawmaker was obviously responding not only to local complaints of a hum coming from the water near the Owls Head sewage treatment plant, but also a series of columns I’ve done about the mysterious sound.
It all started in April, 2005, when chiropractor Concetta Butera noticed “this awful noise.”
The hum returned in the following summers and has been so loud that some residents blamed passing trains, the treatment plant, and even UFOs — until this humble columnist floated the theory about a humming fish.
It seemed like a good fit.
The oyster toadfish has been described as “homely” for its large protruding eyes, broad mouth, and flesh-like whiskers surrounding a short snout. To attract a mate, it produces a vocalization that some liken to a “foghorn.”
But that isn’t all.
The toadfish’s spawning season extends from April to October, which corresponds to the time when residents in Bay Ridge hear the mysterious noise. The male locates a private nesting area (often using old tin cans or decayed wood lying on the bay bottom (how romantic), and then calls out in the low, mournful “foghorn” to spawning females.
“The toadfish is Bay Ridge’s story of the century,” said Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann. “Fox News was even here.”
Still, despite all the media attention, the noisy toadfish was always more fish theory than fish fact — at least until I got the call the other day.
“I think we have solved the mystery,” said Eric Kuo, who is Gentile’s spokesman. “We tracked down a marine biology professor from Staten Island and he did some tests.”
Yellow Hooker was downright skeptical. But Gentile had done his homework, and had Cornell University professor of neurobiology and behavior Andrew Bass test the waters — literally.
“He came to the pier for the morning and dropped a microphone into the water and listened,” said Kuo. “He heard fish, but they weren’t toadfish.”
So I was wrong all along? We can now rule out these aquatic adventurers?
Not exactly. Turns out, there are some problems with the test performed by Bass (if that’s really his name).
Not only was the test performed near the end of the fish’s mating season, but also it is a well-known fact that these gilled Casanovas prefer to mate on hot summer nights. So why did Bass perform the test on a morning in September?
Of course, there is nothing about this mystery that has an easy explanation.
“I placed an underwater microphone into the water at several locations off of Pier 69 and heard no signs of toadfish sounds,” Bass told me, sticking to his story. “It is highly unlikely that any of the noise that residents are complaining about have their origins from fish.”
But if it isn’t the toadfish, then what is making the noise?
Like many great mysterious, every answer gives us more questions — and another column down the road.
Matthew Lysiak is a writer who lives in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
They call that “express”? Sources tell The Sink that residents are up in arms over overcrowding on the express bus, particularly the X37 from Brooklyn into Manhattan. Residents say that not only are the buses late, but finding a space to stand, much less to sit, is impossible. Maybe it is time to rethink the water-taxi idea. …
Hippies beware! Apple Tree natural market, at 7911 Third Ave., may be the local go-to spot for organic health foods and everything natural, but their tie-dye-wearing clientele may need a heavy dose of nag champa after hearing conservative shock-jock Michael Savage blaring through the store radio speakers. “I guess it is kind of strange, but we always turn the channel if people complain,” said one employee. …
Time to stock up on pitchforks and torches. Look for a local group of concerned citizens to begin storming local meetings in an effort to force the hand of community officials into action against a suspected crack house, on 93rd Street between Third and Fourth avenues. …
Earlier this month, Bay Ridge Neighbors for Peace held a rally outside of Rep. Vito Fossella’s Bay Ridge office to protest his support of the War in Iraq — but someone forgot to tell them they were supposed to at least pretend to support the troops. Fliers scattered all over Bay Ridge depicted American soldiers intentionally targeting innocent Iraqi civilians. …
Congrats to Ridge resident Isabella Noonan, who was recently accepted into the United States Naval Academy, where she is also a member of the crew team. Noonan graduated from Our Lady of Angels in the Class of 2006.
The Brooklyn Paper
City Councilman Vince Gentile thinks he’s solved the mystery of Bay Ridge’s great hum-conundrum. But this columnist isn’t ready to award him a MacArthur grant.
The lawmaker was obviously responding not only to local complaints of a hum coming from the water near the Owls Head sewage treatment plant, but also a series of columns I’ve done about the mysterious sound.
It all started in April, 2005, when chiropractor Concetta Butera noticed “this awful noise.”
The hum returned in the following summers and has been so loud that some residents blamed passing trains, the treatment plant, and even UFOs — until this humble columnist floated the theory about a humming fish.
It seemed like a good fit.
The oyster toadfish has been described as “homely” for its large protruding eyes, broad mouth, and flesh-like whiskers surrounding a short snout. To attract a mate, it produces a vocalization that some liken to a “foghorn.”
But that isn’t all.
The toadfish’s spawning season extends from April to October, which corresponds to the time when residents in Bay Ridge hear the mysterious noise. The male locates a private nesting area (often using old tin cans or decayed wood lying on the bay bottom (how romantic), and then calls out in the low, mournful “foghorn” to spawning females.
“The toadfish is Bay Ridge’s story of the century,” said Community Board 10 District Manager Josephine Beckmann. “Fox News was even here.”
Still, despite all the media attention, the noisy toadfish was always more fish theory than fish fact — at least until I got the call the other day.
“I think we have solved the mystery,” said Eric Kuo, who is Gentile’s spokesman. “We tracked down a marine biology professor from Staten Island and he did some tests.”
Yellow Hooker was downright skeptical. But Gentile had done his homework, and had Cornell University professor of neurobiology and behavior Andrew Bass test the waters — literally.
“He came to the pier for the morning and dropped a microphone into the water and listened,” said Kuo. “He heard fish, but they weren’t toadfish.”
So I was wrong all along? We can now rule out these aquatic adventurers?
Not exactly. Turns out, there are some problems with the test performed by Bass (if that’s really his name).
Not only was the test performed near the end of the fish’s mating season, but also it is a well-known fact that these gilled Casanovas prefer to mate on hot summer nights. So why did Bass perform the test on a morning in September?
Of course, there is nothing about this mystery that has an easy explanation.
“I placed an underwater microphone into the water at several locations off of Pier 69 and heard no signs of toadfish sounds,” Bass told me, sticking to his story. “It is highly unlikely that any of the noise that residents are complaining about have their origins from fish.”
But if it isn’t the toadfish, then what is making the noise?
Like many great mysterious, every answer gives us more questions — and another column down the road.
Matthew Lysiak is a writer who lives in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
They call that “express”? Sources tell The Sink that residents are up in arms over overcrowding on the express bus, particularly the X37 from Brooklyn into Manhattan. Residents say that not only are the buses late, but finding a space to stand, much less to sit, is impossible. Maybe it is time to rethink the water-taxi idea. …
Hippies beware! Apple Tree natural market, at 7911 Third Ave., may be the local go-to spot for organic health foods and everything natural, but their tie-dye-wearing clientele may need a heavy dose of nag champa after hearing conservative shock-jock Michael Savage blaring through the store radio speakers. “I guess it is kind of strange, but we always turn the channel if people complain,” said one employee. …
Time to stock up on pitchforks and torches. Look for a local group of concerned citizens to begin storming local meetings in an effort to force the hand of community officials into action against a suspected crack house, on 93rd Street between Third and Fourth avenues. …
Earlier this month, Bay Ridge Neighbors for Peace held a rally outside of Rep. Vito Fossella’s Bay Ridge office to protest his support of the War in Iraq — but someone forgot to tell them they were supposed to at least pretend to support the troops. Fliers scattered all over Bay Ridge depicted American soldiers intentionally targeting innocent Iraqi civilians. …
Congrats to Ridge resident Isabella Noonan, who was recently accepted into the United States Naval Academy, where she is also a member of the crew team. Noonan graduated from Our Lady of Angels in the Class of 2006.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Beware of these boy SCOUTs
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
City Hall has unleashed teams of inspectors in Cushmen scooters with a mission to improve the quality of life.
But exactly whose life will actually be improved isn’t so clear.
The plan is ambitious. Mayor Bloomberg says the three-wheeled scooters will hit every block at least once a month to report on those pesky annoyances of city life (see news story, page 14).
But up high on this columnist’s list of pesky annoyances happens to be those three-wheeled scooters.
They don’t go fast, they clog up roads, and there are about a gazillion little scooters already employed by Traffic Enforcement officers wreaking havoc on residents.
In fact, the idea of more scooters continuously racing around the streets of Bay Ridge sounds more like an Orwellian nightmare than a kind-hearted blessing from the mayor.
Known as Street Conditions Observation Unit Teams (or SCOUT), the inspectors are already patrolling our community with handheld satellite-aided devices to transmit reports on litter, potholes, graffiti, and other quality-of-life problems directly into the 311 system.
You know, just in case the local cops, the fleet of traffic enforcement agents, the next-door neighbor who has 311 on her speed dial, and the seven cameras per city block miss something.
Simply put: residents have enough units observing us and don’t need more scooters.
But pols seem to believe there can never be enough sets of eyes, and wheels, even if residents already feel overexposed.
“SCOUT [will] improve the quality of life throughout this community,” said Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge). The Mayor, who dreamed up this scheme, agreed: “This new team will bring an extra set of eyes to our city streets. Whenever I’m driving through the city and I see a pothole or garbage on the street, I’ll pick up the phone and report the problem to 311, now we’ll deploy a team of veteran city workers to do the same.”
Great, but this sudden urgency for this new bureaucracy is questionable.
The mayor’s office found city streets to be at a record-breaking high, with 94.3 percent of streets rated “acceptably clean” in 2007.
In other words, streets are already historically clean, so then what exactly is the purpose of this new scooter patrol, anyway?
Some residents had their own ideas.
“Not one person I know wants more of these government scooters on the road,” said scooter-weary resident Phil Millard. “Only the politicians love these kinds of programs, but maybe at least at the end of the day, there really will be less trash and cleaner roads.”
Yellow Hooker isn’t holding his breath, but he does have some ideas of his own.
If there are any politicians sincerely interested in improving the quality of this columnist’s life, then the goal shouldn’t be more government scooters, but less.
Not to mention the fact that I could fill this entire paper with some real quality-of-life suggestions. Here’s one: how about buying flags to stick on the top of fire hydrants so that car owners won’t have to leave so much space on either side of the pump? With the flags, firemen will have an easier time finding the hydrants, and we can all get a few more empty spaces per block.
Yeah, it would look weird, but talk about improving the quality of life!
Matthew Lysiak is a writer who lives in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
Congrats to Ridge residents Mary Luo and David Kang, who tied the knot last Saturday with a unique celebration that skillfully combined Asian and American traditions and cuisines. While The Sink is glad Dave got himself a first-class wife, we have to admit that we fear our columnist has lost a babysitter. Burning garbage can fires have appeared more prevalent this summer than any time in recent memory, at least according to one source, who says kids have been setting fires to the garbage near Owls Head Park, at Colonial Avenue near 67th Street. The source wants to remind residents that if you spot a can of flaming fire report it to the authorities. Here’s a group that doesn’t mind saying, “We told you so!” Bay Ridge Neighbors for Peace are planning a rally against Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) for his support of the War in Iraq — which is in its fifth year and going pretty badly. A Dunkin Donut inspector recently contacted Chock Full of Nuts, located on Third Avenue near 79th Street, to speak with the owner about the scandal, broken in these pages, that the rogue Chock Full was buying day-old donuts from Dunkin and then reselling them. Thankfully, the java spot is now under new ownership and the reviews thus far have been thumbs-up. A car garage on 18th Avenue, between 87th and 88th Streets, just sold for $3 million. The 11,000-square-foot lot will be combined with other, previously purchased, adjoining properties, according to Massey Knakal Realty Services, the broker on the deal.
The Brooklyn Paper
City Hall has unleashed teams of inspectors in Cushmen scooters with a mission to improve the quality of life.
But exactly whose life will actually be improved isn’t so clear.
The plan is ambitious. Mayor Bloomberg says the three-wheeled scooters will hit every block at least once a month to report on those pesky annoyances of city life (see news story, page 14).
But up high on this columnist’s list of pesky annoyances happens to be those three-wheeled scooters.
They don’t go fast, they clog up roads, and there are about a gazillion little scooters already employed by Traffic Enforcement officers wreaking havoc on residents.
In fact, the idea of more scooters continuously racing around the streets of Bay Ridge sounds more like an Orwellian nightmare than a kind-hearted blessing from the mayor.
Known as Street Conditions Observation Unit Teams (or SCOUT), the inspectors are already patrolling our community with handheld satellite-aided devices to transmit reports on litter, potholes, graffiti, and other quality-of-life problems directly into the 311 system.
You know, just in case the local cops, the fleet of traffic enforcement agents, the next-door neighbor who has 311 on her speed dial, and the seven cameras per city block miss something.
Simply put: residents have enough units observing us and don’t need more scooters.
But pols seem to believe there can never be enough sets of eyes, and wheels, even if residents already feel overexposed.
“SCOUT [will] improve the quality of life throughout this community,” said Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge). The Mayor, who dreamed up this scheme, agreed: “This new team will bring an extra set of eyes to our city streets. Whenever I’m driving through the city and I see a pothole or garbage on the street, I’ll pick up the phone and report the problem to 311, now we’ll deploy a team of veteran city workers to do the same.”
Great, but this sudden urgency for this new bureaucracy is questionable.
The mayor’s office found city streets to be at a record-breaking high, with 94.3 percent of streets rated “acceptably clean” in 2007.
In other words, streets are already historically clean, so then what exactly is the purpose of this new scooter patrol, anyway?
Some residents had their own ideas.
“Not one person I know wants more of these government scooters on the road,” said scooter-weary resident Phil Millard. “Only the politicians love these kinds of programs, but maybe at least at the end of the day, there really will be less trash and cleaner roads.”
Yellow Hooker isn’t holding his breath, but he does have some ideas of his own.
If there are any politicians sincerely interested in improving the quality of this columnist’s life, then the goal shouldn’t be more government scooters, but less.
Not to mention the fact that I could fill this entire paper with some real quality-of-life suggestions. Here’s one: how about buying flags to stick on the top of fire hydrants so that car owners won’t have to leave so much space on either side of the pump? With the flags, firemen will have an easier time finding the hydrants, and we can all get a few more empty spaces per block.
Yeah, it would look weird, but talk about improving the quality of life!
Matthew Lysiak is a writer who lives in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
Congrats to Ridge residents Mary Luo and David Kang, who tied the knot last Saturday with a unique celebration that skillfully combined Asian and American traditions and cuisines. While The Sink is glad Dave got himself a first-class wife, we have to admit that we fear our columnist has lost a babysitter. Burning garbage can fires have appeared more prevalent this summer than any time in recent memory, at least according to one source, who says kids have been setting fires to the garbage near Owls Head Park, at Colonial Avenue near 67th Street. The source wants to remind residents that if you spot a can of flaming fire report it to the authorities. Here’s a group that doesn’t mind saying, “We told you so!” Bay Ridge Neighbors for Peace are planning a rally against Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) for his support of the War in Iraq — which is in its fifth year and going pretty badly. A Dunkin Donut inspector recently contacted Chock Full of Nuts, located on Third Avenue near 79th Street, to speak with the owner about the scandal, broken in these pages, that the rogue Chock Full was buying day-old donuts from Dunkin and then reselling them. Thankfully, the java spot is now under new ownership and the reviews thus far have been thumbs-up. A car garage on 18th Avenue, between 87th and 88th Streets, just sold for $3 million. The 11,000-square-foot lot will be combined with other, previously purchased, adjoining properties, according to Massey Knakal Realty Services, the broker on the deal.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Tornado brings out the best
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
Sometimes government can work. That was the rare conclusion of this columnist, whose libertarian politics range somewhere in that tight anti-government space between Frederic Bastiat and Milton Friedman. But after the remarkably quick and efficient response by our local government officials in the wake of last Wednesday’s tornado, even I have to tip my hat.
It wasn’t easy. Yellow Hooker is naturally cynical of people deciding what I should eat, smoke and how to spend my paycheck (damn those never-ending Ratner subsidies!), never mind entrusting the same people who gave us the Department of Motor Vehicles with protecting me in a time of crisis (one word: FEMA).
Still, local officials deserve credit for an organized and well implemented plan in quickly getting Bay Ridge back on its feet and minimizing the effect of the first tornado to touch down in Brooklyn in over a century.
In short, it was an example of government at its best — at a time when the community was most in need. After all, Bay Ridge was hit by a tornado!
The rare twister that ripped through our community came like a thief in the morning.
Residents were awakened between 5:30 and 6 am by the sound of car alarms, thunder, and trees crashing down to the ground as the powerful wind attacked.
Tornadoes have hit New York City before, but not often. The National Weather Service had records of at least five, but none was as strong as Wednesday’s twister, which had winds as high as 135 mph. The last reported tornado sighting in Brooklyn was in ’89 — 1889, that is.
Given that roofs were ripped off houses and trees were flying all over the place, you’d think residents would be in a state of sheer panic. But actually, they weren’t. Most residents could be found calmly waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. Some were going door-to-door to check on their neighbors, while others waited next to their smashed-up cars in their housecoats and robes drinking their coffee.
Perhaps residents knew something about local emergency crews that this columnist did not. It was a thing of beauty.
Fire trucks and police cars immediately arrived at the hardest-hit spots.
Workers were in a state of constant motion, first making sure people were safe, then clearing debris and directing traffic. A full-blown symphony was taking place right before my eyes with the entire community in full harmony.
By 2 pm, almost all the streets were cleared and life in Bay Ridge was beginning to have a feel of normalcy again.
Of course, for residents who no longer have a roof to sleep under, it may take some time before normalcy really takes hold, but Bay Ridge was quickly back in business.
At the risk of losing some of my libertarian street cred, this columnist must admit a newfound confidence in those commissars of local government.
But then again, I didn’t have to use public transportation that morning.
The Kitchen Sink
The Red Cross is now accepting donations for those in need after last Wednesday’s tornado. Stop by Councilman Vince Gentile’s office, located at 8703 Third Ave., for more info. …
Take comfort, women. Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) called on the Japanese government to apologize to the 200,000 “comfort women” who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Army in the 1930s and ’40s. …
Our pal Chiu Tran was just named to the Dean’s List at SUNY Binghamton. …
So, you think you can dance? Check out the guy in the wheelchair. Local legend Carmine Santa Maria may find it hard to walk, but that hasn’t stopped him from his work as a dance instructor. “I can’t walk too well, but I know how to teach it,” said Santa Maria. For more info, call (718) 946-0234. …
The Brooklyn Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is helping homeowners whose properties were damaged in last week’s tornado to find architects to do the repairs. Call (718) 259-0070. But before doing any work, get a permit from the Department of Buildings, which can be reached at (718) 802-4035. …
State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) hosted a public hearing at Fort Hamilton Army base on Wednesday to discuss local homeland security issues, such as the safety of the Buckeye jet fuel pipeline that runs through the neighborhood. Community Board 10 Chairman Dean Rasinya was also there.
©2007 The Brooklyn Paper
The Brooklyn Paper
Sometimes government can work. That was the rare conclusion of this columnist, whose libertarian politics range somewhere in that tight anti-government space between Frederic Bastiat and Milton Friedman. But after the remarkably quick and efficient response by our local government officials in the wake of last Wednesday’s tornado, even I have to tip my hat.
It wasn’t easy. Yellow Hooker is naturally cynical of people deciding what I should eat, smoke and how to spend my paycheck (damn those never-ending Ratner subsidies!), never mind entrusting the same people who gave us the Department of Motor Vehicles with protecting me in a time of crisis (one word: FEMA).
Still, local officials deserve credit for an organized and well implemented plan in quickly getting Bay Ridge back on its feet and minimizing the effect of the first tornado to touch down in Brooklyn in over a century.
In short, it was an example of government at its best — at a time when the community was most in need. After all, Bay Ridge was hit by a tornado!
The rare twister that ripped through our community came like a thief in the morning.
Residents were awakened between 5:30 and 6 am by the sound of car alarms, thunder, and trees crashing down to the ground as the powerful wind attacked.
Tornadoes have hit New York City before, but not often. The National Weather Service had records of at least five, but none was as strong as Wednesday’s twister, which had winds as high as 135 mph. The last reported tornado sighting in Brooklyn was in ’89 — 1889, that is.
Given that roofs were ripped off houses and trees were flying all over the place, you’d think residents would be in a state of sheer panic. But actually, they weren’t. Most residents could be found calmly waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. Some were going door-to-door to check on their neighbors, while others waited next to their smashed-up cars in their housecoats and robes drinking their coffee.
Perhaps residents knew something about local emergency crews that this columnist did not. It was a thing of beauty.
Fire trucks and police cars immediately arrived at the hardest-hit spots.
Workers were in a state of constant motion, first making sure people were safe, then clearing debris and directing traffic. A full-blown symphony was taking place right before my eyes with the entire community in full harmony.
By 2 pm, almost all the streets were cleared and life in Bay Ridge was beginning to have a feel of normalcy again.
Of course, for residents who no longer have a roof to sleep under, it may take some time before normalcy really takes hold, but Bay Ridge was quickly back in business.
At the risk of losing some of my libertarian street cred, this columnist must admit a newfound confidence in those commissars of local government.
But then again, I didn’t have to use public transportation that morning.
The Kitchen Sink
The Red Cross is now accepting donations for those in need after last Wednesday’s tornado. Stop by Councilman Vince Gentile’s office, located at 8703 Third Ave., for more info. …
Take comfort, women. Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) called on the Japanese government to apologize to the 200,000 “comfort women” who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Army in the 1930s and ’40s. …
Our pal Chiu Tran was just named to the Dean’s List at SUNY Binghamton. …
So, you think you can dance? Check out the guy in the wheelchair. Local legend Carmine Santa Maria may find it hard to walk, but that hasn’t stopped him from his work as a dance instructor. “I can’t walk too well, but I know how to teach it,” said Santa Maria. For more info, call (718) 946-0234. …
The Brooklyn Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is helping homeowners whose properties were damaged in last week’s tornado to find architects to do the repairs. Call (718) 259-0070. But before doing any work, get a permit from the Department of Buildings, which can be reached at (718) 802-4035. …
State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) hosted a public hearing at Fort Hamilton Army base on Wednesday to discuss local homeland security issues, such as the safety of the Buckeye jet fuel pipeline that runs through the neighborhood. Community Board 10 Chairman Dean Rasinya was also there.
©2007 The Brooklyn Paper
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Is it Bay Ridge Syndrome?
By Matt Lysiak
for The Brooklyn Paper
The recent violent crimes in Bay Ridge, and general lack of information available to the public about them, have caused some residents to call this reporter out.
“Enough with the Harry Potter stories,” one of my faithful readers told me. “Do your job and find out what is going on with all of this violence in my neighborhood.”
Do my job? Alright, I’ll just put on my Magnum P.I. flora-colored shirt, run to the crime scene, and get to the bottom of the crime wave. (Cue “Murder She Wrote” theme song.)
But seriously, this isn’t easy. “The police aren’t saying much” didn’t sit well with my reader.
“Then what the hell IS your job?” he asked. “My neighbors are in the dark and people are beginning to think the worse.”
The man had a point. The recent wave of violent crimes has been followed with little of no information. But whose fault is it, the police for not keeping the public in the know, or the local media for not digging enough?
That question may be debatable, but the belief that the community is desperate for more information is unquestioned.
Residents have been on edge this summer about the two violent crimes only weeks apart.
First there was the masked intruder who, according to police, raped an off-duty police officer at knifepoint after breaking into her Brooklyn apartment on June 20.
Then popular real estate broker Magdy Okelly, 51, was found stabbed to death at his 100th Street home in the Fort Hamilton section of Bay Ridge on July 19.
No arrests have been made, and police have remained tight-lipped.
This silence has fed into that cyberspace bastion of free market rumor mongering — the local blog — which echoed the sentiments shared by my readers.
It’s been Yellow Hooker’s observation that bloggers have a tendency to be sensationalist an are sometimes uninformed. Still, more often than not, they have their finger on the pulse of the community vibe.
Last week the blogger (or citizen journalist as some prefer to be called) who wears the moniker “The Bay Ridge Rover” (http://thebayridgerover.blogspot.com) accurately described the current atmosphere of paranoia.
“Even more unsettling than the recent robbery-homicide of local businessman Okelly in his home is the lack of information surrounding it,” declared the Rover. “A public completely in the dark has ramped up speculation regarding the circumstances surrounding Okelly’s murder, and the still unsolved sexual assault of an off duty police officer — all of which took place less than a month apart.”
The “Rover” is right about the rumors. The void in information has opened the door to speculations of everything from organized crime, to roaming street gangs, to a prostitution ring.
This blogger’s final analysis may be a smudge Orwellian, but it does touch on the overall chatter still heard in local coffee shops. “Bay Ridge’s latest incident, in what’s been an unnerving series of violent crime, claims another victim — an informed community,” concluded the Rover.
The growing frustration over the lack of information is understandable, and no one gets it more than this reporter.
As for the question of who owns responsibility, Yellow Hooker’s believes that while both the police and the media can always do more to dig for truth and keep the public informed, there is something far worse than no information — the wrong information.
Sometimes prudence is the better route, and in the case of these two crimes, it appears that there just isn’t a lot of information immediately available (especially for public consumption as far as law enforcement is concerned.
In the meantime, residents are doing this community a service by holding local law enforcement, as well as this neighborhood reporter’s feet to the fire.
Matthew Lysiak is a regular contributor to The Brooklyn Paper
Kitchen Sink
The hot weather has brought out the critters. Raccoon sightings have been on the rise over the last two weeks with the hot weather, and loose garbage, to blame. …
A condo occupying the first and second floors of two attached buildings, at 8622 Parkway and 15 Bay 29th St., is on the market for $15 million. …
Nice wheels. A vintage Soviet army surplus Dnepr motorcycle outfitted with a sidecar has been recently been spotted (and photographed) parked outside of Skinflints, at the corner of 79th Street and Fifth Avenue by Bay Ridge’s newest blogger “Right in Bay Ridge”. …
Our pal Anna Yeo was just named to the Dean’s List at Binghamton University, congrats to you Anna.
for The Brooklyn Paper
The recent violent crimes in Bay Ridge, and general lack of information available to the public about them, have caused some residents to call this reporter out.
“Enough with the Harry Potter stories,” one of my faithful readers told me. “Do your job and find out what is going on with all of this violence in my neighborhood.”
Do my job? Alright, I’ll just put on my Magnum P.I. flora-colored shirt, run to the crime scene, and get to the bottom of the crime wave. (Cue “Murder She Wrote” theme song.)
But seriously, this isn’t easy. “The police aren’t saying much” didn’t sit well with my reader.
“Then what the hell IS your job?” he asked. “My neighbors are in the dark and people are beginning to think the worse.”
The man had a point. The recent wave of violent crimes has been followed with little of no information. But whose fault is it, the police for not keeping the public in the know, or the local media for not digging enough?
That question may be debatable, but the belief that the community is desperate for more information is unquestioned.
Residents have been on edge this summer about the two violent crimes only weeks apart.
First there was the masked intruder who, according to police, raped an off-duty police officer at knifepoint after breaking into her Brooklyn apartment on June 20.
Then popular real estate broker Magdy Okelly, 51, was found stabbed to death at his 100th Street home in the Fort Hamilton section of Bay Ridge on July 19.
No arrests have been made, and police have remained tight-lipped.
This silence has fed into that cyberspace bastion of free market rumor mongering — the local blog — which echoed the sentiments shared by my readers.
It’s been Yellow Hooker’s observation that bloggers have a tendency to be sensationalist an are sometimes uninformed. Still, more often than not, they have their finger on the pulse of the community vibe.
Last week the blogger (or citizen journalist as some prefer to be called) who wears the moniker “The Bay Ridge Rover” (http://thebayridgerover.blogspot.com) accurately described the current atmosphere of paranoia.
“Even more unsettling than the recent robbery-homicide of local businessman Okelly in his home is the lack of information surrounding it,” declared the Rover. “A public completely in the dark has ramped up speculation regarding the circumstances surrounding Okelly’s murder, and the still unsolved sexual assault of an off duty police officer — all of which took place less than a month apart.”
The “Rover” is right about the rumors. The void in information has opened the door to speculations of everything from organized crime, to roaming street gangs, to a prostitution ring.
This blogger’s final analysis may be a smudge Orwellian, but it does touch on the overall chatter still heard in local coffee shops. “Bay Ridge’s latest incident, in what’s been an unnerving series of violent crime, claims another victim — an informed community,” concluded the Rover.
The growing frustration over the lack of information is understandable, and no one gets it more than this reporter.
As for the question of who owns responsibility, Yellow Hooker’s believes that while both the police and the media can always do more to dig for truth and keep the public informed, there is something far worse than no information — the wrong information.
Sometimes prudence is the better route, and in the case of these two crimes, it appears that there just isn’t a lot of information immediately available (especially for public consumption as far as law enforcement is concerned.
In the meantime, residents are doing this community a service by holding local law enforcement, as well as this neighborhood reporter’s feet to the fire.
Matthew Lysiak is a regular contributor to The Brooklyn Paper
Kitchen Sink
The hot weather has brought out the critters. Raccoon sightings have been on the rise over the last two weeks with the hot weather, and loose garbage, to blame. …
A condo occupying the first and second floors of two attached buildings, at 8622 Parkway and 15 Bay 29th St., is on the market for $15 million. …
Nice wheels. A vintage Soviet army surplus Dnepr motorcycle outfitted with a sidecar has been recently been spotted (and photographed) parked outside of Skinflints, at the corner of 79th Street and Fifth Avenue by Bay Ridge’s newest blogger “Right in Bay Ridge”. …
Our pal Anna Yeo was just named to the Dean’s List at Binghamton University, congrats to you Anna.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Skunk on Ridge attack
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
Bay Ridge is starting to really stink, and I’m not just talking about the traffic on the Verrazano Bridge every weekday around 4:15 pm. I mean, Bay Ridge is starting to stink, literally.
Nature is both determined and unforgiving, and city life has a way of creating the illusion that we are insulated from her wrath, but every so often reality bites — or in this case sprays.
No sooner have Bay Ridge residents gotten accustomed to humming toadfish, raccoons and stroller moms, they now must make room for another intrusion of Mother Nature: the skunk.
This story sounds more Tom Sawyer than Pepe LePew: a Bay Ridge man was innocently taking his garbage out in front of his Fourth Avenue apartment building late one mid-July night when he heard a rustling amongst the banana peels and coffee grinds.
“I thought it was a rat,” said the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous out of embarrassment over what follows. “Living in Brooklyn, I have seen my share of rats, so I didn’t treat the noise with any special urgency.”
He soon did. First, he heard a squeal that sounded “almost like a baby-cry.” Then, he found himself being attacked by a striped culprit.
“At first, I thought I was pepper-sprayed,” said the victim. “After hearing the squeal, my eyes and mouth began to burn.”
Full disclosure: after a night on the town, let’s just say our source didn’t begin this encounter with all of his senses at peak performance, so when the spray came, he dropped the rest of his garbage and ran back to his apartment and hopped in the shower.
“I never did get a look at the skunk,” the victim said. “I guess I must have scared it or something, but it isn’t exactly something I am looking out for in Bay Ridge.”
Lesson learned. But residents should consider themselves forewarned. The skunks are here, at least according to one expert, and they are here to stay.
“We deal with city skunks every day of the week,” said Matt Liola of Anytime Pest Removal, which removes pests nationwide. “There is nothing special to us about skunks in Brooklyn, except people’s surprise that they live there.”
Liola said that skunks rarely attack, and pointed out that they give lots of warnings (like stomping their feet and squealing) before spraying their powerful scent (which can travel up to 15 feet and burn an attacker’s eyes) as a purely defensive maneuver.
“Skunks aren’t aggressive animals,” said Liola. “If you see one by your garbage late at night, just leave it alone and you won’t get sprayed.”
Or better yet, maybe next time sober up before taking the garbage out at 2 am.
“I really should stop drinking anyways,” said the victim, who said he had to trash that night’s outfit. “If getting sprayed by a skunk doesn’t wake me up, I don’t know what will.”
Matthew Lysiak is a writer based in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
Not my greatest moment. Minutes after Community Board 10 voted 30–11 to approve of developer Andrew Kohen’s residential housing plan last week, the meeting came to a crashing halt as my camera smashed to the ground. To all those concerned, I am happy to report the camera is all right, though the same can’t be said of my ego, which took another hit minutes later, when I received a call telling me that I’d left my wallet behind. Rival reporter Helen Klein found it on my empty chair and turned it in, not even stealing the $8 inside! That Helen is a paragon of integrity. …
The Sink wants to give a shout-out to the David Lind Band for giving a shout-out to 69th Street in its new catchy single “Bay Ridge Avenue.” …
Look out Rudy! Bay Ridge for Ron Paul is here. For information go to, where else?, BayridgeForRonPaul@Gmail.com. …
Wipe that off your crystal ball: Our source tells us that the new “Spiritualist,” who hangs out on Third Avenue between 80th and 81st Street was battling a nasty stomach virus — in full view of the public (you know what I mean). If you’re speaking to the dead, please ask them to escort you to the bathroom next time.
The Brooklyn Paper
Bay Ridge is starting to really stink, and I’m not just talking about the traffic on the Verrazano Bridge every weekday around 4:15 pm. I mean, Bay Ridge is starting to stink, literally.
Nature is both determined and unforgiving, and city life has a way of creating the illusion that we are insulated from her wrath, but every so often reality bites — or in this case sprays.
No sooner have Bay Ridge residents gotten accustomed to humming toadfish, raccoons and stroller moms, they now must make room for another intrusion of Mother Nature: the skunk.
This story sounds more Tom Sawyer than Pepe LePew: a Bay Ridge man was innocently taking his garbage out in front of his Fourth Avenue apartment building late one mid-July night when he heard a rustling amongst the banana peels and coffee grinds.
“I thought it was a rat,” said the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous out of embarrassment over what follows. “Living in Brooklyn, I have seen my share of rats, so I didn’t treat the noise with any special urgency.”
He soon did. First, he heard a squeal that sounded “almost like a baby-cry.” Then, he found himself being attacked by a striped culprit.
“At first, I thought I was pepper-sprayed,” said the victim. “After hearing the squeal, my eyes and mouth began to burn.”
Full disclosure: after a night on the town, let’s just say our source didn’t begin this encounter with all of his senses at peak performance, so when the spray came, he dropped the rest of his garbage and ran back to his apartment and hopped in the shower.
“I never did get a look at the skunk,” the victim said. “I guess I must have scared it or something, but it isn’t exactly something I am looking out for in Bay Ridge.”
Lesson learned. But residents should consider themselves forewarned. The skunks are here, at least according to one expert, and they are here to stay.
“We deal with city skunks every day of the week,” said Matt Liola of Anytime Pest Removal, which removes pests nationwide. “There is nothing special to us about skunks in Brooklyn, except people’s surprise that they live there.”
Liola said that skunks rarely attack, and pointed out that they give lots of warnings (like stomping their feet and squealing) before spraying their powerful scent (which can travel up to 15 feet and burn an attacker’s eyes) as a purely defensive maneuver.
“Skunks aren’t aggressive animals,” said Liola. “If you see one by your garbage late at night, just leave it alone and you won’t get sprayed.”
Or better yet, maybe next time sober up before taking the garbage out at 2 am.
“I really should stop drinking anyways,” said the victim, who said he had to trash that night’s outfit. “If getting sprayed by a skunk doesn’t wake me up, I don’t know what will.”
Matthew Lysiak is a writer based in Bay Ridge.
The Kitchen Sink
Not my greatest moment. Minutes after Community Board 10 voted 30–11 to approve of developer Andrew Kohen’s residential housing plan last week, the meeting came to a crashing halt as my camera smashed to the ground. To all those concerned, I am happy to report the camera is all right, though the same can’t be said of my ego, which took another hit minutes later, when I received a call telling me that I’d left my wallet behind. Rival reporter Helen Klein found it on my empty chair and turned it in, not even stealing the $8 inside! That Helen is a paragon of integrity. …
The Sink wants to give a shout-out to the David Lind Band for giving a shout-out to 69th Street in its new catchy single “Bay Ridge Avenue.” …
Look out Rudy! Bay Ridge for Ron Paul is here. For information go to, where else?, BayridgeForRonPaul@Gmail.com. …
Wipe that off your crystal ball: Our source tells us that the new “Spiritualist,” who hangs out on Third Avenue between 80th and 81st Street was battling a nasty stomach virus — in full view of the public (you know what I mean). If you’re speaking to the dead, please ask them to escort you to the bathroom next time.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Is Kohen Ridge Ratner?
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
Developer Andrew Kohen wants to build a new Home Depot and hundreds of units of housing along a vacant Bay Ridge railyard, but faced an Atlantic Yards–sized backlash from local preservationists and Community Board 10.
In fact, Bruce Ratner’s taxpayer-underwritten antics have inspired an uprising by community boards against developers.
Locals fear that Kohen’s ambitions are too large for the surrounding area’s infrastructure and that the developer is more concerned about his wallet than the interests of the community (sound familiar?).
Of course, Kohen isn’t Bruce Ratner and Home Depot isn’t Atlantic Yards. In fact, in many ways Kohen is the anti-Ratner: he is accessible (he even speaks to reporters), has a proven track record of keeping his word (at least according to CB10), and isn’t looking to boot anyone out of his house or have the state seize private property and turn it over to him.
But that hasn’t stopped the Ratner cloud from blowing over Kohen’s proposal.
The cynicism of local officials towards developers has hit a new high (which is really saying something in Brooklyn).
Board member — and failed congressional candidate — Steve Harrison even accused Kohen of greed at CB10’s land-use committee meeting last month.
Harrison and others have seized on one aspect of Kohen’s project to deride it as Atlantic Yards-lite: Kohen needs a zoning change before he can build residential units on the commercial land of the railyard at 62nd Street and Eighth Avenue. The resulting complex would consist of an 11-story building with 216 apartments (43 of which will be below-market-rate), office space, and the 100,000-square-foot Home Depot.
CB10 members chewed him out — but mostly because they could, unlike the three boards around the Yards site, which never got to quiz Ratner directly because his project is sponsored by the state and, thus, has no local oversight.
When members finished their anti-development sermons, ranging on everything from the height of Kohen’s buildings to the size of his carbon footprint, they privately said that the real problems can be boiled down to two things: trust and accountability.
“[Like we’re learning with Ratner], we know what Kohen is telling us and what actually happens could be two different stories,” one member said. “These projects have a way of spiraling out of control.”
No one could blame local officials for being a little gun-shy to greenlight Kohen after details keep emerging about that other developer’s development in that other part of Brooklyn.
Despite Ratner’s promises to the contrary, it becomes increasingly clear that taxpayers are actually footing the bill for his “privately built project,” and local officials who approved of the deal are learning they have no way of holding Ratner accountable now that they’ve approved the project.
So it’s no wonder that other communities are now asking a lot more questions.
But Kohen has an answer for them. “This is not an extension of Atlantic Yards, and those who may take that view are sadly mistaken,” he said. “Unlike Atlantic Yards, there is no vehement opposition to this project, and in fact, there is very strong community support.”
Late Wednesday night, CB10 actually surprised me by approving Kohen’s rezoning request (see page 4), but the board did as the hard questions. So I guess we can thank Bruce Ratner for one thing: the current climate of developer distrust could at least force developers to start giving answers if they want local support.
The Kitchen Sink
Al Gore is coming to Bay Ridge, or at least his movie “An Inconvenient Truth” is. Gore’s cinematic war against carbon dioxide will unspool on July 12 as part of the Narrows Botanical Gardens free Summer Cinema Series. Bring a hemp blanket and some organic snacks. …
Little Cupcake Bakeshop at 9102 Third Ave. has a great red velvet cupcake, but if you order a piece of Oreo cookie cake, be prepared to loosen your waistbands — the slice sizes are absolutely monstrous! …
State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) may be limping into the Mayor’s race. Our source tells us the bum knee that he hurt a few years ago on an elliptical machine has been giving him problems again. That sure didn’t stop him from shaking every hand and kissing every baby at last week’s Independence Day Parade on Third Avenue. …
A country-club Democrat? Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) recently got funding for some new tennis courts and free tennis lessons in the PS 229 schoolyard. The program runs from July 2–Aug. 24. For information, contact Gentile’s office at (718) 748-5200. …
The Bay Ridge Hum is back! The Stoop is getting reports that the hum that keeps residents along Shore Road awake on some summer nights, is back and as annoying as ever. Many believe it’s the mating call of the Oyster Toadfish, so if you’re interested in a little frog action, head to the waterfront.
The Brooklyn Paper
Developer Andrew Kohen wants to build a new Home Depot and hundreds of units of housing along a vacant Bay Ridge railyard, but faced an Atlantic Yards–sized backlash from local preservationists and Community Board 10.
In fact, Bruce Ratner’s taxpayer-underwritten antics have inspired an uprising by community boards against developers.
Locals fear that Kohen’s ambitions are too large for the surrounding area’s infrastructure and that the developer is more concerned about his wallet than the interests of the community (sound familiar?).
Of course, Kohen isn’t Bruce Ratner and Home Depot isn’t Atlantic Yards. In fact, in many ways Kohen is the anti-Ratner: he is accessible (he even speaks to reporters), has a proven track record of keeping his word (at least according to CB10), and isn’t looking to boot anyone out of his house or have the state seize private property and turn it over to him.
But that hasn’t stopped the Ratner cloud from blowing over Kohen’s proposal.
The cynicism of local officials towards developers has hit a new high (which is really saying something in Brooklyn).
Board member — and failed congressional candidate — Steve Harrison even accused Kohen of greed at CB10’s land-use committee meeting last month.
Harrison and others have seized on one aspect of Kohen’s project to deride it as Atlantic Yards-lite: Kohen needs a zoning change before he can build residential units on the commercial land of the railyard at 62nd Street and Eighth Avenue. The resulting complex would consist of an 11-story building with 216 apartments (43 of which will be below-market-rate), office space, and the 100,000-square-foot Home Depot.
CB10 members chewed him out — but mostly because they could, unlike the three boards around the Yards site, which never got to quiz Ratner directly because his project is sponsored by the state and, thus, has no local oversight.
When members finished their anti-development sermons, ranging on everything from the height of Kohen’s buildings to the size of his carbon footprint, they privately said that the real problems can be boiled down to two things: trust and accountability.
“[Like we’re learning with Ratner], we know what Kohen is telling us and what actually happens could be two different stories,” one member said. “These projects have a way of spiraling out of control.”
No one could blame local officials for being a little gun-shy to greenlight Kohen after details keep emerging about that other developer’s development in that other part of Brooklyn.
Despite Ratner’s promises to the contrary, it becomes increasingly clear that taxpayers are actually footing the bill for his “privately built project,” and local officials who approved of the deal are learning they have no way of holding Ratner accountable now that they’ve approved the project.
So it’s no wonder that other communities are now asking a lot more questions.
But Kohen has an answer for them. “This is not an extension of Atlantic Yards, and those who may take that view are sadly mistaken,” he said. “Unlike Atlantic Yards, there is no vehement opposition to this project, and in fact, there is very strong community support.”
Late Wednesday night, CB10 actually surprised me by approving Kohen’s rezoning request (see page 4), but the board did as the hard questions. So I guess we can thank Bruce Ratner for one thing: the current climate of developer distrust could at least force developers to start giving answers if they want local support.
The Kitchen Sink
Al Gore is coming to Bay Ridge, or at least his movie “An Inconvenient Truth” is. Gore’s cinematic war against carbon dioxide will unspool on July 12 as part of the Narrows Botanical Gardens free Summer Cinema Series. Bring a hemp blanket and some organic snacks. …
Little Cupcake Bakeshop at 9102 Third Ave. has a great red velvet cupcake, but if you order a piece of Oreo cookie cake, be prepared to loosen your waistbands — the slice sizes are absolutely monstrous! …
State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) may be limping into the Mayor’s race. Our source tells us the bum knee that he hurt a few years ago on an elliptical machine has been giving him problems again. That sure didn’t stop him from shaking every hand and kissing every baby at last week’s Independence Day Parade on Third Avenue. …
A country-club Democrat? Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) recently got funding for some new tennis courts and free tennis lessons in the PS 229 schoolyard. The program runs from July 2–Aug. 24. For information, contact Gentile’s office at (718) 748-5200. …
The Bay Ridge Hum is back! The Stoop is getting reports that the hum that keeps residents along Shore Road awake on some summer nights, is back and as annoying as ever. Many believe it’s the mating call of the Oyster Toadfish, so if you’re interested in a little frog action, head to the waterfront.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Cell tower wars in Ridge
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
Tenants of an 81st Street apartment building are up in arms over the installation of more cellphone equipment on the roof of their building — and now want someone to give them some say over where cellphone carriers install their antennas.
The trouble began several years ago, when the owner of the building at 301 81st St. installed several antennas atop the building.
But last Friday, residents of the radio active complex noticed a crane attaching even more equipment to the roof.
“I asked the workers what they were doing and they wouldn’t tell me,” said Ernie Homsey, a resident of the building since 1945. “They tried to sneak it up there without anyone knowing what was going on and now the whole block is furious.”
Tenants filed complaints with the Department of Building against the owner, Gus Sideratos, for “storing heavy equipment on top of roof,” but the complaints were dismissed after an inspection.
Sideratos may have been unavailable for comment — but his actions aren’t without reason.
Cellphone companies pay building owners big bucks in exchange for a little rooftop space — and most residents enjoy the full bars on their phone and the flush cash in their building’s general fund.
But there is so much cellular equipment all over the neighborhood — and virtually no advance warning about its placement — that residents are revolting.
“I have heard that these towers can cause cancer, and that is what a lot of people are concerned about,” added Homsey.
At this point in the column attentive Ridge residents might begin feeling some deja-vu.
That’s because it has been barely 18-months since parents of St. Anselm’s School fought the construction of a Sprint/Nextel tower to be placed atop a nearby building at 8300 Fourth Ave. As in the 81st Street building, parents at the school didn’t know that the tower was coming until a crane showed up late one night.
The public uproar caught the attention of state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) who quickly intervened.
“For companies to come in the dark of the night and simply erect these towers is unacceptable,” said Golden. “Communities should not have to wake up and find that a cellphone tower was placed near their school or their home.”
Golden even pushed for legislation that would have prohibited the erection of cellular towers and antennas within 500 feet of schools throughout New York City — but the bill never became a law.
But for parents at St. Anselm’s, they gladly took a loss in that battle for a victory in their tower war.
That’s because although the bill may have been defeated, parents did garner enough negative publicity to force Sprint to halt construction of the antennas.
Now the angry 81st Street residents are going to use the same textbook to force their landlord to take down all the equipment amassed above their heads.
They are signing petitions, calling their pols, and even contacted the local media (hi, everyone!) to help get the word out.
“We are looking to bring this to people’s attention,” said Homsey. “All we are asking for is to have a discussion about the effects these towers will have on the neighborhood.”
The phone at Councilman Vince Gentile’s (D–Bay Ridge) office has been ringing off the hook over the issue and it is going to be brought up at the next meeting of Community Board 10 (which is currently enjoying its summer vacation now).
It looks like another tower war is coming to Bay Ridge.
Of course, Yellow Hooker can’t find one study that validates community concerns that cellphone towers actually hurt people’s health (not that I want one on my roof). That said, I am gracious enough to offer one sure-fire way for residents to rid our neighborhoods of these towers: throw your cellphone in the garbage.
Can you hear me now? I didn’t think so.
The Kitchen Sink
If you find your street overrun by teens dressed as Goths, don’t worry — you didn’t take a wrong turn and end up in the Village, it is only Harry Potter Night, sponsored by state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge). The magic begins at 8 pm in front of Bookmark Shoppe, at 8415 Third Ave., and concludes at midnight Friday, July 20 (12:01 am on Saturday, July 21), with the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”… On July 10, the Strictly ’60s will be playing, what else?, classic ’60s music at a free concert at 79th Street and Shore Road. Bring a blanket. …
Nouvelle, located at 8716 Third Ave., has a great eel sushi, but it is the last time our source attempts to order a margarita at an Asian fusion restaurant! …
Brooklyn’s new Republican Party Chairman Craig Eaton is trying to rebuild the GOP from the ground up, and is starting in cyberspace with a new Web site www.brooklyngop.com. And Eaton says he’ll launch the organization’s “School of Politics” in the next six months. Can President Bush take a refresher course? …
It may be early, but Bay Ridge is already busy mobilizing for the presidential election. Bay Ridge for Obama will hold its next meeting on June 28, at Chris and Erin’s Bay Ridge Obama Headquarters (also known as their apartment), at 7911 Fifth Ave. What’s next, a Ron Paul Fan Club? Any man who goes after Rudy the way he does will certainly get some votes in Bay Ridge.
The Brooklyn Paper
Tenants of an 81st Street apartment building are up in arms over the installation of more cellphone equipment on the roof of their building — and now want someone to give them some say over where cellphone carriers install their antennas.
The trouble began several years ago, when the owner of the building at 301 81st St. installed several antennas atop the building.
But last Friday, residents of the radio active complex noticed a crane attaching even more equipment to the roof.
“I asked the workers what they were doing and they wouldn’t tell me,” said Ernie Homsey, a resident of the building since 1945. “They tried to sneak it up there without anyone knowing what was going on and now the whole block is furious.”
Tenants filed complaints with the Department of Building against the owner, Gus Sideratos, for “storing heavy equipment on top of roof,” but the complaints were dismissed after an inspection.
Sideratos may have been unavailable for comment — but his actions aren’t without reason.
Cellphone companies pay building owners big bucks in exchange for a little rooftop space — and most residents enjoy the full bars on their phone and the flush cash in their building’s general fund.
But there is so much cellular equipment all over the neighborhood — and virtually no advance warning about its placement — that residents are revolting.
“I have heard that these towers can cause cancer, and that is what a lot of people are concerned about,” added Homsey.
At this point in the column attentive Ridge residents might begin feeling some deja-vu.
That’s because it has been barely 18-months since parents of St. Anselm’s School fought the construction of a Sprint/Nextel tower to be placed atop a nearby building at 8300 Fourth Ave. As in the 81st Street building, parents at the school didn’t know that the tower was coming until a crane showed up late one night.
The public uproar caught the attention of state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) who quickly intervened.
“For companies to come in the dark of the night and simply erect these towers is unacceptable,” said Golden. “Communities should not have to wake up and find that a cellphone tower was placed near their school or their home.”
Golden even pushed for legislation that would have prohibited the erection of cellular towers and antennas within 500 feet of schools throughout New York City — but the bill never became a law.
But for parents at St. Anselm’s, they gladly took a loss in that battle for a victory in their tower war.
That’s because although the bill may have been defeated, parents did garner enough negative publicity to force Sprint to halt construction of the antennas.
Now the angry 81st Street residents are going to use the same textbook to force their landlord to take down all the equipment amassed above their heads.
They are signing petitions, calling their pols, and even contacted the local media (hi, everyone!) to help get the word out.
“We are looking to bring this to people’s attention,” said Homsey. “All we are asking for is to have a discussion about the effects these towers will have on the neighborhood.”
The phone at Councilman Vince Gentile’s (D–Bay Ridge) office has been ringing off the hook over the issue and it is going to be brought up at the next meeting of Community Board 10 (which is currently enjoying its summer vacation now).
It looks like another tower war is coming to Bay Ridge.
Of course, Yellow Hooker can’t find one study that validates community concerns that cellphone towers actually hurt people’s health (not that I want one on my roof). That said, I am gracious enough to offer one sure-fire way for residents to rid our neighborhoods of these towers: throw your cellphone in the garbage.
Can you hear me now? I didn’t think so.
The Kitchen Sink
If you find your street overrun by teens dressed as Goths, don’t worry — you didn’t take a wrong turn and end up in the Village, it is only Harry Potter Night, sponsored by state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge). The magic begins at 8 pm in front of Bookmark Shoppe, at 8415 Third Ave., and concludes at midnight Friday, July 20 (12:01 am on Saturday, July 21), with the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”… On July 10, the Strictly ’60s will be playing, what else?, classic ’60s music at a free concert at 79th Street and Shore Road. Bring a blanket. …
Nouvelle, located at 8716 Third Ave., has a great eel sushi, but it is the last time our source attempts to order a margarita at an Asian fusion restaurant! …
Brooklyn’s new Republican Party Chairman Craig Eaton is trying to rebuild the GOP from the ground up, and is starting in cyberspace with a new Web site www.brooklyngop.com. And Eaton says he’ll launch the organization’s “School of Politics” in the next six months. Can President Bush take a refresher course? …
It may be early, but Bay Ridge is already busy mobilizing for the presidential election. Bay Ridge for Obama will hold its next meeting on June 28, at Chris and Erin’s Bay Ridge Obama Headquarters (also known as their apartment), at 7911 Fifth Ave. What’s next, a Ron Paul Fan Club? Any man who goes after Rudy the way he does will certainly get some votes in Bay Ridge.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
What’s Chinese for screw-up?
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
The Department of Education failed the exam, but an innocent student will pay the price.
That’s the strange case of Nicole Colca, an eighth-grade graduate who was denied entry into her first choice high school, only to be placed in an Asian-language school.
There’s one problem: Colca doesn’t speak Chinese.
The trouble began shortly after she graduated from the Gateway City Academy, a middle school. Her good grades convinced her that she had a good shot at landing at her number one choice, the High School of Economics, so she was disappointed to discover she was assigned her last choice, Fort Hamilton HS.
That’s when the real craziness began.
The Colca family appealed the decision, and was pleased to receive notification from the Education Department that her appeal had been granted. And then she learned where she had been assigned: the High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies.
Of course Colca never applied for the Asian language and culture school. The mistake looks to be the result of a simple tying error. The code for Telecommunications HS (her real second choice) is “K59A” while the code for Asian Studies is was “M59A” (the K is slightly above the M on the standard qwerty keyboard).
The Asian Studies school Web site makes clear that the young student, whose primary interests are economics and accounting, will spend less time on the Laffer curve and more time studying Chinese.
“Daily instruction in English and Chinese will be provided to every student,” the school’s site says. “English Proficient and English Language Learners will be integrated during instructional times and are expected to comprehend, speak, read and write in English and Chinese by the time they graduate.”
Colca didn’t want her future goals changed just because someone in the Education Department couldn’t type, so her family brought the typo to the attention of the Office of Student Enrollment and Operations.
But changing this typo took more than Wite-Out.
The Colca family suddenly found itself in the midst of a bureaucratic nightmare of unreturned calls. Eventually, the family was told that the error could not be repaired because it was their error.
“The family didn’t get the school of their choice and decided to file an appeal,” said Neil Dorosin, director of the enrollment office. “But when they filed the appeal, they mistakenly requested the Asian Studies class.”
What’s Chinese for “huh”? Colca says she didn’t make the mistake, and she has the paperwork to prove it.
“I still have all the forms and anyone can clearly see that we marked down the appropriate class,” Colca said. “They are 100-percent lying.” The Colcas then turned to Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge), who wrote a letter urging the Education Department to reverse course.
“Her placement at the High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies would be almost humorous if not for the random and determined fixation by the DOE to place a motivated student like Nicole into a program that fails totally to engage her interest or enthusiasm,” said Gentile.
Gentile’s intervention appeared to pay off (a little): the enrollment office agreed to let Nicole attend Fort Hamilton HS — her original last choice.
Dorosin continued to defend his agency. “Since they filed the appeal incorrectly, we did everything we could,” he said. “We reversed the appeal.” Justice served, right? Wrong.
Colca believes justice will be served only when her initial second choice — Telecommunications HS — is granted.
“Just because they made a mistake with our appeal shouldn’t mean it gets thrown out,” said the student’s mother, Madeline Colca.
Colca and Gentile say they won’t give up, and are hoping that the Department of Education sees the light, but until then, Colca remains scheduled for Fort Hamilton HS in September.
In the meantime, they can take comfort in a famous Chinese Proverb.
“Like weather, one’s fortune may change by evening.”
The Kitchen Sink
Is spitting in someone’s face legal? It apparently is, that is unless you get proper identification first. A Ridge woman told The Stoop she got spat at during a traffic dispute, and alertly jotted down the spitter’s license plate number. But cops said she can’t file charges unless she also gets the spitter’s name, too. Sufferin’ succotash! …
On June 16, the Canny Brothers, a Dyker Heights musical band of brothers, threw a CD release party at Three Jolly Pigeons at 6802 Third Ave. …
Schnitzel Haus, located at 7319 Fifth Ave., has a great beer selection, but the veal in our source’s schnitzel tasted re-heated. We’ll let it slide this time; after all, they do have 10 beers on tap! …
Last Saturday, Northfield Bank opened its first Brooklyn branch, at 8512 Third Ave. The ribbon-cutting was attended by local politicians including possible mayoral rivals Borough President Markowitz and state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge). E-mail Stoop@BrooklynPaper.com
The Brooklyn Paper
The Department of Education failed the exam, but an innocent student will pay the price.
That’s the strange case of Nicole Colca, an eighth-grade graduate who was denied entry into her first choice high school, only to be placed in an Asian-language school.
There’s one problem: Colca doesn’t speak Chinese.
The trouble began shortly after she graduated from the Gateway City Academy, a middle school. Her good grades convinced her that she had a good shot at landing at her number one choice, the High School of Economics, so she was disappointed to discover she was assigned her last choice, Fort Hamilton HS.
That’s when the real craziness began.
The Colca family appealed the decision, and was pleased to receive notification from the Education Department that her appeal had been granted. And then she learned where she had been assigned: the High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies.
Of course Colca never applied for the Asian language and culture school. The mistake looks to be the result of a simple tying error. The code for Telecommunications HS (her real second choice) is “K59A” while the code for Asian Studies is was “M59A” (the K is slightly above the M on the standard qwerty keyboard).
The Asian Studies school Web site makes clear that the young student, whose primary interests are economics and accounting, will spend less time on the Laffer curve and more time studying Chinese.
“Daily instruction in English and Chinese will be provided to every student,” the school’s site says. “English Proficient and English Language Learners will be integrated during instructional times and are expected to comprehend, speak, read and write in English and Chinese by the time they graduate.”
Colca didn’t want her future goals changed just because someone in the Education Department couldn’t type, so her family brought the typo to the attention of the Office of Student Enrollment and Operations.
But changing this typo took more than Wite-Out.
The Colca family suddenly found itself in the midst of a bureaucratic nightmare of unreturned calls. Eventually, the family was told that the error could not be repaired because it was their error.
“The family didn’t get the school of their choice and decided to file an appeal,” said Neil Dorosin, director of the enrollment office. “But when they filed the appeal, they mistakenly requested the Asian Studies class.”
What’s Chinese for “huh”? Colca says she didn’t make the mistake, and she has the paperwork to prove it.
“I still have all the forms and anyone can clearly see that we marked down the appropriate class,” Colca said. “They are 100-percent lying.” The Colcas then turned to Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge), who wrote a letter urging the Education Department to reverse course.
“Her placement at the High School for Dual Language and Asian Studies would be almost humorous if not for the random and determined fixation by the DOE to place a motivated student like Nicole into a program that fails totally to engage her interest or enthusiasm,” said Gentile.
Gentile’s intervention appeared to pay off (a little): the enrollment office agreed to let Nicole attend Fort Hamilton HS — her original last choice.
Dorosin continued to defend his agency. “Since they filed the appeal incorrectly, we did everything we could,” he said. “We reversed the appeal.” Justice served, right? Wrong.
Colca believes justice will be served only when her initial second choice — Telecommunications HS — is granted.
“Just because they made a mistake with our appeal shouldn’t mean it gets thrown out,” said the student’s mother, Madeline Colca.
Colca and Gentile say they won’t give up, and are hoping that the Department of Education sees the light, but until then, Colca remains scheduled for Fort Hamilton HS in September.
In the meantime, they can take comfort in a famous Chinese Proverb.
“Like weather, one’s fortune may change by evening.”
The Kitchen Sink
Is spitting in someone’s face legal? It apparently is, that is unless you get proper identification first. A Ridge woman told The Stoop she got spat at during a traffic dispute, and alertly jotted down the spitter’s license plate number. But cops said she can’t file charges unless she also gets the spitter’s name, too. Sufferin’ succotash! …
On June 16, the Canny Brothers, a Dyker Heights musical band of brothers, threw a CD release party at Three Jolly Pigeons at 6802 Third Ave. …
Schnitzel Haus, located at 7319 Fifth Ave., has a great beer selection, but the veal in our source’s schnitzel tasted re-heated. We’ll let it slide this time; after all, they do have 10 beers on tap! …
Last Saturday, Northfield Bank opened its first Brooklyn branch, at 8512 Third Ave. The ribbon-cutting was attended by local politicians including possible mayoral rivals Borough President Markowitz and state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge). E-mail Stoop@BrooklynPaper.com
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Eulogy for the Green Church
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
The Green Church will not be saved — you can take that to the bank and cash it. Yet despite the writing on the check, some members of the community continue to fight the inevitable.
Call it denial (or call it optimism), but many residents are having a hard time coming to terms with losing their beloved church, which according to a spokeswoman for the Massey Knakal realty giant, is as good as sold.
“The property is under hard contract,” said Keri Neering.
So Bay Ridge United Methodist, the 107-year-old structure on Fourth and Ovington avenues, will be torn down and it will become condos — but don’t blame a lack of effort from local preservationists. They have worked hard, and against long odds, to maintain the integrity of our neighborhood, prompting the consensus cliché — the Hail Mary.
The first “Hail Mary” attempt was by Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge), who worked out a deal that would have saved the church, added condo units to the neighborhood, and yielded a $300,000 annual windfall for the church for upkeep.
Most viewed Gentile’s pass as a perfect spiral, except for the congregants of the church, who wanted no savior (at least in terms of saving the structure).
The second Hail Mary attempt (remember you get four downs) was thrown by the Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church. They urged people to call the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which has the power to declare a building a landmark even without the owner’s permission. But that pass never even made it back to the line of scrimmage: Landmarks promptly declined the request to protect the 100-year-old church.
Then, historian Wade Goria raised the roof at last month’s Community Board 10 meeting in yet another attempt to save the church. Goria, whose microphone was pulled out of his hand at the previous meeting by CB10 Chairman Dean Rasanya after he bashed the Methodist hierarchy, began an impassioned sermon of his own, ranting and screaming (at times, quite eloquently) at the standing-room-only audience.
“We can not let them take this from us,” Goria shouted. “This is our community, this is our church, and this is our fight, now is the time to make our voices heard.”
Yellow Hooker is thinking a new cliché might be more appropriate. This one involves an obese woman and the final few notes of a song. Well, they gave it a shot (or two, or three).
The Kitchen Sink
Everything Zen? Not at least as far as the garbage and debris at Shore Road Park is concerned. The trash is located between two of the park’s most-cherished attractions: the Zen Garden and the Butterfly Park. Before we can cleanse the doors of perception, perhaps officials should first cleanse the large cement stones and the old fencing. …
War, what is it good for? How about the best shawarma with garlic sauce? Bay Ridge Neighbors for Peace is now meeting on Mondays at Mazza Plaza, which is at 8002 Fifth Ave., at 8 pm. …
A source tells The Stoop that state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) is closer to running for Mayor. “Let me put it this way, at this point we feel quite encouraged,” said the source.
The Brooklyn Paper
The Green Church will not be saved — you can take that to the bank and cash it. Yet despite the writing on the check, some members of the community continue to fight the inevitable.
Call it denial (or call it optimism), but many residents are having a hard time coming to terms with losing their beloved church, which according to a spokeswoman for the Massey Knakal realty giant, is as good as sold.
“The property is under hard contract,” said Keri Neering.
So Bay Ridge United Methodist, the 107-year-old structure on Fourth and Ovington avenues, will be torn down and it will become condos — but don’t blame a lack of effort from local preservationists. They have worked hard, and against long odds, to maintain the integrity of our neighborhood, prompting the consensus cliché — the Hail Mary.
The first “Hail Mary” attempt was by Councilman Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge), who worked out a deal that would have saved the church, added condo units to the neighborhood, and yielded a $300,000 annual windfall for the church for upkeep.
Most viewed Gentile’s pass as a perfect spiral, except for the congregants of the church, who wanted no savior (at least in terms of saving the structure).
The second Hail Mary attempt (remember you get four downs) was thrown by the Committee to Save the Bay Ridge United Methodist Church. They urged people to call the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which has the power to declare a building a landmark even without the owner’s permission. But that pass never even made it back to the line of scrimmage: Landmarks promptly declined the request to protect the 100-year-old church.
Then, historian Wade Goria raised the roof at last month’s Community Board 10 meeting in yet another attempt to save the church. Goria, whose microphone was pulled out of his hand at the previous meeting by CB10 Chairman Dean Rasanya after he bashed the Methodist hierarchy, began an impassioned sermon of his own, ranting and screaming (at times, quite eloquently) at the standing-room-only audience.
“We can not let them take this from us,” Goria shouted. “This is our community, this is our church, and this is our fight, now is the time to make our voices heard.”
Yellow Hooker is thinking a new cliché might be more appropriate. This one involves an obese woman and the final few notes of a song. Well, they gave it a shot (or two, or three).
The Kitchen Sink
Everything Zen? Not at least as far as the garbage and debris at Shore Road Park is concerned. The trash is located between two of the park’s most-cherished attractions: the Zen Garden and the Butterfly Park. Before we can cleanse the doors of perception, perhaps officials should first cleanse the large cement stones and the old fencing. …
War, what is it good for? How about the best shawarma with garlic sauce? Bay Ridge Neighbors for Peace is now meeting on Mondays at Mazza Plaza, which is at 8002 Fifth Ave., at 8 pm. …
A source tells The Stoop that state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) is closer to running for Mayor. “Let me put it this way, at this point we feel quite encouraged,” said the source.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
These mailmen are armed for dog
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
This is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, the seven days of the year when the United States Postal Service tries to educate Americans on how to keep their dogs on a shorter leash.
But our local mailmen aren’t waiting to see results. After years of looking like a letter-toting piece of meat to area canines, mail carriers have finally fought back.
They’re now armed with pepper spray.
The arms race began last year, when a mail carrier in Bay Ridge became a living cliché after getting bit in the rear pouch by a German Shepherd.
“He went to drop-off the mail and the dog just took a bite out of him,” said a postal source. “He had to go directly to the emergency room.”
The mailman has chosen to remain anonymous (we’ll call him Junk Mail), and like most things in the United States Postal Service, many details must remain shrouded in secrecy. But we do know the route: a dangerous stretch on 88th Street between Colonial and Ridge avenues.
Junk Mail’s description of the beast conjured up images of Cujo.
“It was a big dog — the kind of dog that is a dangerous weapon,” said Junk Mail. “This kind of dog is on the attack when it sees people.”
It certainly wasn’t the first time a dog took a bite out of a local mail carrier. Nationwide, there have been more than 3,000 reported case of dog-bites-mailman, according to government stats.
In an effort to go into the belly of the beast, Yellow Hooker embedded himself with one Bay Ridge postal worker as he navigated the dangerous mail receptacles (often within fenced-in yards where dogs roam). As in so many combat pursuits, the key to survival was an awareness of your environment, explained Postal worker Tyrone Johnson.
“A lot of times your vision is impaired by obstructions such as fences or even doors,” said Johnson. “If you can’t see the dog coming, you need to listen.”
Johnson, who has been delivering mail for more than two years, says that people wouldn’t believe the risks letter carriers face, especially when putting the mail through the door slots while anxious dogs lay in wait. He asks for owners to throw him a bone.
“The owners need to get these dogs under control before something serious happens,” said Johnson. “At least three mailmen have been seriously bit within the last two years around here.”
Johnson says he carries Mace, but luckily, has never had to use it.
“I have been nipped a few times, but nothing real serious, yet.”
Man’s best friend is rarely to blame, according to Richard Gentles, the director of administrative services at the Brooklyn Animal Care Center.
“Just use common sense,” said Gentles. “Most people don’t know how to approach a dog, and then they get bit.”
A spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals agreed that owners need to act more responsibly, but says that the spray is downright inhuman.
“Using Mace or pepper spray is extremely dangerous and cruel,” said Beth Daphne. “They shouldn’t ever use it when there are more humane ways to keep them safe.”
Daphne says that she saw someone get pepper-sprayed once and it wasn’t pretty, and believes that instead of weapons, mail carriers should be better trained to deal with their historic arch-enemies.
“I think postal employees should be trained to better understand a dog’s body language,” Daphne said. “Most dogs aren’t looking to bite people; they are just defending their territory.”
She also would like to sweeten the pot a little bit with a small bribe.
“Spraying dogs could just make them angrier,” Daphne said. “I would advise the carriers drop the Mace, and instead arm themselves with dog treats.”
Johnson rejected that Neville Chamberlain-style appeasement.
“Some carriers give snacks, but I don’t think it is right,” Johnson said. “If the dog is used to getting treats and God forbid you run out, you are in big trouble.”
The Kitchen Sink
What a surprise! The Brooklyn Young Republicans have endorsed Rudy Giuliani for president. Next, they’ll come out in favor of tax cuts! …
Two ambitious school kids, Dylan Gottesman and Bash Naran, are making a series of Bay Ridge films soon to be available at www.beyonddreamsentertainment.webs.com. Anything has to be better than “Brooklyn Rules,” the new movie featuring Freddie Prinze Jr. (check out the scene where he clumsily folds his slice while sitting at L&B Spumoni Garden) as a Bay Ridge boy with a indefinable accent. …
The Taj Mahal, at 7315 Third Ave., knows how to treat its guests. Our source tells us that one of the waiters dealt with a crying baby by picking her up and rocking her back and forth while the parents enjoyed their Tandoori chicken. I hope they gave at least 20 percent! …
The Committee to Save Bay Ridge United Methodist Church is considering buying the centurion landmark at the corner of Fourth and Ovington avenues. Committee organizer Kathleen Walker said she wants preservation groups and other locals to band together. All it will take is just $12 million! …
The Stoop understands the need to work through the night on resurfacing Third Avenue, but couldn’t the jackhammering wait until morning? …
Congratulations to Tara Cernacek, who won The Stoop’s “Hero of the Week” award for her tireless work placing abandoned animals with new owners. Her store, Happy Pets, which is at 9818 Fourth Ave., has placed more than 100 shelter animals into loving homes.
The Brooklyn Paper
This is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, the seven days of the year when the United States Postal Service tries to educate Americans on how to keep their dogs on a shorter leash.
But our local mailmen aren’t waiting to see results. After years of looking like a letter-toting piece of meat to area canines, mail carriers have finally fought back.
They’re now armed with pepper spray.
The arms race began last year, when a mail carrier in Bay Ridge became a living cliché after getting bit in the rear pouch by a German Shepherd.
“He went to drop-off the mail and the dog just took a bite out of him,” said a postal source. “He had to go directly to the emergency room.”
The mailman has chosen to remain anonymous (we’ll call him Junk Mail), and like most things in the United States Postal Service, many details must remain shrouded in secrecy. But we do know the route: a dangerous stretch on 88th Street between Colonial and Ridge avenues.
Junk Mail’s description of the beast conjured up images of Cujo.
“It was a big dog — the kind of dog that is a dangerous weapon,” said Junk Mail. “This kind of dog is on the attack when it sees people.”
It certainly wasn’t the first time a dog took a bite out of a local mail carrier. Nationwide, there have been more than 3,000 reported case of dog-bites-mailman, according to government stats.
In an effort to go into the belly of the beast, Yellow Hooker embedded himself with one Bay Ridge postal worker as he navigated the dangerous mail receptacles (often within fenced-in yards where dogs roam). As in so many combat pursuits, the key to survival was an awareness of your environment, explained Postal worker Tyrone Johnson.
“A lot of times your vision is impaired by obstructions such as fences or even doors,” said Johnson. “If you can’t see the dog coming, you need to listen.”
Johnson, who has been delivering mail for more than two years, says that people wouldn’t believe the risks letter carriers face, especially when putting the mail through the door slots while anxious dogs lay in wait. He asks for owners to throw him a bone.
“The owners need to get these dogs under control before something serious happens,” said Johnson. “At least three mailmen have been seriously bit within the last two years around here.”
Johnson says he carries Mace, but luckily, has never had to use it.
“I have been nipped a few times, but nothing real serious, yet.”
Man’s best friend is rarely to blame, according to Richard Gentles, the director of administrative services at the Brooklyn Animal Care Center.
“Just use common sense,” said Gentles. “Most people don’t know how to approach a dog, and then they get bit.”
A spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals agreed that owners need to act more responsibly, but says that the spray is downright inhuman.
“Using Mace or pepper spray is extremely dangerous and cruel,” said Beth Daphne. “They shouldn’t ever use it when there are more humane ways to keep them safe.”
Daphne says that she saw someone get pepper-sprayed once and it wasn’t pretty, and believes that instead of weapons, mail carriers should be better trained to deal with their historic arch-enemies.
“I think postal employees should be trained to better understand a dog’s body language,” Daphne said. “Most dogs aren’t looking to bite people; they are just defending their territory.”
She also would like to sweeten the pot a little bit with a small bribe.
“Spraying dogs could just make them angrier,” Daphne said. “I would advise the carriers drop the Mace, and instead arm themselves with dog treats.”
Johnson rejected that Neville Chamberlain-style appeasement.
“Some carriers give snacks, but I don’t think it is right,” Johnson said. “If the dog is used to getting treats and God forbid you run out, you are in big trouble.”
The Kitchen Sink
What a surprise! The Brooklyn Young Republicans have endorsed Rudy Giuliani for president. Next, they’ll come out in favor of tax cuts! …
Two ambitious school kids, Dylan Gottesman and Bash Naran, are making a series of Bay Ridge films soon to be available at www.beyonddreamsentertainment.webs.com. Anything has to be better than “Brooklyn Rules,” the new movie featuring Freddie Prinze Jr. (check out the scene where he clumsily folds his slice while sitting at L&B Spumoni Garden) as a Bay Ridge boy with a indefinable accent. …
The Taj Mahal, at 7315 Third Ave., knows how to treat its guests. Our source tells us that one of the waiters dealt with a crying baby by picking her up and rocking her back and forth while the parents enjoyed their Tandoori chicken. I hope they gave at least 20 percent! …
The Committee to Save Bay Ridge United Methodist Church is considering buying the centurion landmark at the corner of Fourth and Ovington avenues. Committee organizer Kathleen Walker said she wants preservation groups and other locals to band together. All it will take is just $12 million! …
The Stoop understands the need to work through the night on resurfacing Third Avenue, but couldn’t the jackhammering wait until morning? …
Congratulations to Tara Cernacek, who won The Stoop’s “Hero of the Week” award for her tireless work placing abandoned animals with new owners. Her store, Happy Pets, which is at 9818 Fourth Ave., has placed more than 100 shelter animals into loving homes.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Spark-filled memories
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
Sir, sir, please back away slowly from the sparkler. Haven’t you heard about the kid who burned his eye out with one of those things?
True story — I heard it from a man who knew a guy growing up who saw it happen — and now he is on a mission to spread the truth about the evil of sparklers to every man, woman and child in Brooklyn.
I first confronted the fire evangelist about a year ago as I was searching Bay Ridge for a few sparklers to give to the neighborhood kids (I’m that kind of guy, what can I say?). The fire evangelist overheard me asking the counter-girl at Associated Supermarket on Third Avenue, and he dutifully leapt into action.
“Why the hell are you looking for firecrackers?” the old man said. “You looking to get someone killed?”
I thought he must have misheard me, and I calmly explained that I wasn’t looking for any sticks of dynamite, only some kiddie sparklers.
“That is what I said, firecrackers,” the old man growled. “Are you looking to burn your child’s eye out?”
Burn my child’s eye out, with a sparkler? This guy is a freak.
Freak, perhaps, but on the right side of the law. Every store I went into, I was told the same thing: sparklers are illegal and dangerous. I began to think that maybe I was the freak. I mean, how could nine counter-girls and one cranky old man all be wrong?
But what exactly is so bad about sparklers? Everything, say our local cops.
“Sparklers are harmful and illegal,” said Officer Steve Agosta of the 62nd Precinct. “Sparklers are very dangerous. They burn hands and start major fires, so we advise that you don’t go near them.”
It isn’t even June, but Officer Agosta wants to get the word out early that she and her comrades are going to war against fireworks — and that means “zero tolerance” (even for sparklers).
This means heavy fines, or even possibly jail time, for possession of any fireworks.
At a recent 62nd Precinct Community Council meeting, a couple of officers said that if the public doesn’t get its appetite for destruction under control, the cops plan on inviting themselves to our barbeques and cuffing people who violate the prohibition.
“If you store fireworks in a private house, a small spark could ignite the flames and the whole house could go up,” said Agosta.
Exploding houses in Brooklyn? Am I being put on here?
Yes, says Bill Weimer, vice president of Phantom Fireworks, one of the largest retail sellers of incendiary devices in America. He believes the city’s laws are outdated.
“Truth is, these aren’t your father’s fireworks,” said Weimer. “Today’s fireworks are tested in 20 different ways and are safer than they ever were.”
Weimer says the vast majority of injuries come from “drunken Uncle Charlie showing off in the backyard,” but says that when used responsibly, “Fireworks are all about good-old-fashioned family fun.”
It isn’t just family fun, it is a tradition, and one that Yellow Hooker doesn’t plan on giving up any time soon. Heck, I don’t even have an Uncle Charlie!
A source pointed me in the direction of at least one guy in Bay Ridge who still sells the fiery freedom sticks, and sure enough, I found him. No, there was no shiny display case, but the goods were stashed in the back.
Of course, I protect my sources — of information and of fireworks — so I’m not going to reveal the location.
And don’t try to stop me. The risk of jail is well worth taking for a few pleasurable hours making sparkler circles in the back yard as it get dark. But for those less-adventurous souls out there still looking to celebrate Independence Day with a little boom, there remains one government-sanctioned firework alternative left in Brooklyn, according to Agosta.
You know those little white snappers that you throw at the ground and they make that pop?
“All fireworks are illegal,” Agosta repeated. “But if you are only using little snappers, that might be all right.”
Snappers “might” be all right? Have you heard of the kid who lost a toe when he stepped on two snappers at the same time? It’s true. I heard it from a guy who knew a guy …
The Kitchen Sink
Leif Ericson Day School at 1037 72nd St., where Juan Amendano died last Friday, is raising funds to aid Amendano’s family. Just stop by the school or call (718) 748-9023 for more information. …
The much ballyhooed Viking ship that was scheduled to land at Owls Head Park for this year’s Viking Festival on May 19 has, unfortunately, been lost at sea. Sources tell The Stoop that the mighty vessel’s captain was in a car accident and won’t be able to make the trip to Bay Ridge. …
Bay Ridge Cheesesteak Factory at 8407 Third Ave. is offering a 20-percent discount to union employees. …
Stop the Asian Longhorned Beetle! The scourge of the northern parts of Brooklyn may be spreading to our area. All residents are now required to call 311 to arrange a pick up time when discarding any woody debris. In this great effort to save the trees, the Parks Department has mailed out thick paper instructions. …
Spring may have just sprung, but the crowded basketball courts in Shore Road Park at 79th Street and Shore Road have been heated for some time — too bad the same can’t be said for Alex’s jump shot. Yeah, you know who I’m talkin’ about! …
Overheard last week while in line in Bagel Boy at 8002 Third Ave.: “Park Slope is full of hypocrites,” a woman said. “They pretend like they are so tolerant and evolved, but the minute some Muslims wanted to build a school there, they act like their hair is on fire.”
The Brooklyn Paper
Sir, sir, please back away slowly from the sparkler. Haven’t you heard about the kid who burned his eye out with one of those things?
True story — I heard it from a man who knew a guy growing up who saw it happen — and now he is on a mission to spread the truth about the evil of sparklers to every man, woman and child in Brooklyn.
I first confronted the fire evangelist about a year ago as I was searching Bay Ridge for a few sparklers to give to the neighborhood kids (I’m that kind of guy, what can I say?). The fire evangelist overheard me asking the counter-girl at Associated Supermarket on Third Avenue, and he dutifully leapt into action.
“Why the hell are you looking for firecrackers?” the old man said. “You looking to get someone killed?”
I thought he must have misheard me, and I calmly explained that I wasn’t looking for any sticks of dynamite, only some kiddie sparklers.
“That is what I said, firecrackers,” the old man growled. “Are you looking to burn your child’s eye out?”
Burn my child’s eye out, with a sparkler? This guy is a freak.
Freak, perhaps, but on the right side of the law. Every store I went into, I was told the same thing: sparklers are illegal and dangerous. I began to think that maybe I was the freak. I mean, how could nine counter-girls and one cranky old man all be wrong?
But what exactly is so bad about sparklers? Everything, say our local cops.
“Sparklers are harmful and illegal,” said Officer Steve Agosta of the 62nd Precinct. “Sparklers are very dangerous. They burn hands and start major fires, so we advise that you don’t go near them.”
It isn’t even June, but Officer Agosta wants to get the word out early that she and her comrades are going to war against fireworks — and that means “zero tolerance” (even for sparklers).
This means heavy fines, or even possibly jail time, for possession of any fireworks.
At a recent 62nd Precinct Community Council meeting, a couple of officers said that if the public doesn’t get its appetite for destruction under control, the cops plan on inviting themselves to our barbeques and cuffing people who violate the prohibition.
“If you store fireworks in a private house, a small spark could ignite the flames and the whole house could go up,” said Agosta.
Exploding houses in Brooklyn? Am I being put on here?
Yes, says Bill Weimer, vice president of Phantom Fireworks, one of the largest retail sellers of incendiary devices in America. He believes the city’s laws are outdated.
“Truth is, these aren’t your father’s fireworks,” said Weimer. “Today’s fireworks are tested in 20 different ways and are safer than they ever were.”
Weimer says the vast majority of injuries come from “drunken Uncle Charlie showing off in the backyard,” but says that when used responsibly, “Fireworks are all about good-old-fashioned family fun.”
It isn’t just family fun, it is a tradition, and one that Yellow Hooker doesn’t plan on giving up any time soon. Heck, I don’t even have an Uncle Charlie!
A source pointed me in the direction of at least one guy in Bay Ridge who still sells the fiery freedom sticks, and sure enough, I found him. No, there was no shiny display case, but the goods were stashed in the back.
Of course, I protect my sources — of information and of fireworks — so I’m not going to reveal the location.
And don’t try to stop me. The risk of jail is well worth taking for a few pleasurable hours making sparkler circles in the back yard as it get dark. But for those less-adventurous souls out there still looking to celebrate Independence Day with a little boom, there remains one government-sanctioned firework alternative left in Brooklyn, according to Agosta.
You know those little white snappers that you throw at the ground and they make that pop?
“All fireworks are illegal,” Agosta repeated. “But if you are only using little snappers, that might be all right.”
Snappers “might” be all right? Have you heard of the kid who lost a toe when he stepped on two snappers at the same time? It’s true. I heard it from a guy who knew a guy …
The Kitchen Sink
Leif Ericson Day School at 1037 72nd St., where Juan Amendano died last Friday, is raising funds to aid Amendano’s family. Just stop by the school or call (718) 748-9023 for more information. …
The much ballyhooed Viking ship that was scheduled to land at Owls Head Park for this year’s Viking Festival on May 19 has, unfortunately, been lost at sea. Sources tell The Stoop that the mighty vessel’s captain was in a car accident and won’t be able to make the trip to Bay Ridge. …
Bay Ridge Cheesesteak Factory at 8407 Third Ave. is offering a 20-percent discount to union employees. …
Stop the Asian Longhorned Beetle! The scourge of the northern parts of Brooklyn may be spreading to our area. All residents are now required to call 311 to arrange a pick up time when discarding any woody debris. In this great effort to save the trees, the Parks Department has mailed out thick paper instructions. …
Spring may have just sprung, but the crowded basketball courts in Shore Road Park at 79th Street and Shore Road have been heated for some time — too bad the same can’t be said for Alex’s jump shot. Yeah, you know who I’m talkin’ about! …
Overheard last week while in line in Bagel Boy at 8002 Third Ave.: “Park Slope is full of hypocrites,” a woman said. “They pretend like they are so tolerant and evolved, but the minute some Muslims wanted to build a school there, they act like their hair is on fire.”
Friday, May 11, 2007
Ghost of Nixon is Eaton Craig
By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper
The Kings County Republican Committee announced this week that Bay Ridge’s Craig Eaton is the new chairman. Yellow Hooker has only one question — why?
Eaton, 46, has a beautiful wife, three kids, and lives in one of those nice houses with a yard; the man, who’s a practicing attorney, practically has his whole life in front of him. He could spend the rest of his days hitting the slots with Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) aide Bob Capano.
But as Republican Chairman, Eaton instead chose to take on the one job in Brooklyn where you are simultaneously ignored and hated. I mean, Democrats outnumber Republicans like cars outnumber bikes on the Gowanus Expressway. Outside of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, Republicans appear as some kind of alien beings, with Bay Ridge Manor as their home planet. So, let’s just say, Eaton has his work cut out for him.
“I believe in the Republican Party and the principles for which it stands,” said Eaton, who will succeed Hy Singer. “Limited government; personal liberties; lower taxes; strong job growth, and a strong national defense.”
Limited government in Brooklyn? In a day and age when it has become difficult to walk down a Brooklyn street and find someone who isn’t working for the government, how can anyone believe victory could be found in downsizing Brooklyn’s largest employer? Can it really be done?
Republican political operative Gerry O’Brien says it can, and that Eaton has the formula for turning Brooklyn blue into Republican red, and it starts one vote at a time.
“All politics are local,” O’Brien said. “We are going to start at the infrastructure, and we are going to bring the blue-collar Republicans back to the party.”
Eaton is well known to Bay Ridge from his days as head of Community Board 10, where he served from 2004 to 2006. In that position, he had to deal with zoning, stoplights, and community gadfly Allen Bortnick. But now he is stepping up a pay grade, and will have to deal with the likes of Conservative Party icon Michael Long from the right and Assemblyman William Colton (D–Bensonhurst) from the left.
O’Brien admits it won’t be easy, but says at least some of the blame can be pinned on Richard Nixon.
“The New York Republican Party has been decimated since Watergate,” O’Brien said. “Our infrastructure was killed, and all these years later we are still fighting our way back.”
Richard Nixon was a long time ago, perhaps the Checkers Speech just didn’t go over as well in Brooklyn living rooms as it did in some others. But now it’s up to Craig Eaton to clean up Nixon’s mess?
What would provoke a man who seemingly had the good life, to jump head first into the lion’s den of Brooklyn politics? Did Eaton lose a bet to Fossella on the over/under for pork-barrel spending?
“No,” answered O’Brien. “The man loves a good challenge.”
I sure hope so, because resurrecting a dead elephant is a lot for one man to deal with, but as they used to say at CB10, if you can deal Allen Bortnick, you can deal with anything.
The Kitchen Sink
“To the lowlife piece of garbage who stole my plant,” read a sign posted on the now-closed Griswold’s Pub front window. “Come see me if you have any guts.” The threat was signed by owner Billy Eisenhardt, who has our sympathies for his missing shrubs. But come on, Billy, Yellow Hooker thinks that the nice large check Valley National Bank gave you to sell our favorite rib shrine is more than enough to cover that tab. …
Congregants of churches slated for the wrecking ball should take note: the April 21 thrift sale at the New Utrecht Reform Church in Bensonhurst was a huge success. In a matter of hours, the church made $2,300 to be used toward restoration of its building, a Brooklyn landmark since 1828. …
What Bay Ridgite is on the verge of becoming a larger-than-life TV star? The man must remain anonymous until the show begins, but Yellow Hooker can say that it will be a new weight-loss reality show on ABC that will be unlike anything you have ever seen. …
State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge), secured over $60,000 in the budget to support 25 baseball and sports programs throughout the neighborhood. The funding will underwrite the purchase of supplies and equipment for the various teams. …
Mambo Italiano’s, at 8803 Third Ave., wins Yellow Hooker’s undying affection for its half-priced family portions of lasagna on Thursday nights (and the $4 apple martini), but the bananas in our source’s brownie ice cream desert platter were already brown. Then again, at half price, our source was definitely not complaining. …
Councilman Vince Gentile wants to create criminal penalties for damaging religious articles on private property. It’s unclear whether such a law could be applied to individuals destroying their own items of religious worship, you know, like the parishioners at the soon-to-be-demolished Green Church are doing.
The Brooklyn Paper
The Kings County Republican Committee announced this week that Bay Ridge’s Craig Eaton is the new chairman. Yellow Hooker has only one question — why?
Eaton, 46, has a beautiful wife, three kids, and lives in one of those nice houses with a yard; the man, who’s a practicing attorney, practically has his whole life in front of him. He could spend the rest of his days hitting the slots with Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) aide Bob Capano.
But as Republican Chairman, Eaton instead chose to take on the one job in Brooklyn where you are simultaneously ignored and hated. I mean, Democrats outnumber Republicans like cars outnumber bikes on the Gowanus Expressway. Outside of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights, Republicans appear as some kind of alien beings, with Bay Ridge Manor as their home planet. So, let’s just say, Eaton has his work cut out for him.
“I believe in the Republican Party and the principles for which it stands,” said Eaton, who will succeed Hy Singer. “Limited government; personal liberties; lower taxes; strong job growth, and a strong national defense.”
Limited government in Brooklyn? In a day and age when it has become difficult to walk down a Brooklyn street and find someone who isn’t working for the government, how can anyone believe victory could be found in downsizing Brooklyn’s largest employer? Can it really be done?
Republican political operative Gerry O’Brien says it can, and that Eaton has the formula for turning Brooklyn blue into Republican red, and it starts one vote at a time.
“All politics are local,” O’Brien said. “We are going to start at the infrastructure, and we are going to bring the blue-collar Republicans back to the party.”
Eaton is well known to Bay Ridge from his days as head of Community Board 10, where he served from 2004 to 2006. In that position, he had to deal with zoning, stoplights, and community gadfly Allen Bortnick. But now he is stepping up a pay grade, and will have to deal with the likes of Conservative Party icon Michael Long from the right and Assemblyman William Colton (D–Bensonhurst) from the left.
O’Brien admits it won’t be easy, but says at least some of the blame can be pinned on Richard Nixon.
“The New York Republican Party has been decimated since Watergate,” O’Brien said. “Our infrastructure was killed, and all these years later we are still fighting our way back.”
Richard Nixon was a long time ago, perhaps the Checkers Speech just didn’t go over as well in Brooklyn living rooms as it did in some others. But now it’s up to Craig Eaton to clean up Nixon’s mess?
What would provoke a man who seemingly had the good life, to jump head first into the lion’s den of Brooklyn politics? Did Eaton lose a bet to Fossella on the over/under for pork-barrel spending?
“No,” answered O’Brien. “The man loves a good challenge.”
I sure hope so, because resurrecting a dead elephant is a lot for one man to deal with, but as they used to say at CB10, if you can deal Allen Bortnick, you can deal with anything.
The Kitchen Sink
“To the lowlife piece of garbage who stole my plant,” read a sign posted on the now-closed Griswold’s Pub front window. “Come see me if you have any guts.” The threat was signed by owner Billy Eisenhardt, who has our sympathies for his missing shrubs. But come on, Billy, Yellow Hooker thinks that the nice large check Valley National Bank gave you to sell our favorite rib shrine is more than enough to cover that tab. …
Congregants of churches slated for the wrecking ball should take note: the April 21 thrift sale at the New Utrecht Reform Church in Bensonhurst was a huge success. In a matter of hours, the church made $2,300 to be used toward restoration of its building, a Brooklyn landmark since 1828. …
What Bay Ridgite is on the verge of becoming a larger-than-life TV star? The man must remain anonymous until the show begins, but Yellow Hooker can say that it will be a new weight-loss reality show on ABC that will be unlike anything you have ever seen. …
State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge), secured over $60,000 in the budget to support 25 baseball and sports programs throughout the neighborhood. The funding will underwrite the purchase of supplies and equipment for the various teams. …
Mambo Italiano’s, at 8803 Third Ave., wins Yellow Hooker’s undying affection for its half-priced family portions of lasagna on Thursday nights (and the $4 apple martini), but the bananas in our source’s brownie ice cream desert platter were already brown. Then again, at half price, our source was definitely not complaining. …
Councilman Vince Gentile wants to create criminal penalties for damaging religious articles on private property. It’s unclear whether such a law could be applied to individuals destroying their own items of religious worship, you know, like the parishioners at the soon-to-be-demolished Green Church are doing.
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