Month: August 2009

BushwickBK asks an important question. Given the small numbers of voters in a city council primary, the impact of voting is much greater. If that’s not enough reason to vote, remember this – politicians notice where the votes are, and pay attention accordingly.

When people ask me if Bushwick is safe I always reply: ‘It’s like any urban area, if you’re smart and pay attention to your surroundings you’ll be fine.’ … Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago I didn’t follow my own advice, ending up with eight staples in my head because someone really wanted to steal my crappy mountain bike.

When we contacted the Department of Transportation about the flagrant traffic violations, they responded saying: ‘The DOT will be coordinating with the NYPD to better manage trucks in the area and direct them to existing truck routes.’

I’d be willing to bet that Brooklyn residents are pretty united over DOT’s roll out of the Kent Avenue traffic changes.

The Times takes a look at the state of the economy in Greenpoint.

Public Place warehouse – Gowanus Lounge predicted this wall collapse six months ago.

The debates in the 33rd keep coming – the latest being tomorrow night’s debate sponsored by Transportation Alternatives. The debate takes place at Automotive High School (I assume an intentionally ironic choice?) in Williamsburg, and promises some top-notch moderating.

When: Tuesday, September 1, 7-8:30 pm
Where: Automotive High School, 50 Bedford Ave, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
What: Council District 33 Debate (Williamsburg, Greenpoint, DUMBO, Park
Slope)
Who: City Council candidates for District 33 (Isaac Abraham, Ken Baer, Doug Biviano, Ken Diamondstone, Steve Levin, Jo Anne Simon, Evan Thies)

Also, don’t forget tonight’s first (and so far, only) debate in the 34th Council District.

The Post rips another story from the blogosphere, once again without attribution. In a story first reported on ThatGreenpointBlog.com, Williamsburg CORE gym scammer John Suarez has opened a new gym on South 3rd Street. The thing is, Suarez is forbidden from operating a gym in New York State. For life. (To his credit, at least this time he opened the gym.)

There is also the small matter of the fact that Suarez’s gym (or at least the basement part of it) is probably illegal in DOB’s eyes.

Planet Thailand is officially put out of its misery. It won’t be missed.

Once upon a time, Planet (PlanEat) Thailand was a destination. People would come from Manhattan to eat at its cramped Bedford Avenue quarters (now home of half of Spike Hill). But that was in the 90s. In ’99, they moved over to a huge location on Berry, and the menu became the Microsoft Vista of pan-Asian eateries – pure bloatware. The formula worked early on, probably due to nostalgia and a lack of competition. But over the years, the quality of the food went downhill, the service just dropped off a cliff, and a quagillion other decent, good and very good restaurants.

[photo: Daily News]

In a bold and decisive move, both Democratic candidates for Mayor have vowed to appoint their own commissioners if elected. It’s not clear whether either of them is committed to smart, sustainable transportation policy – though all signs point to “not”. (And I’m betting that neither would be as decisive or bold if the subject of the question was Ray Kelly.)

Markowitz approved the Broadway Triangle rezoning, with some conditions, which generally follow those set by the Community Board. Marty goes a bit further by identifying a specific place (Whipple Street) to get additional open space. He also signed on to (and strengthened) the proposal that local businesses be protected and given relocation funds.

The Triangle moves on to City Planning now.