It’s here – Democratic primary runoff day. One of the biggest wastes of money in electoral politics, but it’s an even bigger waste of money if you don’t vote. Today’s election pits Brooklynite Bill deBlasio against Manhattanite Mark Green for Public Advocate, and Brooklynite David Yassky against Queensian (?) John Liu for Comptroller.

Two citywide elections of considerable import that will probably be decided by less 10% of eligible voters. Personally, I’m voting the Brooklyn ticket down the line.

Via Adam Perlmutter, word that the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court has tossed out TransGas’s latest courtroom gambit. Or, in the words of Justices Spolzino, Skelos, Dillon and Covello:

ORDERED that the motion of the respondent City of New York to dismiss the petition insofar as asserted against it for failure to timely join it as a necessary party is denied; and it is further,

ADJUDGED that the determination is confirmed, the petition is denied, and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, without costs or disbursements.

Perlmutter, who has been one of the leaders in the community opposition to TGE’s Bushwick Inlet plan, says that the company’s only recourse at this point is to appeal to the State Court of Appeals (the highest court in the state).

So Williamsburg and Greenpoint are one step closer to getting a substantial piece of land for Bushwick Inlet Park, but there is still more waiting in store.

NewYorkShitty reports that the Sweater Lofts (239 Banker Street) has been issued a vacate order by DOB. Once again, tenants are out on the street while the landlord who created the problem is in the clear.

Normally, I’d more upset for the tenants, but this has always been a case of landlord blatantly flouting the laws for a quick buck. I think there is a big difference between a legitimate live/work loft situation and a situation like this where the landlord was bottom feeding for a fast buck. Unlike the typical loft situation, the landlord converted the building on his own dime and marketed it as residential when he knew that was illegal. Does it suck that innocent tenants are shit out of luck? Absolutely. But this is very different than 475 Kent or 889 Broadway – lofts where the tenants themselves had a lot of time. money and effort invested in the building. This is just a case of a landlord taking advantage of the law and his tenants.

While I was at the FingerAlbero meeting, there was another small gathering to hear the DOT’s latest position on truck traffic in the neighborhood. According to the Courier, DOT is considering taking a more comprehensive approach to the problem of truck traffic in Greenpoint and Williamsburg:

DOT officials said they are widening the scope of their plan, which now includes diverting truck traffic to Greenpoint, McGuiness and Meeker avenues.

“Time is money to truckers and convenience is money,” said DOT spokesman Seth Solomonow.“Hopefully this encouragement to take McGuiness or Greenpoint will separate shorter truck trips from longer distance truck trips that don’t end in Northside Williamsburg.”

Hmmm, that sounds kind of familiar. Next thing you know, DOT will be commissioning a comprehensive truck study for CB1. It could happen.