Brooklyn Fishing Derby

09/30/2009 | 1 Comment

The first annual Brooklyn Fishing Derby is a derby unlike any other (well, it’s sorta like other fishing competitions but this one’s in Brooklyn!). Whether you’re an experienced angler or don’t know which end of a fishing rod to hold all are welcome to some friendly competition, great parties with other Brooklyn anglers, and a chance to win some sweet prizes.

Mark your calendars and get out the fishing gear – tomorrow kicks off the first annual Brooklyn Fishing Derby. The Derby rund through the end of the month and covers the north Brooklyn waterfront, from the Gowanus Canal (Red Hook) to Newtown Creek (Long Island City – apparently that counts as Brooklyn now). There are even cash prizes and opening and closing parties at the Brooklyn Rod and Gun Club (wherever that is). (As far as I can tell, there is no requirement that you eat what you catch.)

Many more details at Brooklyn Chowder Surfer.

I’ll put my money on Key Lime Steve to take home a prize.

VOTE!

09/29/2009 | Comment

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.

TransGas Suit Dismissed

09/28/2009 | Comment

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.

More Elections

09/25/2009 | Comment

Even I am suffering from election OD. But there is another election next week, and it is an important one. The good news is that the 11% of us who voted last week are off the hook – the other 89% of registered Democrats will, however, need to go to the polls on Tuesday to vote for Comptroller and Public Advocate.

In the Comptroller race, there is a run off between David Yassky of Brooklyn and John Liu of Queens. Yassky has the stronger record and a healthy list of endorsements – all three major dailies as well as politicos like Chuck Schumer, Ed Koch (who had been endorsing Melinda Katz in the primary), and Katz herself. Liu has his own collection of political endorsements, including former Comptroller candidate David Weprin, Congressman Charlie Rangel and former State Comptroller H. Carl McCall. What Liu lacks in newspaper support he makes up for in union endorsements (though Yassky has the Freelancer’s Union, which counts for something in my book!). And, importantly, Liu has the support of the Working Families Party, which has been throwing its weight around in City elections.

Yassky and Liu have been on the opposite side in a couple of recent City Council votes. Most famously, the vote on term limits, which Yassky ultimately supported and Liu was opposed to down the line. Liu opposed the recent City Council Bicycle Access Bill (which Yassky was the sponsor of), and used his position as chair of the Council’s Transportation Committee to stall the bill (a bill Liu had co-sponsored before he decided to run against Yassky for Comptroller).

On the Public Advocate front, City Councilman and Brooklynite Bill de Blasio is running against former Public Advocate Mark Green. Both men have political ambitions beyond Public Advocate, the difference between the two is that de Blasio has actually been elected to a position other than Public Advocate.

And I was kidding about the 11% – everyone has to vote on Tuesday.

Sweater Lofts Vacated

09/24/2009 | 6 Comments

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.

Truck Troubles on North 11th Street

09/21/2009 | Comment

While I was at the ~~Finger~~Albero 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.

Semi-Official: Finger is 14

As noted in the Williamsburg Courier, the new developers of the ~~Finger Building~~ Albero held a meeting with some community board members last week. The big news was the confirmation that the development will cap at 14 stories, two stories than allowed under their existing permits. Also big news is that the new developers (GFI Capital) is willing to meet with the community (they are scheduling meetings with heir neighbors next).

Democracy in Action

09/15/2009 | Comment

Last one – in the 20th Council district, Yen Chou wins with less than 25% of the vote. Only 1,825 votes wins a council race.

Elsewhere

Some other races of note:

In the 35th, Letitia James wins in a walk – 81% – as I thought.

In the 45th, Kendall Stewart is out, Jumaane Williams is in.

In the 1st, Margaret Chin upends Alan Gerson by 10 points.

In the 3rd, Chris Quinn is struggling to break 50% with 82% counted. Interesting.

In the 14th, Maria Baez is out, which should give her more time not to show up.

Overall, half of the council races will be won by candidates who got less than 50% of the vote. Tish James and Rosie Mendez win in the biggest landslides (each over 81%). Two council races will be won with only about 25% of the popular vote.

In the race for Comptroller, Liu is still not cracking 40% – 38% with 99% of votes counted. Yassky is just over 30%.

In the race for Public Advocate, its definitely a runoff – de Blasio has 33%, Green has 31%.

Levin In

With over 99% of the votes counted, Steve Levin has 34% of the vote. Jo Anne Simon is next with 20%. Isaac Abraham and Evan Thies are in a very close race for third (right now, Isaac is ahead by 29 votes).

Congratulations, Steve.