Due to (potentially) inclement weather, Williamsburg Walks is not happening tomorrow.
Wimps.
Williamsburg Walks CANCELLED Tomorrow
Rescission
The insurance industry — you know, the one conservative lawmakers and the AMA are so desperate to protect at all costs — has this unpleasant habit called “rescission.” Customers have insurance, and they pay their premiums, but once they get sick and require expensive medical treatment, the companies drop the coverage.
[…]
One executive said rescission is about “stopping fraud and material misrepresentations that contribute to spiraling healthcare costs.” So, for example, when a woman in Texas was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer, her insurer dropped her coverage because the company found an instance in which she visited a dermatologist for acne, and didn’t tell the insurance company about it. This, the insurer said, was an example of “fraud and material misrepresentation.”
“Late in the hearing, [Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.)], the committee chairman, put the executives on the spot. Stupak asked each of them whether he would at least commit his company to immediately stop rescissions except where they could show ‘intentional fraud.'”The answer from all three executives: “No.”
Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) added, “This is precisely why we need a public option.”
As Gruber said, U.S. health insurance executives are simply evil bastards.
Unfortunately, our very expensive, very inefficient and highly rationed model of healthcare doesn’t show any signs of going away.
7-11 Comes to Manhattan Avenue
Halpern-Perlow Store, 883 Manhattan Avenue
Photo: Forgotten New York
UPDATE: Turns out Miss Heather noted this back in February. So has the owner/7-11 been working for three-plus months without a permit and against a standing stop-work order? Its not clear what is happening behind the brown wrapping, but that would be the Greenpoint way.
Via Greenpointers, word that 7-11 is coming to Manhattan Avenue. Since its across the street from a Dunkin’ Donuts, I assume it will fit right in.
Or will it? The proposed 7-11 is located in the Greenpoint Historic District. Below is a view from Forgotten NY showing how the building looked IN 2004. Halpern-Perlow left years before that, but the enamel metal panels of their storefront were still intact. The building itself is a small taxpayer building of no character, but the storefront has (or had) some character to it. It may be me, but I find the mid-century storefronts that run up and down Manhattan Avenue very charming. They usually have recessed show windows that invite you off the crowded sidewalk to window shop. And like Halpern-Perlow, they often include materials and details from another era.
7-11 is likely to bring nothing in the way of charming or pedestrian friendly to this spot. And looking at DOB, they are likely to bring nothing legal here either – the property has had a stop work order in effect since 1998 (for a Landmarks violation). And even though their building permit application is marked disapproved, it would seem from this flickr photo by Natalia F. that work is ongoing. Since the photo was taken in March, and they didn’t even file for a DOB permit until April 30, I guess they’ll fit into North Brooklyn just fine.
Halpern-Perlow Store, 883 Manhattan Avenue
Photo: Natalia F. on flickr
The $100,000 House
Via Phil, the $100K house project. A whole site dedicated to developing affordable new construction (or new construction that the rest of us can afford). The concept price doesn’t include land, but it does include simple, modern design. A great concept for low-scale infill housing.
Rabbi in Jailhouse Bar Mitzvah Inquiry Met WIth Mayor’s Top Political Strategist
To talk about bike lanes on Kent Avenue.
Rye in Williamsburg
One star from Bruni.
Vendors Upset Over City Plan to Relocate McCarren Greenmarket
“It may be the end of this market.”
Sounds like hyperbole to me. I like the market where it is. I liked its old location. I’m sure I will like the new location. Particularly since there are tables and chairs nearby. And no mud puddles to negotiate.
I guess, in short, I like the Greenmarket.
Broadway Triangle: Good Point
In a recent comment, “Vito” wondered why I haven’t posted anything about the Broadway Triangle contretemps (or near riot, as Vito put it) at last week’s CB1 meeting. A fair question. I’m not pretending like nothing happened, I just haven’t posted much of anything in the past week – the result of a busy week at work and long weekend away.
To commenter John and others who have not been playing along at home, the Broadway Triangle is a long-simmering proposal to rezone a portion of the neighborhood north of Flushing and west of Broadway. Local community groups representing a broad array of residents have worked with HPD to put together a rezoning plan. Other local community groups (which were not allowed a role in the process) representing a broad array of residents oppose this plan and have a plan (or plans) of their own. The latter group showed up in force (50 by the Observer’s count, over 100 by the Courier’s count) at last week’s CB1 meeting and shouted down the presentation being made by the City. The goal of the protest, according to one organizer, was to “shut [the hearing] down” – which to a great measure it did. Its a questionable tactic in my mind, as the process already began a month ago when City Planning certified the rezoning, and “shutting down” the presentation last Tuesday would do nothing to derail the ULURP train. The real result of all the shouting is that most members of the Community Board, who ultimately will have to vote on the City’s proposal, don’t know what the City’s plan is or what the opposition’s plan is.
Feel free to comment.
For past coverage, look here:
Triangle Feud Grows Acute [Courier]
Bizarro Zoning Fight in Williamsburg [Observer]
The Fight for the Triangle [Gazette]
Pratt Students Wade into Broadway Triangle Storm [Gazette]
Bloomberg’s Politics Over People [El Diario]
Broadway Triangle Certified [11211]
New Broadway Triangle Vision Unifies Community [11211]
Broadway Triangle Follow Up [11211]
Build it Taller [11211]
Cleric Who Fought Land Deal Axed [11211]
A partisan view (including links to alternate plans):
Photo of the Day: Rainbow
North 5th and Driggs, June 28th
Photo: .hello foto via 11211 flickr pool