Monthly Archives: May 2009
Quiet Protest Outside Saint Saviour on Behalf of Beloved Principal
Today during Sunday service at Saint Saviour, a Catholic Church on 8th Avenue in Park Slope, parents protested the decision by pastor Father Murphy not to renew the contract of James Flanagan, a respected and beloved principal at the Saint Saviour Elementary school.
"I'm not naive. Given Mr. Flanagan's age, which is 62, I know he won't be principal at the school forever. He probably won't be there when my son graduates from elementary school," a parent who asked me not to use his name told me. "But Mr. Flanagan has the right to stay as long as he wants and leave the school with the same grace and dignity that he has carried himself all these years. He has led a very successful school. There are no criminal charges against him. It makes no sense."
The outraged parents, who know that Father Murphy has the final say, know that "the only chance we have is if the public outcry is so great, Murphy will sit down with the Bishop and they'll figure out a way to let Mr. Flanagan stay as a way to save face on this."
Inside the church, Father Murphy delivered a homily, interestingly enough, about the importance of change. "The holy spirit is all about change," the parent told me. "From Elvis to the Beatles or the Mets at Shea Staduium changing to Citi Field, it's all about change."
A parent, who particpated in the protest told me: "It hurt me to march outside the church but we had to get our message out. I grew up in this close-knit Catholic community in Brooklyn. I have a strong faith. But we are upset by this."
Warm Weather for Today’s Brooklyn Half-Marathon
Runners in today's Brooklyn Half-Marathon, organized by the New York Road Runners Club (and sponsored by Continental Airlines) got their start in Prospect Park at 8am.
In response to the forecast of warm race-day conditions, runners were advised to be cognizant of heat tips in preparation for the event, and to wear
hats and sunglasses during the race.
The newly designed route begins in the Park, goes to the Prospect Expressway, to Ocean Parkway and ends on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
More than 6,000 runners signed up for the race making it the biggest Brooklyn Half-Marathon ever.
The race is part of the NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix, one race in each borough of New York City.
Photos by Tom Martinez
Gowanus in the NY Times: This Looks Like a Job for Superfund
In today's editorial notebook column in the New York Times, Superfund for the Gowanus gets the nod from Eleanor Randolph.
The mayor and his team are particularly worried about how a
Superfund site would affect the real estate market, especially a few
possibilities for larger developments in the area. Instead of being
“stigmatized” by the SF label as they put it, they favor the
“Superfund Alternative” plan. Although there are few details at
this point, that effort would be run by the city and overseen by the
Environmental Protection Agency. Every year, the city would need to
cobble together funds from the Corps of Engineers and other agencies to
help clean up the area to E.P.A.’s satisfaction. The city could only
plead with polluters to help pay.
With so many pollutants and so
many polluters, this looks like a job for Superfund. Brooklyn can
handle the label. Residents already enjoy bragging about their survival
or joking about living near the canal’s dark humors. Why else have a
popular bar called the Gowanus Yacht Club? They just want the cleanup
done and done right.
Monday on Breakfast-of-Candidates: Ken Diamondstone
Up next on Breakfast-of-Candidates, Ken Diamondstone faces OTBKB's coffee cup. And what about Ken Baer, Steve Levin, Issac Abraham – the other three candidates in the 33rd? There's still time to do coffee with OTBKB.
And in case you missed these from the 33rd:
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Doug Biviano. Expect the
unexpected from Biviano. A civil engineer with degrees from Cornell
University, Biviano works as a superintendent in Brooklyn Heights
apartment building and worked as New York State Coordinator for
presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, whose politics of peace are a
strong influence. Biviano has lived the skiers life in Colorado and
sailed the Inter-Coastal Highway with his wife installing solar panels
on a boat he barely knew how to sail.
Breakfast of Candidates: Jo Anne Simon. Her career trajectory from teacher of the deaf to disability rights attorney will make you feel like a slacker and
wonder how she had time to become such a strong voice in her community
and the female Democratic District Leader and State Committeewoman for
the 52nd Assembly District. A proponent of the art of listening, she
believes that there's a place for all viewpoints at the table and that
"someone who is elected to office can work with everyone."
Breakfast-of Candidates; Evan Thies.
A former aide to City Council Member David Yassky, Thies also worked in
Hillary Clinton's upstate senate office and for Andrew Cuomo. Raised in
New Hampshire, public service was the family business and his
grandmother, Mary Mary Mongron, was appointed by NH governor John
Sununu to be the New Hampshire's Commissioner of Health and Human
Services. Struck as a child with Fibromatosis, a chronic disease, he
was
homeschooled during the worst of his illness. When he was 11, he and
his mother wrote and passed a bill about his disease. Evan studied his
twin interests, political science and journalism, at Syracuse
University but knew that he was called to public service like his grandmother.
And here are the 39ers:
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Gary Reilly. At 34 he's not quite the youngest of the candidates (John Heyer beats
him on that score) but he's plenty wet behind the ears and full of
enthusiasm about public transportation and other issues that affect voters.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Bob Zuckerman. A long-time politico, Bob is currently
executive director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development
Corporation and Gowanus Canal Conservancy. He remembers the night
Richard Nixon was elected in 1968 (he was 7-years-old) and one of his
heroes is Harvey Milk.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Brad Lander, The intellectual of the group, Brad has two master's degrees and
a BA from the University of Chicago. He made his mark running
community organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee and Pratt
Center for Community Development, advocating for affordable housing and community sustainablility.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Josh Skaller. A former computer music composer at
Harvard, it was Howard Dean's presidential campaign that jumpstarted
his interest in electoral politics. As president of the Central
Brooklyn Independent Democrats, he learned to facilitiate dialogue and
manage strong personalities. Running on a community empowerment
platform with a strong interest in the environment and smart
development, Josh is proud to be refusing donations from real estate
developers.
Breakfast of Candidates: John Heyer: An assistant to Borough President Marty Markowitz, Heyer is the only candidate for City Council born in the 39th district. A
fifth-generation Carroll Gardener, his twin passions are politics and
theology. He works as a funeral director at Scotto's Funeral home and
his knowledge of the history of the neighborhood runs deep though he is
only 27 years old.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: David Pechefsky. The Green Candidate, Pechefsky worked for 10 years in the central staff of
the New York City Council. With a master's degree in public policy and
experience advising local governments in Africa, Pechefsky knows how the
City Council works from the inside out and has ideas about how it could
better serve the people of New York City.
Learn How to Blog with Louise Crawford: 3 Mondays in June
Due to the great success of my HOW TO BLOG class at the Brooklyn
Arts Exchange I am doing it again. I hope those who participated before
will continue and new people will join, too.
Learn how to blog with Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, a
hands-on workshop for anyone interested in becoming a blogger and those
who already blog but want to know more.
Learn from a pro.
This
course will cover technical issues but also creative and conceptual
ones. We will also discuss blog design, how to write a great blog post,
top ten tips for new bloggers, search engine optimization, social
networking platforms and more.
You don't need to know a thing about blogging. All you need is the desire to blog!
Monday nights at 7 p.m. on June 1, June 8 and June 15 at BAX on Fifth Avenue and 8th Street.
 |
ACCESSBAX WORKSHOPS FOR THE CURIOUS, CREATIVE ADULT HOW TO BLOG with Louise Crawford, Mondays, June 1, 8, 15 from 7-9pm. To register call (718) 832-0018 or email |
Saint Saviour Parents Get Support From a Parish in Cincinatti
Here is a follow-up to the story about the controversy at Saint Saviour's Elementary School in Park Slope. Parents at that school learned recently that the church's pastor, Father Daniel Murphy, has decided not to renew the contract of their highly respected, longtime principal Jame's Flanagan, who has been at the school for 25 years.
Father Murphy has yet to
formally advise the parents of his decision and when
asked for the reason of his decision he has refused to discuss it. He did, however, send a letter to the faculty to inform them of his decision.
With the exception of one teacher the entire staff wants to see Mr. Flanagan stay on. They have signed a petition and sent letters to the Monsignor.
A very large number of parents have also been very vocal about their opposition. At a recent meeting of parents opposed to the actions of Father Murphy, 100 parents were there. Many have participated in low key protests in front of the school.
Father Murphy did tell Channel 12 News on May 20, 2009 that parents have no say in what happens at the school and that if the
parents do not like the new principal they can just take their kids and
go.
Nice.
It is true that under Catholic canon law, the pastor is king but it is very irksome to parents and teachers that Father Murphy refuses to take into account the almost unanimous desire of parents and teachers to keep Flanagan as their principal.
Saint Saviour parents have found support and encouragement from a parish in Cincinatti, Ohio that went through a similar struggle in 2003. Those parents were able to convince the leader of their parish to rescind his decision and reinstate their principal.
The Saint Saviour parents hope to have the same outcome here in Park Slope. The following was written by an OTBKB reader and a parent at the school
In the days immediately following Fr. Murphy's unfortunate and illogical
decision not to renew Principal James Flanagan's contract, putting aside the
intense hurt and disbelief, many parents felt like we were all alone in our
struggle.
We also feared that, although our cause was clearly moral
and just, we might not have much chance of success given that we were
up against Fr. Murphy, who has autocratically ruled over Saint Saviour's Parish
since he arrived in June 2004. I know I certainly had felt at times
that the battle was too great and wondered whether it was even worth
fighting. Thankfully, when I am at my lowest, I am reminded of
how important this struggle is every time I see my children. Knowing
how truly fortunate we all are to have such a dedicated and compassionate
Principal, whose success cannot be questioned, leading our school and our
children helps to get us through the periods of doubt.
We also have found inspiration in an unlikely place…Cincinnati,
Ohio. In the days immediately following Fr. Muphy's illogical
decision, one of our parents found an article about Nativity Grade School, a
Catholic School in Cincinnati, Ohio. On November 24, 2003, the Wednesday
before Thanksgiving, Pastor Fr. Sherlock of Nativity Parish fired the Principal
of the Grade School, Robert Herring. Like Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Herring was a
very successful principal who was beloved by his students and the parents.
For a more detailed discussion of the struggle that Nativity's parents went
through in 2003 please see http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2003d/121903/121903k.htm
decision not to renew Principal James Flanagan's contract, putting aside the
intense hurt and disbelief, many parents felt like we were all alone in our
struggle.
We also feared that, although our cause was clearly moral
and just, we might not have much chance of success given that we were
up against Fr. Murphy, who has autocratically ruled over Saint Saviour's Parish
since he arrived in June 2004. I know I certainly had felt at times
that the battle was too great and wondered whether it was even worth
fighting. Thankfully, when I am at my lowest, I am reminded of
how important this struggle is every time I see my children. Knowing
how truly fortunate we all are to have such a dedicated and compassionate
Principal, whose success cannot be questioned, leading our school and our
children helps to get us through the periods of doubt.
We also have found inspiration in an unlikely place…Cincinnati,
Ohio. In the days immediately following Fr. Muphy's illogical
decision, one of our parents found an article about Nativity Grade School, a
Catholic School in Cincinnati, Ohio. On November 24, 2003, the Wednesday
before Thanksgiving, Pastor Fr. Sherlock of Nativity Parish fired the Principal
of the Grade School, Robert Herring. Like Mr. Flanagan, Mr. Herring was a
very successful principal who was beloved by his students and the parents.
Immediately following his termination, a large group of parents went to Fr.
Sherlock and asked him to reconsider and rescind the termination. As with
Fr. Murphy, who is also in his fifth of his six year term at Saint Saviour's,
Fr. Sherlock refused to give any reason for his decision and refused
the parents request to rescind the termination. Also like Fr. Murphy, Fr.
Sherlock had limited to no involvement in the school. Over the
Thanksgiving weekend, many of the parents got together to discuss what to
do. In the weeks that followed, they prepared protest signs and
picket lines appeared outside the church and school. Parents, students and grade
school alumni also demonstrated outside the archdiocesan.
The struggle
continued for weeks with Fr. Sherlock refusing to budge. Finally, after
approximately four weeks, Fr. Sherlock agreed to
rescind the termination of Mr. Herring. Over five
years later, Mr. Herring remains the Principal of Nativity, and in 2006 was
named as one of the five National Distinguished Principals for the entire
United States.
For a more detailed discussion of the struggle that Nativity's parents went
through in 2003 please see http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2003d/121903/121903k.htm
Reading about the successful campaign run by the parents of Nativity
encouraged us. What happened next was even more inspiring.
One of the
parents in our group reached out to one of the leaders of the Nativity group to
advise them of our struggle and to request any guidance or advice they
could provide. We received several lengthy e-mails, as
well as a 20-minute phone call, which provided not only advice but
were filled with such compassion, encouragement and
understanding. In one e-mail, the gentleman from Nativity advised
that, upon reading our e-mail he immediately recalled the shock and
frustration that the November 24, 2003 discharge of long-time and
beloved Nativity School Principal Robert Herring by Fr, Sherlock and
empathized with the writer, the writer's family, Mr. Flanagan, the St.
Saviour parishioners, the school parents, the students, and the faculty.
Based on the information provided, he noted that
there were a number of similarities in Mr. Flanagan’s and Mr. Herring’s
situations. Both men were excellent and experienced principals
of thriving Roman Catholic elementary schools, respected and well-loved by their
parish communities. In each instance the pastor has refused to discuss the
reasons for his decision on the grounds of privacy. In each instance, the
pastor did not consult with, or even inform, any parish lay leadership, such as
the Pastoral Council or School Board, prior to executing his unilateral
decision. In each instance the parishioners are the subjects in an
essentially feudal system of church governance in which the bishop or the
archbishop is the overlord, the pastor is the vassal or lord of the manor, and
the parishioners are the serfs, urged to pray, pay and obey. It was noted
that this system, an autocratic one, rather than a democratic one, is a far
cry from the way in which citizens govern themselves in a democratic republic,
and publicly-traded corporations run themselves. The system, although
archaic, works until the pastor stops acting in a pastoral and benevolent way.
Unfortunately, in both Mr. Herring and Mr. Flanagan's situations, the
pastor has clearly not acted in a pastoral and benevolent
way.
The gentleman from Nativity further advised that
he believed that the efforts and prayers of hundreds collaborating in an
organized way, contributed to Mr. Herring’s reinstatement. He noted that
he was uncertain if the Archbishop of Cincinnati or his Auxiliary Bishop
reached out to Fr. Sherlock to either order or urge him to engage in the
ultimately successful mediation or to reinstate Mr. Herring. We
advised him that we hoped that our Bishops, Bishop DiMarzio and Bishop Caggiano
would investigate this matter and, upon realizing the unfortunate
decision made by Fr. Murphy, would either order or urge Fr.
Murphy to offer a new contract to Mr. Flanagan.
He stress that he believed it was
totally appropriate that the lay members of the Church, including your parish
community, express their opinions about Fr. Murphy’s decision, as prayerfully,
respectfully, and effectively as possible, just as we had done in
our letters to Bishop DiMarzio. He also noted that, throughout the
storm of controversy, Mr. Herring maintained an inspiring Christ like
approach and attitude. Mr. Flanagan has conducted himself
similarly despite how he has been
treated by Fr. Murphy.
The gentleman stated that he
was proud of his lay parish community for having chosen to
challenge the unilateral and truly lousy decision by Fr. Sherlock. He
believes that his Parish is stronger, more vital and more engaged than if
they had just accepted what seemed like a nonsensical, tyrannical
decision. In closing, he commended us for
our efforts to reinstate Mr. Flanagan as Principal and advised that our mission
is in his prayers. He also advised that he and his fellow Nativity
members would provide us with any assistance needed.
At a meeting held with
approximately one hundred parents of Saint Saviour's on May 28, 2009,
the e-mail from the gentleman was read aloud to the parents. We could not
put into words how inspired and moved we were to know that others have walked the road that we have now undertaken and worked together
for a successful result. We have written to our fellow parents at
Nativity to let them know how inspiring they are and how much their
encouragement means to us. With their continued support,
assistance and prayers, we too can hope for a proper outcome to this
unfortunate situation.
At difficult times in our
lives like this when we face such daunting tasks, we all need the love,
support and encouragement of friends. The parents of Saint Saviour's
Elementary School have now found many new friends 637 miles away at
Nativity Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio. And for that, we are truly
blessed.
Summer Knitting Camps at Stitch Therapy
Maxcine DeGouttes, owner of Stitch Therapy a knitting shop on Lincoln Place in Park Slope, ran out of her shop yesterday as I walked by to tell me about the summer camps she is offering in June and July. It's for kids ages 10 and up but there is a parent and child camp that is for 5-year-olds old, who are able to count to 5 and know right left.
Indeed, Maxcine sounded very excited about this program and I caught some of her enthusiasm. In fact, I wonder if OSFO would be interested (OSFO are you interested in knitting camp?)
I walk by Stitch Therapy every day on my way to my office and I know that it is often a busy hive of creative activity for a growing community of knitting enthusiasts. The shop has the feel of a friend's
cozy living room and customers enjoy the encouragement and shared
knowledge from Maxcine and others.
That same support is
now offered to the wider fiber arts community through her blog–where
you will find stories about what's on Maxcine's needles. Her website provides info on all the classes offered at the shop, as well as her summer camp:
SUMMER CAMP: KNIT
Description: If you want to learn how to knit this class is for you
In one week you will learn:
Long-Tail Cast-On
Continental knit Stitch
Bind-Off
Continental Purl Stitch
Knit/Purl Rib Stitch
Knit a pair of fingerless gloves, a hat or for those of you who are already knitting – knit a shrug
Beginner's learn the foundation of knitting.
Materials are approx. $40.00 – Materials must be purchased at Stitch Therapy.
Teacher – Kim Davis
Date: June 23,24, 25, 26, 2009 – Fingerless Gloves
July 14, 15, 16, 17, 2009 – Hats
July 28, 29, 30, 31, 2009 – Shrugs
Time: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Cost: $300.00
Prerequisites: Min. age 10 yrs old
SUMMER CAMP: CROCHET
Description: Learn to crochet in one week using the basic chain, single crochet and double crochet.
Learn to make:
hats and read stitch instructions
Materials are approx. $30.00 for beginners – Materials must be purchased Stitch Therapy
Teacher – Kim Davis
Date: July 21, 22, 23, 24, 2009
August 4, 5, 6, 7, 2009
Time: 11:00 am – 1:30 pm
Cost: $300.00
Prerequisites: Min. age 10 yrs old
SUMMER CAMP: FINGER KNITTING FOR PARENT AND CHILD
Description: Knitting is a wonderful way to strengthen dexterity, spacial recognition and enhance basic math skills.
Beginner sessions will learn to use their hands and fingers to knit rectangles.
Advanced sessions will knit a doll blanket.
Teacher – Morgan Hultman
Date: Choose one session at a time.
Beginner
June 13
June 14
June 27
June 28
July 11
July 12
Advance
July 25
July 26
Time:
Cost: $50.00
Prerequisites: Your child must be at least 5 yrs old, be able to count to 5 and know right left.
Materials included for beginner sessions.
Smartmom: The Meaning of Things
Here's this week's Smartmom from the Brooklyn Paper.
The meaning of things has been much on Smartmom’s mind of late.
Since Groovy Grandpa’s death last September, Smartmom, Diaper Diva and
their stepmother, MiMa Cat, have been going through his things and
struggling to decide out what to keep and what to give away.
The process is wrenching, but necessary. For Smartmom, there are
memories sewn into every one of his cashmere sweaters, his Ralph Lauren
polo shirts, his Perry Ellis suits. Needless to say, Groovy Grandpa was
a snappy dresser, and a random item of clothing can evoke a birthday
dinner at Po, a weekend at his country house, or a trip to Belmont, a
Racing Form under his arm.
She could even smell her father on some of his clothing, and that
gave her pleasure, but also made her immeasurably sad. No wonder grief
experts caution the importance of waiting until you’re ready before
going through a loved one’s clothing and personal effects.
MiMa Cat found it difficult and upsetting to see the clothing in his
closet every day, so a few months ago, Smartmom and her sister did the
deed. They saved some clothing for Teen Spirit, who loves to wear his
grandfather’s suits and elegant shoes; they gave some to Hepcat, who
loved Groovy Grandpa’s taste in outerwear, and they packed up the rest
for the Housing Works Thrift Shop.
Even now, it gives Smartmom pleasure to see Teen Spirit wearing one
of Groovy Grandpa’s ties, one of his button-down shirts, a pair of his
white bucks or wingtips. And to see Hepcat in one of the Barbour
raincoats that Groovy Grandpa brought back from a trip to Scotland is
special beyond words.
In the back of one of Groovy Grandpa’s closets, Smartmom discovered
boxes and boxes of old jazz 78s that Groovy Grandpa had collected when
he was a teenager living in Los Angeles. Smartmom could just imagine
him, a connoisseur of great music and an inveterate collector, going
from record store to record store in West Hollywood picking out his
favorite music by Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Lester
Young and Sidney Bechet, and then dragging them home in a shopping bag.
Smartmom knew that those treasures had traveled from LA to his
college days in Berkeley then cross-country to the city of his birth,
and later across the Brooklyn Bridge to his apartment in the Heights.
Apparently those records meant a lot to him.
Smartmom had a fight with Diaper Diva that day. MiMa Cat didn’t want
the 78s and Diaper Diva wanted to take them to Housing Works then and
there. Smartmom wanted to just leave them in the back of the closet to
delay the inevitable.
“We shouldn’t make any decisions yet about the records,” she told Diaper Diva. “Let’s just wait.”
There are often differences among family members about what to do
with a loved one’s things. Some, like Hepcat, are wildly sentimental
and can’t bear to part with anything from the past. Some are completely
overwhelmed and just want to give it away and sell it.
Some like Smartmom, become paralyzed and find it too difficult to make what feel like irrevocable decisions.
But that day in Groovy Grandpa’s apartment, Diaper Diva was on a
mission. It’s not that she’s unsentimental — it’s just that when she
starts a job, she likes to see it through to the end. Undeniably, there
were tears and ugly words were exchanged through gritted teeth. No fighting, no biting, the twin sisters can launch in and out of a heated argument faster than a speeding bullet. Finally, the sisters reached a
compromise and put the boxes in Diaper Diva’s Volkswagen Passat; they
would decide over the next few days what to do.
Smartmom thought about keeping them, but she has no room in her
too-small apartment, which is teeming with things Hepcat insists on
saving from his past.
In the end, Smartmom and Diaper Diva gave the 78s to a good friend
who has a 78 player in his country house. He promises to take good care
of them and let Smartmom and Diaper Diva come up anytime to listen to
them or take them back if Teen Spirit decides that he wants some of
them.
Smartmom has come to the conclusion that you can’t save everything,
nor would you want to. It’s important to be selective about it and keep
things that will be meaningful to herself and her family.
For Hepcat, she saved the best of her father’s photo books.
For Teen Spirit, she saved all the beat poetry books and the works
of Rimbaud and Verlaine. But also the shoes and the seersucker jackets.
For the Oh So Feisty One, she selected the fussy but gorgeous red
cut glass wineglasses that belonged to her middle namesake, Groovy
Grandpa’s mother, Ethel.
As for Smartmom, she took every single notebook (with his copious
and unfortunately illegible notes about what he was reading) and every
single photograph and slide he ever took, including his interesting
(and secret) art photography that she is a great appreciator of.
As the archivist of her father’s mind, she has also kept all of his
unpublished creative work. Most importantly, a book of poems for
children that he wrote in 1994 called, “Animals You Haven’t Met Yet,”
rhymes about made-up animals like the Aunteater:
He hasn’t any interest
In your uncles or your cousins
But never let him near your aunts
Because he eats them by the dozens.
Words don’t take up a lot of space. But in those wonderful poems
Smartmom has more of her father — his humor and his creativity — than
she could ever hope to keep.
Bruce Ratner to Get New Deal From the MTA
Bruce Ratner refused to testify before the hearing of the NY State Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions about the past, present and future of the Atlantic Yards Project. It was confirmed that the MTA has offered him an even sweeter sweetheart deal and the Empire State Develop Corp will release a modified project plan in the coming months,
which will require a new public hearing on the project and a new
unanimous vote by
the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) comprised of Governor
Paterson, Assembly Speaker Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm
Smith.
Here's the press release from Develop Don't Destroy. For comprehensive coverage of the hearing visit the Atlantic Yards Report: http://www.atlanticyardsreport.com/2009/05/senate-hearing-no-tough-questions-for.html
BROOKLYN, NY— The NY State Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, chaired by Senator Bill Perkins, held an oversight hearing on
Friday on the beleaguered and indeterminate Atlantic Yards project
proposed by developer Bruce Ratner in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
Friday on the beleaguered and indeterminate Atlantic Yards project
proposed by developer Bruce Ratner in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
Bruce Ratner, CEO of Forest City Ratner, refused Senator Perkins' invitation to
testify before the committee, which was seeking answers to questions
about the project's past and future viability. Though the developer did
not deign to testify, he did send his flacks Joe DePlasco and Bruce
Bender to orchestrate ongoing disruptions of the Senate hearing by
people claiming to be union construction workers.
testify before the committee, which was seeking answers to questions
about the project's past and future viability. Though the developer did
not deign to testify, he did send his flacks Joe DePlasco and Bruce
Bender to orchestrate ongoing disruptions of the Senate hearing by
people claiming to be union construction workers.
But
key agency heads did testify, including: Marisa Lago, Chair of the
project's lead agency the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC);
Interim MTA Chair Helena Williams; and NYC Economic Development
Corporation President Seth Pinsky.
key agency heads did testify, including: Marisa Lago, Chair of the
project's lead agency the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC);
Interim MTA Chair Helena Williams; and NYC Economic Development
Corporation President Seth Pinsky.
The biggest news to come out of the hearing is that:
1. The $800-900 million Barclays Center Arena, with its $400 million in naming rights for Ratner, will be a money-loser for New York City;
2. The sweetheart deal the recently bailed-out MTA gave to Ratner in 2005 is about to get sweeter for the developer and sour for the transit riding and taxpaying public
3. The ESDC will release a modified project plan in the coming months, which will require a new public hearing on the project and a new unanimous vote by
the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) comprised of Governor
Paterson, Assembly Speaker Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm
Smith.
the Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) comprised of Governor
Paterson, Assembly Speaker Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm
Smith.
"Had the MTA and ESDC chosen the higher competing
bid, and viable development proposal, from Extell Development Company
in 2005, we would have affordable housing going up over the rail yards
now, rather than an impossible development plan, pie-in-the-sky talk
about a money-losing arena, and a negotiated developer bailout on the
backs of MTA riders and taxpayer,"said Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn
spokesman Daniel Goldstein.
bid, and viable development proposal, from Extell Development Company
in 2005, we would have affordable housing going up over the rail yards
now, rather than an impossible development plan, pie-in-the-sky talk
about a money-losing arena, and a negotiated developer bailout on the
backs of MTA riders and taxpayer,"said Develop Don't Destroy Brooklyn
spokesman Daniel Goldstein.
"Ratner
and the ESDC continue to blame our opposition for their problems, but
had they listened to us in 2005 they wouldn't be in their self-made
mess. They must learn from history and stop trying to prop up the
zombie Atlantic Yards project. It's a debacle harming the public
interest while draining public resources and energy.”
and the ESDC continue to blame our opposition for their problems, but
had they listened to us in 2005 they wouldn't be in their self-made
mess. They must learn from history and stop trying to prop up the
zombie Atlantic Yards project. It's a debacle harming the public
interest while draining public resources and energy.”
The most enlightening testimony of
the day came from George Sweeting of the New York City Independent
Budget Office (IBO), who said that the project's proposed Barclays
Center Arena would be a financial loss for New York City. Since the
IBO's last report in 2005 the City subsidy had more than doubled from
$100 to 205 million. Sweeting said, "This change alone therefore
eclipses the $25 million net positive benefit to the city that we
previously estimated for the arena."
the day came from George Sweeting of the New York City Independent
Budget Office (IBO), who said that the project's proposed Barclays
Center Arena would be a financial loss for New York City. Since the
IBO's last report in 2005 the City subsidy had more than doubled from
$100 to 205 million. Sweeting said, "This change alone therefore
eclipses the $25 million net positive benefit to the city that we
previously estimated for the arena."
Norman Oder on the Atlantic Yards Report dug deeper:
(He
didn't provide the math, but it's apparently a $66 million loss.) The
bottom line, Sweeting told Perkins, was that all the assumptions about
benefits touted by the city and state officials need to be recalculated
based on current numbers, and they're not available yet. Notably, most
of the gains in tax revenue come from commercial space, and there are
no plans to build an office tower as of now.
didn't provide the math, but it's apparently a $66 million loss.) The
bottom line, Sweeting told Perkins, was that all the assumptions about
benefits touted by the city and state officials need to be recalculated
based on current numbers, and they're not available yet. Notably, most
of the gains in tax revenue come from commercial space, and there are
no plans to build an office tower as of now.
More
shocking is the news from the MTA. Ms. Williams confirmed in her
testimony that a tentative agreement has been reached with Ratner,
pending MTA board approval which will come as a rubberstamp after a
public comment session during their June 24th board meeting. In 2005
the MTA appraised the Vanderbilt Rail Yard at $214.5. Eighteen months
after Atlantic Yards was announced and Ratner anointed the MTA site,
the transit authority issued an RFP which, unsurprisingly due to the
stacked political deck, received only one other bidder. Extell
Development Company outbid Ratner $150 to $50 million. The MTA, which
was just bailed out by taxpayers, forced Ratner to up his bid to $100
million still well below the Extell bid and the appraisal.
shocking is the news from the MTA. Ms. Williams confirmed in her
testimony that a tentative agreement has been reached with Ratner,
pending MTA board approval which will come as a rubberstamp after a
public comment session during their June 24th board meeting. In 2005
the MTA appraised the Vanderbilt Rail Yard at $214.5. Eighteen months
after Atlantic Yards was announced and Ratner anointed the MTA site,
the transit authority issued an RFP which, unsurprisingly due to the
stacked political deck, received only one other bidder. Extell
Development Company outbid Ratner $150 to $50 million. The MTA, which
was just bailed out by taxpayers, forced Ratner to up his bid to $100
million still well below the Extell bid and the appraisal.
The
MTA justified acceptance of the lowball cash offer because of the
benefit the developer promised to the MTA of a new "state of the art"
rail yard. Of course Extell was offering the same thing, but Ratner
inflated the value of that new yard. Now, the MTA is set to allow
Ratner to build a scaled back version of that promised yard, and,
depending on which rumor pans out, pay only $50 million for the 8-acre
site in the heart of Brooklyn, or require only $20 million at closing
of the deal with the balance to come in "delayed payments."
MTA justified acceptance of the lowball cash offer because of the
benefit the developer promised to the MTA of a new "state of the art"
rail yard. Of course Extell was offering the same thing, but Ratner
inflated the value of that new yard. Now, the MTA is set to allow
Ratner to build a scaled back version of that promised yard, and,
depending on which rumor pans out, pay only $50 million for the 8-acre
site in the heart of Brooklyn, or require only $20 million at closing
of the deal with the balance to come in "delayed payments."
"It
is not apparent how saving $50 million overall or $80 million up front
puts Ratner over the top in his effort to build the project, those
don't seem to be make or break numbers. So, apparently, its just
another giveaway to Ratner and a fleecing of the public," Goldstein
said.
is not apparent how saving $50 million overall or $80 million up front
puts Ratner over the top in his effort to build the project, those
don't seem to be make or break numbers. So, apparently, its just
another giveaway to Ratner and a fleecing of the public," Goldstein
said.
The
ESDC's Marisa Lago declared with near certainty that there will be a
modified General Project Plan coming out sometime in the coming months,
which will trigger a new public hearing, a new vote by the ESDC board
and a unanimous vote by the PACB. This would require Governor Paterson
to put his stamp of approval on the project for the first time, which
would be difficult to do considering the state of the economy, budget
cuts, public opposition to the project and changed political
perspectives since it was first approved in 2006.
ESDC's Marisa Lago declared with near certainty that there will be a
modified General Project Plan coming out sometime in the coming months,
which will trigger a new public hearing, a new vote by the ESDC board
and a unanimous vote by the PACB. This would require Governor Paterson
to put his stamp of approval on the project for the first time, which
would be difficult to do considering the state of the economy, budget
cuts, public opposition to the project and changed political
perspectives since it was first approved in 2006.
Finally
NYC EDC Presdient Pinsky spent his testimony using outdated financial
data to continue the city's outdated argument for the project and the
New York City Housing Development Corporation testified that they do
not know how many "affordable" housing units the project would include
or when those units would be built.
NYC EDC Presdient Pinsky spent his testimony using outdated financial
data to continue the city's outdated argument for the project and the
New York City Housing Development Corporation testified that they do
not know how many "affordable" housing units the project would include
or when those units would be built.
Though
Forest City Ratner did not bother to come before the Senate Committee,
his partners at the MTA confirmed that the developer has a December 31,
2009 deadline to float the tax-exempt bond for the arena. If that
deadline is not met, Ratner would lose the tax-exempt option costing
him an estimated $150 million, severely jeopardizing the project.
Forest City Ratner did not bother to come before the Senate Committee,
his partners at the MTA confirmed that the developer has a December 31,
2009 deadline to float the tax-exempt bond for the arena. If that
deadline is not met, Ratner would lose the tax-exempt option costing
him an estimated $150 million, severely jeopardizing the project.
No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford
Tonight: Moonlight Music Tour at Green-wood Cemetery
tonight (may 30) 9:00 pm
green-wood cemetery
moonlight tour with the famous accordion half-orchestra (bob and carl this time)
and cemetery historian jeff richman
$20 i believe
5th avenue and 25th street (brooklyn)
www.green-wood.com
tomorrow (may 31) 12: noon
local produce festival / gardens of union
famous accordion orchestra (all four of us this time)
free
union street between fourth and fifth avenues
www.spokethehub.org
Brooklyn Library Faces a Budget Cut of $17.5 Million
The Brooklyn Public Library needs your help keeping their doors open. At a time when Brooklynites are using their libraries more than ever, BPL faces a budget cut of $17.5 million.
A $17.5 million budget cut would:
- ELIMINATE as many as 272 positions – that's one out of every four full-time BPL employees.
- REDUCE service to five days a week at most neighborhood libraries – with limited weekend hours.
- Buy 185,000 FEWER books, DVDs and CDs
Contact your elected officials. There's a way to do that on the BPL web page.
Movies at BAM Rose Cinema This Weekend
Here are the new releases at BAM Rose Cinema this weekend:
–The Limits of Control. Directed by Jim Jarmush
Fri, May 29—Sun, May 31 at 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30pm / Mon, Jun 1—Thu, Jun 4 at 4:30, 7, 9:30pm
—The Brothers Bloom with Adrian Brody and Mark Ruffalo
Fri, May 29—Sun, May 31 at 2:10, 4:40, 7:10, 9:30pm / Mon, Jun 1—Thu, Jun 4 at 4:40, 7:10, 9:30pm
—Summer Hours (L'heure d'été)
Fri, May 29—Sun, May 31 at 2:20, 4:30, 6:50, 9:15pm / Mon, Jun 1—Thu, Jun 4 at 4:30, 6:50, 9:15pm
Today: Old First Stoop Sale
Today. All day. In front of Old First Church in Park Slope.
Household items, lamps, dishware, kitchen appliances, furniture, decor items, children's clothing, toys, jewelry, craft items and baked goods.
The church is located on Seventh Avenue at Carroll Street.
No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford
The Loom Tonight at Sycamore on Corteylou Road
John from The Loom emailed to say that his band Loom, a band I like very much, will be playing at Sycamore. Friday 5.29 at at 8 p.m. at Sycamore, a lovely bar and flower shop on Corelyou Road.
Brooklyn sextet The Loom has harnessed the emotional power and beauty
of ensemble vocals and chiming instruments since 2006, drawing large
crowds to its many live shows throughout the NY-area and northeast.
of ensemble vocals and chiming instruments since 2006, drawing large
crowds to its many live shows throughout the NY-area and northeast.
Now, with the release of its debut EP “At Last Light” the rest of the
world can enjoy the group’s rich amalgam of folk and
Americana-influenced indie rock featuring male and female vocals,
acoustic and electric guitars, French horn, trumpet, piano, pedal
steel, bass, drums, ukulele, accordion, and banjo. The EP boasts
soaring and lilting songs ranging from gentle to anthemic and built
around subtle, affecting lyrics. The Loom’s sound has often been
compared to artists like Smog, Arcade Fire, and Fairport Convention.
Says RCRD LBL: “With Brooklyn churning out bands of all stripes at
all times, it’s becoming more and more difficult to tell them all
apart, let alone corral one whose music might send your heart aflutter.
But wait! Hearts are FLUTTERING. Working heavily in Gothic watercolors,
The Loom kick out glow-in-the-dark folk wailers that flirt.
1118 Cortelyou Road
Brooklyn, New York 11231
347-240-5850
Free Talks in June with Joyce Szuflita: Navigating High School and Middle School Choice
Joyce Szuflita, of NYC School Help, is presenting a free talk called
"Navigating HS Choice". In her talk, she will focus on how to manage the process calmly
and understand the procedures from a parent's point of view so that you
can focus on what is most important, finding a good fit school for your
child.
She won't be discussing individual schools at this venue.
Students are welcome.
This Wed., June 3, 6:30 to 7:30 at the Carroll Gardens Library (396 Clinton St, Brooklyn (718) 596-6972/Union St.) near the Carroll St. stop on the F train, and
Tues., June 16, 6:30 to 7:30 at the Park Slope Library (431 6th Ave., Brooklyn (718) 832-1853/9th St.) near
the 7th Ave. stop on the F train.
RSVP to joyce@nycschoolhelp.com with the date that you will be attending.
She is also speaking on "Navigating Middle School Choice" on
Tuesday, June 9, 6:30 to 7:30 at the Park Slope Library (431 6th Ave., Brooklyn (718) 832-1853/9th St.) near
the 7th Ave. stop on the F train.
Learn How to Blog with Louise Crawford: 3 Mondays in June
Due to the great success of my HOW TO BLOG class at the Brooklyn Arts Exchange I am doing it again. I hope those who participated before will continue and new people will join, too.
Learn how to blog with Only the Blog Knows Brooklyn, a
hands-on workshop for anyone interested in becoming a blogger and those
who already blog but want to know more.
Learn from a pro.
This course will cover technical issues but also creative and conceptual ones. We will also discuss blog design, how to write a great blog post, top ten tips for new bloggers, search engine optimization, social networking platforms and more.
You don't need to know a thing about blogging. All you need is the desire to blog!
Monday nights at 7 p.m. on June 1, June 8 and June 15 at BAX on Fifth Avenue and 8th Street.
|
ACCESSBAX WORKSHOPS FOR THE CURIOUS, CREATIVE ADULT HOW TO BLOG with Louise Crawford, Mondays, June 1, 8, 15 from 7-9pm. To register call (718) 832-0018 or email |
Leon Freilich, Verse Responder: The Bee-All
The Bee-All
More than a college degree
Can ever start to tell,
The state of your education's
Revealed by how well you spell.
It’s May 29th: Do You Know Your Child’s Public School Placement?
Public middle school and kindergarten parents are still waiting to hear where their kids will be going to school next year.
Stressful?
You bet.
Schools have been told that the letters are going out this week. Why does this remind me of last year? They kept saying, the letters went out, the letters went out. And we waited and waited.
One theory: the DOE is trying to send out the special needs and general ed placements at the same time. Last year special needs letters didn't arrive until mid-June aggravating parents of special needs kids who said they felt like second class citizens in the school system.
Advice from Joyce Szuflita of New York School Help:
As long as we are all waiting on pins and needles, I suggest that
parents present a calm and confident attitude to their children that
the placements will come and when things settle down it will all be
fine. Away from their children they can express their outrage to any
DOE and public official who will listen, that this process is too
extended, too opaque and too stressful on children and their families.
Two Historic Admiral Row Buildings to Be Saved
The City and National Guard reached an agreement to save two
decrepit, yet historic, buildings in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and destroy
eight others, ending an impasse and allowing the Navy Yard to proceed
with its controversial plan to build a supermarket.
The deal, announced by a spokesman for the city-run Navy Yard, does
not guarantee the preservation of the low-slung Timber Shed and one of
the former officers’ homes, known as Building B, which faces Flushing
Avenue. But it allows for the transfer of the federally owned “Admirals
Row” area to the city, which owns the rest of the Navy Yard.
As part of the deal, the city would then solicit bids from
developers to build a supermarket and an industrial building as well as
to “test the market” to rehabilitate and maintain the two crumbling
19th-century structures.
It’s unclear how the historic buildings would be reused. The other
eight buildings along the row could be demolished by the city, under
this agreement.
Today on Breakfast-of-Candidates: Doug Biviano (33rd Edition)
Today on Breakfast-of-Candidates, Doug Biviano, candidate for City Council in the 33rd district faces OTBKB's coffee cup. Expect the unexpected from Biviano. A civil engineer with degrees from Cornell University, Biviano works as a superintendent in Brooklyn Heights apartment building and worked as New York State Coordinator for presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, whose politics of peace are a strong influence. Biviano has lived the skiers life in Colorado and sailed the Inter-Coastal Highway with his wife installing solar panels on a boat he barely knew how to sail.
And in case you missed these from the 33rd:
Breakfast of Candidates: Jo Anne Simon. Her career trajectory from teacher of the deaf to disability rights attorney will make you feel like a slacker and
wonder how she had time to become such a strong voice in her community
and the female Democratic District Leader and State Committeewoman for
the 52nd Assembly District. A proponent of the art of listening, she
believes that there's a place for all viewpoints at the table and that
"someone who is elected to office can work with everyone."
Breakfast-of Candidates; Evan Thies.
A former aide to City Council Member David Yassky, Thies also worked in
Hillary Clinton's upstate senate office and for Andrew Cuomo. Raised in
New Hampshire, public service was the family business and his
grandmother, Mary Mary Mongron, was appointed by NH governor John
Sununu to be the New Hampshire's Commissioner of Health and Human
Services. Struck as a child with Fibromatosis, a chronic disease, he
was
homeschooled during the worst of his illness. When he was 11, he and
his mother wrote and passed a bill about his disease. Evan studied his
twin interests, political science and journalism, at Syracuse
University but knew that he was called to public service like his grandmother.
And here are the 39ers:
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Gary Reilly. At 34 he's not quite the youngest of the candidates (John Heyer beats
him on that score) but he's plenty wet behind the ears and full of
enthusiasm about public transportation and other issues that affect voters.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Bob Zuckerman. A long-time politico, Bob is currently
executive director of the Gowanus Canal Community Development
Corporation and Gowanus Canal Conservancy. He remembers the night
Richard Nixon was elected in 1968 (he was 7-years-old) and one of his
heroes is Harvey Milk.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Brad Lander, The intellectual of the group, Brad has two master's degrees and
a BA from the University of Chicago. He made his mark running
community organizations like the Fifth Avenue Committee and Pratt
Center for Community Development, advocating for affordable housing and community sustainablility.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: Josh Skaller. A former computer music composer at
Harvard, it was Howard Dean's presidential campaign that jumpstarted
his interest in electoral politics. As president of the Central
Brooklyn Independent Democrats, he learned to facilitiate dialogue and
manage strong personalities. Running on a community empowerment
platform with a strong interest in the environment and smart
development, Josh is proud to be refusing donations from real estate
developers.
Breakfast of Candidates: John Heyer: An assistant to Borough President Marty Markowitz, Heyer is the only candidate for City Council born in the 39th district. A
fifth-generation Carroll Gardener, his twin passions are politics and
theology. He works as a funeral director at Scotto's Funeral home and
his knowledge of the history of the neighborhood runs deep though he is
only 27 years old.
Breakfast-of-Candidates: David Pechefsky. The Green Candidate, Pechefsky worked for 10 years in the central staff of
the New York City Council. With a master's degree in public policy and
experience advising local governments in Africa, Pechefsky knows how the
City Council works from the inside out and has ideas about how it could
better serve the people of New York City.
Breakfast-of-Candidates (33rd Edition): Doug Biviano
Doug Biviano, a City Council candidate in the 33rd district, met me for breakfast at Theresa's, a Polish coffee shop on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights.
In 1969, Biviano was born in the Mill Basin neighborhood of Brooklyn. Biviano's dad was a Transit Authority carpenter and his mom a nursing assistant. The family later moved to Brentwood, Long Island. But his parents separated soon after and Biviano and his brother spent weekends at his father's apartment in the Ex-Lax building on Atlantic Avenue. Biviano came to love Brooklyn Heights on those trips especially when he and his father would take long walks to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade and the Fulton Ferry Landing.
Biviano attended Cornell University, where he received a B.S. and a masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering. "Math and science always came easy to me. I am a conceptual thinker," he said.
Clean cut in a blue blazer and a neat button down shirt, Biviano
ordered a bowl of fresh fruit and coffee. I ordered a toasted, buttered bagel, which
arrived toasted and dry. But my conversation with Biviano was anything but dry.
Unexpected is a word that Biviano likes and I can see why as his life story takes all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. After a post-graduate stint at an engineering firm in Buffalo, NY, Biviano followed his girlfriend (who later became his wife) to Colorado to live the skier's life. Seasonally he got work as a soil consultant at Geo Technical and Vail Associates.
"They pay you 20% in the view," Biviano told me. He enjoyed the work which involved driving to the mountains and doing foundation excavation and track rigging. Later, he got his professional engineer's license but was frustrated by the low "mountain pay" in an area, where it's very expensive to live.
Another unexpected turn: Biviano decided to start his own construction business with a friend while his wife cleaned houses. They worked hard and managed to save enough money to embark on another adventure.
The couple bought a sailboat and packed up their belongings and headed for Annapolis, Maryland to pick up their Morgan Outlander and set sail on the Inter-Coastal Highway.
Biviano and his wife knew nothing about sailing. "I figured I'd learn. You figure it out. Like running for City Council," he joked. "It's the journey always the journey," he added.
For nine months the couple lived "off the grid." On the sailboat Biviano designed and installed a solar power system with controllers and battery
bank, which utilized sun, wind, rain water and a reverse osmosis water maker. He loved the sense of community he found in Freeport where hundreds of sailors dock in the winter.
It was on this sailing adventure that Biviano developed his appreciation for the "goodness of people around the world. The people I've met are good, decent and hardworking."
When the couple realized that they were expecting a child, they sold the sailboat and headed to New York City. A job as a superintendent in a Brooklyn Heights coop provided Biviano with a job and an apartment in the neighborhood he learned to love as a teenager. Biviano is proud of the fact that he works as a laborer and an engineering professional because it gives him a broader perspective on the world.
And then 9/11 happened. Biviano watched from the roof of the Brooklyn Heights coop where he is a superintendent and wondered why someone would want to do that. "Instead of thinking 'let's go get 'em' I found myself wondering why. I wanted a deeper answer."
"I reject the 'Axis of evil.' The people I've met where I've gone are good and decent. Start there."
This revelation set Biviano on a path that has led to his candidacy for City Council. It was his subsequent discovery of WBAI on the radio dial and Amy Goodman's show Democracy Now in particular that helped him refine his humanistic and progressive beliefs.
He also discovered Dennis Kucinich, who is now one of his heroes. "I love his politics. Peace as an organizing principle of society," Biviano said. In 2004 Biviano made a monetary contribution to Kucinich's presidential campaign but in 2008, he donated his time and energy becoming Kucinich's New York State coordinator. From Kucinich he learned "the possibilities of politics" and traveled to many forums where he spoke as Kucinich's surrogate. In this capacity he discovered an ability to connect with an audience and communicate political ideas in a humanistic way.
"I learned from Kucinich to put a human face on politics. Iranians are beautiful people. They love their children. If you start from there, put a human face on it, it's different."
With two kids at PS 8 (and another child too young for school), Biviano is a regular school yard dad. A year ago, he found out that a friend was out of a job and would be paying $1,600 a month for COBRA.
"There are 400,000 people in Brooklyn without health insurance," he told me incredulously. Biviano advocates a single-payer system supported by a group called Physicians for a Single Payer Health Plan that would cover all medically necessary services, including: doctor, hospital, preventive,
long-term care, mental health, reproductive health care, dental,
vision, prescription drug and medical supply costs.
When Biviano realized that that City Council Member David Yassky was
vacating his Council seat, he decided to throw his hat into the race with a focus on Medicare for all, a livable
city that respects its institutions like public schools and big picture ideas like reducing the budget for war as a way to fund cities.
"I'm a dreamer. A little kid," Biviano told me. And in a way it's true. It's his background in engineering that taught him an important maxim: "if you can think about it you can build it."
We were talking for 90-minutes when I realized I had to leave to see a friend on a panel about search engine optimization at the Brooklyn Business Summit.
"Do you know where Polytechnic Institute is?" I asked Biviano.
He volunteered to walk me over to the school which is in the Metro-Tech complex not far from Theresa's. This gave us a chance to continue our conversation while we walked speedily in the light rain.
Biviano is running for City Council because he believes that the City legislature is a powerful position on the world stage. "It's such a powerful platform for a massive Democratic voice."
At the candidates forums Biviano has been an unexpected and sometimes refreshing presence. He talks about bringing fun to politics. But he's very serious, too about the ways that war spending takes away from our cities.
"Let's take a slice of the trillion-dollar war pie and feed investment
in our communities," said Biviano. "There are structural problems at
the city, state, and federal levels where there are funding processes
that are not connected to community interests. I want to think big," Biviano told the Brooklyn Star.
OTBKB Music: Friday Recommendation
If the name Li'l Mo sounds familiar that's because I've mentioned her
before. Tonight she comes into Two Boots right here in Park Slope with her band, the Monicats,
behind her brand new album, On the Moon.
A few words about On the Moon: the album is already one of my faves for
the first half of 2009. It's a blend of country, rockabilly, blues,
60s pop and more, mostly Li'l Mo originals but with a few inspired
covers (including one from Bill Haley and The Comets) as well.
Li'l Mo's singing and songwriting are top notch here. And
even though the official CD release party for On the Moon is next Thursday,
I'm sure that copies of it will be available. I even love the name of the record label, Cow Island Music.
A great show right here in the nabe and there's no cover. No reason to miss this.
Li'l Mo and the Monicats, Two Boots, 514 2nd Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues), 10pm
No Words Daily Pix: Photograph by Hugh Crawford
Saturday: Brooklyn Half-Marathon Starts in Prospect Park, Ends in Coney Island
My favorite race, the Brooklyn Half-Marathon, is this Saturday, May 30th starting at 8 am in Prospect Park.
At the finish line: more than 30 participating Coney Island
shops, restaurants and attractions will host special discounts to runners and
spectators, including the famed Cyclone Roller Coaster, Deno’s
Wonder Wheel
Park and Nathan’s hot
dogs.
Quite a few Park Slope restaurants are having Brooklyn Half-Marathon specials. Those restaurants include: Apertivo Cafe, Melt, Blue Ribbon, Barrio, Playa, Sotto Voce, Alata
Voce, Cataldo's, Gialeti's Cafe, Down Under Bakery/The Pie Shop and
12th Street Bar & Grill. Go to NYRR.org for more information.
There will also be family activities on the beach, including
Ringling Bros. performers, salsa lessons, a tug of war, DJs, kid’s obstacle course and
more.
What:
Nearly 10,000 runners plan to take part in the NYRR Half-Marathon Grand
Prix Presented by Continental Airlines: Brooklyn, a 13.1-mile journey that
starts in Prospect
Park and finishes on the iconic boardwalk at
Coney Island . Registration numbers are expected to reach
an all-time record high and race officials anticipate almost double the 2008
finisher total of 5,832.
When:
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Start: 8:00 a.m.
Kids’ Races: 10:45 a.m.
Where:
Course Start: On Center Drive in
Prospect Park
Finish: On boardwalk behind KeySpan Field
Post-Race Activities
Kids’ Races: To be held inside
KeySpan Park
(weather permitting)
Beach Party and Post-Race Festival: To take place on the beach adjacent
to the finish line
Richard Grayson: Happy Anniversary to My Mom and Dad
I just got an email from Richard Grayson, a sometime contributor to OTBKB, about the 60th anniversary of his parents.
He says that he spent over an hour yesterday morning driving all over Mesa and the
East Valley in Ariszona trying in vain "to find a 60th wedding anniversary card (the
highest we could find in this part of Arizona was for the 50th), this
is the best we can do for our mom and dad, Marilyn and Daniel Grayson."
His parents were married sixty years ago today, on May 28, 1949 at the Park Manor
on Eastern Parkway and Rogers Avenue (now the First Baptist Church of
Crown Heights).
Mom & Dad at the bungalows of Rockaway Beach, September 4, 1946
Mom & Dad at lunch, Apache Junction, AZ, May 27, 2009
Letter to the Bishop In Support of Principal James Flanagan
Here is the letter submitted to Bishop DiMarzio from parents at Saint Saviour's Elementary School, who are unhappy about the decision not to renew the contract of their longtime and highly respected principal James Flanagan.
Most Reverend Nicholas Anthony DiMarzio, Ph.D, D.D.
75 Green
Avenue
Brooklyn, New York
11238
Re:
Saint Saviour’s Elementary School
75 Green
Avenue
Brooklyn, New York
11238
Re:
Saint Saviour’s Elementary School
Dear Bishop DiMarzio:
I am a parent of a student at St. Saviour’s Elementary School
(“SSES”). Last week, I learned that Father Murphy, the Pastor of Saint
Saviour’s, has decided not to renew the contract of Principal James Flanagan,
who has dedicated the last twenty-five (25) years to SSES. To date,
Father Murphy has failed to formally advise the parents of SSES of his decision,
to provide us with any reason for his decision, and to discuss his apparent new
vision for the future of our beloved school. Bishop DiMarzio, under your
leadership, you have previously made clear that the Diocese is not interested in
weakening healthy schools. Moreover, in these difficult times for our
Catholic schools, you have indicated that the input and activity of the parents
is essential to the decision making process. In fact, as noted in the May
16, 2009 editorial of The Tablet, “[n]ot only has our diocesan bishop clearly
emblazoned his stamp on the preservation of Catholic schools; he has summoned
our laity to come to their rescue, laying out a strategy to ensure it.”
Fr. Murphy’s actions appear to be in direct conflict with these
points.
(“SSES”). Last week, I learned that Father Murphy, the Pastor of Saint
Saviour’s, has decided not to renew the contract of Principal James Flanagan,
who has dedicated the last twenty-five (25) years to SSES. To date,
Father Murphy has failed to formally advise the parents of SSES of his decision,
to provide us with any reason for his decision, and to discuss his apparent new
vision for the future of our beloved school. Bishop DiMarzio, under your
leadership, you have previously made clear that the Diocese is not interested in
weakening healthy schools. Moreover, in these difficult times for our
Catholic schools, you have indicated that the input and activity of the parents
is essential to the decision making process. In fact, as noted in the May
16, 2009 editorial of The Tablet, “[n]ot only has our diocesan bishop clearly
emblazoned his stamp on the preservation of Catholic schools; he has summoned
our laity to come to their rescue, laying out a strategy to ensure it.”
Fr. Murphy’s actions appear to be in direct conflict with these
points.
As I am sure you are aware, in a period where numerous other
parochial schools within your Diocese have been closed, or are in the process of
closing, SSES has continued to thrive and flourish. Our children are
blessed to obtain not only an incredible scholastic education, but an
understanding of the Catholic faith and how to live the life of a good Catholic
in all that they do. You would be incredibly proud of the exemplary
Catholic children who have graduated from SSES and go out into the world with
such a strong religious base. As you have previously noted on numerous
occasions, our children are the future of our faith. Having had the
opportunity to observe the children of SSES, including my own child, I am
pleased to say the future of our faith is bright.
parochial schools within your Diocese have been closed, or are in the process of
closing, SSES has continued to thrive and flourish. Our children are
blessed to obtain not only an incredible scholastic education, but an
understanding of the Catholic faith and how to live the life of a good Catholic
in all that they do. You would be incredibly proud of the exemplary
Catholic children who have graduated from SSES and go out into the world with
such a strong religious base. As you have previously noted on numerous
occasions, our children are the future of our faith. Having had the
opportunity to observe the children of SSES, including my own child, I am
pleased to say the future of our faith is bright.
While there are many reasons for the success of SSES, including
dedicated teachers and responsible parents, the one constant in SSES has been
the leadership and guidance of our principal, Mr. Flanagan. Over the last
twenty-five (25) years, Mr. Flanagan has devoted his life to the education and
spiritual growth of all of the children at SSES. To see him interact with
the students, all of who he knows by name, and to see the devotion his students
have toward him, is a source of immense pride. He not only teaches the
Catholic faith to his students but provides an example of what it means to be a
good Catholic in his dedication and compassion to the children.
dedicated teachers and responsible parents, the one constant in SSES has been
the leadership and guidance of our principal, Mr. Flanagan. Over the last
twenty-five (25) years, Mr. Flanagan has devoted his life to the education and
spiritual growth of all of the children at SSES. To see him interact with
the students, all of who he knows by name, and to see the devotion his students
have toward him, is a source of immense pride. He not only teaches the
Catholic faith to his students but provides an example of what it means to be a
good Catholic in his dedication and compassion to the children.
Mr. Flanagan is an incredibly proud and dedicated man who has
devoted his life to the children of SSES. As a parent, I have been
extremely fortunate to have him serve as Principal and I believe Fr. Murphy’s
decision not to renew his contract will have a significant negative effect
on SSES, its students and the Parish. Accordingly, I
respectfully request that you look into this matter and, upon confirming the
significant and positive role Mr. Flanagan has had and continues to have at
SSES, you make every effort to persuade Fr. Murphy to reverse his unfortunate
decision not to offer Mr. Flanagan a new contract.
devoted his life to the children of SSES. As a parent, I have been
extremely fortunate to have him serve as Principal and I believe Fr. Murphy’s
decision not to renew his contract will have a significant negative effect
on SSES, its students and the Parish. Accordingly, I
respectfully request that you look into this matter and, upon confirming the
significant and positive role Mr. Flanagan has had and continues to have at
SSES, you make every effort to persuade Fr. Murphy to reverse his unfortunate
decision not to offer Mr. Flanagan a new contract.
Respectfully
submitted,
submitted,
Peaceful Protests at Saint Saviour’s Elementary School In Support of Principal
The longtime and well-respected principal of Park Slope's Saint Saviour's Elementary School may not have his contract renewed and the parents are furious.
I am not sure if this is necessarily something that you would blog about but I was wondering if you were aware of what was presently happening at Saint Saviour's Elementary School on 8th Avenue between 7th and 8th Street in Park Slope.
While numerous other schools have been closed or are being closed in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Saint Saviour's has thrived and grown and now has over 400 students. It is also an amazingly ethnically diverse school with approximately half of the students coming from out of Parish. The reason so many parents are willing to travel to and send their children to Saint Saviour's is because of the great education and religious teaching our children receive.
While the success of the school can be attributed to many factors, including incredible teachers and dedicated parents, the one constant has been our principal, James Flanagan, who has served as principal at St. Saviour's for the past 26 years.
Recently, we learned that our pastor, Father Daniel Murphy, has decided not to renew Mr. Flanagan's contract. Fr. Murphy has yet to formally advise the parents of the school of his decision and when asked for his reason for his decision, he has refused to discuss it. He was, however, quoted on Channel 12 news on May 20, 2009 of saying that the parents have no say in what happens at the school and that if the parents do not like the new principal they can just take their kids and go.
Obviously these comments are very troubling and unfortunately serve as an example of Fr. Murphy's tenure at St. Saviours. Fr. Murphy's decision is even more troubling given the fact that he has admittedly not stepped foot in the School for over two years and earlier this year, when asked directly by a parent why he doesn't visit the school, advised that he doesn't go to the school because it "drains" him.
Many of the parents have joined together and have sent numerous letters to both Bishop DiMarzio, the head of the Diocese, and Bishop Caggiano, the Aux. Bishop who is overseeing the schools. We have also reached out to Dr. Thomas Chutzutko, the Superintendent of Schools. Unfortunately, to date we have not received any response or even an acknowledgment from the Bishop's concerning our letters and the only response we have received from Dr. Chutzutko is that he has no power or authority to address any decision made by Father Murphy.
Faced with the continued non-responsiveness of the Diocese, the parents have now begun to hold peaceful protests in front of Saint Saviour's rectory between 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to let the public know what is going on.
The protests are intentionally small, usually less than 10 people, as the parents do not want to offend anyone but have no other way to let their voices be heard. There will also be a candle light vigil outside the rectory this evening.
If this is a story of interest for you blog, we would all greatly appreciate any effort on your part to get the word out about our struggle and dispute with the Diocese. We did not choose this battle but feel we must face it head on for the sake of our children.
Note: Although Bishop Caggiano has not yet responded to any of the numerous
letters sent by concerned parents, alumni and parishoners, Bishop
Caggiano has assured Mr. Flanagan that he will respond individually to
each and every letter sent. It is unknown when Bishop Caggiano's
responses will be provided.