CITY REJECTS WILLIAMSBURG/ GREENPOINT COMMUNITY
Transcription
CITY REJECTS WILLIAMSBURG/ GREENPOINT COMMUNITY
Vo l u m e X X X V I I I N u m b e r V M a y 1 - 31, 2 010 Es t. 1974 CITY REJECTS WILLIAMSBURG/ GREENPOINT COMMUNITY 20-Year Resident Effort Tossed to Benefit Private Developer By Leonard Martin » 2 Rose Plaza Passes City Council 4 Emergency Funds for Section 8 5 Williamsburg Walks In mid-April, Community Board 1 voted to support a community-driven plan to redevelop the small remaining potion of the defunct Greenpoint Hospital. This action reinforced the longaccepted community plan for the complex. Ten days later, the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) shunned the board’s recommendation and instead chose a private company from outside the neighborhood to develop the city-owned site. The decision angered residents who had worked tirelessly to make productive use of the site since the hospital closed in 1982. Many are asking why the city prefers powerful developers over local organizations that are just as capable. INSIDE Reduced to One Weekend NORTH BROOKLYN: A STATISTICAL APPRAISAL Greenpoint cracks top 5 of statistical neighborhood livability rankings; Williamsburg 20th By Karl Benson Greenpoint is on [ital] point, according to a recent survey that ranks the North Brooklyn neighborhood as the city’s fifth most “livable.” For 28 years, members of the Greenpoint Renaissance Enterprise Corporation advocated to turn the former Greenpoint Hospital site into something that would benefit the community. In April, the city turned its back on those efforts and gave control of the site to a for-profit company with no connection – and accountability – to Williamsburg and Greenpoint. Pictured are GREC members Guido Cianciotta, Tish Cianciotta, Jan Peterson, and Marie Leanza. Ron Schiffman, former City Planning Commissioner and former Director of Pratt Center for Community Development, expressed these sentiments, saying, “By selecting a private developer with no track record of working in the area, the city repudiated the community’s planning efforts and the idea of community development in general.” Schiffman added, “The city should have used the resources within this community. Instead, it failed to act on the land for more than five years and blocked community development. It utterly ignored a coalition of community non-profits whose proposal had garnered CB 1 support, and who had worked in this community for 25 years.” “The community board had just voted on it, and then after no public process, the city just gave away this land that the community had fought for 28 years. It’s like nobody cared about what the community felt at all,” said Jan Peterson, President of the Neighborhood Women of Williamsburg-Greenpoint. Peterson’s organization is one of five that comprise the Greenpoint Renaissance Enterprise Corporation (GREC), the longstanding coalition whose community-based plan for the site was supported by CB 1. St. Nicks Alliance is another GREC coalicontinued on page 3 The rankings are the result of a quantitative index created by Nate Silver, a renowned statistical analyst of both baseball and politics. The index takes twelve categories into account including housing cost, safety, transit, and public schools. These categories were weighted in order of importance, with Silver making use of surveys to determine the weights. Greenpoint’s high ranking owed to its excellent public schools, which ranked first in the survey measuring test scores and level of parental satisfaction. Silver also noted that the continued on page 5 Budget cuts have devastated St. Nicks Alliance youth summer camps. We need YOUR support. JOIN US OR DONATE TO WALK FOR CAMP May 27, 2009 (rain date May 28) Starts at 11 Catherine St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn For more info or to donate, go to Stnicksalliance.org YOUR AD HERE USE GREENLINE’S CIRCULATION OF 13,000 TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS. For more information, call Greg at 718-388-5454 x167 PG . 2 |Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | GR E E NL I NE LENTOL TO GOOGLE: I’LL SWIM IN NEWTOWN FOR HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND By Karl Benson connection.” First, a dolphin was spotted swimming in the notoriously polluted Newtown Creek. Is the local Assemblyman next? He added, “And that’s why its worth it: The businesses, artists, families, students, and everyone in between deserve the best and I’m going to do everything in my power to give it to them.” Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, 67, said he would take the dirty dip if the internet company Google installs an ultra-high-speed internet connection in North Brooklyn. Google is planning on installing such networks in a small handful of trial communities across the country. The network connection would deliver internet speeds more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today, enabling users to download a high-definition, fulllength movie in less than give minutes. Lentol submitted an application on behalf of North Brooklyn. Quipping about the environmental hazards of Newtown Creek – which was recently nominated for consideration to become a Federal Superfund site because of its history of environmental degradation – Lentol said, “Even if I grow a third arm, I bet I still won’t be able to keep up with the speed of this Google broadband The idea to submit the application came to Lentol via one of his constituents, Chris Johnson, who contacted Lentol’s district office. Since then, the issue has drawn widespread support from the North Brooklyn community, one of the city’s most technologically savvy. A Facebook page dedicated to the cause – entitled “Greenpoint/Williamsburg for Google Fiber Optic” – has garnered 550 fans. “The diversity of North Brooklyn shows that this project can positively impact my constituents who are from all walks of life,” said Lentol. “Gaining access to such ultra-high speed internet can have an immense impact on North Brooklyn because the internet is the great equalizer. It can catapult the success of artists and small businesses as well as stimulated the education of our students.” PROJECT COMES UP ROSES AT CITY COUNCIL Levin’s last-minute deal increases affordable housing at Rose Plaza by 10% By Billy Godfrey An increased commitment to affordable and family housing gave Councilman Steve Levin a rosy outlook on Rose Plaza, the proposed 774-unit Waterfront development on Kent and Division Avenues. The full City Council followed Levin’s example and approved the development last month. Levin supported a measure after brokering a deal that would have project developers increase the number of below marketrate units from 20 percent to 30 percent. The deal also calls for increases the number of three and four-bedroom apartments, from 20 overall to 74 overall. All of these large units will be priced at below market-rates. The increased number of affordable large units is largely seen as a measure to placate the neighboring Hasidic community, which tends to have large families. Many Hasidic leaders had objected to the proposal because most of its units were small. Hasidic leaders feared the development would become an outpost for wealthy young professionals without families rather than something that would serve the preexisting community. “We are now guaranteed a development that will serve the greater Williamsburg Community,” Levin said. Ward Dennis, Chair of the Com mu n ity Board 1 Land Use Committee, praised the deal As is customary, as well. This is the City Council’s significant beland-use commitcause Community tee followed the Board 1 emphatiexample of Levin, cally voted down who represents the the proposal on area, and voted to the grounds that support the project it did not have before the full City enough affordable Local Councilman Steve Levin brokered a deal to housing. “This is Council did the ensure more affordable housing for Rose Plaza same. the balance that the community “I am proud that board has sought the communities I represent stood up, with all along, and Councilman Levin is to be my fellow Brooklyn elected officials, to de- congratulated for his hard work in achievmand a development that will benefit our ing it,” said Dennis. community,” said Levin. Assemblyman Joseph Lentol FAIR PROMOTES HEALTHY EATING AND LIFESTYLE HABITS Two local elected officials – Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Councilwoman Diana Reyna – teamed up last month to host a health fare at Hope Gardens Community Center. Representatives from several local health service providers participated, educating those who attended about healthy eating and healthy lifestyles. Other local organizations enrolled area children in summer programs to ensure that the children stay active. Statistics from the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Community Health Profile of the Williamsburg/Bushwick area paint a grim portrait, with residents exhibiting a very high rate of obesity (28 percent) and diabetes (14 percent). The same 2006 profile found that “Bushwick and Williamsburg residents had an average annual heart disease hospitalization rate in 2003-2004 that was almost 50 percent higher than the Brooklyn rate and 60 percent higher than the rate in New York City overall.” Said Councilwoman Reyna, “Our community needs to get exposed to the programs that are available locally to end the cycle of obesity and inactivity present in our community.” Councilwoman Diana Reyna (left) with community residents Community Beat Yassky Introduces Greenhouse Gas g CITY REJECTS WILLIAMSBURG/ Reduction Proposal s utilizram in we can velopefit the ” t invesPfizer interHDFC, ted to Funds e used create cial vi- sel) by year-end 2008, B10 by year-end 2010 and B20 by year-end 2012. The goal is to GREENPOINT COMMUNITY significantly reduce greenhouse gas emis- In late 2007, Councilman David Yassky introduced the Bioheat Act of 2007, a local law requiring all heating oil purchased in continued from front page New York City to be a biodiesel blend by tion member. member groups year-end 2008.Other In late January of thiswere year, the Citizen’s Withers St., the Concerned City Council began of hosting hearings Conselyea St. Block andNew Cooper on the proposal. If Assoc. approved, York Park Association. hadby City Residents will be using biodiesel inGREC its boiler also outhelp andreduce gainedGreenhouse the support of yearreached end and gas newer neighbors; Steve Garrelts of Cooper emissions. Park Neighbors and Mike Arcati of Olive Park Condo also at in support of from the Biodiesel is a spoke renewable fuel made GREC planoil, at the Community Board. vegetable such as palm oil or soy oil and is biodegradable, nonflammable and The GREC proposal was one of three non-toxic. Ethanol, which is also biodewhich it had been from considering gradable, is made corn butsince takesMay large ofamounts 2007 as of part of a Request for Proposals energy to produce. process. The lag-time of nearly three years represented the longest the is Bloomberg adPure biodiesel (B100) 100% biodieministration hascan ever delayed a de-up sel. Biodiesel mix with making other fuels cision in a(20% Request for Proposals. to B20 biodiesel) withoutThat the deneed lay has raised questions about the process. to change engines or fuel systems. A blend The winning proposal for-profit deof 80% regular dieselof oilthe and 20% biodieveloper borefine a striking resemblance to the sel works in regular boilers. Yassky’s one submitted May5% of biodie2007: proposal callsbyforGREC B5 (atinleast Both had comprehensive senior health care facilities of around 10,000 square feet along with around 250 units of affordable housing, around one-third of which would be reserved for seniors. ThePack city previousOn January 25th 2008, and Troop ly996 rejected the community’s effort to make hosted their bi-annual fundraising those elements a priority in the RFP proevent at St. Francis of Paola Lyceum featurcess. Years later, the Wrestling city saw fitAssociation. to award ing the Apollo Street the a private Theproject Main to event was adeveloper steel cagewhose match proposal reflected those priorities. between two professional wrestlers Mad sions from1,000 heating in New developed unitsoilofcombustion affordable housing – isCity. at odds with the Housing agencies York long history of working with CDC’s like St. Nicks. St. Nicks the New York Stateemerged providesina1975 tax as benefit forefront a nationwide movefor usingofbiodiesel fuel grassroots blends, such as 20 ment and improve centstoperpreserve gallon for B20, 5 centsneighborfor B5 and hoods. hand-in-hand with 2 centsItforhas B2.worked Therefore, individuals will HPD to develop units of affordable not spend much1,800 using a biodiesel blend. housing. Throughout its history, it has The average home owner will spend less worked with theper agency to prevent thou-for than $50 more year on a B20 blend sands North oil Brooklyn residents homeofheating depending on thefrom varibeing able displaced. cost of crude oil. A New York State law requires that State-owned buildings Michael Executive use B2 in Rochford, their heating system. Director All diesel offuel St.sold Nicks Alliance pointed out tothat, in Minnesota is required be at “St. Nicks was working with HPDMissouri, to deleast B2. Florida, Connecticut, velop land when North BrooklynArkansas, was an California, Oregon, Mississippi, undesirable to build housing.and When Nebraska, place Montana, Tennessee New StMexico Nicks are developed 150 units of senior considering similar legislation. housing at Jennings Hall,bewenext weren’t even New York City could in becomincorporated! The cityofhas never had a ing a model producer a cleaner energy problem withitour times were source that willsuccess marketwhen locally. difficult. In those times, we struggled with small properties and drug-infested buildings, fighting along side neighbors to provide housing. Mad Dog Vs. Tiberos, For Troop 996 Dog and Tiberos where Mad Dog won the “The GREC coalition advocated for this Heavyweight Championship. The Pack plan three years ago,” said Frank Lang, irector, and Troop 996 had a sold out event with reDirector of Housing at St. Nicks Alliance. ars ago cord breaking attendance. It was their best GREC designated St. Nicks to carry out ctor of fundraising event yet and hopes to have a its plan and partnered with two developers repeat at their next event in May. For more to help finance and build the project. This information on how to join or sponsor Pack past fall, GREC received a $500,000 donaand Troop 996, please call 347-564-9964. tion from the Von Damm Foundation, a local philanthropic organization. Lang added, “St Nicks has the proven track record and the capability to successfully execute this project. Our board and the GREC member organizations are neighbors and business people who are locally accountable – unlike for-profit firms from elsewhere. While the city rejected community input in shaping the RFP, we listened. Now, the for-profit developers plan mirrors our proposal. I really don’t know why the city designated another development team and not GREC.” HPD’s decision to choose a developer from outside the neighborhood over the community-based GREC coalition – which was anchored by an organization that has St Nicks and GREC’s latest plan was actually its second proposal to receive the blessing of CB 1 since the hospital first closed in 1982. In 1985, three years after the closing, GREC finalized a proposal for a nursing home to replace the senior health services lost with the hospital’s closing. In 2001, after years of bureaucratic battles with the city to return the hospital site to community use, GREC’s plan was on the verge of being realized. But the $32 million project was scuttled at the last minute when the Pataki administration put a moratorium on nursing homes. Still, GREC members remained optimistic that the city would not kick to the side an organization with a proven track record. They felt HPD would not overlook the organization’s long track record of working in the community and the recent support of Community Board 1. “I felt pretty comfortable that the decision was going to be in our favor,” said Dianne Jackson, President of the Cooper Park Tenants Association, another GREC member organization. “To hear this news was really a slap in the face.” Added Peterson, “Volunteers had worked for this plan and the community supported it. But that didn’t matter one bit to HPD and the Mayor of New York City.” KLINE REALTY LTD. www.klinerealestate.com G R E E NL I NE | Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | PG . 3 Improvements to Williamsburg Bridge Bike Path By Phil Rutledge Last month, the city’s Department of Transportation began implementing a plan to improve safety and convenience on the shared bike and pedestrian path of the Williamsburg Bridge. Previously, cyclists and pedestrians traveling in the same direction shared the same path, a configuration that led to conflicts and safety issues. The new configuration addresses these conflicts by separating the cycling and pedestrian lanes, with two directions of cycling lanes on the bridge’s north side and a pedestrian path on the south side. The new path – which will include resurfacing – is expected to be finished by the first week of June. Additionally, the DOT will make improvements in signage on both the Brooklyn and Manhattan entrances of the bridge it hopes will clear up confusion for cyclists and motor vehicles regarding the bridge. The bridge’s bike and pedestrian path was installed in 2002 and now sees the most bike traffic of any bridge in the city, carrying an estimated 4,000 cyclists per day at its midsummer peak. Cycling the city has been skyrocketing in popularity in the past several years, and Williamsburg is widely known as the epicenter of this boom. This past November, the city announced that the number of commuters riding their bikes to work went up 26 percent from the previous year. That uptick followed an increase of 35 percent from 2007 to 2009. PG . 4 |Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | GR E E NL I NE EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR SECTION 8 VOUCHERS Large budget gap remains By Karl Benson A recent $23.5 million emergency allocation from the federal government will help preserve rental assistance vouchers for some of the 10,000 low-income families who were in danger of losing them earlier this year. Before the emergency funds were approve, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) faced a $45 million budget shortfall in its rental-voucher assistance program, known as Section 8. NYCHA announced earlier that the shortfall might force it to cut off vouchers for up to 10,000 people who receive them. Residents with Section 8 vouchers usually pay 30 percent of their income in rent, with the vouchers covering the balance. Overall in New York City, around 102,000 families receive Section 8 vouchers. An additional 178,000 families live in subsidized public housing. The emergency funding will help preserve many of those vouchers, but it remains unclear how many people will lose them if the gap isn’t closed. “We must find other sources of money to reduce the $21 million-plus deficit that remains, and we are aggressively pursuing other options to financially stabilize the program,” said NYCHA Chairman John B. Rhea in a statement. Last May, officials from the federal department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which finances the Section 8 program, advised NYCHA officials to stop issuing vouchers because of declining federal funds. But the city continued to issue vouchers, mostly to emergency cases like homeless families or victims of domestic violence. Velazquez, who strongly advocated for the emergency HUD funding, said, “While more remains to be done, this announcement is good news for our city, for NYCHA, and most of all, for thousands of New York families that rely on Section 8 to find affordable housing.” The $23.5 million in emergency funds for New York City was part of a $150 million emergency allocation for housing authorities throughout the country. Of the 600 housing authorities that received money, New York’s received by far the most. Earlier this year, because of lower attrition rates from the program and higher than anticipated demand, the authority was forced to revoke the vouchers of 2,600 families who had been promised assistance. Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, a senior member of the House Committee on Financial Services, which has jurisdiction of housing matters, criticized NYCHA for putting itself in that position. “Certainly, NYCHA faces difficult challenges because of the economy, but recent events also suggest a need for more transparency in how it operates,” Velazquez said. “In the coming weeks, I’ll be keeping a close eye on NYCHA to ensure it uses these resources wisely and prevents prob- Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez lems like these from occurring again. NO CON-CENSUS Some Williamsburg residents are excited about the census; some aren’t When Stephen Colbert cracked jokes about it on his “Colbert Report” show on Comedy Central, it became official: Williamsburg’s low return rate for the 2010 Census is now a national punch line. The jokes followed a report issued by the city in early April showing Williamsburg had a 31.3 return rate on the mail-in Census forms, pulling in at dead last in New York City at the time. Media outlets were quick to equate Williamsburg with the “hipster” demographic, and were then quick to seize on the stereotypical image of hipster apathy and self-absorption. An NPR radio story entitled “New York’s Hipsters Too Cool for The Census” got the ball rolling, quoting a 20-something Northside resident as saying, “I guess it’s laziness and like, what’s the point?” New York Magazine linked to the story on its Daily Intel blog, attaching the headline, “Williamsburg Thinks the Census is Like, Meh.” Then came Colbert. He joked that the hipsters refusal to fill out their census forms was a master stroke intended to up their “hipster cred”: By having the government allocate fewer resources to their neighborhood, it would fall into a state of disrepair more in keeping with the presumed hipster aesthetic. But the mockery was immediately followed by a handful of well-reasoned responses on various websites. These responses attacked the stereotype of the lazy hipster and presented a more nuanced portrait of a fascinatingly diverse neighborhood. Writing on the website, Free Williamsburg, Erica Sackin noted, “The census return rates for the ‘hip’ parts of Williamsburg are about on par with those of the rest of the city. It’s the Hasidic neighborhoods that have a low rate of return. Local reporter Aaron Short, on his blog A Short Story, pointed out that Hasidic return rates might be depressed because the forms were mailed out during Passover. Writing on the news and commentary website Trueslant.com, Conor Friedersdorf pointed out that 50,000 people in Williamsburg lack English proficiency. Included among this number is the area’s large population – an estimated 38 percent – of Latinos. Many Latino residents of Williamsburg are undocumented, and therefore understandably wary about identifying themselves to the Census bureau. However, equating Williamsburg’s Latino population with indifference to the Census ignores the enthusiasm for the Census among many Latino residents of the area. In the offices of St. Nicks Alliance at 11 Catherine Street, enthusiasm for the cen- sus was palpable among two Spanishspeaking clients of St. Nicks’ Housing Preservation Division. “I believe the Census helps count the number of people in the State, especially recent immigrants,” said Nubia Martinez. “The census will help our government provide better services to growing immigrant communities, especially in the area of education and health.” Added Dandris Cruz, “For the government to provide better services to our community, it needs to know how many new people it has to serve.” Over at the Williamsburg and Greenpoint Beacon centers, which are run by St. Nicks Alliance, another group of local residents was perhaps most excited about the census: Local job seekers. For many North Brooklyn residents, the Census – which has jobs that pay approximately $16 to $21 an hour – came at a perfect time because of the continuing struggles of the economy and consequently depressed job market. 244 people seeking jobs went to the Williamsburg Beacon center, an application site. The Greenpoint Beacon hosted a training site for applicants who had been accepted. It hosted the training of 675 workers this year. G R E E NL I NE | Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | PG . 5 RESPECTABLE SPECTACLES FOR ALL Grand Street Eyewear Caters to Diverse Crowd By George Marshall Because eyeglasses have become as much of an accessory as a necessity in recent years, Grand Vision Eyewear, a six-monthold eyeglass shop at 799 Grand Street, lies at a fashion crossroads. Its location in the bustling heart of Grand Street means the shop must serve a diverse clientele comprising the traditional ethnic communities, the growing “hipster” set, and the many people who work on the strip. The challenge of helping all these people pick out the proper pair of glasses falls to Boris Mulokandov, the store’s general manager. It is a challenge the 26-year old Mulokandov embraces. After all, he has been preparing for it since he went to school for optics and then went right into the business, first as the manager of the optical department at Bergdoff Goodman and then at Oliver Peoples, a manufacturer of high-end fashion branded eyewear. “Being here for a few months, I realize that every community has their own likes and dislikes,” he said. “The Latino community, the African American community, they like frames that show the designer. The hipsters are more into that clunky, geek-chic look.” Still, finding the right pair of glasses depends more than anything on the individual. “Before I pick out a pair for someone, I want to know if it’s for work, if it’s for go- ing out. If it’s for work, I want to know what they do,” Mulokandov said. Definitely cheaper than other places I’ve worked at.” “Yesterday, a teacher came in. She picked out two pairs: One was kind of funky, the other was a little more conservative. I told her that because she was a teacher, the first pair was a little overwhelming. But other clients, depending on what they do, maybe something a little more funky, a little more Williamsburg hipster is better.” After six months in business, things are going well. “So far, the people I’ve sold glasses to, they’ve been very happy. I haven’t had a single complaint,” he said. Having spent the entirety of his young career in the business, Mulokandov’s relationship with suppliers enables him to set prices he described as “pretty reasonable. SCALED BACK TO ONE WEEKEND Williamsburg Walks, the summer event in which the Northside stretch of Bedford Avenue becomes a pedestrian plaza by forbidding vehicle traffic, will be drastically reduced this year because of complaints from local retailers that the event slowed down business. Though the event was originally planned for six summer Saturdays, there will only be one Williamsburg Walks event this year (on June 26th and 27th), the Department of Transportation announced last month. A native of Uzbekistan, Mulokandov has seen glasses go from geek to chic over the course of his lifetime. “They’re not something people are ashamed to wear anymore – they’re cool now,” he said. “Some clients, they don’t even have a prescription. They just come in and want glasses as a fashion accessory.” Those clients with a prescription will have them filled within two to five business days. Additionally, an optometrist is on the premises two days a week (Thursdays from noon to 7, Saturdays from 11 to 6), and Mulokandov hopes one will be available on Mondays starting in a few weeks. The optometrist is available by appointment, and walk-ins are accepted as well. For at least the next several months, the store is offering a free eye exam, free single-vision lenses, and 30 perfect off progressive lenses. ‘WILLIAMSBURG WALKS’ Quick! Free eye-exams and 30 percent off deals on single-vision lenses are now available at Grand Vision Eyewear (799 Grand Street) Williamsburg Walks began two years ago as a part of a Department of Transportation pilot program design to foster alternative thinking about the way public space is used. In addition to Williamsburg Walks, there are similar DOT-sponsored “Weekend Walks” summer events throughout the five boroughs. NORTH BROOKLYN: A STATISTICAL APPRAISAL continued from front page neighborhood is slightly cheaper than Williamsburg, its neighbor to the north, while performing well in both the restaurant (15th) and bar (9th) metrics. able place to raise a family,” Silver writes in summation (possibly referencing local Assemblyman’s pledge to swim in the polluted creek if Google installs ultra-highspeed internet in the neighborhood.) On the downside, North Brooklyn’s notoriously poor green space landed the neighborhood a ranking of 38th in that category. And the Newtown Creek Oil spill caused Greenpoint to fare very poorly in the health and environment category. Williamsburg ranked 20th overall. It had predictably high rankings for nightlife (6th) and restaurants (9th). But it received very poor marks in open space, safety, and health and environment. “But as long as you don’t go swimming in Newtown Creek, it’s a vibrant, afford- “The eastern and southern borders are more affordable but less safe, and lag in retail density and access to green space,” Silver wrote. PG . 6 |Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | GR E E NL I NE ‘Vanishing Icons’ Exhibit at City Reliquary Exhibit honors the late Stanley Wisniewolski, former St. Nicks employee Karen Hudes, curator of the exhibit “The Vanishing Icons of Metropolitan Avenue,” pictured with and Dave Herman (with daughter), Director of the City Reliquary Museum. The pair poses in front of a work of art by Stanley Wisniewolski at an exhibit honoring his public artwork. Rosemarie Wisniewolski, with Jan Peterson, Tish and Guido Cianciotta, in front of the Grant Metro sign with a cigar and cigarette pack overhead that formerly adorned a local cigar store. The Wisniewolski family. Their late father, Stanley, created Styrofoam installations like the ones pictured above to promote area businesses and revitalized the Grand Street and Metropolitan Avenue corridors. Help Support St. Nicks’s ‘Walk for Camp’ Sponsored walk helps St. Nicks run camps after drastic budget cuts By Lionel Robinson Joseph Franquinha of Crest Hardware, Theresa Baranoff, daughter of Stanley Wisniewolski, along with St. Nicks Executive Director Michael Rochford, and Catherine Franquihna, Joseph’s mother. With their enriching, eclectic, and free programming, St. Nicks Alliance and School Settlement Association summer day camps have become a staple of the season for North Brooklyn youngsters. But unprecedented government budget cuts have resulted in St. Nicks being projected to lose between $50- and $100,000 for the six camps it operates. For this reason, the annual St. Nicks and SSA “Walk for Camp” fundraiser is more critical than ever this year. During the fundraiser, St. Nicks staff members and friends walk to the organization’s 11 Catherine Street office from various points in the city. They are sponsored by friends and relatives for their efforts. Proceeds from the event are given to the organization’s Youth and Education division, which administers the summer day camps among other programs. demand beyond what’s afforded by public grants. To have to scale back is terrible, especially given the waiting lists we have.” The cuts also threaten some of the programming that have earned St. Nicks camps its sterling reputation. Much of its arts and literacy programming costs additional money. The same goes for its many field trips, which recently have included trips to the Bronx and Prospect Park Zoos, the Liberty Science Center, Heckscher State Park, the Museum of Natural History, and other local landmarks. Because of the upcoming budget squeeze, the number of swimming trips for summer campers is being reduced from six last year to four this year. “Walk for Camp is basically us reaching out to the community to ensure that our summer camps have enough funding to continue their excellence,” said Wong. ** For the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the city cut funding for Beacon programs by 6 percent. For the 2010-2010 fiscal year set to begin in June, funding is projected to be cut an additional 7 percent. These cuts hit home for St. Nicks because two of its summer camps are operated at the Williamsburg and Greenpoint Beacon Centers, respectively. The loss of funding from these budget cuts will cause St. Nicks and SSA to shrink total enrollment at their camps from 800 to 670. (St. Nicks runs camps at PS 18, PS 19, Williamsburg Beacon [at the Grand St. Campus High Schools], Greenpoint Beacon [IS 126]. School Settlement Association runs camps at its headquarters at 120 Jackson Street and at PS 34.) “These cuts are devastating,” said LaiWan Wong, Director of St. Nicks Youth and Education division. “We actually had planned on increasing enrollment this summer to meet the need and community For more information on Walk for Camp, please see the BIG NEWS tab at www. stnicksalliance.org. To contribute, go to www.stnicksalliance.org or www.schoolsettlement.org and click on DONATE NOW to make your contribution. St. Nicks Youth & Education Day Camps are for elementary grade children. Activities include literacy, sports, arts and crafts, weekly field trips, and swimming. Day camps generally operate for 8 weeks between 8 am and 6 pm. Despite the cuts, applications for summer camps are being accepted at the Greenpoint Beacon on May 22nd and School Settlement Association on a rolling basis. Camps at PS 18, PS 19, and PS 34 are restricted to students who attend those schools. Camp at the Williamsburg Beacon is no longer accepting applications. G R E E NL I NE | Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | PG . 7 NEW LIBRARY AT PS 84 Last month, Williamsburg’s PS 84 (250 Berry Street) celebrated the grand opening of the school’s new library with a special visit from Ray Negron, the erstwhile Yankees batboy who has become an accomplished author of children’s books. became a New York Times Bestseller. His new book, One Last Time: Good-bye to Yankee Stadium recently hit shelves. At the library opening, Negron spoke to students about his experiences and his books. As a teenager, the Southside, Wiliamsburg native was caught spraying graffiti on the side of Yankee Stadium by non other than Yankees owner George Steinbrenner himself. Instead of punishing him, The Boss took an interest in Negron and made him the Yankees bat boy. Negron became a beloved part of the late 1970s-era Yankees championship teams which included Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Ron Guidry, and Sparky Lyle. Negron went onto a career in minor league baseball himself. Among other pursuits, he wrote the The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True, which The St. Nicks Alliance family mourns the loss of Gabriel Anthony Rodriguez, who passed away in March at the age of 24. Gabriel was the son of Gabriel and Frieda Rodriguez, longtime shareholders of a St. Nicks-managed co-op at 534 Graham Avenue. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister Melina Garcia, his nephew Manuel A. Negron, and other loved ones. Ray Negron, former Yankee batboy and children’s book author, celebrated the new library opening at PS 84 By St. Nicholas School Faculty The PreKindergarten students at St. Nicholas School (287 Powers Street) got an early artistic education courtesy of awardwinning theater director Rajedra Ramoon Maharaj, who ran a theater workshop on April 16th for the youngsters. Maharaj, who served as Assistant to Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj came to St. Nicholas School for a the Director on the theater workshop Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun,” spent an afternoon leading the children through a variety of dramatic activities. The students – two of whom were Maharaj’s own children – enthusiastically partnered as animals and performed improvisational scenes for the class. The class also dramatized a spontaneous story of princes and princesses who ate magic cupcakes that made them shrink and grow. The afternoon ended with a dance from Disney’s Broadway production of The Lion King, which entailed Maharaj showing the students and teacher some African dance steps. Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj is a founding member and producing artistic director of Rebel Theater Company, and the associate artistic director of the award-winning Syracuse Stage. He is currently creating a new work inspired by the “I Have a Dream” speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. commissioned by the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theater and The King Center. GABRIEL ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ Rodriguez was born in Brooklyn in 1985, and lived in Florida and Puerto Rico before settling in Gainesville, GA. He graduated high school in Florida and received a certification in computers. He worked at various businesses in customer service and electronics. His last place of employment was the Tri-County Humane Society, where he loved and cared for animals. Theater Workshop at St. Nicholas School Before leaving, Maharaj encouraged the children to aspire to be what they wanted to be. Mrs. Marinelli, the school’s Pre-K teacher, characterized the event as “joyful and inspiring. Mr. Maharaj provided a classroom stage that allowed the children to express, create, and celebrate. It was a truly wonderful experience.” OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES: PG . 8 |Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | GR E E NL I NE FREE VETERANS BENEFITS COUNSELING FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES OF VETERANS EVERY FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT FATHER EDWARD J. GIORGIO POST 689 CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS 638 LORIMER STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11211 6:00 TO 8:00 PM NO AP P O I NT M EN T NE C ESSARY WA L K - I NS W ELC O ME G R E E NL I NE | Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | PG . 9 NEW YORK EYE CARE BOARD CERTIFIED OPHTALMOLOGISTS We Offer and Perform Complete and Comprehensive Eye Examination Call for your Consultation with one of our ophthalmological specialists SHELDON RABIN, M.D., F.A.C.S. Glaucoma, Laser and No Stitch Cataract Surgery Fellow American College of Surgeons MICHAEL L. GLASSMAN M.D., F.A.C.S. Ophthalmic Plastic, Reconstruction Surgery and Botox KEVIN S. MYERS, M.D. Glaucoma Diseases and Laser Surgery of the Eye PAUL N. GUERRIERO, M.D. Retinal Vitreous Surgery for Diabetes, Macular Degeneration and other Retinal Diseases R. SCOTT RUSSELL, M.D. Cornea and Refractive Surgery ILAN REIZES, M.D. General Ophthalmology MELANIA NAPOLITANO, O.D. Pediatric, Strabismus and Contact Lenses HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS NEW YORK AND MANHATTAN EYE, EAR AND THROAT, WYCKOFF MEDICAL CENTER, THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER OF QUEENS, FLUSHING HOSPITAL 719 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211 Tel. (718) 388-5200, Fax (718) 387-9604 WE ACCEPT OXFORD, US HEALTHCARE, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND MOST OTHER MAJOR INSURANCE PLANS 326 Graham Avenue 220 Madison Avenue 102-30 Queens Blvd. Bet. Metropolitan Ave. & Devoe at 37th Street Near 67th Drive Brooklyn, NY New York, NY 718.384.4271 Renee Richards, M.D., F.A.C.S. Pediatric Ophthalmology Forest Hills, NY 212.683.7330 www.rosenblumeyecenters.com 718.896.2344 Harvey S. Rosenblum, M.D., F.A.C.S. Medical & Surgical Director Ronald Schechter, M.D. Pediatric Ophthalmology Mark Harooni, M.D. Diseases of the Retina Liviu Saimovici, M.D. General ophthalmology Mark Tannenbaum, M.D. Glaucoma, Dry Eyes Tami D. Lapp, O.D. Nadia Belous, O.D. Susan Hong, O.D. Fay Khmetnitsky, O.D. Brian Yap, O.D. Thais Shephard, Optician Optical Boutique Spring Special Our Services Include: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Comprehensive eye exams Contact Lens fitting Cataract surgery (no-stitch) / multi-focal !premium" intraocular lenses Premium multi-focal lens implants Retinal & vitreous surgery Cosmetic eyelid surgery Laser vision correction (LASIK, PRK) In-office laser surgery Botox Treatments We Specialize in Treating: ! Glaucoma ! Diabetic Retinopathy ! Macular Degeneration ! Dry Eye & Tearing problems ! Strabismus & Amblyopia $50 off a single pair Rx glasses or sunglasses 50% off a 2nd pair of Rx glasses or sunglasses* *Orders must be placed together 25% off any non- Rx sunglasses Exp. 7/1/2010 Thais Shephard, Optician Most major insurance plans accepted. Evening appointments available in all locations - please call for an appointment. Listen to Dr. Rosenblum every Sunday 5 ! 7 PM, WOR (710 AM radio) on the Richard Ash MD show, "In the Doctor#s Office.$ PG . 10 |Ma y 1 - 31, 2 010 | GR E E NL I NE Monitor Potholes First Step in Street Reconstruction Project One of the most treacherous roadway stretches in North Brooklyn was repaved last month, welcome news for motorists and cyclists who traverse the street. At the behest of Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, the Department of Transportation expedited the repaving of a stretch of Monitor Street between Greenpoint and Norman Avenues. The stretch was the first part of the $15 million Nassau Avenue Reconstruction Project, which will eventually repave all of Nassau Avenue from Bedford Avenue to Apollo Street, along with Monitor Street from Greenpoint to Nassau. “This is especially important because of the number of businesses that exist on that section of roadway,” said Lentol of the manufacturer-heavy strip. “They rely on it for deliveries and as a daily thoroughfare. Can you imagine negotiating carts loaded with boxes around potholes the size of fire pits?” President Nancy Zapata Production Coordinator Greg Hanlon Executive Director Michael Rochford Assistant Editor Alison Cordero Director of Economic Development Jose Leon Design and Layout Luiza Balanescu www.spotdesignstudio.com Greenline: The North Brooklyn Community News is published monthly by: St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation, 11 Catherine Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211. Telephone: (718) 388-5454 x161 The appearance of advertising, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the corporation of the product or services advertised. All display and classified advertisements, to include real estate ads, are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and shall be made available for purchase, use of or patronage without regard to race, color, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Greenline’s contents, including advertising, is copyrighted and may not be used without the expressed permission of the publisher. Subscriptions: $25 per year 3rd class mail. Deadline: Submissions must be in by the 18th of each month. Please email ads to: [email protected] and email announcements, articles and photographs to: [email protected]. Thank you. Printed circulation is 13,000. 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