Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Doorman tells his story


Try not to laugh too hard, folks.

23 comments:

Erik Baard said...

Actually, this isn't too bad for a political pitch. Nothing negative, no hugely inflated claims, no scare tactics, but also no patronizing pat on the head. And from what I've seen, it's truthful -- Eric never pretends to be "up from the streets" but he's also not a child of privilege.

I'm not happy with everything that's happened in my neighborhood of LIC since I moved here in 1996. We've lost some great old buildings -- 19th century row houses, the LIC Star Building, the last Ravenswood farmhouse, etc. Could local politicians and civic groups have done much to prevent that? I really don't think so. And the battles might have ended with our estrangement from the establishment, which translates into losses of services and local initiatives getting neglected. I've seen Tony Avella apparently punished (in terms of his goals getting sidelined) for being "difficult." (By the way, I greatly admire his animal rights record and recent stand for tenants).

When I first encountered Eric Gioia I was a Joe Conley supporter, albeit nominally -- as an Independent, I couldn't vote in primaries. Though only a few years older than Eric, I was put off by the brazenness of such a young man jumping into leadership. He's still ambitious, and he still can elbow you aside if he sees an opportunity. And yes, I won't always agree with him -- an elected official has many constituencies and must gauge his or her immediate and long-term potential effectiveness in each particular situation and broader context.

I support Eric Gioia primarily because I admire his vision: he was trumpeting financial literacy and nutrition causes years before the "great unwinding" and before Michelle Obama was gardening at the White House. And he worked hard on these issues, creatively drawing attention to them (yes, including "media stunts") and doing the grunt work of legislation and bringing assets to the community.

I recognize that this forum exists primarily to address development issues, and there are many right (and sharp) criticisms to be made throughout the city on that front. But in a broader view, I think we're fortunate to have someone with Eric's abilities and passion in public service.

Anonymous said...

Eric, pa-lese.

If you want to see a real green go to another boro.

You know, places where community activists lobbied for real waterfront parks and not developer pumping decals on kayacks.

But look on the bright side.

When the clubhouse and developers wants a green face to look hip and up to date they know who to call...

gives you a steady gig.

Anonymous said...

This guy says NOTHING about issues, blah. enough with his "i made it out of the poor house story". Damn, he isn't Lincoln.

Anonymous said...

Gioia and the rest of the city council except Tony Avella voted themselves a 25% pay raise. Fuck them all

Erik Baard said...

"A steady gig?"

I said I would run the LIC Community Boathouse for two or three years. After four, I stepped down. I'm no longer chairperson, so there's no "gig." And that "gig" is a volunteer position that requires great sacrifice in time, which equals income. I'm grateful to Ted for stepping up as chairperson, and to the many volunteers who are deeply involved.

As for the waterfront, it was spoken for long before I got on the scene. We have a community boathouse though, unlike most neighborhoods. Our volunteers clean Hallets Cove weekly, and many help in Queensbridge Park, Rainey Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, Two Coves Community Garden, and other waterfront parks in western Queens. Do you?

My only complaint about waterfront developers sponsoring kayaks is that there aren't more of them doing so. After all, they cite the amenity of our free kayaking programs in their sales pitches. The least they could do is to underwrite them. That's right -- the boathouse doesn't justify the developers. The developers must justify their use of kayaking as a sales pitch by sponsoring. You've got it reversed.

Personally, I'd like developments going forward to be far more sustainable than those that came before. And I would like a better integration with the streetscape and pedestrian life. Towers are more efficient in terms of land use and energy use, and ideally promote mass transit use.

As for my role, I like to create things. It's just not my nature to be a protester. But we have many of those around too -- a society needs both kinds of people.

You are all wet.. said...

MYTH
I'm not happy with everything that's happened in my neighborhood of LIC since I moved here in 1996. We've lost some great old buildings -- 19th century row houses, the LIC Star Building, the last Ravenswood farmhouse, etc.

REALITY
THE COMMUNITY IS BEING BULLDOZED TO OBLIVION AND AN ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS BEING DISPLACED.

MYTH
Could local politicians and civic groups have done much to prevent that? I really don't think so. And the battles might have ended with our estrangement from the establishment, which translates into losses of services and local initiatives getting neglected.

REALITY
A FIREHOUSE IS CLOSED A FEW BLOCKS FROM YOU AND THE COMMUNITY YOU LIVE IN (DUTCH KILLS) HAS BEEN NEGLECTED FOR DECADES ACCORDING TO THEIR CIVIC.

YOU MAKE NO SENSE.

MYTH
I've seen Tony Avella apparently punished (in terms of his goals getting sidelined) for being "difficult." (By the way, I greatly admire his animal rights record and recent stand for tenants).

REALTY
AND TERM LIMITS? IS STANDING UP FOR THE VOICELSS BEING DIFFICULT IF YOU DONT GO ALONG WITH THE CLUBHOUSE.

THANK GOD YOU WERE NOT AROUND DURING THE REVOLUTION AND ALL THOSE DIFFICULT PEOPLE TAKING PART IN THE BOSTON TEA PARTY.

MYTH
I was put off by the brazenness of such a young man jumping into leadership. He's still ambitious, and he still can elbow you aside if he sees an opportunity.

REALTY
WHAT THE F*K HAS THIS GUY DONE FOR HIS COMMUNITY?!?!? I HAVE TALKED TO PEOPLE HIGH AND LOW AND THEY ALL CALL TEAM GIOIA A DO NOTHING WHO ONLY CARES TO ADVANCE HIS CAREER.

MANY OF US HAVE DIFFERENCT STANDARDS WHEN WE JUDGE PUBLIC OFFICIALS - LIKE THEIR ABILITY TO BRING HOME THE BACON.

MYTH
I support Eric Gioia primarily because I admire his vision: he was trumpeting financial literacy and nutrition causes years before the "great unwinding" and before Michelle Obama was gardening at the White House. And he worked hard on these issues, creatively drawing attention to them (yes, including "media stunts") and doing the grunt work of legislation and bringing assets to the community.

REALTY
LIKE A BANK TO QUEENSBRIDGE AND? AND? AND? HOW ABOUT SUNNYSIDE GARDENS? HOW ABOUT DUTCH KILLS? HOW ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF HUNTERS POINT?

MIA MIA MIA

Anonymous said...

have you ever looked at his financial filings ?

he and his wife (she of name change fame) have reimbursed themselves hundres of thousands of dollars !!!!

oh, and by the way, they used the money to buy a beachfrony country home in the Hamptons.

Doorman my ass !!!!!!!!

Trea$ure I$land said...

oh, and by the way, they used the money to buy a beachfrony country home in the Hamptons.
---

Ah, give me the spyglass sonny ... aye maties, do i see tha lad's kayack on shore?

Well shiver me timbers, so it is! Drawn up on tha sands afor Gioiatown.

Give 'em a whiff of grapeshot me maties. pepper 'is haul good so e'ill never sale that bucket o bolts a-gin.

georgetheatheist said...

I wrote Gioia a letter in January of 2008 complaining about something. I included photos.

I'm still waiting for a reply.

georgetheatheist said...

But I get a lot of printed invites to his Manhattan fundraisers.

georgetheatheist said...

Which get immediately ripped and thrown gleefully into the garbage can. And this at the Thomas Manton Memorial Post Office on 61st Street in Woodside.

Anonymous said...

good video. im impressed. whats your beef with this guy crapper?

Queens Crapper said...

What impressed you about this video? His B.S. ability?

Anonymous said...

he seems like a good guy. better than most of these phonys in the city council. and he's quite a piece of ass

Anonymous said...

sounds like you got a personal issue with this guy. what did he steel your woman or something?

Queens Crapper said...

He's more than just a piece of ass. He's the whole shebang!

Anonymous said...

hey ill nail him and if you were a fag you'd nail him too. admit it.

Anonymous said...

ita always about looks. people always vote for the hotties

Queens Crapper said...

Yes, that's why he's dead last in the polls. Eric who?

Anonymous said...

why does this doorman rattle you so much? why do you give a shit? let him man his doors or whatever the f- he does and let him be.

Anonymous said...

Maybe you should read the above comments and educate yourself.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said...

"He's more than ein piece of ass. He's der whole shebang."

Ach, schtopp. Anudder gut von! Ven vill it effer schtopp? Ife schplitt 6 pairs of Lederhosen already.

Anonymous said...

yeah yeah say whatever you want still think its personal