Pinky flip-flops on term limits

Councilman Dennis Gallagher (R-Middle Village) who represents the 30th Council District, was an early supporter of term limits to the point where he had circulated petitions among the electorate to help get the issue on the ballot so the citizenry could vote on it.

However, he has reservations about it today. He said that eight years is not really long enough, considering the time it takes to gain experience, especially in dealing with the city budget process.

Term limits affect borough's elected officials

Read the last paragraph of his February letter. He's changed his mind about term limits quickly, hasn't he?

Four Queens parks get an 'F'

New Yorkers for Parks did a survey and graded parks throughout the city:

The failing parks are Powell's Cove Park in College Point, Rainey Park in Astoria, Rochdale Park in Springfield Gardens and Southern Fields in South Ozone. Powell's Cove and Southern Fields were respectively ranked sixth and eighth worst in New York City.

Four Queens Parks Get Failing Grades

Three other borough parks received a D grade: Broad Channel Park, Francis Lewis Park in Whitestone and Linnaeus Playground in Oakland Gardens.

Complete report here: An Independent Assessment of New York City’s Neighborhood Parks

Map from CityMap

Fight over St. Albans VA

The battle between federal officials and Queens veterans over what to do with portions of land continued on Tuesday during the final public hearing for the development of St. Albans Veterans Hospital.

There are definite plans for a new medical facility for veterans, but what to do with a 27-acre portion of the site is still being debated.

The Duel To Decide Future Of Vets Facility

Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) have suggested using the land for a public school, assisted living facilities for seniors or a nursing school, while Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed expanding Roy Wilkins Park.

These suggestions have angered veterans, who say the property should be used exclusively for former service members. Officials should focus on improving the quality of care for veterans before dabbling in the interests of private developers, some veterans said on Tuesday.

Photo from Queens Chronicle

Willets Point hush-hush

The city may have grandiose plans for the run-down Willets Point section of Flushing, but local businessmen say no one is talking to them about relocation.

City's Not Talking To Us, Willets Point Owners Say

"Look, we don't like the junkyards either," [Dan Scully, vice president of Tully Environmental] said. "They are an eyesore, but we are a legitimate business that has been paying taxes for years," Scully said.

Why should they talk to you because you pay taxes? You're no one important. Become a developer, pal. It will open up a whole new world of opportunities to you.

Photo from Satan's Laundromat

Katz perched on edge of litterbox

"You're not going to believe this. The townhouses on the WEST side of 72nd Ave are now for sale. And they're being pitched as 'perfect for developers.' Now, I'm told that these have some true historical significance, so we might be able to landmark them."

The sales pitch: Mixed-Use Building with Air Rights for Sale

More here: Forest Hills 72: East Side, West Side

If you missed the other side of the street, you can find the posts here:

Scoop from the Katz litterbox
Update from the Katz litterbox
The end is near

Only one question, tipster: Why would you think that we wouldn't believe this?