Dumb statement by Columbia egghead

"Why do we think of Boston or Philadelphia or New Orleans or Savannah or Charleston as more historic than New York? This is the most historic city in the United States easily. But those cities have more of their historic fabrics because they lost. They wanted to be big cities, and they failed." - Kenneth Jackson as quoted in Expanding a Hospital in Historic Territory

Don't know about you, but to me this guy sounds like a real asshole for saying something like that. First of all, NYC is a very historic city, but it can be argued that Beantown and Philly are at least as historic, if not more historic than NYC. Second, these are all "big" cities. If you mean humongous, can't-take-care-of-the-millions-here-now-but-are-inviting-a-million-more "big", then yeah, NYC wins hands down. The cities on his hit list wisely decided not to sell their souls out and hollow out their neighborhoods for the sake of commerce. And we should pity them for that?

Making the case for Ober

Charles Ober’s Signature is a Record of Accomplishments not Just Election Time Puffing

As the special election in the 30th Council District enters the home stretch, each candidate has had an opportunity to market themselves with glossy handouts, appearances at senior centers, at so called debates, including the NY1 Dominic Carter Show “Inside City Hall”, a resume` that includes their education and civic accomplishments and their background. Although I am not a blogger myself, I have read many of the comments posted on blogs by anonymous writers, many who are more venomous than accurate. However, the competent bloggers often link you to newspaper stories or court records to substantiate their claims or accusations. After perusing what the candidates have put in print and listing to what they say and how they say it, I have come to the conclusion that the most sincere and honest candidate is Charles Ober. Charles is not a party candidate and he is the only one that does not have a questionable political past. He is the only one with an outstanding civic record, Incidentally, civics are made up of Volunteers; they are not paid for a no-show job nor are they like past elected officials who only operated with the taxpayers' money.

Take the time this weekend to read and re-read all that the candidates have mailed out and you will agree with me that Charles Ober has the fortitude, the sincerity, the past accomplishments, and the devotion to our community to be elected to represent us in the NYC Council District 30. Charles Ober was endorsed by the very Honorable Councilman Tony Avella and named by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez as a delegate to The Democratic National Convention. Now! Do your part, get out and vote for Charles Ober on June 3rd.

Edward Kampermann
Middle Village, NY

P.S. Dan Jacoby feels the same way.

So does Pauline Park.

NYC home to more than 200 illegal hotels

By David Freedlander | dfreedlander@am-ny.com

There are more than 200 apartment buildings in the city that have been illegally converted to hotels, according to a report released Sunday, significantly reducing the number of rent-stabilized units available.

"It's hard enough to find housing in this city as it is," said John Raskin, director of organizing at Housing Conservation Coordinators, an affordable housing group that released the report. "The last thing we need is to lose more apartments to the illegal hotel industry."

Illegal hotel operators frequently take advantage of tax loopholes designed to encourage the construction of residential units, according to Raskin.

Legal tenants then face harassment and in some cases illegal eviction notices in order to chase them out of their homes, the report found.

The mayor's office said they are continuing to work with the city council to find a solution to the problem.

Advocates are calling for increased penalties and changes in the zoning laws to clarify where hotels can and cannot operate.

Report: 200 illegal hotels exist in the city

Council District 30 trivia

Which candidate in the council district 30 special election constantly boasts about their family ties but never mentions a sibling who was convicted of federal sex abuse charges and has an affinity for crack cocaine?

A) Elizabeth Crowley
B) Anthony Como
C) Charles Ober
D) Tom Ognibene

Stumped? Here - this will help you figure it out.

Yes, we have our very own Kennedy family values happening here in Queens County - another oversized political clan plagued by drugs, booze, extramarital affairs, sexual assault charges and really stupid judgment. No wonder the press loves them!

Rockaway firefighter saved Astoria hawk

Last year, Athena and her mate, Atlas, nested on an elbow-shaped drainage pipe on the underside of the Triborough Bridge approach.

One day in July, after her offspring - known as eyases rather than chicks - had left the nest, neighborhood residents found Athena lying unresponsive on the sidewalk underneath the bridge.

She was dehydrated and anemic, and exhibited neurologic symptoms indicative of poisoning.

Athena "was helpless," said Bobby Horvath, a firefighter at Engine 264 in Far Rockaway who was called in to care for the hawk after lab tests confirmed she was poisoned by an unknown toxin.

Horvath, 45, moonlights as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. He has cared for hundreds of hawks, falcons and owls out of his Long Island home.

He fed Athena, and gave her antibiotics and fluids.

Though it is "very uncommon" for birds to survive poisoning, Horvath said, the plucky Athena perked up eight days later.

Wildlife rescuer Bobby Horvath saves Astoria's red-tailed hawk from poison