Spotted on a sidewalk in Downtown Flushing

Wanted poster shows possible killer

"Here is a picture of a person of interest that the police are looking for in Nicholas' shooting. There are more photos of others and when they are available they will be posted. This person was running down 106th street towards Jamaica Ave after Nick was shot and in his hand was Nick’s book bag. Anyone with information please call 800-577-TIPS; all calls remain anonymous. Nicholas Cordova's family is looking for some closure as to why this happened to Nick and we are asking for everyone’s help."

Fliering off the handle

From the Riverdale Press:

The offensive practice of posting stickers and fliers on any public street furniture in New York is very much illegal — Sanitation Code 10-119 — and with good reason. More important than the legality, however, is that it is selfish, arrogant, ignorant and shows a lack of regard for people who live and visit the area. It sends a message of chaos and lawlessness. Visually it is no better than out-of-control, gangland, graffiti. I’m saying this full well realizing that there are many legal postings, and ads, that are also gross.

As someone who lives in Manhattan, I and many others are fighting a constant battle against the violators, by e-mailing, and calling the posted phone numbers and — politely — informing them of the illegality of such flyering.

And, by the way, the law does include the political placards draped around lampposts and traffic signs at election time. We aggressively rip those down, too, regardless of political affiliation!

These candidates are looking for our votes by destroying the visual serenity of the streetscape? They should think again!

Phony flier shenanigans in 30th Council District

Crowley Mail 2
From the Daily News:

A Queens Tribune reporter who lives in Kew Gardens said this eyebrow-raising flyer arrived in the mail last night in an unmarked, stamped envelope.

The flyer, which for some reason I can only upload upside down, urges "fellow black Americans" to vote for Democratic Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley because "she will make sure we get our New York City Services" and features a photo of Crowley next to a photo of Gov. David Paterson, who has been plagued by historically low poll numbers.

There is no "paid for" message, and, as the reporter wrote in his accompanying e-mail: "I do not think this could be from Crowley... pretty ugly, no?"

Pretty ugly, yes indeed. Dirty tricks at best, and clumsily concealed racism at worst. Anyone who knows the 30th Council District is aware of its conservative bent and the fact that it is not, in fact, home to many "fellow black American" voters.

Ognibene's campaign manager, Michael Michel, said he didn't know anything about the flyer and suggested I speak to the candidate himself.

I reached Ognibene on his cell phone, and he demanded that I ask Crowley's campaign about the glossy mailer - unidentified - that repeated many of the same allegations Burak made above and featured a mock-up of him in handcuffs.

"I have never in my life been in handcuffs," an indignant Ognibene declared. "If I have to put up with all the things she's sent out about me - vicious things, almost libelous...These things happen. I don't know anything about it. I get this kind of sh--. Excuse my language, but it makes me so angry when people do this."

Nope. Never in handcuffs. Just caught on wiretaps accepting bribes. It pays to have friends in high places.

City Council looks to change postering law

From the Times Ledger:

New Yorkers who post signs on city property are subject to one fine for each poster at $75 apiece, which often results in extremely high penalties.

Under the PATH Act, enforcement officers would be required to serve tickets to residents within five days of observing a violation. In addition, small businesses and nonprofits that receive multiple tickets for posting on city property within five days of their first violation, and who have not violated the law in the past, will be charged for just one offense and will be ensured sufficient time to correct the problem before being issued further fines.

“With the PATH Act, we’re creating a path to fairness when it comes to ticketing small businesses and nonprofits,” Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) said in a statement. “Presenting someone with thousands of dollars in fines before they’ve had a chance to fix the problem is simply irresponsible.”

And I received this from a civic leader:

"There is nothing in the release about what these fliers make our neighborhoods look like. Or about DOS giving religious groups a bye on posting.

According to the release, the Intro is supported by civics, businesses, non-profits and churches--just the folks who are most likely to decorate public property with their litter.

This non-profit (Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association) does not post on public property anywhere--ever.

IN Kew Gardens Hills, these are the major litterers--that and the illegal businesses."

Which position do the rest of you agree with?

Biz in big trouble over illegal fliers

From the Daily News:

A Crown Heights business could go under after it was slapped with nearly $10,000 in fines for posting flyers on city light poles.

Quinton Spikener, 27, the owner of Xyayx Multimedia, a music and video production company, woke up last Thursday to find his mailbox stuffed with 47 letters from the city, each charging a $200 fine. The total bill was $9,400.

"I can't afford that in any way," he said, adding the only way to pay the fines would be to sell off the recording equipment and shut the business.

He freely admitted putting up the flyers to promote his company, but said he had no idea it was illegal. "We saw flyers on every light pole in Brooklyn," he said. "We didn't expect to get hit with a $10,000 fine."

What made you think you had the right to post anything on public property?