Hello orange M, goodbye V & W!

From AM-NY:

Get ready for the M dash.

For Queens riders, the new M train hitting the system Monday will be two cars shorter than the old V route, meaning that straphangers could find themselves running 120 feet to catch the shorter train.

“It’s going to cause more congestion,” said Sally Skinner, 40, a V train rider from Cambria Heights.

The M train — which will replace the V route in Manhattan and Queens but still run to Middle Village — will seat 300 fewer passengers than the V during rush hour, but will still fall within agency guidelines.

The V and W trains are to make their final runs Friday night and are part of the cost-cutting measures the MTA is taking to bridge an $800 million budget shortfall. In addition, 37 bus routes will be eliminated come Sunday.

Western Queens people producing too much garbage

From the Queens Gazette:

The Department of Sanitation garage at the Queens West 1 facility has not kept pace with the enormous growth of the community it serves.

“We need a larger garage,” DSNY Queens West Borough Chief Douglas Marsiglia said at the June meeting of the Queens borough cabinet. “The community would love for us to move, and we would love to move from there.” Located at 34-28 21st St. on city-owned property in Long Island City near the Ravenswood Playground, Queens West 1 lies within Community Board 1 and has 46 collection trucks, nine mechanical sweepers and 10 salt spreaders assigned to it. There are also 121 DSNY workers at the garage.

Marsiglia told Borough President Helen Marshall, that DSNY is presently seeking a new location that meets both district and community needs. “No site has been identified, so far,” Marsiglia said.

Salt used to melt snow and ice during the winter months is stored year-round at 43-02 Vernon Blvd. in Community Board 2 for use in Queens West 1 at an outdoor facility that is covered by a tarp. Marsiglia said the agreement for that location, part of the Silvercup development site, may be revoked at any time. “We’ve been there for a number of years,” he said. However, remaining depends on “what [Silvercup Studios] wants to do with their land”. A $1 billion complex of soundstages, offices and apartments has been proposed for the land that now houses the Queens West 1 salt pile, the Terra Cotta building and a power generator station.

Shouldn't they have planned for this before the massive upzoning?

Shocking news: Cuomo beholden to developers, unions & lobbyists

From the NY Times:

Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, declaring his candidacy for governor of New York, could not have been clearer.

“The influence of lobbyists and their special interests must be drastically reduced with new contribution limits,” Mr. Cuomo said last month. “We will be taking on very powerful special interests which have much to lose. We must change systems and cultures long in the making.”

But as he delivered his announcement, Mr. Cuomo was sitting on millions in campaign cash from the very special interests whose influence he said he wanted to limit.

An analysis by The New York Times shows that of the estimated $7.1 million that the Cuomo campaign has received from political action committees, associations, limited liability corporations and other entities, more than half has come from the biggest players in Albany: organized labor, the real estate and related industries like construction, the health care sector and lobbying firms.

In the spirit of reform, Mr. Cuomo pledged in 2007 not to accept donations over $10,000 from most categories of contributors during an election cycle. But he did not stick to that vow and has at times received amounts five times as great.

Flushing Commons may unearth graves

From the Daily News:

Human remains from a 19th-century Methodist graveyard may still be buried beneath a Flushing parking lot slated for a controversial development, a Daily News investigation has found.

Research suggests 150 parishioners were interred between 1846 and 1857 at the proposed site of Flushing Commons, a housing and retail complex to be voted on today by the City Planning Commission.

An environmental impact statement for the plan noted that attempts to excavate the Methodist burial ground - near 37th Ave. and 138th St. - in the 1950s reportedly were unsuccessful.

Still, church leaders at the time did not consider that conclusive.

It's unclear how the possibility of graves - unknown to even the project's fiercest opponents before The News' digging - may impact the contentious project.

The city has already ordered archeological testing before work on Flushing Commons, believing artifacts or graves from another congregation may still be present.

But critics wonder if graves are scattered throughout the 5-acre site, given that the Methodist graveyard went undetected for so long.

"It intensifies the fact there are human remains," said recently named Queens Borough Historian Jack Eichenbaum.

Opponents of the project also stoked speculation about graves where the nearby Macedonia AME Church wants to erect affordable housing.

Historic newspaper reports seem to verify Macedonia's stance that the parishioners buried in the former graveyard were reinterred beneath the church.

But two sources close to the plans contended the church excluded a basement in its affordable housing component due to fears that crews might unearth bodies and halt or delay work.

Um, it was known to the projects fiercest opponents. It was mentioned at the farce of a hearing by several testifiers. But nothing is sacred anymore in the city that never stops building.

Parks constructs dome canopy

Here's how Parks decided to fix the "hot domes" in Union Square Park. Simply genius... You can read more about this on A Walk in the Park.

Forest Hills crap just won't stop

Dear Crapper,

Matches again. I really can't believe this. The city is really slacking. Not only has work been completed at 110-46 63rd Road, illegally, but there is a full family living there with no respect for the entire block.

They keep their bright, energy wasting lights on ALL NIGHT and park their HUMMER taking up all the space. As you can see in the DOB site, they still have outstanding violations and more complaints have been logged in. Aren't criminal charges supposed to be issued after 5 ECB violations?

What I don't get is the stop work order. Two months ago I saw it still posted on the mcmansion however the site does not have it and the sign on the gate has been removed. Looking at the DOB page for the neighboring house, 110-44, which is not done any construction, the SWO seems to be in place there. This smells like corruption and I'm sure Mr. VADIM FEZAMAYEV has a lot to answer for.

In other news, the construction owner who built this monstrosity, ALEKSEY SHIMONOV is also in hot water it seems. His address, 63-36 110th Street, which I see you have written about in the past, has been illegally modified too and renting out an apartment.

They have not adhered to the city's fines or requirements. I don't care what excuse these guys give, too big families, lot of money, whatever, bottom line when they make illegal structures, don't follow the law AND bother other people for their own selfish pursuits, they need to be reprimanded and reported.

Thanks again for your help.

Matches Malone

Photo from the Times Ledger

Firehouses spared from budget axe

From Gotham Gazette:

We just got this from Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley’s office:

“Our top priority is to keep New Yorkers safe and by finding the money to save firehouses, we succeeded today,” said City Council Fire & Criminal Justice Chair Elizabeth Crowley. “When we started this fight, 62 fire companies were on the chopping block - now all will remain open. The City has negotiated a budget that will restore the $37 million to keep our fire companies open. Thanks to the efforts of firefighters, elected officials, community leaders and thousands of New Yorkers from every borough, we won this fight for our fire protection.”

Court upholds eminent domain abuse yet again

From the Huffington Post:

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York's top court has upheld a state redevelopment agency's use of eminent domain so Columbia University can expand its Ivy League campus over 17 acres in Manhattan's West Harlem neighborhood.

The Court of Appeals found a rational basis for the Empire State Development Corp.'s findings that the area is blighted and Columbia's expansion is an improvement project.

Columbia's proposed $6.3 billion project includes several new buildings for housing, laboratories and other facilities, two acres of public open space and tree-lined sidewalks.

The university already owns most of the land.

Other land owners claimed collusion between the school and agency and argued findings of blight were based on vermin, garbage and mold in Columbia buildings.

The court released the decision Thursday.

Jake is now in a foster home

To all Jake fans and supporters!

I had to share these latest photos of Jake at his foster home in Long Island, he's in a tranquil setting recovering. Here's Jake in the backyard...enjoying the nice weather, and getting some fresh air. We have to keep the cone on, as the first thing he does is go to scratch his ears when you take it off.

Jake appears to be housebroken, and has had some sort of obedience training in his past...someone did take interest in this boy, we just don't know why he ended up in such poor condition :(

Jake knows to "sit" when you offer him a cookie, he knows "stay" and "hold it". He's happy to be around other dogs too!

He's extremely affectionate, offering kisses and nudging for affection.

Phyl

Here we go again....

From CBS 2:

The New York State legislature is considering a host of new tax increases to help deal with its budget crisis.

Now there's talk of restoring a tax break that many New York shoppers probably take for granted.

For the last three years, clothing and shoes costing less than $110 have been exempt from the state's four percent sales tax, costing New York $690 million in tax revenues each year.

With a state budget gap of $9.2 billion dollars and a budget that's three months late, there's talk of bring back the sales tax on clothes under $110.

Governor Paterson confirms that informal tax discussions with Albany lawmakers are underway.

"They have some proposals on the table," said Paterson. "We're reviewing them, and frankly, they don't sound bad."

He doesn't like Eich

From the Historic Districts Council Newsstand:

...I doubt we will hear anything from our new borough historian about the importance of protecting the 1850s Ridgewood Reservoir, arguably the most important undesignated place in Queens today. I expect he could lead a tour along the terminal moraine through Forest Park to the reservoir, but I cannot imagine him speaking against the Parks Department plan to install playing fields covered with artificial turf where there is now a thriving wetland. It seems it would be enough to point out that where the playing fields are was once Brooklyn’s water system. Oh well.

Mr. Eichenbaum makes clear he will not work to save “just every old building.” We ought to ask, will he fight to save ANY old building? I for one do not think it is enough to point out the site where St. Savior’s used to be, or where the Aquacade once stood, or where Flessel’s once was. In this regard, Borough President Helen Marshall seems to be more in tune with the temper of her constituents. As she told the Daily News, when people see the history in their own neighborhoods, “they don’t want it to be destroyed.” That was the genesis of walking tours, actually, to bring greater awareness of the historic resources around us and feed the movement to preserve them. They were not born to foster antiquarianism.

Astoria pool to get an overhaul

From the Daily News:

A historic city pool that legendary planner Robert Moses considered a feather in his cap is in line for a multimillion-dollar restoration.

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) and the Parks Department recently began drafting a master plan to refurbish much of the Astoria Park Pool and Play Center, and explore year-round uses for the vaunted space.

"It's a very exciting opportunity and it's a wonderful facility, and we're very thrilled," said John Krawchuk, director of historic preservation for the Parks Department.

Officials are collecting community feedback on how to restore the center, which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a diving pool that has not been used since 1980.

"Whatever happens at the diving pool location will be a huge improvement over the dilapidated eyesore that stands now," Vallone said.

The department and Vallone hosted a listening session at the Greater Astoria Historical Society on June 9 to gather suggestions from the public.

"One idea was to create some sort of outdoor amphitheater where we can provide entertainment at one of the most beautiful backdrops possible," Vallone said.

Other ideas included opening an ice-skating and hockey rink for the winter months, and building a bowling alley.

Restoring and reopening the diving pool is another possibility.

EDC wants to close Van Wyck exits to Jamaica Hospital

From the Daily News:

A plan to speed traffic to JFK Airport by closing down two exit ramps on the Van Wyck Expressway is facing tough opposition from Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and three community boards.

Under the proposal, crafted by the city's Economic Development Corp. and Department of Transportation, the Jamaica Ave. off-ramp on the northbound side would be closed along with the Liberty Ave. off-ramp on the southbound side.

City officials have said the closings would reduce car accidents on the busy highway while cutting travel time to the airport.

EDC officials had originally told borough officials that they hoped to start the this plan this summer. But that timetable appears to have changed.

Jamaica Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center located on the southbound service road of the Van Wyck, sits in the middle of the proposed closure zone. Hospital officials have said they fear that closing exits will make it tougher for ambulances and staffers to get to the facility.

Marshall, along with representatives of Community Boards 9, 10 and 12 - whose neighborhoods would be affected by the plan - met with EDC and Transportation officials last week to hash out their concerns.

Marshall: No more school overcrowding

From NYC Public School Parents:

Check out what Queens Borough President Helen Marshall said on WNYC radio on Tuesday about school overcrowding by clicking here.

Meanwhile, according to official DOE data (which most experts think underestimates the problem), 67 percent of elementary school children in Queens attended overcrowded schools; and 77 percent of high school students. And this does not count thousands of students in trailers.

Class sizes are still increasing rapidly throughout the borough, and as of this March, nearly 800 Queens children were on waiting lists for their zoned Kindergartens.

Aqueduct "Memo-gate"?

From the NY Times:

The messy bidding process over a casino at Aqueduct got even messier on Friday.

John L. Sampson, the leader of the State Senate, said on Friday morning that last year he leaked an internal Senate assessment of the various bids to a lobbyist for one of the bidders, the Aqueduct Entertainment Group.

Mr. Sampson, a Democrat of Brooklyn, said that the document had never been considered confidential and that he did not believe it gave A.E.G. an advantage. A.E.G. eventually won the bidding but was dumped by state officials this year after the process was enveloped in scandal.

The document and Mr. Sampson’s role have emerged in an investigation of the Aqueduct Racetrack bidding process by the office of the state inspector general, Joseph Fisch. The New York Post reported on Mr. Sampson’s involvement this morning. The inspector general has no jurisdiction over the Legislature, so it is not clear what, if any, legal or ethical exposure Mr. Sampson might have in the matter.

“The document was not confidential,” Mr. Sampson said. “It contained all the information, public information, that was constantly going back and forth.”

However, much of the information in the detailed memorandum, which was provided by Senate officials on Friday, was not generally available in September, when the document was produced, and it is the latest in a long line of developments to cast doubt on the integrity of the entire process.

You really don't want to shoplift here!

FLUSHING, N.Y. (WPIX) - A Flushing supermarket has an unusual way of punishing shoplifters: forcing them to fork over their ID's, snapping photos of them with the loot they were trying to steal and threatening to display their pictures all over the store.

Security guards at A & N Food Market who catch the crooks in action also threaten to call the police -- but ultimately let them off the hook if they agree to hand over money for the items they were attempting to swipe.

The store -- which mainly caters to Chinese clientele -- seems to be practicing a popular method in China, in which suspected shoplifters are forced to pay for the items they were looking to steal. In fact, some storekeepers in the County reportedly post signs reading, "Steal one, fine 10."

It's unclear if the practice is legal in the United States. However, the New York City police department and the Queens district attorney's office said it had not received any complaints about the practice.

Critics say the accused shoplifters are deprived of basic civil rights and are not being held by adequately trained security officials with proper oversight.

Similar methods are reportedly used in Chinese neighborhoods around the city.

Speaking on behalf of Queens' illegals

From Queens Latino via Lost in the Ozone:

Teresa Jurado and Rubiela Liliana Arias Sanchez spoke on behalf of workers in the World Financial Center (WTC) who were hit by the rubble of the Twin Towers, many of whom "are not receiving proper medical care and are dying," Sánchez said. "Many are undocumented persons and need help."

Sara Jaramillo Jara Ruth also spoke of the organization Make the Road New York. "I ask homeowners not to increase rents and not to abuse the rights of immigrants living in crowded conditions, and the councilman told me something different Dromm related to the homosexual community," said Jaramillo.

Responding to another question to Dromm, she said it is necessary to "convert illegal basements in order to find spaces to live." Another issue that Dromm has always approached from his the beginning of his political campaign is the creation of a center to serve the day laborers seeking work in the street.

Let's make it mandatory to convert basements into apartments so great masses of illegal aliens have a place to live. I'm surprised that law hasn't already been introduced and passed by the City Council.

LIC lot is still a dump

Hi, Queens Crapper!

This property is still here and still a dump - 45-64 Pearson Street, Long Island City. The DOB was notified. The developer received more violations, but still doesn't care. There are $21,000 in default violations and 4 more coming up in a hearing. The DOB keeps giving these animals chances. Look at the notes the DOB has posted on their site - it's all crap. These guys are taking advantage of a neighborhood they don't live in and don't respect. They have a big violation for illegal zoning. It should be used for residential use not a dump, a storage area or parking, but the city allows it. It is still a haven for rats and other vermin. They have a hearing in July. I know they won't show up. They won't pay the city and this eyesore/dump won't be gone. This city loves to ticket and tow parking scofflaws, but when it comes to these developers they let them get away with everything. The DOB is a joke and this city is a joke.

The Concerned Long Island City Native

Gruesome murder in Flushing

From the Daily News:

A young mother and her two dogs were found dead in her gas-filled Queens apartment Wednesday - and her attacker was on the loose after crashing his Mercedes into Flushing Bay, cops said.

Claudia Montoya's killer, who slashed her throat then turned on her gas stove, fled the gruesome murder scene in Flushing in a panic, smashing into two fences, a brick wall and trash cans before making what cops believe was a dramatic bid to fake his suicide.

Following a short drive into neighboring College Point, the killer floored the black Mercedes SUV down 28th Ave. - a straight road that dead-ends before a bluff leading down to the bay.

The SUV skirted a guardrail on the wrong side of the road and hurtled over a small hill before splitting a pair of trees and going airborne - eventually splash-landing into the shallows, partially submerging the luxury ride.

Cops searched the water and shoreline for the killer, but found nothing. They eventually traced the SUV's license plate back to the Murray Lane apartment where Montoya, 31, was found slain, police sources said.

Neighbors called 911 around 7:50 a.m. Wednesday after becoming alarmed by a powerful odor of gas emanating from the apartment.

Cops found Montoya's body along with those of two blood-splattered dogs, which appear to have been overcome by the gas.

Montoya's throat had been slashed, but she was also stabbed numerous times in the torso, cops said. The Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy Thursday to determine if the gas played a role in her death, a spokeswoman said.

Bloomberg made big donation to corrupt ex-gov

From the NY Times:

It turns out that Rod R. Blagojevich, the impeached former governor of Illinois, flamboyant reality television star and billboard for the helmet hairdo, had an unexpected admirer in New York City: Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

During Mr. Blagojevich’s corruption trial on Monday, it was revealed that just days before the 2006 election, Mr. Bloomberg gave him a $25,000 campaign donation, one of the largest that Mr. Blagojevich received for his successful re-election bid that year.

What, exactly, inspired this last-minute burst of out-of-state generosity?

Aides said the two men had much in common: advocacy for tougher gun laws, abortion rights and the importation of prescription drugs from Canada.

They also shared something else: Bradley Tusk, a top Bloomberg aide who went on to serve as deputy governor to Mr. Blagojevich. He held that job at the time Mr. Bloomberg sent his check.

Mr. Tusk later returned to New York and ran Mr. Bloomberg’s 2009 re-election campaign.