Breaking: Court Blocks Carroll Gardens Homeless Shelter

At the very least lets get a little transparency into this process.
And maybe think a bit about the way the City is addressing (or utterly
failing to address) homelessness in NYC.

Our current system is a travesty and, contra my earlier praise of DOT,
a lowlight of the Bloomberg administration.

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/11/breaking-court-blocks-carroll-gardens-homeless-shelter/


Typos courtesy of my iPhone

City To Burn "Organic" Sandy Detritus In Open Air, Sparking Environmental Worries: Gothamist

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but this just seems like a real waste of
resources. Nobody out there could turn this stuff into engineered
wood products, or fuel for pellet stoves, or even generate steam or
electricity in the process somehow?

A lot of good hardwood went down in the storm.


http://gothamist.com/2012/11/28/city_to_burn_organic_material_damag.php


Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Who wants to take over for Bloomberg on transportation? | Capital New York

Great public transit is one of the great equalizing/democratizing
features of our city.

Democratic candidates for citywide office should be embracing policy
that strengthens and extends the system, as well as keeps it
affordable.

I am baffled that the Democratic field in this and the last citywide
election have failed to make transit, which has profound impacts daily
on the lives of every New Yorker whether they use it directly or not.

That the transit and livable streets policies were essentially ceded
to Bloomberg in the last election was not just bad policy but also
terrible politics.

We can't allow that again. And while we're on topic, Janette
Sadik-Khan's DOT has been the brightest spot of Bloomberg's
overextended tenure. She deserves to keep the job no matter who wins.


http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/politics/2012/11/6682248/who-wants-take-over-bloomberg-transportation


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Fox's 'Kitchen Nightmares' takes on Mama Maria's in Brooklyn, N.Y. - Newark TV | Examiner.com

I've heard that I absolutely must watch this episode. I'm looking
forward to it.

I don't think I've ever been to Sal's or Mama Maria's, but have run
into the owner at some CGNA meetings.

http://www.examiner.com/article/kitchen-nightmares-on-fox-mama-maria-s-brooklyn-n-y


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Where the water went

What Crappy said:

Sent to you via Google Reader

Where the water went

These were taken from the Hurricane Sandy Storm Tide Mapper. Notice the areas flooded. Never build or buy a house on: a barrier beach, landfill, low-lying areas, or within 1/4 mile of a river, whether at the surface or buried. You can't fool Mother Nature, and she can kick your ass.

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New York City Enclaves, Long Gated, Seek to Let In Storm Aid - NYTimes.com

Interesting piece.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/nyregion/new-york-city-enclaves-long-gated-want-to-let-in-storm-aid.html?pagewanted=2


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Alternate Side Back In Effect In Red Hook

Just in from DOT:

Alternate side parking (street cleaning) regulations are reinstated,
effective immediately, throughout Brooklyn Community Board 6,
including the previously exempt area west of Hamilton Avenue. The
reinstatement will allow for necessary street maintenance as storm
recovery efforts continue in Red Hook.

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Big Site up for Sale, Development in Gowanus

Big property on the market in Gowanus.

Lightstone appears to be moving forward with their plans at the old
Toll Bros. site.

A lot hinges on the question: What will City Planning do with their
mothballed "Gowanus Framework"? This site is not zoned residential -
for now.

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/11/big-site-up-for-sale-development-in-gowanus/


Typos courtesy of my iPhone

The New Republicans - NYTimes.com

Krugman with the truth:

"Second, today's Republican party is an alliance between the plutocrats and the preachers, plus some opportunists along for the ride — full stop. The whole party is about low taxes at the top (and low benefits for the rest), plus conservative social values and putting religion in the schools; it has no other reason for being. "

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/20/the-new-republicans/

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39th Council District to Include A Unified Park Slope

Previously split between the 33rd and 39th, no longer shall Park Slope
be rent asunder and bedeviled by confusing electoral campaign
coverage.

http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/new-council-map-reflects-population-shifts


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Pardon Me For Asking: Question Of The Day: Smith And Clinton Traffic Insanity

Traffic nightmare:

http://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2012/11/question-of-day-smith-and-clinton.html?m=1

Saturday afternoon we had to take my nephew out to a birthday party at
Floyd Bennett field. The traffic on 4th Ave, 3rd Ave, 9th St, Smith
St and Clinton St was like nothing I've ever seen.

I know the F train was replaced by buses, and the Battery Tunnel is
still problematic, but it doesn't seem like enough to explain that
level of traffic hell.

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Google's gig-per-second broadband in Kansas could change data speeds around the USA

Google, Brooklyn needs you! 

One of many areas in which America is falling behind other industrialized nations. 

Where is our industrial policy?

Sent to you via Google Reader

Google's gig-per-second broadband in Kansas could change data speeds around the USA

From MIT Technology Review: "Google's effort to install a blazingly fast, gigabit-per-second fiber Internet service in the two-state metropolis of Kansas City—a speed 100 times faster than the national average—is a radical new business direction for the company, and perhaps provides an unorthodox model for how to rewire parts of the United States." And an interesting data point: did you know the US ranks 24th worldwide in broadband speed, with Americans downloading at an average of only 11.6MBPS? (via @bruces)

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Street Sweeping BACK In Carroll Gardens

As of tomorrow. Which in my world means Tuesday. 

From Community Board 6:

After conferring with the department we have been informed that EFFECTIVE TOMORROW, NOVEMBER 16th, STREET SWEEPING SERVICES WILL BE RESTORED IN BROOKLYN COMMUNITY BOARD 6, EXCEPT FOR RED HOOK where street sweeping services would be less effective due to the presence of temporary emergency lighting and other necessary equipment in the street.  Street sweeping services in Red Hook will continue to be suspended indefinitely.

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Alternate Side Parking Suspension Continues in Carroll Gardens

Just in from DOT:

Alternate Side Parking (street cleaning) regulations will be suspended indefinitely in Brooklyn Community Boards 6 and 18 as of Thursday, November 15, joining the previously-announced suspensions in Brooklyn Community Boards 13 and 15 and Queens Community Board 14. These localized exemptions will facilitate ongoing storm recovery efforts in areas with some of the most extensive damage. ASP regulations in other areas of the city were reinstated as of today, Wednesday, November 14 in order to allow for necessary street maintenance.

The additional suspension includes the neighborhoods of Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Park Slope, Gowanus, Boerum Hill, Bergen Beach, Canarsie, Mill Basin, Flatlands, Marine Park, Georgetown and Mill Island.

The previously announced ongoing suspensions include the neighborhoods of Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Gravesend, Seagate, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Broad Channel, Breezy Point and the Rockaways.

Check the DOT website for more details.

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Fairway Rebuilds in Red Hook

Good to hear. The (happily, unfounded) rumor was that Fairway wouldn't
be back. Looking forward to the reopening.

http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/11/sl-with-vid-tk/


Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Gothamist: Christine Quinn Vies to Become New York’s Post-Sandy Mayor

"Quinn, currently the speaker of the City Council, says she'll launch hearings into the city's hurricane response — and some good, granular ideas, like requiring the use of water-absorbing pavement materials. Plus some populist touches: Quinn says she's considering legislation to force Con Ed to bury electrical lines in vulnerable neighborhoods."

Regardless of the motivation, those are good ideas. We never lost power in Carroll Gardens. We never do. The utilities are buried here. But it's not only important for reliability - its a big part of what makes the neighborhood so beautiful.

 

 

Sent to you by Gary via Google Reader:

 

 

Christine Quinn Vies to Become New York’s Post-Sandy Mayor

via Daily Intel by Chris Smith on 11/12/12

The emergency response to Hurricane Sandy is far from over, but the political reaction is in full swing. On Thursday President Obama will tour storm damage with Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg, part of the opening act for the ferocious fight for federal money to rebuild and protect New York. The storm has also created an enormous new issue for the candidates to succeed Bloomberg as mayor in 2013, who need to present plausible visions of how to bolster the city's defenses against climate change. This morning Christine Quinn gave the first major post-Sandy campaign speech, even though the campaign hasn't officially begun.

There were some standard items — Quinn, currently the speaker of the City Council, says she'll launch hearings into the city's hurricane response — and some good, granular ideas, like requiring the use of water-absorbing pavement materials. Plus some populist touches: Quinn says she's considering legislation to force Con Ed to bury electrical lines in vulnerable neighborhoods.

Yet for all the infrastructure substance — and for all the finger-crossing that the Feds will pick up the vast majority of the tab — Quinn's speech was also a way to position her for next year. Outerborough resentment of Manhattan was always going to be a theme in 2013; the Sandy aftermath, in which residents of Staten Island and the Rockaways, among others, complained bitterly of being ignored, will only widen the city's geopolitical divide. True, there aren't many Democratic primary voters in the areas hardest hit by the storm, but Quinn, who is most popular and best known in Manhattan, could be vulnerable to an outerborough campaign strategy, especially from Brooklyn's Bill de Blasio or Queens's John Liu.

In today's speech, Quinn included an anecdote about summer visits to Rockaway Beach when she was a young girl, saying they were one of her favorite memories of her late mother, and described seeing that boardwalk laying in pieces last week. Her closing flourish was a call to "work together, as one city." At the end of the speech roughly three-quarters of the audience — mostly businesspeople at a midtown hotel breakfast meeting of the Association for a Better New York — gave Quinn a standing ovation. None of the candidates will win anything close to 75 percent at the voting booth next year. Quinn's remarks today showed she knows that assembling a mere plurality is going to be a five-borough battle.

Read more posts by Chris Smith

Filed Under: christine quinn ,2013 mayoral race ,hurricane sandy

 

 

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The G Is Back

Expect some delays … but if this eight car setup continues it will be great news. 

http://secondavenuesagas.com/2012/11/07/the-g-train-returns-with-eight-cars-and-a-longer-wait/

I've been secretly hoping, perhaps irrationally, that the MTA could take advantage of the service outage to fix a few things on their list while cleaning up the disaster Sandy left in the system. 

This isn't exactly what I had in mind, but it has been on my wish list for years. Hoping for more surprises. 

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Ballgame!

Obama re-elected (and amen to that)!

Thanks Ohio, and thank you Tea Party!

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Voting Today

No problem voting at the Carroll Gardens Library around 4:15 today.
Earlier today around 11:00 it was a debacle with hour long waits.

Why has our polling site been moved from PS58? PS 58 is a far better
venue. The library felt cramped.

Prediction: Obama wins, > 300 EVs.

Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Big News For Displaced NY Voters

Governor Cuomo has just issued an executive order that displaced persons can vote by affidavit ballot at any NY polling site - though only for races that they would ordinarily be entitled to vote on.  So if you're displaced from Red Hook and holed up in Syracuse, you can't vote in the local races but you can vote for President and Senator.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2012/11/cuomo-signs-order-allowing-hurricane-victims-to-vote-anywhere

Hurricane Sandy Update From Park Slope Neighbors

Eric McClure put together an update so comprehensive I'm just going to post it in the entirety below (note that the F train should be up and running later today, and 4/5 are already active):

Hurricane Sandy Update: Saturday 10:00 a.m.

Dear Park Slope Neighbor,

Here's the latest update from the Mayor's Office, via Andrew Olsen, Brooklyn Director of the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit, augmented in places with breaking news.  We've also tacked on some more info at the end.

While not all of the information in this update is directly pertinent to Park Slope or even Brooklyn as a whole, we're including it in case you want to communicate this information to others.

FEMA intake centers (MCU Park in Brooklyn and Mount Lorretto and Miller's Field in Staten Island) are up and running. Those affected by Sandy will be able to meet with FEMA, SBA, and HRA reps, have questions answered, and file the necessary paperwork for disaster relief. There are also charging centers provided at the two Staten Island location by Time Warner Cable which will be there through the weekend. 

We want to make sure that everyone who can and wants too will utilize these sites. They are operating 7 days a week and will do their best to address everyone's needs. 

Food & Water Distribution Sites:

• Today we had 13 food and water distribution sites set up in the hardest-hit areas of the city.   
• Yesterday we distributed 290,000 meals and almost 500,000 bottles of water and did a full distribution today.
• These sites are staffed by NYC Service volunteers, the Salvation Army, and the National Guard.
• The details of these sites, including the exact locations and hours of operation, can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/foodandwater.html
• The sites will be open from 1-5 Saturday and Sunday.
• We will keep them operational for as long as is needed.
• Each person will be able to take three meals and five bottles of water at these sites. 
• People should bring their own bags to carry their food and water.
• We are distributing hundreds of thousands of flyers in English, Spanish, and Chinese to get word out to these impacted communities.
• AT&T will bring pods that provide cell service and charging stations to the areas around the food distribution sites, and also throughout Zone A.

 

Volunteering, Donating, and Giving Blood:

• Cash donations to support these and other efforts can be made through the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.  Learn more here: nyc.gov/fund
• Generally speaking cash donations are preferable to in-kind donations because the logistics of collecting and distributing those supplies are complex
• Those who want to volunteer can visit NYC Service at: nyc.gov/service
• Giving blood is incredibly helpful right now.  For more information visit: nybloodcenter.org

 

Disaster Assistance Centers:

• Today we opened five of these centers that provide information about applying for emergency social and economic benefits.
• Right now they are operating in temporary locations but we will have them in more permanent locations by late next week.
• These facilities are being operated by the City's Human Resources Administration in cooperation with FEMA.
• They will be open from 10am to 7pm, seven days/week.
• There are two centers in the Rockaways, two on Staten Island, and one in Coney Island.  Here are the temporary locations:
• Staten Island:
• Parking lot at the Mission of the Immaculate Virgin at Mount Loretto, 6581 Hylan Boulevard
• Miller Field parking lot, 600 New Dorp Lane
• The MTA is providing free shuttle bus service along Beach Channel Drive to and from the sites on the Rockaways.
• Rockaways:
• Parking lot of the Duane Reade pharmacy, B-116 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway.
• Fort Tilden Park parking lot, Beach Channel Boulevard, near Breezy Point.
• Coney Island:
• Parking lot at MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue.

 

Gasoline

• There are three major disruptions in getting gasoline to the city:
• Refineries are down
• Pumping stations have no electricity
• Terminals in the region have been closed
• Power is now back on at the pipeline that serves our city, the Buckeye pipeline complex in Linden, NJ
• Fuel will begin flowing again today or tomorrow
• We worked with the Coast Guard and the Port Authority to unlock a barge that was stuck in port.  It has gone up the Hudson to Newburgh, where it is unloading 64,000 barrels of gasoline that will enter the supply.
• We have a plan in place to ensure that fire, police, and other critical service vehicles have the fuel they need.
• While there will be some lags and delays in getting gas to service stations, the major impediment to getting that done has been removed.
• Until the system is fully restored we encourage people to not drive unnecessarily. 

 

Water:

• New York City tap water is safe.
• However water in Breezy Point is not potable and should not be consumed in any way. 
• Visit nyc.gov/health for more information.

 

Roadways:

• Traffic is very heavy in the city, particularly on routes into Manhattan.  We strongly urge people to not take their cars into Manhattan if at all possible.
• The 3-person HOV restriction on crossings into Manhattan expired at 5pm Friday.
• The Holland Tunnel is open to commercial vehicles and buses. Details here: http://www.panynj.gov/alerts-advisories/inclement-weather.html
• The Hugh Carey Brooklyn Battery Tunnel is still closed.
• Alternate side parking is will be in effect Saturday.
• Meters are in effect.

 

Mass Transit:

• Commuters should expect extensive delays on mass transit.
• Subways, railroads, and buses are operating on a modified basis. 
• Lower Manhattan below 34th Street has no subway service, and some lines are still completely suspended (Breaking: 4, 5, 6 and 7 lines fully restored. D, F, J and M lines to be back later today).
• LIRR and Metro North are running with modifications.
• Bus service is largely restored
• Fares on MTA services are back in effect.
• All details on MTA service status can be found at: mta.info
• Staten Island Ferry service is running and will be back on its full schedule Saturday.
• The East River Ferry is running
• PATH service is still suspended
• NJ Transit services have been restored on a limited basis.  Details are here: njtransit.com.

 

Schools:

• Public schools will be open on Monday. 
• However, 65 schools will not open on Monday because of damage from the storm.  Students from those schools will not report to school on Monday as we repair damage and determine any necessary relocations
• Information about these 65 schools and more can be found online at: nyc.gov/schools

 

Power:

• Con Ed has made progress in restoring power, with lights turning on for many people in South Brooklyn, Staten Island, and some parts of Lower Manhattan.  Con Ed has set a goal of restoring power to all Manhattan customers by the end of the weekend. 
• Those parts of the city with overhead power lines still without service may not have it restored possibly until next weekend.
• Anyone without power who is using candles for light should be extremely careful – do not leave them burning through the night and do not leave them unattended.  Candles can be a fire hazard.  Last night we had a fire started by candles.

 

Building Inspections:

• The Department of Buildings is inspecting buildings in hard-hit Zone A areas to assess their structural integrity. There are three areas where these inspections are happening: Staten Island, the Rockaways, and Lower Manhattan.
• Buildings will be tagged with one of three color placards to indicate their safety:
• Green: the building is safe to enter
• Red: the building is not safe and may not be entered
• Yellow: it can be occupied conditionally (i.e. one floor may be safe while another is not.) These conditions would be explained on the placard.
• Building owners can also self-certify with the Department of Buildings.

 

Support to Businesses:

• We have put together a package of support for NYC businesses impacted by the storm:
• Emergency loans of up to $10,000 for small and mid-sized businesses that have been interrupted as a result of the storm.
• For larger businesses that were damaged, temporary City and State sales tax deferment on materials needed for rebuilding.
• For businesses displaced from their locations, we're offering temporary office space free of charge at the Brooklyn Army Terminal for the next 30 days.
• EDC has about 40,000 square feet of space at the Terminal that is now available for this use.
• Loans up to $2 million are also available for business property losses not fully covered by insurance – and for businesses that have had cash flow problems caused by the storm and need funds to get back on their feet.
• That applies to small businesses, agricultural co-ops, and most nonprofits, regardless of size.
• To get information contact NYC Business Solutions by calling 311 or going to nyc.gov. 

 

Federal Disaster Assistance:

• Anyone affected by Sandy – homeowners, renters, and businesses – can apply for federal disaster assistance.
• They can register at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the Federal Emergency Management agency at 1-800-621-3362.

 

Healthcare Facilities:

• Bellevue, New York Downtown, Manhattan VA, NYU Langone, and Coney Island Hospitals have all been evacuated.

 

Shelters:

• The number of shelters has been consolidated to 15, since many of the shelters had just a few people staying in them. 
• Our shelter system will remain open until evacuees can return to their homes or find short-term housing.

 

Parks & Beaches:

• We will open a majority of them by 8am on Saturday (including Prospect Park).
• Details on park closures can be found here: nyc.gov/parks
• Because of sewer system discharges during the hurricane, no one should go in the Hudson or East Rivers, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay or Kill Van Kull, or on them in a canoe or kayak or for wind-surfing, until further notice.

 

Construction:

• We have lifted the ban on exterior construction work that we imposed before the storm.

 

Sanitation:

• The Department of Sanitation is collecting garbage
• They are not collecting recycling.

 

Reporting and Handling Conditions:

• 911 should only be used in case of emergencies.
• To report other conditions such as fallen trees and sewer backups, please use 311 Online, text 311 at 311-692, or call 311.
• Fallen trees are incredibly dangerous.  Anyone who sees one should report it immediately.  No one should try to cut down or move damaged trees themselves.
• Power outages and live wires should be directly reported to Con Ed (1-800-75-CON-ED) or LIPA (1-800-490-0075).
• Live wires are also extremely dangerous.  No one should touch them or be near them.

 

Health and Safety Information:

• Any food – including packaged food – that was touched by flood water should be thrown away.  The flood water may contain sewage or other contamination.
• Other items that have been touched by flood water should be cleaned and disinfected.  This should be done as soon as possible to prevent mold growth.
• Tap water is safe to drink (except in Breezy Point).
• Do not use generators or grills indoors.  Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious threat when these devices are used indoors.  They should only be used outside and kept away from windows and vents.
• Everyone should have and use battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms. They should test the batteries if possible.
• If someone experiences sleepiness, dizziness, headaches, confusion, weakness or the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, they should immediately seek fresh air and call the poison control center at 212–POISONS (212-764-7667.) They can also call 911, since poisoning is life threatening.
• Important guides on carbon monoxide poisoning and food safety can be found at nyc.gov/health.

 

Staying Informed

• For the latest updates, New Yorkers can:
• Visit NYC.gov
• Follow @nycmayorsoffice Twitter
• Sign up for notifications from Notify NYC

 

Thank you for all the work you are doing in your communities.  We will continue to make sure you have the information and resources you need to help our city recover.

 

 

Ryan Whalen

Chief of Staff to Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson

Here's some other information which may be helpful.  In general, there are significant needs for volunteers.

• As most of you surely already know, the NYC Marathon has been cancelled.

• Here are a couple great compilations of info about needs for donations and volunteer opportunities:

• http://brokelyn.com/where-to-volunteer-this-weekend/

• http://www.heresparkslope.com/home/2012/11/2/a-round-up-of-local-ways-to-help-sandy-victims.html/

• The Brooklyn Community Foundation has launched a Brooklyn Recovery Fund.  100% of funds donated will go to local recovery efforts in Brooklyn.  Click the link for info and to donate.

• Recovers.org has set up a site for Red Hook: https://redhook.recovers.org/.  The site allows people in need to post requests, and allows you to register to volunteer or to donate.

• Five officers from the 78 Precinct and their families lost their homes and all their possessions to Sandy's wrath. Many others lost power, but have left their families in the dark and cold to come to Park Slope and keep us safe.
  
  
  
  We ask a lot of the police officers in our precinct, now the 78 Precinct Community Council is asking you to help our cops. The Council has set up a relief fund to help the homeless officers with immediate basic necessities including clothes and toiletries as well as future needs as the families rebuild their lives.
  
  
  
  Donations can be made payable to the: 
  
  78th Pct Community Council Relief Fund 
  
  c/o 78 Precinct Community Council 
  
  65 Sixth Avenue 
  
  Brooklyn, NY 11217
  
  
  
  You can drop off clothes, toiletries, gifts cards, etc at the 78 Precinct. The affected families consist of 10 adults (5 men, 5 women), a teenage boy and a 3 month old girl.

• Leaves on sidewalks and gutters will contribute significantly to flooding problems if we get rain.  If it's at all possible, please collect and bag leaves around your homes.  We'll send information about facilities that will accept leaves for composting in a future update.

Thanks to Chris Owens, Jo Anne Simon, Rob Underwood and the 78th Precinct Community Council for additional information included above.

Sincerely,

Eric McClure

Campaign Coordinator

Park Slope Neighbors

Graphic: Superstorm Sandy's Toll | TPM LiveWire

Powerful graphic.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/graphic-superstorm-sandys-toll


Typos courtesy of my iPhone

Streetsblog New York City » Rebuilding New York City for a New Reality

Lets hope the paralyzing damage from Hurricane Sandy wakes some people
up to reality. Sam Schwartz's equitable transportation plan is one
piece of the puzzle.

http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/11/02/rebuilding-new-york-city-for-a-new-reality


Typos courtesy of my iPhone