Hey, guess what would-be preservationists? Turns out rules are for everybody!

According to the Brooklyn Eagle: a devastating blow has been struck in one of the most under-reported fights for the soul of local ‘contextual preservation.’

In the ongoing war against those insidious ‘curb cuts,’ the 70th street block association lost their protracted battle against homeowner Gus Englezos, who spent thousands to construct a legal curb cut outside his 70th street home between 8th avenue and Ft. Hamilton Pkway.

Neighnors of Mr Engelezos, led by John Beckman — husband of District Manager Josephine Beckman — represented by attorney Steve DiBrienza, called for a reversal of the city’s decision and restoration of the front lawn and sidewalk curb, reversing the city’s decision for the legal cut.

As of April 30th, new rules approved by the City Council require residents to reserve between 20 and 25 percent of their front yards for “any combination of grass, groundcover, shrubs, trees or other living plant material,” according to the Department of City Planning proposal, which applies to 70 percent of the city’s residentially zoned areas – reports the Brooklyn Paper back in May.

In what’s arguably been the most ugly front in the war against all things over development; local preservation; maintaining all sorts of historical whim-based integrity; limestone row house lined Ovington Avenue — the block of that big Green Church in the sky — is curb cut heaven.

Ovington between 3rd and 4th avenues has, ironically, been a block where yards and frontage have been excavated and paved over with impunity.

According to the Brooklyn Eagle, however:

“Twice the DOB gave its approval for a homeowner to place the curb cut in front of his house, allowing for the 8-by-10 feet strip as a “side lot ribbon” for a front-yard legal parking area. Englezos, a contractor, destroyed his front porch and is constructing a parking spot on his front lawn, paving over it. He has charged that Board 10 “ganged up” against him, causing him and his family undue stress.”

Last week the Brooklyn Eagle regales us with tales of Dorcas(sp?) and David Kimball’s cracks in the plaster walls of their limestone townhouse. Because the Green Church poeple were being selfish.

SAD!

THOUGH, no one ever really talks about how fucked up that whole line of townhouses looks with all those curb cuts – hmmm!?

No one ever really talks about the Gershon’s either, who basically were robbed of all natural light when arch-prick bastard neighbors, Cheryl and Robert Cunningham, swooped down like rollin’ thunder on a quiet 88th street block and singlehandedly destroyed IT!

Remember, these were the sons-of-bitch-bastards who literally up and bricked over their neighbors windows one day, while pushing their air condition on top of Michel Gershon!

Where was their committee to save the integrity of a small tree lined block?

Cracks in plaster???

Curb cuts???

Incidentally, the wall that those two shit-heels, Cheryl and Robert Cunningham, were ordered to remove in July is still standing!

(photos courtesy: NYTimes, Brooklyn Paper, NYDailyNews)

Hey, guess what would-be preservationists? Turns out rules are for everybody!
According to the Brooklyn Eagle: a devastating blow has been struck in one of the most under-reported fights for the soul of local ‘contextual preservation.’

In the ongoing war against those insidious ‘curb cuts,’ the 70th street block association lost their protracted battle against homeowner Gus Englezos, who spent thousands to construct a legal curb cut outside his 70th street home between 8th avenue and Ft. Hamilton Pkway.

Neighnors of Mr Engelezos, led by John Beckman — husband of District Manager Josephine Beckman — represented by attorney Steve DiBrienza, called for a reversal of the city’s decision and restoration of the front lawn and sidewalk curb, reversing the city’s decision for the legal cut.

As of April 30th, new rules approved by the City Council require residents to reserve between 20 and 25 percent of their front yards for “any combination of grass, groundcover, shrubs, trees or other living plant material,” according to the Department of City Planning proposal, which applies to 70 percent of the city’s residentially zoned areas – reports the Brooklyn Paper back in May.

In what’s arguably been the most ugly front in the war against all things over development; local preservation; maintaining all sorts of historical whim-based integrity; limestone row house lined Ovington Avenue — the block of that big Green Church in the sky — is curb cut heaven.

Ovington between 3rd and 4th avenues has, ironically, been a block where yards and frontage have been excavated and paved over with impunity.

According to the Brooklyn Eagle, however:

“Twice the DOB gave its approval for a homeowner to place the curb cut in front of his house, allowing for the 8-by-10 feet strip as a “side lot ribbon” for a front-yard legal parking area. Englezos, a contractor, destroyed his front porch and is constructing a parking spot on his front lawn, paving over it. He has charged that Board 10 “ganged up” against him, causing him and his family undue stress.”

Last week the Brooklyn Eagle regales us with tales of Dorcas(sp?) and David Kimball’s cracks in the plaster walls of their limestone townhouse. Because the Green Church poeple were being selfish.

SAD!

THOUGH, no one ever really talks about how fucked up that whole line of townhouses looks with all those curb cuts – hmmm!?

No one ever really talks about the Gershon’s either, who basically were robbed of all natural light when arch-prick bastard neighbors, Cheryl and Robert Cunningham, swooped down like rollin’ thunder on a quiet 88th street block and singlehandedly destroyed IT!

Remember, these were the sons-of-bitch-bastards who literally up and bricked over their neighbors windows one day, while pushing their air condition on top of Michel Gershon!

Where was their committee to save the integrity of a small tree lined block?

Cracks in plaster???

Curb cuts???

Incidentally, the wall that those two shit-heels, Cheryl and Robert Cunningham, were ordered to remove in July is still standing!

(photos courtesy: NYTimes, Brooklyn Paper, NYDailyNews)

The arrest of the dude single-handedly responsible for the crime wave that almost brought Bay Ridge to its KNEES has bestowed a sense of calm over an anxious Bay Ridge – or so Marty Golden would have us believe!
His royal elegance said in remarks following the bail hearing for the one dubbed the Serial Bay Ridge Burglar:

“I commend the brave men and women of the 68th Precinct and Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez for their diligence and work to insure that that this burglar was brought to justice… The outbreak of burglaries was causing alarm and fear throughout the Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights communities and nothing is worse than to have your home broken in and things that you have worked so hard taken from you… We will not tolerate such behavior in our neighborhood. We will not allow our community to be overrun by criminals.”

WOW! That’s a relief! Aren’t you calm?

Life can return to normal!

“Residents of Bay Ridge can rest easy once again, now that this serial burglar has been caught… He will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I’d like to thank the NYPD for their hard work on this investigation,” said DA Charles Hynes.

Anyway, according to the Eagle: Rami Abuziyad was charged last week with “committing eight Bay Ridge home break-ins in the past month.

According to today’s Daily News: The city’s $400.00 property tax rebate checks — which have been stuck in budgetary limbo as the Mayor tries to plug a 1.3billion dollar budget shortfall — cannot be rescinded without city council approval, according to city budget director, Mark Page.

Earlier this month, Councilman Gentile made several inquires to the Department of Finance as to the whereabouts of the rebate checks — which total $256million and affect 600,000 homeowners — after residents throughout his Bay Ridge/Dyker Heights district complained they have not seen the rebate check, which typically has arrived no later than the first week of October.

Page acknowleded the Council approval is needed for rescinding the rebate under questioning from Council Finance Chairman, Davin Weprin, but is limited to only this budget year – reports the News.

So, don’t spend it all in one place, Bay Ridge.

Unless you’re fortunate enough to be a developer with a 25yr tax abatement – they’re raising your property taxes by 7% next year, anyway, folks.

(photos courtesy: flickr, and ryryan.com)

It was only a matter of time before local micro-celebrity, Mike Rizzo (better known as the Mayor of Bay Ridge ) would have to defend his claim to the rather dubious title by squaring off with the other self-professed Mayor of Bay Ridge – Larry Morrish.
“A View from Bay Ridge,” a Brooklyn Independent Television program hosted by local Attorney and Eagle columnist, Chuck Otey – and the other notorious Mayor of Bay Ridge, Larry Morrish – interviewed the self-proclaimed Mayor Rizz for BCAT.

In it we learn that Mike Rizz is a filmmaker, who’s Mayor-like personality is a tool for lampooning everything from local politicians, Key Food’s demise, nightlife, and Green Church.

Tragically, Rizzo disappoints us by helping us learn absolutely nothing about a man who’s a bigger mystery to Bay Ridge than the infamous toadfish hum.

Seriously, folks, why do we not know anything about a guy who hasn’t missed a Spectator/Home Reporter/ Eagle photo-op in over 20 years, has the ear of countless local politicians – yet doesn’t appear to actually have a formal job?

We want answers, Rizz!

In what appears to be a franchise first for Bay Ridge; Brooklyn; maybe even the city: The Starbucks on 91st street and 3rd avenue now offers a free(?) delivery service.

Bay Ridge Councilman Vincent Gentile recently inquired, via a press release, into the whereabouts of the mayor’s $400.00 property tax rebate checks – which are usually in Bay Ridge homeowners’ mailboxes by the first week of October.
Reasonable question, no?

Well, turns out they ain’t coming!

In a press conference held yesterday on the city’s $59billion dollar budget, and its $4billion dollar budget gap, Mayor Bloomberg announced 1.5billion in savings achieved through spending cuts – spending cuts that include NOT mailing you a rebate check, AND rescinding a 7% property tax cut for the next FY!

Fun, right?

Interestingly enough, the Mayor didn’t say anything about rescinding all those 25 year tax abatements his developer friends get when they build those piece of shit condo developments we’re in the process of chocking on – and are partially responsible for the credit/housing market meltdown!

The $400 dollar rebate checks were part of a 59.1 Billion dollar budget approved by the Mayor this year.

Gothamist is reporting that someone has started a peitition; and the Advance reports that S.I. Councilman Vincent Ignizio is exploring the possibility of filing a lawsuit to get the rebate checks to NYC homeowners.

Dena Libner, Councilman Gentile’s Communications Director issued this press release, saying ‘Councilman Vincent J. Gentile supports filing a lawsuit against Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his attempted rescindment of qualified homeowners’ $400 property tax rebate checks.

“The Mayor and the City Council made a legislative promise to homeowners months ago,” Councilman Gentile said. “Breaking that promise today is certainly not the ethical thing to do, and I doubt that it’s the legal thing to do.

“I support and join all efforts to compel the Mayor to make good on that promise through a lawsuit,” Councilman Gentile added. “This recession is hitting homeowners just as hard, if not harder, than it is hitting the City. To ask them to bankroll the City’s losses is counterintuitive and unsympathetic.”

Councilman Gentile is exploring legal options alongside Staten Island Councilman Vincent Ignizio.

(picture of the Councilman Gentile courtesy: Brooklyn Paper; Mayor Bloomberg: Gothamist)

According to this morning’s Brooklyn Paper, it appears not even the ruinous remains of what was the Green Church are immune from Bay Ridge’s rash of burglaries.
The church’s cornerstone, which preservationists have said contained a copper time capsule — consisting of photos, a hymnal, and other artifacts — was chiseled away at sometime Tuesday, according to the church’s pastor, Robert Emerick.

The time capsule, however, was apparently removed in October, according to the Brooklyn Paper; who go on to report that thieves did manage to abscond with a piece of the dated cornerstone – a relic which the church had planned on saving.

Now Reverend Emerick, who says his congregation has been cast as everything from ‘pariah,’ to grave robbers throughout this arduous process, is offering a $500.00 reward for the cornerstone’s return, saying:

“This is consistent with the attitude that has been directed towards us, but this is theft. We want it back. We want to keep it because it is ours.”

Finally, in a move of either truly amateurish thievery, or fit of incredibly sophomoric buffoonery — the blue plywood construction fence securing the property during demolition had its padlocks locks stuffed with crazy glue, as the vandals/thieves made off with the stone.

(photo courtesy: Brooklyn Paper)

Hey, look who found something else to blog about other than dingbat Sarah Palin – Lefty!

The Brooklyn Eagle — and Bay Ridge’s official blog for all things Sarah Palin — report a suspect has been captured by police in connection to the rash of burglaries at the center of the much feared Bay Ridge Crime wave.

According to the Eagle: “Twenty-seven-year-old Rami Abuziad, who police say is an illegal immigrant from Palestine, was arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 4 on nine counts of burglary and 13 counts of criminal possession of stolen merchandise after police uncovered a trove of stolen goods in his apartment at 1570 66th St.”

Abuziad, believed to be responsible for at least 26 burglaries,
was described by Deputy Inspector Eric Rodriguez of the 68th Precinct as being: “a total professional, in top shape.” At one point, apparently scaling a 10 foot wall ‘with ease,’ wearing wrestling shoes ‘probably to give him better traction.’

OH, and Rami’s wife, 26-year-old Amal Abdul Hassan – she’s also in deep shit.

According to the Eagle, the thief’s wife was arrested for endangering the welfare of a child on Sunday, Nov. 2 when police went looking for Gorgeous George at their apartment, only to find Abuzaid and the Mrs. weren’t model parents. Authorities found their 10-month-old daughter living in what they described as “unsafe and disgusting conditions.”

The child has been handed over to child protective services – reports the Eagle.

The arrest of Abuzaid comes two weeks after a tuxedo clad Marty Golden hosted a telethon to benefit victims of the Bay Ridge Crime Wave.

Last night Barack Obama became the United States’ 44th President [elect], in an event being ranked among other historical firsts such as Brown vs. the Board of Education in ‘54; the integration of the U.S. armed forces in ‘48; to Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclimation of Jan. 1, 1862. Inspiring some of the most celebration among New York’s African American community some say not seen since Joe Louis beat Max Schmeling; both figures brought together by history, two symbols of their communities, “prisoners of politics” – sent to captivate the world.
In Bay Ridge, however, yesterday also marked a day of some import in our tiny world of local politics.

Last night, the 13th congressional district – the last remaining stronghold of Republican House influence in the 5 boroughs – turned to a Democrat.

With 100% of precincts reporting, Mike McMahon, a Staten Island moderate Democrat won the district with over 60% of the vote; resoundingly defeating former Republican Assemblyman, Bob Strenaire; and Conservatie Party opponnet – Timothy Cochran.

“Mr. McMahon, a City Council member, had the endorsement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. His victory means that all of the Congressional seats in New York City will be held by Democrats. The 13th District had been represented by a Republican for nearly three decades.”

Before the May 1 drunk driving arrest — and subsequent unraveling of Fossella’s personal indescretions — the 13 congressional district had been the only district to not turn Democrat in over 20 years.

Fossella’s decision not to seek reelection sent the GOP into a tailspin, setting out on an exhaustive search of Candidates that have either flat out rejected the bid, and, in one case – died.

(Photo Obama/Biden courtesy: Getty via Daily News; McMahon photo courtesy: Daily News)