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— which have been stuck in budgetary limbo as the Mayor tries to plug a 1.3billion dollar budget shortfall — cannot be rescinded without city council approval, according to city budget director, Mark Page.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)

So… CNN’s Jessica Yellin is a hologram.

Wolf Blitzer may or may not be real.

And Candy Crowly will probably still eye CNN political analyst Paul Begala like the last piece of chicken franchaise at an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Welcome to election night coverage in America.

BLOWS!

Hey, live blog this crap here, why dont ya?

America’s hopes and dreams basically hinge on the next few hours.

If Barack Obama wins, it’s been said he’ll take your guns, home, salary, women, sexuality – tax your carbon footprint, and talk to Iran.

If McCain wins, however, we’ll be in Iraq for a 100 years, and bomb Iran.

BUT, he wont raise your taxes, AND has already promised to give ‘the gays’ the right to enter into mutually agreed upon contracts for long term relationship misery.

Nutty.

A ‘concerned Bay Ridge native‘ writes to inform us that Dunkin’ Donuts is believed to be spying the old offices of Dimitri Realty at 9000 3rd ave – a block down from ‘Little Cup Cake Bake Shop’ – and he’s not going to take it lying down.
Our tipster goes on to write a serious call to arms against the munchkin franchise, saying:

“We must prevent this disgusting franchise from littering our Streets. Isn’t it enough that they already have the homeless shelter they call a Dunkin Donuts on 4th Ave? This would truly be the beginning of the end of our mom and pop, independently owned, unique retailers row that is our 3rd Ave. We cannot afford to stand by and let our 3rd Ave become another 86th Street. Is there anything we can do as a community to stop this travesty? I know, I myself can rally about 300 people to sign a petition to prevent this stain on our quaint and lovely streets. We’ve prevented certain bars from opening in the past, why not do the same in regards to this cesspool for junkies?”

*whoa*

anywaaaaaaaaaay….

If there’s any truth to the rumor, would make for the second Dunkin’ Donuts in a three block radius – the third this side of 86th – with the largest being the 24 hour D&D on 92nd and 4th: Notorious for its colorful array of denizens, convenient parking and proximity to Kelly’s Tavern.

Saturday night truly became a ‘Day for the Dead’ in Bay Ridge when a 17 yr-old valet parking attendant from the Pearl Room restaurant was crushed to death when attempting to shuffle his charge of cars – amid what was otherwise a bustling 3rd avenue bar scene, full of adult Halloween revelers – reports the Daily News and NY Post.
Mousa Ajhami, a freshman at College of Staten Island and amateur body builder, was crushed when he got out of a mini-van he was parking only to not have applied the brake and, in his attempt to stop the mini-van from rolling, was crushed to death between a Pathfinder and a Dodge Caravan sometime after 12pm – just feet from the Pearl Room and a bustling 3rd avenue full of post Halloween revelers. Mousa was transported to Lutheran where he was pronounced dead.

The shuffling of double parked cars on side streets by valet companies employed by our most popular local restaurants has been a longstanding issue for local residents, concerned over safety of pedestrians, and the availability of already scarce parking.

(photo courtesy: NY Daily News)