Ground finally broken on new Kingsbridge library

by Candice M. Giove
07/31/2008, Riverdale Review

When the new Kingsbridge Library opens across the street from its current graying white brick building on West 231st Street, it'll be twice the size, with up-to-date technology and a green roof, library and elected officials said at a ceremonial groundbreaking this week.

Though shovels aren't expected to actually touch the ground for another two months, the day signified the start of a project discussed for over a decade.

"It's been a long wait. There've been many disappointments and now it's really happening," said Steve Barker, Kingsbridge Branch librarian.

Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, who secured money piecemeal for the $14 million project, was pleased to be at the groundbreaking. "When I first became a member of the City Council in 2002 this project was already on the drawing board and a large amount of money had been allocated by the City Council through the efforts of my predecessor, June Eisland, and by the office of the mayor and by the office of the borough president," he said.

"As we all know, 2001 intervened and the capital budget for the city was smashed and the mayor's office actually cut out almost all of the funding for the new Kingsbridge library, so we had to start all over again in 2002 and each year over the past five years or six years I allocated part of the discretionary capital funding that we had available to this project," he recalled. "It was my number-one priority with capital projects that we funded. Unfortunately as the years went by not only did we have to allocate more and more funding, but each year the project got more expensive. We've had round after round where the library had to come to me and ask for additional funding."

Former Councilwoman June Eisland was elated that the project finally began. She said that she and her staff worked hard to help acquire the property—and that she and former Borough President Fernando Ferrer were even able to get then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani to commit to it. She was glad that other elected officials continued their work.

Earl Brown, Deputy Borough President, praised the "inspirational" design on the challenging parcel of land—a site below street level. The design of the partially glass two-story structure, which will allows natural light to saturate the inside, won a New York City Art Commission Award for Excellence.

Brown also said that a new library was great for residents in Kingsbridge and Riverdale, and for democracy.

"As you know the hallmark of any successful democracy is the ability for people to think clearly and freely, to speak freely and to be educated. And one of the things that the library does is it provides an opportunity for all members of the community, from young kids to senior citizens, to really have access to information, and that access to information and the ability to use that information appropriately is what makes our democracy so successful," he said.

Once the new building opens it will have 32 public computers and WiFi, and lots of space—even an outdoor patio for summer reading. "If you go into the current library there aren't enough seats, there aren't enough computers," said NYPL director and local resident Ann Coriston. "So it's nice to have something fresh and bright in this community."

$75G homeland security $ for SAR schools

by John DeSio
07/31/2008, Riverdale Review

Salanter Akiba of Riverdale has been awarded a $75,000 federal grant through the Department of Homeland Security.

Details of the grant became clear following a Monday press conference by Brooklyn/Queens Congressman Anthony Weiner, a likely candidate for mayor in 2009, during which he pointed to the considerable largesse received by New York institutions through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Weiner, a member of the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, noted that nonprofit organizations in New York City secured more than $4 million in Homeland Security grants, amounting to 27 percent of all grants delivered nationwide.

"It's high time DHS realized that our nonprofit institutions were at risk,” said Weiner. “Worshipers, museum goers, and hospital visitors expect and deserve a safe environment, and these grants will go a long way towards ensuring their safety."

Neither Rabbi Binyamin Krauss, principal of SAR Academy, nor Rabbi Tully Harcsztark, principal of SAR High School, could be reached for comment as of press time.

Though he was not present at the announcement, Congressman Eliot Engel was also pleased that DHS had done the right thing and moved much-needed homeland security funds to his district.

"These grants are long overdue because of the serious threat that certain religious organizations face in today’s troubled environment,” said Engel. “I have worked to bring these grant requests to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security. I have also fought to ensure that there be a risk-based funding formula which would increase homeland security funds for New York. Reasonable people have long recognized New York as the most highly targeted city, and therefore we must receive our fair share of homeland security dollars."

Weiner pointed out that this year, 59 nonprofits in New York City received funding, for a total of $4.08 million, representing roughly one and a half times the amount given to any other locality. The appropriation exceeds last years total when 40 nonprofits in New York City received a total of $3.2 million.

The grants, made available through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, will provide significant funding for security measures at the very institutions being singled out as potential targets, specifically yeshivas and synagogues throughout the five boroughs.

In the past, the program has funded security enhancements at New York City landmarks such as the Intrepid Museum and hospitals such as the Staten Island University Hospital.

Institutions that qualified for the current grant program were eligible to receive up to $75,000, and those funds can be used to train security personnel and install security measures such as surveillance cameras, barriers and controlled entry systems.

The average award for grant winners is approximately $70,000, and the funds are expected to be delivered within the next 60 days.

SAR qualified for the highest possible grant and was the only institution in The Bronx to receive such funding. It is unclear whether the money is intended for SAR’s academy, high school, or a combination of the two.

Weiner’s office indicated it could not release a full list of grant awardees, citing security concerns put forward by the DHS.

Quinn comes to Bronx to celebrate Ed $$$

by John DeSio
Riverdale Review, 07/24/2008

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is happy to alert The Bronx that she fought back against Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s planned education cuts—and won.

Quinn discussed the budget battle Tuesday morning during a media breakfast, where she was joined by Council Members G. Oliver Koppell and Joel Rivera. Quinn noted that overall Bronx schools actually increased their funding in this budget, due to the Council’s efforts. A list provided by the speaker’s office made it clear that no school would see its budget decline next year.

“The goal of the budget was really to make sure no public school had less dollars in September than they did in June, when the schools closed,” said Quinn.

Locally, P.S. 7, P.S. 24, P.S. 81, the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy and the Bronx High School of Science will all see a net change in their budget of $0. One local school, M.S./H.S. 368/The In-Tech Academy, saw a small budget increase of $412.

Koppell said he was also happy to see that schools not only in his district but across the Borough were spared the budget axe. He noted that he had heard from numerous parents, principals and educators who were concerned about the cuts and the immediate and long-term impact schools would face because of them.

“The principals seemed really genuinely concerned that they would have to cut back on various programs and services,” said Koppell, who added that he has been applauded by local principals since the funding was restored.

Though this year’s funding is safe, other problems do loom on the horizon for many schools, especially those in middle-class neighborhoods. For starters, the proposed “Fair Student Funding” program, which would shift school budget allocations based on poverty data, would drain funding from schools in neighborhoods like Riverdale.

Quinn said such potential problems would have to be dealt with as they happened. “I can’t tell you what’s going to happen next year until we get there,” said Quinn.

The speaker also discussed the future of mayoral control of city public schools, calling for a continuation of the current system with some modifications. Under Quinn’s plan mayoral control would be replaced with municipal control, and control of city schools would be removed from the hands of the state Legislature and given to the City Council.

Such a plan would make the Council and the mayor equal partners and would place the schools under more localized control.

“There’ll always be a legislature. That legislature should be the New York City Council,” said Quinn. “It should be the guy from Riverdale, not the guy from Pitcher Hill, deciding how money gets set up.”

In further discussion about the City’s funding formula for schools, which gives larger funding to schools based on poverty and the number of “English language learners” attending the school, Quinn said it was a difficult rope to walk because some students do need more help than others to succeed.

“Sometimes extra learning means you need extra resources to help that child,” said Quinn. That said, she did state the middle class schools should by no means be penalized in the budget for performing well and that she would join the City Council in fighting to hold those budgets harmless.

“Yes, some kids need more than others, but every child needs a fair amount of resources,” said Quinn. “Middle class schools shouldn’t be penalized for historically doing well.”

Quinn closed the meeting by noting that Bronx and city schools do face myriad challenges but that the City Council’s budget efforts will, at the very least, keep public schools “running in place.”

“We legitimately have a whole bunch of challenges,” said Quinn. “That said, this is a big deal. If the schools in The Bronx had $30 million less, things would be worse.”

No Trader Joe's for Riverdale

by Candice M. Giove
Riverdale Review, 07/24/2008

No Trader Joe's For Riverdale

By Candice M. Giove

The specialty grocery chain Trader Joe's has no plans for Riverdale, though many speculated that the unique shop would seek retail space at the site of the new Manhattan College parking facility at West 242^nd Street and Broadway.

"At this time I do not have a location in the next two years in that area," said Trader Joe's spokeswoman Alison Mochizuki.

Initially, Manhattan College planned to partner with Pathmark, but chain's financial woes collapsed the deal.

Moerdler Considering Council Run

by John DeSio
Riverdale Review, 06/09/2008

One of Riverdale’s most well respected citizens could be throwing his hat into the ring for City Council.

Charles Moerdler, who currently serves as Community Board #8’s land use chairman, is giving serious consideration to his own run for the 11th District City Council seat, which includes Riverdale and Kingsbridge.

According to multiple sources Moerdler, who is also a partner at the prestigious white shoe law firm of Stroock, Stroock & Lavan, is set to change his enrollment from Republican to Democrat in order to run in that primary, which in all likelihood would decide the winner of the contest.
Moerdler would also reportedly self-finance his campaign, a move that would more than level the playing field given his potential opponents current fundraising advantage. Sources indicate that Moerdler also feels that spending his own money on the race would allow him the ability to speak freely on a variety of topics without offending donors.

Moerdler was in Europe at press time, and could not be reached for comment.

The seat is currently held by City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, who cannot run for reelection in 2009 due to term limit laws. Other announced or presumptive candidates for the seat include Ari Hoffnung, co-president of the Riverdale Jewish Community Council; Helen Morik, vice president for government and community affairs at the Columbia University Medical Center; Anthony Perez Cassino, former chairman of Community Board #8; and Jamin Sewell, who serves as legislative counsel to Koppell.

Moerdler served as buildings commissioner under Mayor John Lindsay in the 1960’s. He currently serves as the governor’s representative to the New York City Housing Development Corporation, and has been appointed to that post by three Democratic governors and one Republican.

He is also a prominent labor attorney, and has helped to guide the career paths of many notable New Yorkers, including Governor David Paterson and United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.

In addition that work Moerdler is a member of the New York City Board of Collective Bargaining. Since 1999, he also served as the vice chairman of the Committee on Character and Fitness of Applicants to the Bar of the State of New York, and has been a member of that board since 1977.

Other highlights in his illustrious public service background include a stint as New York City's Commissioner of Buildings from 1966 to 1967, member of New York City's Air Pollution Control Board from 1966 to 1967, and consultant to the Mayor of the City of New York on Housing, Urban Development and Real Estate from 1967 to 1973.

Moerdler has also served as the panel chairman of the Disciplinary Committee for Appellate Division, First Department from, 1998 to 2004; served as a member of the Mayor's Committee on Judiciary from 1994 to 2001; and also served as the Chairman of the New York State Insurance Fund from 1955 to 1997 and as its commissioner and vice chairman from 1978 to 1995.

Moerdler is also a trustee at St. Barnabas Hospital, a position that he's held since 1986. He's also worked on the Board of Overseers for the Jewish Seminary of America, as a trustee for Long Island University, as an advisory board member for Columbia University's School of International Affairs, and as an American Jewish Congress lecturer.

He has also been included in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who in Finance and Industry and Who's Who in The World.

Lest Ye Be Bullied...

"How To...Protect Your Child Against Cyberbullying," June 3, Positive Thinking Magazine.

This Week In Clips

Via the Village Voice:

"Bob Barr: Libertarian Presidential Hopeful on Barack, Borat, and Spoiling For McCain," May 9.

...and The Real Deal:

"Columbia Buying Failed Riverdale Development," May 16.

"Thrift store opening its first NYC shop in Kingsbridge," May 14.

Sounds Like a Hell of a Story...

"I am an established freelance journalist who freelances for myself as a hobby occasionally, and magazines and independent newspapers, from time to time. I am currently in the beginning stages of writing and researching an article about the subject of dating a sex offender (otherwise known as a pedophile). I am seeking to interview people knowledgeable about all aspects of this phenomenon."

Here's the full ad.

Freeganism, Or How I (Well, Not Me) Learned to Stop Worrying and Eat the Trash

Janet Kalish preaches the "freegan' gospel at last week's Anarchist Book Fair in NYC.

The old cliché that argues “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is perfectly applicable to New York City’s small but burgeoning “freegan” movement. Though their practice of searching through the garbage of grocery stores for their next meal is off-putting, if not flat out gross, to most, local freegan leader Janet Kalish is sure that the tide of public opinion is starting to turn ever so slightly. Dumpster diving, once a survival activity exclusively for the homeless and downtrodden, is now a statement against the waste of America’s consumption driven society.

Last week Kalish preached the gospel of freeganism from a table at the annual Anarchist Book Fair at the Judson Memorial Church, across the street from Washington Square Park. In that den of anti-establishment and anti-corporate feelings she did not have a hard time convincing people to buy into her movement. A few passersby asked to sample some bread she rescued from the trash of a nearby bakery. Several attendees sipped found juice from one of her impromptu cups, which formerly housed a serving of yogurt. At Kalish’s table everything is recycled, from the food right down to her sign-up sheet, which once served as part of a high school testing booklet.

So many good things are wasted, said Kalish, who showed me a container of Odwalla pure orange juice that she pulled from the garbage on April 11. We spoke on April 12, the listed expiration date on the juice container. The container is still factory sealed, and she even froze the juice overnight so it would stay cold during the fair.

“Are you afraid of it?” Kalish asks me. “Nobody is.” It may be the case that a sealed container of orange juice does not invoke the queasiness that one might feel when discussing the freegan movement, but what about the pile of pre-sliced bread that sits on her table, a product that lacks Odwalla’s factory seal? She understands the difference, and the squeamishness one might feel when it comes to eating the bread. From below the table she produced the bag that once held the bread, as if to assure me she did not just pull each slice from a stinking garbage heap. It was never sold, said Kalish, and there is nothing wrong with it. And though it might have been manhandled by the bakery staff that threw it away, just how clean is our store-bought food to begin with?

“Even if you go to a bagel store, there’s somebody’s hand that touched that bagel before your hands did,” said Kalish. “There has to be a little bit of trust in your own immune system.”

While we spoke a young anarchist, going by the name “Cabbage,” stopped by Kalish’s table. “Do you guys really eat garbage? That’s disgusting!” he joked before sampling her spread. A similar, serious reaction is fairly common, said Kalish, who became an active freegan about three and a half years ago. But her own health should be enough to persuade dissenters of the freegan lifestyle. “I think I lend a little credibility to it. I haven’t been getting sick from doing this,” she said. A vegan, Kalish noted that eating meat procured from the trash could be more problematic, and that those with weaker immune systems would probably have to be more careful freegans.

A pile of "freegan" bread.

New York’s freegan community meets about once a week to go “shopping” in the dumpsters of the City’s supermarkets. Nicer neighborhoods with better supermarkets produce better trash, said Kalish, who added that her own grocery bill has shrunk to just about $25 a week, most of which she attributed to soy milk and products for her cat. Even those minimal purchases upset Kalish, who felt she should be scavenging for all her food.

“Honestly, it’s sort of a luxury. I feel a little guilty about shopping. I buy food with guilt because I know I don’t have to,” said Kalish of her soy milk purchases. She feels the karmic effects of her purchases later on. “I get punished. The next trash tour, the next dumpster dive I go on, I’ll find what I just bought.”

Though Kalish is an articulate defender of the freegan lifestyle, most people are just not going to eat trash no matter how good an argument she puts forward. Leaving her table I felt a palpable sense of relief that Kalish did not ask me to try any of the bread, as I would have been put in the awkward position of being nice to a source and eating garbage. But freeganism to Kalish is about more than the trash hunt. Why can’t communities share one car or one washing machine?, she asks one man stopped at her table. Kalish is outraged by any waste, be it food, energy or otherwise. Hitting a dumpster for her meals is just the first step.

“I always felt uncomfortable to be shopping and buying new things. I already have enough shirts, why do I have to get another shirt?” she asked. “It never made sense to me to accumulate all this stuff.”

Other Notable Clips

I've been busy away from the Village Voice. Have a look...

At Candidato USA:

"What Can Latinos Expect From The New Governor Of New York?" March 17, 2008.

"What Might Congestion Pricing Cost Latino Neighborhoods?" March 24, 2008.


At Positive Thinking Magazine:

"Five Things I Learned: Chris Bliss," March 2007.

"Five Things I Learned: Bill Nye," March 2007.


And how about two oldies but goodies...

"A Psychic Detective of Another Sort," Wall Street Journal, November 24, 2007.

"The Rundown on Scientology's Purification Rundown," New York Press, May 31, 2007.

Village Voice

I have been doing a ton of work for the Village Voice. It's the major reason I haven't been able to keep things up to date here. Have a look at a few of the more interesting pieces...

"The Revolt of the Superdelegates?" February 7, 2008.

"Penn Jillette on Libertarians, Hillary, Obama, McCain and Bloomberg," February 22, 2008.

"John Edwards Backs the 'Iraq/Recession' Campaign," February 25, 2008.

"Ralph Nader: Why I'm Running Again," March 3, 2008.

"Anonymous vs. Scientology: 'Our Nonsense Is Free,'" March 17, 2008.

"Scenes From Anonymous' 'Scientology Reconnect' Picnic," April 14, 2008.

"'Coffin It Up' Seeks to Transform Bad Things Into Music," April 17, 2008.

Coming later this week I'll have an interview with Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr and an examination of the "freegan" movement. Stay tuned.

It's Been A While...

...but I've been busy. Here are a few recent clips for everyone to check out.

"A Psychic Detective of Another Sort"--Wall Street Journal, Nov. 24, 2007

"Immigration Debate + Reality TV Dating = A New Stupid Low"--Village Voice, Nov. 30, 2007

"Carrión to Run for Comptroller in 2009"--Village Voice, Dec. 13, 2007

"Interview: Jim Bouton on the Mitchell Report"--Village Voice, Dec. 14, 2007

Enjoy!

Joel, The Marathon Man

As I've written before, City Council Majority Leader Joel Rivera had spent the past few months training to run in the marathon over the weekend. For your enjoyment, Rivera's office has provided this picture of the probable 2009 borough presidential candidate greeting his fans in his native Bronx on Sunday. He finished the race in about five hours.

A politician running. Oh, the metaphors!

Election '07: What It Means In Westchester

A trusted Westchester source-in-the-know sends over this detailed analysis of just what Tuesday's results mean for Westchester County. Here's the report:

Yonkers

The big victory by Mayor Phil Amicone (R) over Councilmember Dennis Robertson (D) is a major defeat for allies of former Mayor (and former candidate for US Senate) John Spencer (R). Spencer and his allies were strongly for Robertson. Amicone governs as an apolitical technocrat and works well with most figures in both parties.

Amicone is term limited and therefore a lame duck. Expect Ken Jenkins (Democratic chair in Yonkers and a County Legislator) to begin grooming a strong Democrat for mayor, but not City Council Chuck Lesnick, who many see as a cross between a loose canon and a light weight.

Amicone himself must consider whether to run for County Executive in four years. His reputation as being on the level in hilly and crooked Yonkers would serve him well; but Democrats have a big edge in registration in Westchester. Amicone would have no difficulty picking up private employment.

Also in Yonkers, people are talking about how relatively close the Spreckman-Christiana race turned out: Incumbent Republican Bernice Spreckman 3,900, Democratic challenger Ger Christiana 2,900. Christiana's campaign appeared non-existent and those 2,900 votes pure hard core Democratic voters. Word is a Democrat who is known and willing to campaign vigorously could put the seat in play. This creates an interesting scenario for Spreckman. She is perceived as a reliable vote to support the programs and priorities of County Executive Andy Spano in part because her son has a patronage job with the county administration. But if she stays a Republican, Spreckman may well attract a strong Democratic challenger. If she switches to the Dems [previously she switched from the Dems to the GOP -- when the Republican County Executive (now Judge) Andy O'Rourke put the Spreckman heir on the payroll], then County Executive Spano could help preclude a primary. Anyway, the seat is seen in play.

Mount Vernon

The county Democratic organization rallied 'round the official Democratic candidate, County Legislator Clinton Young who won handily. Incumbent Ernie Davis lost the Democratic primary, continued the race to November, and got more than one third of the vote on the Independence and Conservative lines. This is a very Democratic city, but with 88% of the districts reporting, 42% of the voters voted otherwise than with the Democratic candidate. Republican County chairman Doug Colety will be looking at those numbers to see if an appropriately charismatic candidate could do well there as a County Executive race. Most observers see this deviation as a one shot incident with a powerful incumbent mayor using the power of incumbency to draw votes.

New Rochelle

Democratic Mayor Noam Bramson was re-elected with two thirds of the vote and appeared to have no coat-tails. Republicans held their one seat on the seven member council, won a second, and are (as of now) leading in a third district by seven votes.

County Board

Democrats picked up two seats on the 17 member board bringing their total to 14 and a half (Spreckman). That gives the Democrats the so-called super majority needed for bond acts. Most members of the 17 member board were unopposed, but two Republican incumbents faced strong campaigns. Minority Leader George Oros won re-election from northwest Westchester (Peekskill and environs) by 300 votes out of 9,300 votes cast.

Conservative Suzanne Swanson lost to Democrat John Nonna 44% to 56% in a central Westchester district centered around Pleasantville. It is expected that former legislator Rob Astorino will be more visible within the district and try to recapture it for the GOP in two years.

Republican Ursula LaMotte and Democrat Clinton Young were the only legislators not to seek re-election. Young will face the trials of being mayor of Mount Vernon and will be replaced on the county board by Mount Vernon City Council Member Lyndon Williams (D). LaMotte will face the trials of grandmother-hood and will be replaced by businessman Peter Harckham (D). Harckham defeated Republican Peter Michaelas 52% -- 48%, an indication that this high income area is becoming more and more Democratic.

Poll: No One Likes The Spitzer Plan

A new Rasmussen poll finds 77% of all Americans oppose any plan that would give drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants.

The opposition has no real party affiliation. Republicans do have a greater distaste (88%) for such a plan, but Democrats (68%) and independents (75%) are pretty strongly against it, too.

I guess Eliot Spitzer won't be able to use the issue as the backbone for a presidential run anytime soon.

More here.