The New York City Blog: 01/01/2011

Friday, January 14, 2011

Royalty Arrives On New Year’s Eve

At precisely the moment when the Times Square, New Year’s Eve ball dropped to ring in 2011, Princess Avana Andrews was delivered at SUNY Downstate Hospital. She was presented to her loving parents, Helena Ross and Dwayne Andrews. This adorable little "princess" now has the official/unofficial distinction of being the first baby born in New York City in 2011. Just five seconds after Princess arrived; "Baby #2" was born in Coney Island Hospital. No names required for the 2nd place finisher. New York is a tough town, people. Better, our kids learn that lesson right from the moment they’re born than later on the streets.

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[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments on this blog and reply to the comments that other viewers have posted. This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Is Appealing Like Stealing Or Re-Dealing?

“It doesn’t hurt to try!” Many Big Apple, big-building owners are taking and using that maxim to get huge tax breaks when appealing their city property-tax assessments. In 2010, the city Tax Commission reduced property taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars. As of December 30, 2010, 46,929 property-tax appeals were filed which was the highest total ever. 1,710 homeowners also filed for a review. City officials admit that problems are caused by the year’s lag time in determining a building’s estimated value. David Frankel says that the Finance and the Tax Commission must use different data because of the delay which causes the $$$ discrepancies and the successful number of appeals which lowers the taxes NYC collects. New ideas to correct this problem are being sought… but shouldn’t they already be in place? New Yorkers shouldn’t pay more in taxes than required and should be billed the proper amount without needing to appeal. City officials should act immediately to ensure that residents and real estate giants pay a reasonable amount in a timelier manner.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

CUNY Attendance Rises As Economy Sinks

Spring semester enrollment is way up this year in CUNY schools where tuition is a very modest $5,000 a year. 12,911 freshmen alone will be attending classes. That’s a 48% increase over the 2010 class size of 8,698 students. Transfers from within and without of CUNY are also up about 33%. Better-prepared students (averages greater than 80) are up significantly too. Some see these numbers as proof of CUNY's great price towards a prestigious degree. Others see this as preparing for a lifetime degree over acceptance of expiring unemployment payments in this poor economic environment. CUNY is a better option for many than doing nothing for themselves at all. After all, we have the government seemingly doing nothing for us already.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Flame Deaths Lowest Since 1919

Death by fire in New York City is at an all-time low. Fire Department Commissioner Sal Cassano reported that 60 people died in 2010 compared to 73 people in 2009. The FDNY should definitely receive a great deal of the praise for the courageous job that they do. Keep in mind that there’s a proposal to close 20 engine companies in the evenings. This, in an effort to save $15 million annually. Let’s hope that city officials keep the emphasis on reducing fire death numbers before making unwise budget cuts that might directly raise their total.

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Tourist Take

Approximately 47 million visitors flocked to the Big Apple in 2008 spending a whopping $30 billion. Those numbers are up from 46M/$28.9B in 2007 and 43.8M/$24.7B in 2006. Foreign visitors spend about 4 times as much as American citizens. We are the #1 tourist destination in the nation but the good times aren’t expected to last forever. Shifting dollar values and other factors will see to that.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: This piece was written today about an older New York City news headline. NYCo site delays prevented its publication before now. In an effort to entertain and educate this blog’s devoted viewers, 100’s of older headlines will be posted in chronological order until this blog is discussing current events again. Though some stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of mention and viewer comments.

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others. This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Carnegie Duchess’s Run May Be Over

Editta Sherman, a 96-year old tenant received a New York state eviction notice from her NYC abode. Her place is one of the few remaining apartments above Carnegie Hall in Manhattan. She lives in a $530 a month, 800 square foot, rent-controlled flat and has been there for over 50 years. 43 residents were already booted before her. This, as part of Carnegie’s rehab project to convert the building’s space to offices and classrooms. Carnegie staff have offered to find her a superior apartment in the neighborhood and pay the difference in rents for the remainder of her life. Carnegie has the legal right to evict tenants. Editta has a lifetime of memories above Carnegie. Under the circumstances, it’s hoped that Editta will enjoy her next 50 years in a new place that she can happily call, “home.”

Cops Keep 'Copped' Cars

In 2008, of the 3,062 cars that were impounded for their presence at NYC crimes, only 20 were returned to their owners. In 2007, just 52 of 3,488 cars were returned. New York City became the owner of the cars' pink slips. That's the law. To all you would be lawbreakers out there, know this. If you commit a crime in NYC with a car, chances are your car will get a life sentence… away from you.

Green Coca-Cola

Coke’s famous red Times Square sign is going green for ecology. The company will pay 10% more to have wind power light it up than plugging it into the wall. Upon Coke’s approval, sponsors of 29 other billboards in New York City decided to go green, too. This new power approach for all 30 signs will somehow prevent the release of 2,056 tons of carbon dioxide annually. That's equivalent to 75 fewer passenger vehicles on the roads, 38 homes converted to wind power for a year or the positive effect of planting 470 acres of trees. It's not known for sure if all of those numbers are accurate, but there's one thing for certain. Coke is now on board drinking Al Gore's Kool-Aid!

Love Letters From Brooklyn

Williamsburg’s, Jake Bronstein is a 30-year old marketing consultant. Send him your address and he’ll mail you a love letter for free. No relationship required. He tried handing his goodwill notes in Union Square but had no takers. Then, he advertised on his blog zoomdoggle.com and had 1,000 requests for his letter writing services! His success led to problems however because he didn’t budget enough time or postage money for 1,000 people. His witty letters supposedly cheer people up. They'll probably make 1,000 people feel better... much better in fact than his friends who Bronstein asked for writing and financial help when he got overwhelmed.

NYC Pension Funds Failing Us All

The city’s five pension funds lost $30 billion in 2008. That's about 30% of their value. The law says that the city must kick in funds if they fail to earn a minimum of 8% a year. Guess where that money will be found, taxpayers?

Detour Route By The Devout

Some angry Hasids, upset with new bike lanes in their neighborhood, are fighting back by signing up. They illegally erected a 4’x8’ detour sign on Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to detour traffic along an alternate path to the BQE. The sign was put up on private property but the Department of Transportation didn’t find it kosher. DOT states that only the city can post detour signs. Undeterred, the Hasidics will hand out unofficial literature once the sign is removed. Some believe the issue here stems from the reserved Hasidics seeing many cycling cuties pedaling past, interferring with their traditionally reserved lifestyle. We should all be respectful of our neighbors, but all should be aware that neighborhoods are made up of diverse peoples. Nobody and no one group should take the law into their own hands because of their different views with others.

Stimulus Fairy For Ferry

New York City Water Taxi (NYCWT) rides the waves between Haverstraw in Rockland County, Yonkers and Lower Manhattan’s Financial District. Only a few thousand passengers travel this private line per month yet the federal government approved $2 million for the wet-cab clipper. The Lower Manhattan Development Corp. (LMDC) green-lighted this taxpayer-funded grant. Funding will eventually dry up but NYCWT president, Tom Fox says that won’t sink his business. The city recently approved a new route from Riis Park in the Rockaways to the Brooklyn Army Terminal to Pier 11 in Manhattan. To those who can afford to take advantage of this mode of travel, lucky you. To the rest if us, it seems like we're getting soaked.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

More New Yorkers Make Less Garbage

Usually, the more people a city has, the more garbage a city must collect. New York is no usual city though. Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty is puzzled by the stats he sees. Could they be real or garbage? You decide. Between fiscal years 2005-2008, the city’s population grew by up to 50,000 per year but household refuse collection dropped 5.5%. Recycling pickups dropped 7.1%. There are plenty of suggested explanations but nobody can really explain. The city spends about $100 a ton to get rid of residential garbage and roughly $57 a ton to rid itself of recyclables. Whatever the reason/s for the numerical oddities, these trash truths are welcome news to a city with a budget that’s full of garbage and that needs to be recycled to meet our obligations.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Gotham City Crime Stats Deserve Congrats

In 2008, overall crime numbers in the city dropped for the 18th consecutive year. Not all crimes. Compared to 2007, murder was up 5% and robbery rose by 2%. Rape was down 1% and burglary dropped 6%. All major crime (113,348 cases) was down 4%. Our police are definitely doing more with less manpower and resources. Crime-fighting advances in technology and officer re-assignments were given much credit but most of the praise and thanks should be lavished on the men and women of the NYPD. Individually and together, they bravely maintain the thin blue line between New Yorkers and chaos. Kudos to the cops!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This piece was written today about an older New York City news headline. NYCo site delays prevented its publication before now. In an effort to entertain and educate this blog’s devoted viewers, 100’s of older headlines will be posted in chronological order until this blog is discussing current events again. Though some stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of mention and viewer comments.

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others. This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Full-House Family Shelters

The weak economy has led to a record number of families in city shelters. 9,720 families call one of the city’s protective havens, their “home.” The Coalition for the Homeless released this unfortunate figure. No significant signs of hope on New York City’s horizon but at least the most impoverished among us can find some sort of comfort provided by the rest.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Whitewashing A Weakness

It used to be that as used, white NYPD police cruisers were painted a dark blue and passed down to other NYC enforcement agencies. These police groups included traffic-enforcement agents, auxiliary police and school-safety agents. Now, these hand-me-down cars will forego the blue “Maaco makeover” and instead receive agency-specific decals on the faded white car bodies. This will give the appearance that there are more police cars on the streets. This plan may deter or delay some crime, but having more cops on the streets will truly reduce crime in New York.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Food Police Need A Busier Diet

1,000’s of eateries throughout New York City have gone over 18 months without an official inspection. This, despite Health Department guidelines mandating a checkup at least once a year. As inspections fell behind, so did the closings of unsanitary eateries. That puts us all at risk. Now, the city’s 115 inspectors must work overtime to visit every eatery over the next 6 months. That’s approximately 25,500 food establishments to check. To whichever government supervisor permitted this situation to get so out of hand... the Soup Nazi says, "NO SOUP FOR YOU!"

Big Injury Suits Bruise Big Apple

In fiscal year 2008, $403 million in personal-injury lawsuits was paid out by New York City. That, according to Law Department figures. This represents a 6% increase over the previous year. The largest individual settlement amount was $8.5 million in 2008. On the dim, bright side, only $144 million in tort settlements was paid out by NYC’s Health and Hospitals Corp. which was less than the $151 million paid the previous fiscal year. The top malpractice case settled for a paltry $5 million. $547 million going out NYC's doors can surely make most New Yorkers sick... but certainly not the lawyers who handled the cases.

NYC Gals Bury Guys

The Health Department reported that NYC girls born in 2006 can expect to live to 81.7-years, whereas baby boys are expected to live to only 75.9-years old. Reasons? Generally speaking, men tend to do more unhealthy things than women which may account for the disparity. New Yorkers continue to live longer than other Americans to an average age of 79. Maybe New Yorkers stick around longer here because it's too expensive to die!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Drug Mule Shielded By Bellevue Band Of Doctors

A doctor found 14 bags of coke in a patient during emergency surgery. Not 14 liters of Coke. That was 14 bags of cocaine. He reported the illegal drugs to police but refused to provide more details… like the patient’s name and address. He cited “doctor-patient confidentiality.” The NYPD was incensed claiming that the laws don’t protect drug mules. Bellevue hospital officials claim that they “cooperated within the limits of the law.” With no help forthcoming, police did their detective worked and tracked down and arrested the suspect at the hospital. “D-P” confidentiality rules should be reviewed or ended when the public is put at risk by the patient. This guy was no harmless piñata carrying candy.

Tix With Pix

Bronx Councilman Jimmy Vacca proposed a law that traffic agents should have photographic evidence to support each ticket they write. He believes this will reduce questionable tickets and limit motorist challenges in the court system. Parking meter tickets won’t require a “Kodak moment.” Wouldn’t it be nice to have a photo or video of a politician each time he or she made a bad judgment call or did something illegal that negatively impacted New Yorkers?

Don’t Let Friends Ride Drunk

Sloshed straphangers account for nearly half of all accidental deaths in the transit system. So says a 13-year study by Columbia University, conducted between 1990-2003. During that time, 145 of 315 people were dead drunk when they died. Of 668 total deaths that Dr. Robyn Gershon studied, 84% were male, 43% were in Manhattan and people between 35-44 were most often the victims. There’s your guide on who not to go drinking with.

School Class Size Matters… So Measure Twice

The city’s public school system is seeing more kids in the classroom. That, according to the Department of Education. This change occurred despite state money to prevent it from happening. Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters was shocked by their findings. Board of Ed officials claim the numbers are unreliable because students were counted at different times in the school year. It would seem that the two sides need to study up on their ‘rithmetic before sizing up class size.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

MetroCard Moneymakers

Georgette Difini sees free transit in discarded plastic. She scoops up “used” MetroCards at turnstiles and trainstations to search for hidden transportation treasure they might contain. She finds money on 40% of the cards but only nets around $5.00 a week. You have to admire her effort even if the results it produces are slice. Of course, no good idea by a New Yorker (no matter how small) goes without its governmental consequences. NYC Transit Spokesman, Charles Seaton, declared that only allows cash consolidation from five cards is permitted per card. Of course, those rules don’t apply to the MTA. They recover millions each month from expired and unused MetroCard funds. The MTA rides again... but not to our rescue... or Ms. Difini's.

Big Apple Pill Poppers

More New Yorkers are taking prescription pills to combat higher anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation caused by the economic crisis. Let’s hope “mommy’s little helpers” aren’t needed much longer. Just in case things don't improve around here, let's also hope that local pharmacies keep their RX drugs well stocked.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Mayor Backs More Bike Lanes

NYC has 420 miles of bicycle paths... the most of any city in America. Mayor Bloomberg wants four times more though, with a goal to reach 1,800 miles in twenty years. Many riders on four wheels say these paths cause street confusion and congestion. Those on two wheels are generally happy with the mayor’s support. One-wheeled unicyclists could not be reached for comment.

City Subjects Residents To Surgical Risk

NYC was settling lawsuits involving malpractice and faulty surgeries so long as the alleged faulty physicians are dropped from the suits! The city’s policy enabled doctors to reduce their risk of review before the Health and Hospital Corporation and to avoid public scrutiny. The government, which is supposed to act in the public’s interest, seems to be guilty of malpractice itself.

P.A. Paid Late Fees On W.T.C.

$49.5 million was handed to developer Larry Silverstein by the Port Authority because they failed to meet a work deadline. This wasn’t the first deadline they missed or the first penalty that they paid. Just how many years lead time does the Port Authority require to complete their work on time for the benefit of New Yorkers?

Astroland Rocket Needs New Pad

The famous Coney Island rocket first appeared on NYC's scene in 1962. It was a 26-passenger movie theater that vibrated as viewers watched a "journey to the moon" movie. More recently, it sat motionless atop a Boardwalk food stand. New plans for Coney are forcing it out. From Brooklyn to the Smithsonian, no organization was interested in displaying this famous icon. Let’s hope the rocket finally touched down in a safe location.

Wiener War Of Words

Bangladesh immigrant, Munnu Dewan, served unsanitary hot dogs and received a $300 fine. He appeared before the city’s Environmental Control Board. Because of language difficulties, neither side really seemed to understand the other. He appealed his case to the New York Supreme Court which ruled that he was entitled to a new hearing with a translator so he could understand the charges against him. Shouldn't he have thought to bring his own translator to court in a foreign country with a foreign language? Wouldn't you? Only in America... and New York City.

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Sunday, January 2, 2011

Homeless Water Jugs Can Drain You

The sidewalk salesmen for the United Homeless Organization (referring to themselves as “outreach workers”) were working without a city license and apparently pocketing the money for themselves. The semi-sophisticated sales pitches could net these beggars an estimated $80 in four or five hours. The UHO charity, based in a Bronx apartment reported $97,890 in contributions. A close examination of their paperwork shows some questionable accounting. “Corporate” begging in New York City should be banned.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog is a quick comment on an older New York City news headline. Unforeseen NYCo site development delays prevented its publication before now. For readership continuity, 100’s of older headlines are to be posted in chronological order until this blog is current. Though some of the stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of this site’s mention and viewer comments.

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others! This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Dylan's Digs Doomed

During the 1960's, Bob Dylan of rock and roll fame lived in Room 211 of the Chelsea Hotel in Manhattan. The new owner supposedly exceeded his permit to renovate 211’s kitchen and gutted the place, according to a tipster. The city’s Buildings Department decided to issue a stop-work order. The Chelsea was built around 1883. Bob Dylan is an icon but he’s no George Washington. Is it really necessary to make a larger issue of renovating the songwriter’s flat?

The Dirt On NYC

19% of city residents rated their neighborhood’s cleanliness as poor. The city’s report on itself came in at only 3.9% unacceptably clean. Big difference. Mayor Bloomberg said the number discrepancy is worth a second look. Perhaps it would be wise to start looking for other things besides sanitary issues under New York City's rug.

City Pricking Those Who Have Pricked

The city’s Health Department says testing is up 20% in the Bronx as part of the borough’s The Bronx Knows program. The goal is to reach 250,000 adults who never had a HIV test. HIV-related deaths in the city continued their decline to 1,115 in 2006 but there’s the need for continued vigilance. An estimated 4,800 new New Yorkers become infected each year.

Water Soaks City Budget

Inconceivably, the city is paying for bottled water and water coolers when high quality drinking water is a natural resource that New York City has plenty of. Taxpayers could save an estimated $2 million a year by having municipal offices turn on the tap. Good idea because New York taxpayers are already “tapped out.”

Welfare Wave Drowning NYC

New York City residents receiving welfare rose to 339,936 in October 2008 according to the city’s Human Resources Administration. That's a lot of people collecting money from the city without working for it. Looking around here, we need quite a bit of work done. Workfare sound like a reasonable idea, no?

Subway Fare Is Fair Vs. Foreign Comparisons

When transit prices are compared on a global scale, New York commuters don’t seem like they’re being taken for too much of a ride. For example, a comparable distance ride in London costs $8.00, Toronto $2.23, Paris $2.33, Berlin $2.66 and Montreal $2.23. In Chicago, a ride goes for $2.25 whereas tripping in Los Angeles costs only $1.25. In general New Yorkers may be unhappy about rising transit fares but we know it’s unavoidable… to an extent. Let’s be assured and then reassured, that the MTA is doing all it can to eliminate financial waste, first! Officials must make prudent economic decisions for the future before going into the rider’s pockets again. Doubting that will happen, expect the next fare hike by 2011.

Sexual Sad Sacks Rise With Limp Economy

As depression, anxiety and financial woes are on the rise, it seems that “bedroom fireworks” are sputtering throughout the city. Across New York city, 62% were having less sex, Viagra sales were up 13% and sex toy sales were up 86% over the previous year. If ever there was a need for a “stimulus package” to cheer us all up, it should be applied to this personal problem.

The Dog Ate My Subway Train

The City’s MTA Transit division issues 34,000 “excuse notes” a year for late trains and buses. Riders can request them by phone and soon online. However, added to your delay is that it takes the MTA up to two weeks to provide the excuse note! MTA info showed that delays were up 24% from the previous year with a reported 92% on-time average. Let’s hope that future MTAlibi excuse notes help late commuters with strict bosses and convince MTA bosses to be stricter about improving transit service.

Rising Ambulance Rates Can Cause $$$ Emergencies Later

And New Yorkers complain about the cost of taxis! It’s bills from city ambulance services that can kill you. Basic Life Support rides jumped from $475 t0 $515, Advanced Life Support will jump from $600 to $750 and critical care patients will pay $850 instead of $700. New Yorkers are being “taken for a ride” once again at a time when it’s kind of hard to argue with the driver.

MTA's Texts For Transit

The “Send” button was clicked by the MTA to provide subway, bus and commuter line riders with current transit info. Riders were able to login to the MTA’s website for their news. Service was provided by L.A. based contractor, MIS Systems to an estimated 145,000 riders at a cost of $10,000 a month to the MTA... but free for consumers. John Liu said it will make “commuting in New York more predictable and civilized.” I guess it’s easier to send a text for what should be expected “predictable and civilized” service, rather than getting mass transit to run as it should.

NYPD Applications & Retirements Not Cause For Code Blue

The weak economy was ensuring that the “thin blue line” is not getting thinner. It’s probably a safe bet that “economic stimulus” or not, police employment problems today aren’t an issue. The NYPD will remain strong. That's welcome news for all New Yorkers.

City Cell Phone Bill Less Than Longer Distances

The city was charging cell phone providers $300 to $3,600 per permit, for tower construction… far less than the typical permit cost in the suburbs. Wonder if the city is charging more now and the costs are being passed on to city residents who are call consumers?

Overweight Airlines Don't Fly Right

The Department of Consumer Affairs cited American Airlines for using 10 faulty scales that cost travelers more money for their baggage. In total, 103 of 810 scales at all airlines in JFK and LaGuardia weren’t calibrated properly. It’s hoped that all scales at the city’s airports are set for “bag justice” now.

Metal Detectors For Denying Messages

Stuyvesant High School principal Stanley Teitel had a plan. He wanted to use high-tech equipment to find and prevent students from using cell phones and other electronics from transmitting info to other students. Students at the home of some of the city’s most academically gifted kids feel the principal’s going a bit too far. Perhaps all principals should place more emphasis on teachers successfully transmitting knowledge to their students, instead of answers being passed among classmates.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog is a quick comment on an older New York City news headline. Unforeseen NYCo site development delays prevented it’s publication before now. For readership continuity, 100’s of older headlines are to be posted in chronological order until this blog is current. Though some of the stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of this site’s mention and viewer comments.

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others! This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Risque Ride To Remember

Andrew Katzander legally pedaled his “PoleRider” pedicab through the streets of Manhattan with 25-year-old Marlo Fisken doing her sexcercises on the back. His goal was to attract business for high-priced bachelor parties. I wonder if his legs (and hers) are still holding her up.

Hindering The Homeless

The city ordered nearly two dozen churches to stop providing shelter to New York City’s homeless population. By law, emergency shelters must operate a minimum of five days a week... or not at all. Unfortunately, the closed churches didn’t have the resources to stay open that long. It’s sad when the economy is increasing homelessness while the city is squeezing out the homeless. The Department of Homeless Services claims that there was plenty of space available in other shelters. Maybe that's true. Maybe not. But why decline help from any organization during desperate times?

Connecting The DOTs

Shortly after Mayor Bloomberg ordered city agencies to make $1.5 billion in cuts, the Department of Transportation approved raises and promotions for four dozen of its very top managers. DOT spokesman Seth Solomon said, “A lot of these were not just raises. These were promotions and expansions of duties. So people are doing more work.” Wow! The DOT can give New Yorkers a "rough ride" even without a train or bus!

The Birth Of The Bronx

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson had a baby boy. They named him Bronx Mowgli Wentz. David and Victoria Beckham have a son named Brooklyn. Hopefully no Hollywood couple will name their boy, Queens.

United Nations Against Us And Themselves

The United Nations is undergoing a $2 billion renovation. As part of their plans, they asked for and received New York City approval for the city to construct protective barriers around their property. However, NYC had some questions for UN officials. If the UN wants the city’s aid, it must conduct and provide detailed building studies on how explosive blasts will affect their property. UN answers have yet to be delivered and to this point, they have refused comment. The UN is outside NYC jurisdiction but it will be NYC emergency personnel who will respond to their calls for help should the time ever come. We New Yorkers need to protect our own. Maybe, if UN officials refuse to respond to our requests for information now, in the event of catastrophe, we should let the UN wait for a disaster team to respond from Washington.

Heating Truck Hot Flash

There are about 1,000 home heating trucks in New York City. Each is inspected at least once a year. Even with an increased monitoring program, fewer oil trucks are being caught cheating customers out of expensive home-heating oil. Could it be that heating companies are suddenly becoming warm-hearted towards their customers by supplying an honest delivery or are they just feeling the heat from government checks? Through July 1st of last year, 64 trucks were pulled out of service compared to 95 during the same period the year before. In most cases, faulty equipment was to blame.

Triborough Renamed For Singular Man

The Triborough Bridge has a new name. It's now the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge, honoring our past New York state Senator. The Triborough Bridge was originally begun the day after the stock market crash of October 1929. A part of Camelot resides in New York.

NYC And Feds Pissing Contest Provides Porous Protection

Intelligence officials are arguing over monitoring of suspected terrorists in our area. The feds are delaying approval of surveillance applications believing New York wants too much leeway which may be illegal. They insist on "working with" the NYPD to ensure that that NYC act “consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.” Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is saying that this delay makes NYC less safe. Generally, the feds submitted warrant requests to the FISA court in Washington for approval. Must we entertain the enemy by becoming our own worst enemy?

Bike Law Breakdown

A recent study concluded that many New York City bikers flaunt the city’s helmet and traffic laws. Almost 50% of children under 14 don’t wear helmets. As for adult cyclists, 57% ignore traffic lights and 14% don’t use designated bicycle lanes. No statistics were available regarding how many riders placed baseball cards in the wheel spokes with clothespins to make loud sounds exceeding noise limit regulations.

City Catholic School Crisis

Enrollment at New York City Catholic schools continues to decline. The Archdiocese of New York, which operates schools in The Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan and northern suburbs dropped to 88,273 students. Diocese of Brooklyn elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens dropped to 36,000 students. High school figures for them were not made available. Over 1,300 Catholic schools have closed nationwide since 1990. The main reason appears to be the higher cost of a religious education as compared to education in the public school system. Charter schools have also become a reasonable alternative for many Catholic families. Unless things change, Catholic schools won't have a prayer.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog is a quick comment on an older New York City news headline. Unforeseen NYCo website development delays prevented it’s publication before now. For readership continuity, 100’s of older headlines are to be posted in chronological order until this blog is current. Though some of the stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of this site’s mention and viewer comments.

[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others! This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]

Wet Paint Sign Of The Times

New York’s City Council is considering limiting the number of artists selling their wares to two per block. Local artists are up in arms. They believe it’s their First Amendment right to be on the sidewalks with pedestrians. City officials believe their actions will reduce congestion. Who knew that "sidewalk traffic" was such a major problem for New Yorkers? Maybe the government will really look to help us by next banning pedestrians.

A New Flea And The Sea

Though Coney Island will be losing its famed Astroland, Joe Sitt plans to build a flea market called, "Flea By The Sea." It will run between April and December along Stillwell Avenue near the Boardwalk. On a less appealing "pest" note, in the coming years, bedbugs throughout New York City are expected to run year round.

Less MSG In NYC

Mayor Bloomberg wants New Yorkers to get less salt in their food. He wants it reduced 20% over the next five years. His supporters believe it’s “the greatest public-health threat facing the city.” No new regulations are expected with this voluntary measure. Don't count on that though once the nanny-staters get the power.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Monday, January 10, 2011

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Friday, January 7, 2011

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Monday, January 3, 2011

Sunday, January 2, 2011

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