The New York City Blog: Jan 2, 2011

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.

Barring Late Night Liquor

This past year, only 39 bars filed for a State Liquor Authority "all-night" permit. 6 were denied. That’s down from the 400 applications received the year before. Reasons given include the new 10-day instead of 45-day filing deadline prior to all-night events, a New York State crackdown on unruly applicants and the poor economy. It's enough to make a bar owner want to drink, day and night.

Putting The MTA On The MAT

The MTA employs 70,000 people with a budget of $10.9 billion. There are many managerial, marketing, public relations and other office staff who could probably be cut to help ease the budget deficit without raising transit fares or cutting services. MTA officials should move aggressively so riders don’t become aggressive because of declining services. Eliminate waste at your home, MTA CEO Elliot Sander, before you keep New Yorkers homebound in theirs.

Green Offered For Eco-Green Taxis

The mayor can’t legally force fleet owners to buy eco-friendly taxis but he can offer incentives if they do so. He said the TLC will permit medallion owners to charge $3 more per 12-hour shift and order that non-hybrid vehicles charge $12 less per 12-hour shift. Current driver rates range from $105 to $129 per shift now plus the cost of gas. Fleets currently account for 25% of the 13,237 medallions now of which 1,565 are hybrids. Rest assured that more green cars in yellow bodies are headed our way.

New York Has A Nice Rack

The Department of Transportation’s bicycle rack design winner was chosen. It’s circular with a horizontal bar going across it. Admittedly, it’s a simple and pleasant shape. The city will install 1,250 racks a year over the next three years at a cost of $275 each. Seems like a good idea for New York bicyle riders to secure their bikes. Now that bikes will be under lock and key, it's time to lockup bike thieves in greater numbers.

Blue School For Boys And Girls

The unique entertainment trio that is Blue Man Group has grossed millions of dollars since its inception in 1991. Now, they want to entertain and educate NYC children … in their own school. They’ve opened a private elementary school in Manhattan’s East Village to stimulate creative thinking. Children will be encouraged to take risks with the philosophy that what they learn is more important than how they learn it. They’ll employ several of their unique effects to achieve their goals. But it will take means to meet these ends. Tuition begins at $27,300 for kindergarten and first grade students. Parents will need green for their kids to be blue.

More Drivers Become Riders

Ridership on New York City’s buses and trains will continue its five-year rise. That, according to MTA figures and estimates. Expect fares to rise as well under the MTA's questionable management policies.

MTA Needs 911 For 9/11

A recent audit reported that the MTA is three years behind the introduction of new anti-terror measures. The MTA’s response? 36 of 40 planned construction projects are, “underway.” It also pointed to its “See Something, Say Something” program as evidence of progress. It seems that auditors and others are seeing something that’s dangerously wrong and the MTA is saying something else.

Pedaling On Broadway

Since 2006, New York City has created over 161 miles of bicycle routes. Expect more to come. A recent Transportation Alternatives report recommended that Broadway be reduced from six vehicle lanes to four in order to create a safe bicycle lane. In addition to safe bicycle routes, it recommended additional pedestrian space and revised parking and movement plans for vehicles. While some New Yorkers favor these green changes, many believe that gridlock and other traffic problems are just around the corner. The city says more “skinny” streets are coming. It might make sense to examine recently installed pedestrian plazas and all bike lanes to measure the impact they’ve made on NYC neighborhoods. What’s needed is a balance between commerce, commuting... and common sense.

Old Brooklyn House - “This Old House”

A 104-year-old brownstone on Sterling Place in Brooklyn Heights was chosen as the first rehab project in the 29-year history of the very popular PBS show, “This Old House.” Much of this city's architecture is worth saving. Come back often to NYC, TOH!

When Williamsburg Park Was Parked

East River State Park remains a beautiful 7-acre waterfront park. Budget cuts once forced its closure during off-peak hours and winter months. Let's hope that city officials will always find and allocate the necessary funds to enable all New Yorkers to enjoy their parks, all of the time. Don't bet on it.

Public Art Public Prayer

The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation erected an art installation near the Manhattan side of the Roosevelt Island tram. The dual-booth, metal and vinyl edifice, complete with the word, “Prayer” included a graphic depicting folded hands in worship and a flip-down kneeling pad. Dylan Mortimer was the artist behind the “amens.” He wanted to get people to discuss prayer in the public arena. Nice (though the agnostics might disagree), but what's next in our future? A streetcorner, doo-wop choir?

Brooklyn’s Pier 11 Plan Deep-6'd

The Port Authority scuttled plans to build an upscale hotel, entertainment complex and marina for yachts next to it’s cruise-ship terminal in Red Hook. They were to consider other options so that it would remain a shipping port rather than permit it to become a location for housing, a second cruise-ship pier or the new home for Brooklyn Brewery. Only years from now will we know if they came up with the best answer for New York City.

Ex-Felon Ex-GI Wanted NYPD

Osvaldo Hernandez was once convicted for carrying a gun illegally. Later, he carried one with honor in Afghanistan as a highly decorated paratrooper for the United States Army. He was hoping a Queens judge would restore his right to bear arms … this time for the New York City Police Department. If this happened, he would probably be the first ex-bad guy would carry a badge. If the judge decided in his favor, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, an ex-Marine, would have made the final decision. Osvaldo served his country. It’s hoped that he was given the chance to serve his community with the same distinction.

Pushed Passed His Limit

Ex-Staten Island Borough President, Guy Molinari sued Mayor Bloomberg in Federal court for pushing through his third-term mayoral run. Other plaintiffs include several City Council members and prominent New Yorkers. Molinari said, “This is a mockery of the word democracy. When I think back to the days when I was fighting with the Marines in Korea … people would say, ‘We’re here to defend our democracy.’” Molinari believes term-limits should be decided by the voters … not the City Council. Bloomberg ran and run… but Molinari was right.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

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