Ellis Island Immigrant #1

On January 1, 1892, Ellis Island opened its doors to the world. 14-year old Annie Moore from Ireland became the very first immigrant to be processed there. She received a $10 gold piece in commemoration of the event and was front-page news. Once the “Wee Annie” accolades died away, she went on to make her way in her new country. Sadly, she led a fairly hard life on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. When she died at 50, Annie was buried in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery in Queens; placed there with 5 of her 11 children. A recent film about Ellis Island led to curiosity about what happened to her. Filmmaker Megan Smolenyak and city Records Commissioner Brian Andersson searched through numerous records to uncover her fate. Once found, five of Annie’s great-grandchildren raised $25,000 to give the family matriarch a beautiful headstone and commemoration ceremony attended by 200 family and friends from America and Ireland. Though Annie’s life wasn’t easy, many of her descendants prospered here. That was America before Ellis Island. That was America in 1892 and the early 1900’s. That’s America today. Only in America are people from around the world welcomed as they are. God bless America for it.

Tenement To Mansion 101

Real estate mogul, Alistair Economakis owns a rent-stabilized building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He wants to legally evict his tenants and develop the building into a private mansion for his family. Recently, the courts upheld his right to do just that. Tenant and neighborhood activists are protesting. It appears the legal strategy used by Economakis involved some questionable maneuvers however they seem to be within the letter of the law. Whether they were within the intent of the law or might set legal precedent eliminating more rent-controlled apartments remains to be seen. It’s easy to side with the tenants here who may be forced to move from their homes. Keep in mind that a property owner has rights too. If there are those in New York who are unhappy with the court’s ruling, they should work to change the laws. Eliminate the loopholes Economakis benefited from to prevent their use by other landlords in the future. In the meantime though, don’t denigrate or deny someone the fulfillment of a dream that they’re legally entitled to make reality.

Trying To Tame Taxi Tooting

Community Board 3 representing the Lower East Side in Manhattan has proposed the following suggestions to reduce excessive horn pollution in their neighborhood: 1) A roof light that illuminates every time the cab’s horn beeps. 2) An interior horn that blasts the cabbie each time the horn is utilized. 3) A meter which deducts $1.00 each time the horn is honked. While the first idea may have some merit (Although why not propose it for ALL vehicles?), the other two ideas are both unfair and probably unsafe. If the Board get these ideas passed, perhaps they'll also propose fining those who try flagging a cab down by yelling “Hey Taxi!” too loud!

Bowery Becoming “Boutiquey”

Down in the Lower East Side, just off East First Street, in a filthy back alley called “Extra Place,” another neighborhood makeover of the Bowery from bum days and CBGB nights will soon take place. Developers plan to reclaim this seedy place. Where the punk rock Ramones once posed, half a dozen high-end retailers will soon ply their trade. Add them to the other new fancy shoppes, high-rise co-ops, banks and yuppies that now frequent this once infamous part of town. It’s getting so that a young drinker who can’t hold his liquor won’t be able to find a free spot to puke or piss anymore! Maybe pay toilets are next.