The Ball Must Come Down But It Should Not Bounce

As final preparations are put into place to greet 2013, a million people are expected in Times Square tonight.  All there and those watching through other media sources will be focused on the work of master rigger, Tony Calvano.  He’s the man given the responsibility of dropping the ball at 11:59pm to usher in the new year.  Mayor Bloomberg and the Rockettes will push a button to signal Tony to begin the ball’s descent (The mayor always seems to be pushing someone’s button, doesn’t he?).  Since 1988, Mr. Calvano and his team have successfully, “dropped the ball” but in a good way.  Back then, they did it manually.  Now, a computer controls the winch lowering the 12,000-pound, 2,688-piece Waterford Crystal sphere down towards the future.  Thanks to all involved in this effort and longstanding New York City tradition.  And thanks to all New York City residents for keeping this city, on the ball.

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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.

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.]

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.

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.]

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.

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.]

High-Rise Tower Permits Low

New York City’s construction boom went bust. In September 2008, only 3 applications were filed compared to 23 in September 2007. During the same period, all NYC applications were down 30% from 319 to 222. 130,000 people work in the city’s construction industry. Or at least that many did back then.

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.]

Proposed Sacks Tax Sucked

Mayor Bloomberg was looking to collect nickels for New York City. Each time a buyer was given a plastic bag for their purchases, they’d be sacked with the 5-cent surcharge. This proposal was to help raise needed funds and cut recycling costs. The mayor promoted the ecological advantages over the new tax. City coin collectors estimated they’d raise $16 million in the process. So who was left holding the bag on this idea?

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.]

Cutting The Apple To The Core

The city’s budget gap has grown from $2.3 billion to $4 billion for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. That means significant budget cuts and layoffs loom. It means fewer government jobs, which is generally a good thing. It means fewer services for residents, which is generally a bad thing. Mayor Bloomberg said, “We just don’t know what the future is going to hold.” A New York City political insider believes he knows. He said that the recently term-limit-extended mayor is up for re-election in November 2009. He thinks we can expect to see reasonable cuts up to early 2010. However, in fiscal year 2011 (beginning on July 1, 2010) a “huge disaster” is coming because of a projected $5 billion dollar deficit. Nobody can know the city’s financial future for sure or how it will impact all of us. Maybe a memorable quote in 1982’s Rocky III will ring true for New Yorkers in the years to come. In the movie, Mr. T’s character, “Clubber Lang” was asked to make a fight prediction. His quote? “PAIN.”

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

CUNY Gets High Marks

Enrollment in the city’s university system of 23 campuses is at its highest level since 1976; 242,898 students. Much of the credit goes to higher administration standards set back in 1999 and the addition of the Honors College in 2001. Given the reasonable $4,000 undergraduate tuition in a worsening economy, even more students are expected to attend. Through much of its early years, the New York City university system was known as the “Harvard of the poor.” During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the schools suffered both scholastically and financially. That was primarily due to an open enrollment policy. It’s heartening to see that higher standards have delivered quality education, higher enrollment and significant student population increases from the minority sectors. Now the city needs a great college football team to cheer for.

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

NYC Is In The House To Save ‘Hoods

When a New York City house becomes vacant, it deteriorates quickly. It can run down an entire block. Then the neighborhood around that block can decay. Mayor Bloomberg says the city will buy as many as 115 foreclosed homes over the next 18 months using $24 million in federal funds. This money comes from a New Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant. These abandoned homes will be converted into 250-300 housing units for low and middle-income New Yorkers. He hopes this will stabilize at-risk neighborhoods. The people who buy these units will be eligible for affordable mortgages. The main rescue effort will center in central Brooklyn and Jamaica, Queens. Good job, “Mayor Homey!”

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Library DVD Borrowing Is Booking

Historically during tough times, people flock to libraries to read books. Many libraries around New York City have noted the recent increase in visitors. Unknown to many however, most libraries have a huge assortment of DVD titles as well as printed materials. As the economy worsens, savvy New Yorkers are borrowing DVDs from local libraries rather than renting them at Blockbuster-like outlets. It’s convenient, too. DVD selections may be made online and put on hold for pickup. Library DVD rentals are FREE … but watch out for those infamous “late return” fines!

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

Strutting Gotham Streets

Pedestrians beware! Walking, not driving may be hazardous to your health when crossing New York City’s top five deadliest thoroughfares. Third Avenue and Broadway, both in Manhattan are the two deadliest streets in the Big Apple. Between 2005-2007, each was the location where ten people died. The Grand Central Parkway in Queens and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island each had nine deaths. Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue claimed eight victims during the same time period. Walk with caution and confidence or you may be “chalked up” as just another statistic.

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

New York City Comes Alive!

The New York City Health Department reported that infant births went up by 3,455 beautiful babies in 2007. The total was 128,961, up from 125,506 in 2006. Asians accounted for about half the increase. No reason was given for the extra fireworks going off in bedrooms in Chinatown and across the city in 2006 to cause the rise in 2007. Hmmmmm. 2006 was the Year of the Dog. I guess Asian guys got their way a bit more often than others.

Wrecking Ruth’s House

No bad trade, no bad free-agent signing, no bad season and certainly no good Red Sox team ever did it. No owner like the one who moved the Brooklyn Dodgers out of Ebbets Field or the one who moved Manhattan's Giants out of the Polo Grounds did it. Nobody ever took down the Yankees or the Stadium. Only Father Time and the pursuit of the almighty dollar have done that. Now, the city has requested bids from companies to demolish Yankee Stadium. They’ll put a wrecking ball hit on the House that Babe Ruth built for a $27,000,000 contract. New York City has given the New York Yankees until February 28, 2009 to "vacate the premises." And so they shall, to create a proud new tradition right across the street in their new Stadium. From March to May of 2009, asbestos will be removed from the old ballpark. The month of May will bring memorabilia collectors and recyclers to remove the stadiums treasures and valuables. The seats will be removed along with many of the smaller items. The well known "smokestack bat," a familiar meet-up spot and the white frieze along the roofline will be tougher items to sell. They may be moved to Heritage Field once it replaces the Stadium. Demolition will begin once everything worth taking has been removed, probably through early 2010. Many Yankee fans, find it hard to believe that the Stadium’s days are numbered. But we should remember is that we’ll remember uniform numbers even more than the Stadium. #3 Ruth. #4 Gehrig. #5 DiMaggio. #8 Berra. #10 Rizzuto. #7 Mantle. #16 Ford. #15 Munson. #49 Guidry. #23 Mattingly. #42 Rivera. #2 Jeter. The list of Yankee greats, near greats and others who have worn the pinstripes is a long one. With a tear in one eye to the end of an era, we look with a dry eye across the street. Yankee fans can start now to imagine the all-time players and memorable moments yet to come.

A Pane In The Glass

Many New Yorkers believe that an apartment overlooking Central Park is about as good as an apartment gets in New York City. How about one with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling views of that scenic park below? Well, there are four elderly tenants in rent-controlled apartments at Lincoln Square who prefer to pass on the possibility. They filed suit against their landlord, the Church of Latter-Day Saints, to prevent installation of those wonderful windows. They’d be irreparably harmed by construction, so they claim. The landlord argued new windows were necessary to transform the property into a “premium building.” The judge agreed with the tenants saying the work wasn’t “necessary.” As of now, only the four tenants who sued will have old windows after renovations are completed. According to the landlord’s spokesperson, the tenants refused $25,000 each, but supposedly agreed to have the work done for $100,000 apiece. The tenants deny they were offered that amount, though it seems one or two might be interested in a higher offer. For that kind of money, they might even agree to live in glass houses!

Growth At Ground Zero

Finally! It’s taken nearly seven years but the first steel column was set into place for the 9/11 WTC memorial. Workers finished laying the foundation for the National September 11th Memorial and Museum last month. The first object to be lowered into the Manhattan bedrock was a Vesey Street exit, also known as the “Survivors Stairway.” This flight of steps enabled hundreds to escape the World Trade Center attacks on that horrific morning. When completed in time for the tenth anniversary of September 11th, the memorial will include two large reflection pools with the victims names inscribed around them. A plaza with 400 trees will surround the pools. Leaving the footprints of the two towers intact was an inspired idea. They'll serve to remind the people in New York City for generations to come of just what we lost that tragic day. People. Buildings. Innocence.

In The Middle Of It All

New York City’s newest pedestrian-friendly islands won’t be making good buddies of midtown drivers anytime soon. Broadway’s pedestrian plazas merge four traffic lanes into two between Herald Square and Times Square. They’ll undoubtedly create additional traffic problems and pollution for midtown. For those who wish to be surrounded by speeding traffic and vehicle exhaust fumes, “Welcome to Fun City!” Other new traffic-related projects in Manhattan include a bicycle lane on Ninth Avenue between West 16th Street and West 23rd Street, bike lanes on both Washington Street and Greenwich Street and a bus-only lane along 34th Street. Let’s hope city officials are monitoring the popularity, safety and impact all these new initiatives have on both foot and vehicular traffic. It's not smart to play in traffic, or with it.

School Locker Limbo

Here's another Board of Education plan that didn’t go ... according to plan. Not surprised, are you? It’s over a year now that they decided to install guarded mobile phone storage systems in 16 New York City schools, for both intermediate and high school grades. To date, "0" of the planned "5,600" lockers have been setup. First, there was a delay regarding who would monitor these coin-operated lockers. Then Celstor, the company chosen to handle the project demanded a longer contract. Kids don't like the plan. Parents aren't crazy about the idea. There's no end in sight to the delays. Demanding that kids give up their cell phones in school and requiring them to pay “locker fees” for storage are bad ideas. Let’s end it all now before we waste more money for a bad plan that has as much of a future as those who work for the Board of Education … were they not Board of Ed employees.

The Principal Principle

In this school year, the Board of Education will pay $16 million in salaries for 154 unplaced assistant principals (APs). These are principals with no permanent post ... so they basically do nothing for their pay. This is WRONG and should be ended, IMMEDIATELY! Schools Chancellor Joel Klein believes these “qualified” administrators should "leave" the system. Leave? Shouldn’t Klein "boot them out" if possible? Or, be more concerned about enabling them to work in some kind of teaching capacity? Or, establishing new policy that prevents others from following in their footsteps … right to the bank without helping our schoolchildren? Where is the concern about wasting money of New York City taxpayers? Maybe others in the Board of Education should “leave” too.

NYC Baseball Is The World Serious

NYU adjunct professor, John Tepper Marlin, prepared a report to show how much money New York City businesses will lose if New York’s two baseball teams fail to make the post-season this year. The following figures represent the amounts for each team at each level of play. For the Yankees elimination, $26 million for the AL Division Series, $54 million for the AL Championship Series and $61 million for the World Series. Should the Mets not play “October baseball,” $21 million for the NL Division Series, $45 million for the NL Championship Series and $81 million for the World Series. Marlin was chief economist for three former city comptrollers so he knows something about money. But, how can he be talking cash at a time like this? Neither team is a lock to get in! He may know money but he obviously knows nothing about the heart of Big Apple baseball fans. Should either team fail to make it, money lost will mean nothing to their faithful. We’re talking the end of the world, here.

Old-School Withdrawals

In 2008, bank robberies are up 57% in New York City. So far this year, there have been a total of 263 Big Apple bank heists. How yesterday! Haven’t these thieves ever heard of using an ATM to get money?