TKTS Booth To Raise Curtain

Shakespeare wrote that, “All the world’s a stage and all of us, merely players.” Well, New York City taxpayers were bit players in the production of the new $19 million TKTS Booth in Manhattan’s Times Square. This state-of-the-art and visually spectacular booth will sell discount Broadway and off-Broadway tickets like the old booth did. Not unexpectedly for public projects in NYC, this facility is 18 months late and $11.4 million over budget. "Unforeseen" business hardships and "poor" project management by the Times Square Alliance are to blame. The group’s Board of Directors however places the blame with its president, Tim Tompkins. The play and the way we’re constantly played, goes on.

Yankees Shut Out Singing Soprano

Since the 1930’s, Dominic Chianese, 77, (aka “Uncle Junior” on the popular HBO Sopranos show) has been a Yankees fan. His wish was to sing the Star-Spangled Banner on the Bronx field before the Stadium closes. The former tenor (not soprano) who’s performed at New York City's Carnegie Hall, apparently made the Yanks an offer they could refuse. The team said they turn down many requests each year, so this denial is not out of the ordinary. For the balance of the year, management has decided to play a recording of the anthem instead of inviting singers. In other words, Junior, FUHGEDDABOUTIT!

Bus Riders Bust Buses

The first ever local bus Rider Report Card survey is over. 22,109 riders graded bus service in 18 categories based on their own experiences. The results are in, but I bet the big bosses at the MTA wish they weren’t. Citywide, bus service in New York City received a C-minus. What a shame we can’t require Transit officials to commute to work in the same conveyances other New Yorkers have no choice but to use.

Bites Into The Big Apple

Street surfaces typically last 15-20 years in NYC. For many of our thoroughfares, time is up. New York City streets are on the bumpy road to hell. If you’re a city driver, you’ve undoubtedly felt this sad truth on your backside already. In fact, only 66.4% of our streets were rated “good” in the fiscal year ending June 30th. That’s downhill from 79.8% in 2003. The Department of Transportation expects to pave 1,000 “lane miles” this year. That's up from 950 miles last year, but we need more repairs than that to improve the situation here. For the foreseeable future, we’re all in for a really rough ride. Buy yourself a good seat donut and better shocks.

Drugstore Injections And Needlers

Governor Paterson signed into law, a bill permitting pharmacists to administer flu and pneumonia vaccinations at the local pharmacy. No need to run to the doctor's office now, but is it safe? A pharmacist may have a customer's pill list but do they have knowledge of a patient's medical condition as a doctor would? Some might get a shot that can cause irreparable harm. Starting December 4th, pharmacists who received official state training and certification may legally “stick it to you!” Some health experts say that 50,000 more senior citizens in New York City may be inoculated under the new program. Before running to your pharmacy, check with your doctor.

Court Claim Against NYC Craigslist

A Manhattan man was shot six times with a gun purchased on the popular classifieds website, craigslist.com. Now, Calvin Gibson, 50, is looking to unload both barrels on craigslist.com because he believes they’re partially responsible. His suit claims they failed to supervise and monitor the transaction and that had they done so, the shooter could never have acquired the gun to shoot him. A quick look at the site shows that they do post the following under the text link, “partial list of prohibited items”: Partial list of items for sale and services the advertisement of which is not permitted on craigslist: Weapons and related items, including but not limited to firearms, disguised, undetectable or switchblade knives, martial arts weapons, scopes, silencers, ammunition, ammunition magazines, BB guns, tear gas or stun guns. A free classifieds site can only do so much to "police its posts." I know for a fact that craigslist.com (New York City) does bounce inappropriate ads when the find them. It’s regrettable that Gibson was shot, but it’s a bit of a stretch to sue the website where his assailant bought the gun. And why stop there? Why not sue the computer manufacturer which enabled the gunman to find the ad? Or every manufacturer that made components for that computer? Or the electric company for providing the power? The telephone company for the connection. The shooter’s parents? Or the gun seller? Or the seller’s parents? And so on and so on and so on. Again, a complete and speedy recovery to Mr. Gibson. It’s important to remember however that there must be limits to liability, offline and online.

Bloomberg III May Be Blocked

Former Public Advocate Mark Green believes enough is enough. He’s forming a group of labor and civic leaders to block any attempts by Mayor Bloomberg or his associates to change term limits. Green said, “After seven years agreeing to a two-term limit, Mayor Bloomberg’s potential flip-flop is outraging a lot of civic and labor leaders who I think will come together to oppose such a Putin power grab.” Green may still be smarting from his 2001 loss to Bloomberg. In that race, he was outspent $74 million to just $16 million. However, his opposition now may be something worth considering. After all, the people have opposed the end of term limits twice before. New Yorkers said “FUHGEDABOUDIT!” In the words of one of America’s greatest presidents, Thomas Jefferson, “The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.” Closed-door manipulations of the people’s will by City Council members or others should be recognized for what they are. An abuse of power. Maybe the Mayor should look into this.