Fun City Is Condom Capitol

New Yorkers are getting screwed again and again and again! The Mayor’s Management Report states that the city Health Department gave away 39,070,000 male condoms during the 2008 fiscal year. That’s more than double what was handed out the last fiscal year. It far surpasses that of the next municipality too with a similar type of program. The cost was a little over $1 million, not counting the cost of female condom products that were also given out though in lesser supply. That price is significantly cheaper than the estimated $350,000 lifetime cost of medicating a single AIDS patient. It's a good investment for city residents/lovers on many practical levels. This year, the goal is to distribute 51 million male condoms. Legitimate, distribution organizations (In other words, no eBay entrepreneur types.) may request as many as they can put to good use. Finally, a good city government program being put to good use. What a rarity. Let’s keep it up New York!

MTA Ride Is Up For Commuters

A new pilot project from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority brings an old idea back to New York City. The double-decker bus is making its return debut in Manhattan, running up and down First and Second Avenues between South Ferry and Harlem. Aside from sight-seeing buses for tourists, NYC residents haven’t seen a two-deck city bus in service here since 1976. To many on the streets, they’re a welcome and compelling sight. These buses fit more people and cost less to run and maintain. 81 commuters can find seats on this new bus compared to 64 on the "accordion" buses. They run on super- low-sulphur diesel fuel. With a price tag of $650,000, they’re also $250,000 cheaper than accordion buses. It’s time to trim the trees around NYC and "put the accordions on eBay." If the tests go well, the MTA has a winner here.

Astroland Is Asta La Vista

New York's Coney Island Astroland rides have ridden off into the sunset. Recently, Astroland operator Carol Albert sent a letter to the lawyer of the landlord, site developer Joe Sitt. She threatened to close her amusement park if she wasn’t granted a two-year extension. Sitt sat pat, saying “We are extremely disappointed that Carol Albert has decided to give up on the future of Coney Island when her current lease isn’t even up for a number of months. A Sitt spokesperson added that Astroland will be replaced next summer with new “amusements, games, shopping and entertainment.” Astroland closed because they couldn’t reach a deal with Thor Equities. Children and families will suffer the most as a result. Albert claims she didn’t give up on Coney, just dealing with Thor and Thor’s CEO, Joe Sitt. Her lease expires on January, 31, 2009. Albert claims she needed the extra time to sell off rides to avoid penalties from Sitt. Time to eBay the rides, Carol. The landmarked Cyclone and Wonder Wheel will not be affected. Though Sitt promised to replace Astroland’s rides, the ones he arranged for this summer were a flop. So for now, a few more childhood memories of Astroland and Coney will be carried out to the ocean by the waves along the beach. Let’s hope that the future of Coney Island maintains a Brooklyn flavor, good and bad, without the corporate, antiseptic taste of Disney.

NYPD Throws The Book At Ex-NYPD Officer’s Log

James Giordonello, a retired NYPD police sergeant recently listed his official 1990 duty log on eBay. It details his actions over a four month period. When NYPD authorities detected this, they demanded that eBay cancel his auction. eBay immediately complied. The NYPD has a policy that active officers may not sell their memo books. It’s unclear if the NYPD policy extends to retired cops too. However, New York State law prohibits the dissemination of info collected while on official duty. This seems more applicable here so long as there’s no statute of limitations. One thing is certain for now. Mr. Giordonello’s dreams of becoming an eBay Power Seller with his NYPD history just got whacked.

NYFD Parking Placards Are Hot Items

There’s been several car break-ins around firehouses in New York City. More often than not, the only thing stolen is an NYFD parking permit. This sign permits the vehicle to legally park in otherwise illegal areas, like at a pump; but only near a firehouse. Only an idiotic thief would steal it to use when it’s illegal use would be easy to detect by an alert NYPD agent. I mean, why not put a flashing red light on top of the car too attracting more attention? Citizens should keep their eyes open for an eBay “Buy It Now” deal at a steal of a price.