West Side Spirit - Latest Comments

Re: Public Housing Tenant Helps Others Like Him

maria t.fonseca — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:00:32 -0000

Mr.Gonzalez, I hope to God that this responsability that is giving to you will be a blessing for all NYCHA tenants, my name is Maria T. Fonseca and I live at 2025 seward ave. apt 3w. Bronx,NY 10473, my section 8 vaucher was dissabled for it didnt get on time to the housing assistant, my vaucher#01911864, we, my family and I wrote two letters to the LHD correspondence and there is no respond and we need to file for a new lease and we dont know what to do, if you could help please..

Maria, Carlos and Linda will appreciate.

Re: Fashion Week Nightmare

Artistpres — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:10:11 -0000

Adrian Benepe is Mike Bloomberg's real estate agent. His entire job is to sell our public parks to the highest bidder. Artists, performers, public speakers and protestors must be eliminated to make room for more corporate takeover of all public space. The public?
The only constituents of Mike Bloomberg are real estate developers and large corporations.

Re: Fashion Week Nightmare

guest — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:29:45 -0000

I recently moved to this area and lived here for almost a year. Not once was I given the impression that this area was a park or a public park. I always assumed it was part of Lincoln center. I've recently been plagued by the noise from FWK. I live 3 blocks away and still hear the music from their shows. The loud base can drive anyone crazy. I don't understand why they would host a show at an area under a non-noise barrier tent rather than renting out a nice convention center that prevents them from annoying the residents. Who cares if they are bringing in millions. No one in the city will see that money besides Lincoln center. The residents gets the grievances and they get the profit. JUST LEAVE!!!!!!!!

Re: Fashion Week Nightmare

Geoffrey Croft — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:53:55 -0000

Thank you for your coverage of this important issue. A few factual issues: Damrosch Park has been allowed to be taken over for non-park commercial purposes for more than 9 consecutive months each year by Lincoln Center under a license with the city's Parks Department. Parks spokesperson Phil Abramson is fully aware of this yet in the article he is allowed to attempt to minimize the impacts and the public's limited uses by saying the park “consists of a hard-surfaced seating area and receives low visitorship levels during the winter.”
This is not only a disservice to your readers but what he is trying to imply is simply not factual. The park was not only used by many people each day for both passive an active uses including reading, eating lunch, riding bikes, playing ball, but by the many of thousands of people who used to enjoy the parks impressive horticultural features, much of which has been destroyed by Lincoln Center for commercial uses. And those green features that do remain are obscured by the massive tents for much of the year.
Further, I'm not sure of the relevance of the spokesperson saying all these additional trees were planted elsewhere when the story was about Damrosch Park and all the impacts. Additionally, over the last year the Parks Department has been asked repeatedly to identify the location of the 11 trees that were supposedly relocated but to the best of my knowledge this information has yet to be provided.Even though Fashion Week is being held at Damrosch Park none of the $17.2 million IMG Fashion is paying over five years to hold the event in the Parks Department owned park will make it into the city's coffers. Under a deal approved by the Bloomberg administration the money is instead being diverted to Lincoln Center. No one doubts that Fashion Week brings in revenue to the city that's not the issue, it is the location on public parkland that is wrong. The park has been seized by a private corporation and has been severely altered and the people in that community can no longer enjoy it. Those are the facts. No amount of spin will change that.

For more coverage of this issue please go here:
http://awalkintheparknyc.bl...

Geoffrey Croft - president
NYC Park Advocates

Re: A Moskowitz Political Primer

Stoic — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:06:28 -0000

As an 11 year UFT veteran, I have both appreciated and been aggrieved by my union. The UFT needs to make programmatic changes in how teachers communicate with each other and encourage self-critiques by its members. I have literally been harassed by other teachers, and my administrators blamed the union, not bothering to do the minimum of follow-up in their supervisory roles. The pattern of behavior the union engages in, where chapter leaders suppress mandated reports of abuse and do nothing about harassment within a chapter has got to stop. Principals often put it on the more progressive teachers to encourage change, instead of taking their leadership responsibilities seriously. I have developed transitional strategies for avoiding raising my voice with students and literally been told by my administration that I should be "more tolerant" when I mentioned that a couple of the louder teachers I work with could use feedback and suggestions for more child centered management. There is a lot to do to help this city's children, and the DOE should use videos and specific descriptions to change ineffective teaching. Many of us have good ideas and almost no place to go with them.

Re: Fashion Week Nightmare

Cleo Dana — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:03:32 -0000

A well written and balanced account! However, "gripe" is a weak word for the degree of anger the community feels. Some corrections and inquiries your article raises:
Community has virtually "no" access to park, not "limited."Fashion Week takes up 12 weeks a year, not 8 to 10 weeks.Where can one find documentation supporting the claim that FWk brings $230,000,000 to NYC?What does Lincoln Center charge FWk in Fees? Do those fees go to NYC Gen. Fund as required by law for money generated in park events? Or does Lincoln Center keep that money?F.Wk. now crosses over the sidewalk on 62nd Street and into the roadway. Does the City give permits and collect fees for commandeering sidewalk and street?Generators are still very loud in spite of what Gale Brewer states; it is impossible to sleep from the noise. What is the 24 hour Hotline that FWk and IMG for the community to call with concerns?Where were 11 trees "transplanted" and where are 67 more "planted?"

Re: City Listens to Mom and Pop

Alexander Medwedew — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:16:49 -0000

Contextual zoning will not save small stores. This proposal primarily targets new buildings in an attempt to control development rather than helping small businesses. If the property has large stores no small ones are required unless it is a new bank. Large grocery stores are also exempt if they are 6000 square feet and have 50% of their space containing perishable goods. The district is lacking in competitively priced retail space an issue which is not addresses by the proposed ordinance. Historically small property sizes limited the size of the storefront. Developers will design stores with forty foot storefronts making even less space available for small businesses. Rents will rise even more for small businesses and consumers will see higher prices for goods. The streetscape will not become more interesting or have greater diversity.

Re: The Five Ugliest Buildings on the Upper West Side

Lenlowell — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:58:31 -0000

You are so right. Its amazing how basically beautiful buildings like 118 W. 76th Street can be left to deteriorate by a arrogant and neglectful owner. LJL

Re: The Bloody Apple

Austin Scott Brooks — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:48:59 -0000

I loved seeing the Weegee photography exhibit at ICP. It was interesting to take a look into the opinions held by the general public of Arthur Felig.

Re: Quiche as Antidote to Chaos

sweetpie — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:57 -0000

Looks deliscious, thanks nancy for telling us about a yet another best secret kept in the west side (spices and tease store) what a delight!!! i will be sure to pass by !!!

Re: Is This the End of New York City Opera?

Musica — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:32:50 -0000

Dicapo opera pays its musicians well under $100 a performance, with commersurate low rehearsal rates, that is how they manage.

Re: Landlord in La La Land

Sandykoufax5 — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:07:13 -0000

the lawsuit is a sham.

Re: City Listens to Mom and Pop

RJ — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:58:58 -0000

Unfortunately there are parts of this proposed law that are not being talked about.

One, is that it would also limit the width of residential building lobbies to 15 feet.

There are also many questions about who owns the property on the various blocks

that will be exempt from this new zoning law.

The "grandfathering" of existing locations needs a much better explanation,

and clarification for the public to make an informed decision.

Perhaps there could be some kind of zoning set up that allows benefits to

a developer to have smaller stores at lower rents.

This needs to be looked at and studied in much greater detail,

not just pushed through,: so that local politicians running for higher

office have something to hang their hat on in 2013.

We need to be very careful about doing things to our communities on

such a large scale.

Re: City Listens to Mom and Pop

Br385 — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:55:11 -0000

Better fight hard, or your neighborhood will soon look like the destroyed West Greenwich Village. Marc Jacobs on 4 corners, Ralph Lauren, and all the other designers that we can't afford, Bleecker Street looks like the upper east side, and there is no room on the sidewalks because NYU has taken over with the tourists who come to see what really is no longer there, the quaint, small and neighborly businesses. And of course, we no longer could afford and emergency trauma center and hospital (St. Vincent's) so the $1.5 mil condos are taking over. We have one Duane Reade filling almost a whole block!! but few newstands or shoemakers......
Best of luck.

Re: City Listens to Mom and Pop

RJ — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:18:54 -0000

Unfortunately there are parts of this proposed law that are not being talked about.
One, is that it would also limit the width of residential building lobbies to 15 feet.
There are also many questions about who owns the property on the various blocks
that will be exempt from this new zoning law.
The "grandfathering" of existing locations needs a much better explanation,
and clarification for the public to make an informed decision.
Perhaps there could be some kind of zoning set up that allows benefits to
a developer to have smaller stores at lower rents.
This needs to be looked at and studied in much greater detail,
not just pushed through,: so that local politicians running for higher
office have something to hang their hat on in 2013.
We need to be very careful about doing things to our communities onsuch a large scale.

Re: Is the Upper West Side the Safest Neighborhood in New York?

Arenadina — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:23:32 -0000

Here's a question for you: What would you rather lose, your purse, or
wind up in the hospital after getting hit by a bike going the wrong way
at night with no lights? The cops think the latter, though where THEY
live common sense prevails, so it is the former. Wake up, folks, you
are being ill-served.

Re: A Breed Apart

Jeff nichols — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:29:31 -0000

ha, just saw this, good avdise thanks...I am still at it!

Re: A Drive to Help Kids and the West Side

UWSmom — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 10:13:59 -0000

Lovely story. It would be great if the article could link to information on how to give to her toy drive.

Re: No Riverside Mirage

UWSmom — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:47:21 -0000

The community heard that this school, at this size, will fill up just with the people living in the towers...what happened to the idea that the school would help ease elementary school overcrowding in the area and give us a sorely needed D3 middle school option? I have clear, painful memories of the city NOT exercising its right to build a school on developer land in the Trump development just to the north of Riverside Center. Those kids swamped the Upper West Side. Please let them NOT make the mistake again by passing on that extra 15,000 sq ft.

Re: Bar Fight

Cohen — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:11:16 -0000

This is unbeliavable !!! It's funny how we only read in this article a one sided view. I live 2 steps away from this restaurant and I've never felt threaten by the music or have I never heard screaming and police officer around the restaurant at anytime at night. I should know I finish late from work and I always pass by infront of Papasito Restaurant.

Don't you know that EXAGERATING is not NICE AND NOT PROFFESIONAL AT ALL ??????

Re: Feds Say You Can’t Restrict It—Electric Bikes

Yikes,bikes — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:51:23 -0000

If they're illegal they should be banned, period. The federal law should not govern cities and towns for local transportation issues. NYC is a PEDESTRIAN city, not a bike city as the bike vultures would have it. That's why we have public transportation and sidewalks. How many times I've seen bikes traveling on sidewalks or going opposite of traffic, I can't count, nor could any New Yorker and people have been killed and injured as a result.

Re: Boat Basin Braces for Winter

SoCalProff — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:56:30 -0000

ZOMG! I heard about these people that live on their boats for $400 - $500 a month rent.
I didn't believe it was true until my friend sent me this article!
That's completely egregious and unacceptable that the City of NewYork permits a private co-operative of wealthy middle class and upwards to live and control public land!?!!
This Place is essentially a Public Park that has been co-opted and turned into a gated community subsidized with tax payer dollars. Hmmmm....Occupy 79th Street?

Re: Loyal Listeners, from Garbage Men to Celebrities

Cijtr — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:44:18 -0000

Dave rubin is quite a personality, was one even when his name was David. He probaly is the nicest guy you will ever meet: simple, honest and true. Watch him on PBS for the newest comedy show at Caroline's. He is the facilatator to get new PBS members, I may have to join just to see morerof him and I am his Dad
Yitz Rubin

Re: Don’t Turn that Dial!

Lolly Bailey — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 13:35:26 -0000

I had a fantastic time at the last performance and would love to come again.

Re: The Overachieving Overnighter

Sheila — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:56:12 -0000

Sounds like pampering you is what makes these particular guests happy. You've tried your best to do the right thing. Now I say, give up! Let them pamper you! And bless them!