Sunday, October 14, 2012

How to Ruin a Beautiful Sunday

.... Install a giant inflatable screen on the Oval for about 60 to 70 residents (max), denying everyone else the chance to enjoy the Oval in the tranquility of luxurious weather and a park-like setting.




What a waste of money and an annoyance to the rest of the community.

* * *
Meanwhile, work on the Ice Rink has commenced. Let's hope that this time, the result will be more seamless than last year, in which the Rink destroyed the astro-turf underneath, causing the playground to be closed for MONTHS after the Rink was dismantled.



* * *
By now residents should have received under their doors the first in a series of "regular communications" from CompassRock. This one addressed security issues. CompassRock also has sent an email to residents that is more expansive, including notices about landscaping, scaffolding (yes, it's making a return, as the exterior of buildings will be checked), etc. We also learn that the Ice Rink is back "by popular demand," though I don't remember any vote on it.

For a long time I've urged that regular notices be sent by management to inform residents of what's in store for the future, so it's welcome that the new management is taking this initiative. Hopefully these notices will stay clear, as much as possible, of the usual duplicitous spin we hear.

* * *
The mugging that occurred in Stuy Town a couple of weeks ago finally was explained in the pages of Town & Village. The perpetrator struck a woman on the back of her head and ran off with her purse. No mention of the ambulance that was called. Public Safety's security chief, Bill McClellan, gloated in the paper that the "Public Safety officers involved in this case did an outstanding job and this is a stellar example of the work our department does to help keep the residents of PCVST safe and secure." Well, yes, kudos that the perp was caught (with the help of the 13th Precinct), but once again the case proves that a crime IN PROGRESS is not stopped by the award-winning security system we have here, nor by Public Safety officers, neither keeping this Stuy Town woman safe and secure that night. Also, surprisingly, residents were NOT informed with a description of the perpetrator and/or a photo of him from security cameras, so the community could be on the alert. Everything was kept a BIG SECRET. And guess what? The perp was in the area AGAIN, though thankfully, this time, Public Safety noticed him from the photos they had and confronted him, calling the 13th Precinct to complete the arrest. But why there was no notice about this mugging, with photos of the perpetrator (as has been done in the past), is beyond me. And that IS a safety concern.

44 comments:

Another potential crime or dog mauling victim in PCV/ST said...

It's dereliction of duty that management did not report this to residents. As a female tenant, I feel unnecessarily vulnerable as a result of their silence. Why do I need to subscribe to this blog in order to be informed of crucial, basic facts?

I looked all over the note from Sean to find some mention of the pit bull prohibition and saw nothing. I see at least six pit bulls every day in PVC and ST. It is risible that management makes rules it has no intention of enforcing. Does a child need to get mauled before this matters to Sean Sullivan?

P Kelly said...

Circular saws and hammering going this morning on that stupid ice rink. Surely this can't be legal to do on a Sunday.

Hippo said...

How sad that Stuyvesant Town, once an oasis and gem for the city's middle class, is being turned into a dump. An ice skating rink, a monstrous looking screen in he middle of the Oval, activities, activities, activities...who wants or needs this crap? How about a peaceful and quiet place to live?...a real radical thought, huh? How about taking some of the money being pissed away on these useless amenities and installing WORKING washing machines and dryers in the laundry rooms? How about cleaning the hallways and stairwells? Oh, sorry, I forgot. The workers are too busy digging up and replacing the cabbages or whatever the shrubbery is called every other day. So funny...no, so sad.

Anonymous said...

And here we are again ... life at the STREET FAIR. The relentless pursuit of filling up the Oval with activities so someone can justify their existance on a payroll. TV screens with football, the ice skating rink and all the BS events they put up that no one goes to or cares about. HEY PAL! NO ONE WANTS WHAT YOU ARE SELLING! The Oval is pretty perfect as a lovely QUIET!!! space. Leave it alone. Get a real job.

Anonymous said...

While I'm not as upset as some about plants, dog turds and ice rinks...the P.S. guys really have to go. What a waste of our rent money.

Bill McClellan needs to go and run the rent-a-cops at a nj mall because that is how he does it here.

Even the most clueless person could figure out that the constant presence of foot patrol officers is going to be one million times better than guys sitting on their asses all day in their cars.

Fire Bill McClellan, set the officers back on foot, and I bet you the perps will think twice before jumping someone in ST. BTW, the attitude of the officers might be better too if they had to walk among us.

BTW, talking about safety, I'm NOT talking about the poor homeless guy on 14th who has been there forever. I'm talking about violent criminals, burglars, rapists, muggers, etc. Nope, not the kids who jump in the fountain even...why don't we keep our eyes on the ball and focus on the REAL threats. More cameras will not deter those.


Anonymous said...

The ice pick bandit spree is more typical of the stellar workperformed by the security staff. Time for folks to start taking pictures of these guys parked and checking texts, email or playing games on the smart phones. These guys could not catch a cold and McClellan should have been fired years ago for incompetence and failures of leadership.

As for the newsletter, all spin. Where is their discussion of laundry rooms and other QOL problems that persist in this community. This newsletter is going to be one big ongoing PR campaign.

Great to see Sullivan's emphasison fire safety. By the way Mr. Sullivan, maybe you can tell us how there were serious fire safety violations in 106 of 110 buildings. Yeah, not on your watch but it was on CW's watch and those are the guys you all work for. Maybe the next newsletter can tell the residents of the community what the status is of the correction effort.

Circular saws and hammers on Sunday - of course its lega because these guys have always believed that the law and regulations do not apply to them.

Anonymous said...

I wish they had some PS presence on the 14th Street Loop in the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning when the frat boys and their whores are coming home and fighting, bellowing and "singing" at 3 AM. This place is a total disaster. We have no management to speak of, just a bunch of dopes.

Anonymous said...

It's great to vent here, but let's all avail ourselves us of the suggestion boxes that have been installed around the property. No need wrack our brains and polish our prose--just write what we've been writing here. Sean Sullivan says he want to know what we think? Let's let him know.

Anonymous said...

I rarely agree with your grousing, because many of you grouse about everything (practicing tap dancing alone in the depths of the storage room is an abomination???), but I have to agree that the Jumbotron in the middle of the Oval at 9 a.m on a Sunday was just awful. I mean, it's not like one of those events--say the moon landing--that warrants watching together as a community. It's regular Sunday football. I don't mind the events very often, but a giant screen flashing images like Times Square--that was tacky.

Anonymous said...

And you seriously think that Sean is going to pay attention to any Tenant criticisms??????

Anonymous said...

Yesterday I was walking in the 20th Street Loop about 11am walking my dog. There were 2 I would say college age or even younger boy and girl. The boy was completely berating this girl who was crying with every name in the book. He then grabbed and her and hit her in the back. I started screaming from across the street Take your hands off her and yelling to the girl Don't ever let someone put their hands on you. And screaming in general you pussy woman beater POS. I was so shocked to see this before my eyes and the fact that there were so young was particularly disturbing. They then walked really fast across the street to get away from me yelling like a lunatic. A Stuy Town security truck did drive by but I couldn't get his attention. I feel terrible that I should of done something more? But at the same time, it happened quick. Should I contact security and let them know about this incident and give a description?

Anonymous said...

"residents were NOT informed with a description of the perpetrator and/or a photo of him from security cameras, so the community could be on the alert."

What's the point STR? They'll say it took place in Gramercy.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>And you seriously think that Sean is going to pay attention to any Tenant criticisms??????<<

If they are not at odds with what CWCapital wants, sure, why not.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Should I contact security and let them know about this incident and give a description?<<

It seems like one of those boyfriend/girlfriend spats, so I don't think anyone would take it more seriously. But you did a good thing with your screaming....

Anonymous said...

CW knows all of the major criticisms- e.g. noise, dirty hallways, broken washers and dryers, dogs doing their thing anywhere they want, dorm life etc. The "suggestion box" is designed to be like the suggestion or idea boxes that companies used to maintain when they pretended to care about what their employees wanted. The vast majority of suggestions will be ignored unless they both agree with CW's agenda and cost little or nothing to implement. This is not cynicism- these is based on actual experiences. Just like most employers could care less about what their employees suggest (unless it improves efficiency more than it increases costs) the CW "suggestion box" is just designed to pretend that they actually care about what we think needs to be improved.

Anonymous said...

You did a great thing with your screaming. It sounds like this woman is in an abusive relationship, and she needs to be reminded that it's not okay.

Anonymous said...

I rarely agree with your grousing, because many of you grouse about everything (practicing tap dancing alone in the depths of the storage room is an abomination???), "

That grouse wasn't on STR, it was on the TA Facebook which is populated, for the most part, by nasty control freaks. I've lived here all my life (am well into my 60s now) and can remember people practicing singing and dancing in the laundry rooms and NOBODY complained. I can remember kids practicing piano, trumpet, drums and god-knows what and in the summer when all the windows were open because we didn't have AC back then, everybody had to hear them and NOBODY complained. I wish that some of those nasty old people on the TA Facebook would move out because they diminish the quality of life here with their bitterness and complaining. BTW, I loved taking my little nieces and nephews to the ice skating rink last year. It's safe, close by and a lot of fun! The concerts and Jumbatrons on the Oval and the Oval Cafe? Feh! But, to each his own!

Anonymous said...

"Should I contact security and let them know about this incident and give a description?"

I say, yes. Let Security know what's going on. From my own and others' recent experience, they're inviting us to contact them when there's a problem. They might even be on alert for future incidents. In any case, reporting what happened can't hurt.

Anonymous said...

Why the hell should other tenants have to put up with some idiot who thinks it's OK to tap dance or practice their musical instrument in a public area of any building?!

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>That grouse wasn't on STR, it was on the TA Facebook which is populated, for the most part, by nasty control freaks.<<

I may have to side with the grouse. I've taken a look at the recent TA Facebook postings and see the purposeful (no doubt) influx of Oval Moms--or whatever group that's called--who want to be positive about everything that's happening here. Re: Ice Rink, I don't mind it that much because I don't live above it, and it does give pleasure to a bunch of residents, and the kids will have nice memories of it when they grow up. BUT, the result of the Ice Rink, when Playground 10 was out of commission for two-three months afterward because of the damage it did, IS of concern. As is the now standard use of previously free property for a commercial venture. Hopefully Oval Moms can see that there are issues BEYOND personal pleasure that speak of what is truly happening in Stuy Town regarding its commercialization and, as in the case of many Oval events, debasement.

Re: that football crap on the inflatable screen, residents who wish to use the Oval during that time ARE inconvenienced, as are those residents who live around the Oval and are forced to hear what's happening at that "event." A pathetically low number of tenants turn up for these sport watching events, so what's the point, other than that CWCapital can promote Stuy Town as having such a (silly) amenity.

Anyway, the bottom line is that not everything here is positive, and residents have a right to put up a fight on matters of concern.

Anonymous said...

Well, STR, we are all entitled to our opinions, but there are a couple or so horribly nasty women on the TA Facebook who dish out insults and then get all self righteous and askance if they get a taste of their own medicine. Not constructive behavior at all.

Anonymous said...

If Stuymoms like the funk and didn't complain that one playground out of 20 wasn't available during this time. then how is this so horrible. It's. The overblown drama here; the chicken little mentality that is so silly

Anonymous said...

Regarding "oval Moms," STR: when I was a kid in the 1950s, Stuyvesant Town was nicknamed "Rabbit Town" because there were so many moms and babes here! Only years later did it become a bit of a geriatric camp. Now there is a new influx of young people and children and I think it is nice. The only thing I really hate about the place now is dormitory ambiance. I've got nothing against college kids, but I don't believe they belong here. They belong here much less so than the ice rink and other family entertainment we are getting.

Anonymous said...

@Anon 10:15 You are well into your 60s yet you have little nieces and nephews? They make your counterpoints very suspicious.

Anonymous said...

@ Anon October 15, 2012 10:26 PM

As a long time tenant here, you should know that times have changed. In the 50-'s - 70's, adults generally left their apartments to work, but in the last 25 years or so, a great number of people divide their work hours between their homes and other places. I also remember all the band practice, but know for a fact that Met required that those sessions be reasonable. I personally know someone who taught piano who had to install a "practice piano" so that the noise wouldn't be constantly heard.

Tap dancing ? There are apartments directly above all the carriage rooms. Given the concrete walls and the acoustics, my guess is that the noise would travel up to those apartments fairly clearly. It's the same reason that the laundry rooms were closed at 11 PM, so that residents above weren't subjected to someone drying their tennis shoes in the middle of the night (kaboom,kaboom,kaboom).

One of the worst problems that residents (and management) face today is that people have lost sight of the fact that they need to respect their neighbors. It really seems like many people think that the world simply revolves around them.

Anonymous said...

There is a clique of posters on the TA fb page that is totally abusive toward young mothers who post. There is no moderation. I suspect these are the same people who used to troll the Lux site and viciously gang up on anyone they decided not to like. Totally horrible people.

Anonymous said...

Outside of the hotelling (which may actually be illegal), CW doesn't give a hoot about any of this grousing...so long as it doesn't get outside of the community. You/we have to figure out how the circumstances here get greater attention. All the situations you complain about derive from CW changes that are meant to increase bid prices. Those of you who like the new amenities who are hoping to buy...you may feel a bit suckered when you see what the final prices to buy are.

Anonymous said...

I don't even use PG10 but it makes me mad to see them already constructing the GD ice rink. Such a shame because the weather is still nice which lots of people (kids especially) and activities are being displaced by this money-grubbing, open to the public ice rink. I don't even particularly care for kids screaming and playing soccer or whatever...but I do feel as residents they are ENTITLED TO USE OF PLAYGROUND 10. Whoever made the call on this ice rink nonsense deserves a quick punch in the mouth, seriously. City kids have it bad enough, they hardly have places to play sports and now there's one less safe place for them to do their thing. IF YOU ARE GOING TO INSIST ON DOING YOUR ICE RINK BUSINESS DO IT WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD IDIOTS.

Anonymous said...

CW to TA: DROP DEAD!

I love that letter from the TA..."Why won't they sell us this place now? We want to buy it before the price goes up..."

Hey, TA, CW is just another vulture investor in a long line of vultures we have had to deal with for the last six years. They are going to hang on until they can squeeze the last dollar out of this place and, if you will give them that last dollar, they'll play "Let's Make a Deal" with you. Of course, if they do, "buyer's remorse" will probably be the operative phrase to describe the transaction.

See also: bagholder.

Anonymous said...

">>Should I contact security and let them know about this incident and give a description?<<

It seems like one of those boyfriend/girlfriend spats, so I don't think anyone would take it more seriously. But you did a good thing with your screaming.... "

Of course you should have reported this to either security or the police. An attitude of condoning domestic violence in an incident such as this because it is "one of those boyfriend/girlfriend spats" is deplorable.

Anonymous said...

" may have to side with the grouse. I've taken a look at the recent TA Facebook postings and see the purposeful (no doubt) influx of Oval Moms--or whatever group that's called--who want to be positive about everything that's happening here."

Sadly, there are a couple of really vicious harridans on the TA Facebook who berate and insult anybody who doesn't fall into lockstep with them.

Anonymous said...

Just curious. There is a empty playground off 18th street. I think it was used a shuffleboard back in the day? I've never seen anyone use it. Could that be astroturfed like the other little soccer field? Maybe then the loss of playground 10 for 3 months would not seem so traumatic for residents.

Anonymous said...

When soccer is being played on playground 10 there are complaints about the noise, when an ice rink is being built on playground 10 there are complains about the constuction noise, when the ice rink is in operation there are complaints about the music, when palyground 10 is closed there are complaints.....when are there not complaints?

Gracie said...

Oh look, the Stuy Town Moms are spreading their joy here too! For a group of women who are so concerned with being positive they prove they are just as nasty and petty as the people they accuse of being nasty and petty. Move along ladies!

Anonymous said...

"@Anon 10:15 You are well into your 60s yet you have little nieces and nephews? They make your counterpoints very suspicious.

October 16, 2012 12:46 AM"

Why ? I'm in my early 60's and have nieces and nephews who are 7 or 8. What kind of ridiculous ageism is that ? People don't have valid opinions because of how old or young they are ? Why don't you try using facts to discredit an opinion instead of some flimsy, ill founded perception.

Anonymous said...

"When soccer is being played on playground 10 there are complaints about the noise"

I've never heard anyone complaining about the kids playing soccer here, or on any of the other sites. Robbi strikes again!

HAL 9000 said...

"When soccer is being played on playground 10 there are complaints about the noise"

This is BS.

Anonymous said...

If you live over by playground 10 you would understand that the noise is very intrusive. Sometimes they unload trucks before 8am and then the real noise begins. Constant beeping of trucks backing up, sawing, hammering, and during soccer the loud screams of the coaches. Been in this particular apartment for 41 years and it has never been this way until Tishman.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Oh look, the Stuy Town Moms are spreading their joy here too!<<

Their spreading joy here is limited and will be more so, because I've been onto their game from the beginning. Quite a number of their comments have not passed my smell test.

Anonymous said...

"Sadly, there are a couple of really vicious harridans on the TA Facebook who berate and insult anybody who doesn't fall into lockstep with them."

No, what's really going on is the nasty clique of Mom Zombs attack anybody who isn't in lockstep with their delight over commercialization of the ST property. And they could care less about this community. They're a truly disgusting, narcissistic bunch.

Anonymous said...

STR, thank you for providing a forum where we can discuss and agree or disagree or agree to disagree about the numerous issues concerning PCV/ST. I'm glad you moderate and don't let stupid stuff get through. I have been reading the TA facebook site and am appalled at the lack of moderation and the crass insults that get through. This is still a somewhat free, democratic, civilized society we live in and nobody has to agree with everybody or even anybody else; however, there should be a line drawn when it comes to insulting and inflammatory rhetoric. Sadly, a lot of the undiluted bile is coming from people who are old enough to know better. I would love to see the ice rink closed down and the playground returned to its original state as a playground; I would love to see the concerts and various and sundry commercial efforts (which are pathetic) done away with. Not everyone will agree with me, but that is their right and they don't deserve to be flamed to death if they support these misguided enterprises!
I totally believe that the money wasted on these silly enterprises could be better spent on maintenance and cleaning of the buildings and on providing functional and clean laundry rooms. Not everybody sees it that way and they have a right to say so without being insulted. And it's the same two people who berate dissenters all the time. This reflects very badly on the TA. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

What are Mom Zombs?

Anonymous said...

I admire the members of the TA who fearless challenge the self-centered parents and others who support the ice rink and further commercialization of the property. Somebody's got to stand up to those narcissistic mothers' nonsense and fight for the preservation of ST, so thanks to those who do.

Anonymous said...

Why the sudden influx of members of the Oval Families Facebook page to the TA Facebook page? The TA page deals with a lot of quality of life issues, issues this other group doesnt want to hear about but also directly cause, such as their support of the ice skating rink and other commercial activities in the Oval. If they want peace and harmony, they should stay on their own side of the yard. It's also unfair that the TA will allow them to come to their page and start trouble, but the Oval Families page is a private group.