Friday, August 29, 2014

Garodnick Positioning Himself to be the Next Mayor


Our councilman has been sending out emails, subject-headed as "In Case You Missed It," notifying recepients of a Capital NY profile on him, titled "The Careful Dissenter in the Council Majority."

While the piece may appear to prop up Garodnick's hopes of becoming the next mayor of the city, it actually reveals the reasons why New Yorkers may not want Dan as their next mayor. Aside from the vote on raising school bus drivers' wages (Dan voted no), it basically exposes Dan as the type of politician we've seen in STPCV: an overly smooth-talking politician-lawyer who travels the middle road and voices "concerns" while ultimately supporting the policy he is concerned about. This way, if something goes wrong, it still remains a win-win for him.  "I had my concerns...."

We in this community are all too familiar with Dan's "concerns"--from his concerns about the commercialization of the Oval, which he initially fought against before giving in, to his concerns on other issues, like student housing, construction noise, etc. If his "concerns" are not enough, there is always the promise of "new legislation" to keep residents stringing along with hope, despite the only thing being needed most of the time is enforcement of current legislation. I well remember those god-awful crating bins that were being moved around on the 20 Street Loop, screeching a discordant and loud wake up call to residents in the area at hours like 5am. Despite the noise at such an hour being clearly illegal, Dan seemed powerless to do anything of an immediate and necessary nature (as was the TA, btw). It was a couple of years at least before those bins were moved to another area of Stuy Town, to terrorize residents there, before they were placed in garage-like houses on the perimeter of the complex.

Garodnick is also positioning himself on city issues as someone who will be acceptable to both Democrats and Republicans, and gets props from the Council's Republican minority leader in the article:

"Dan is clearly not shy about making his positions known when he agrees, and particularly when he disagrees, with the Council leadership or the administration," said the Council's Republican minority leader, Vinny Ignizio. "I think that's an important role to play in the Council."

I seriously think that if De Blasio pisses off the power elite of the city with his more radical agenda, Garodnick can emerge as their safe choice to replace the current mayor. (Of course, Scott Stringer is aching for the job, too.)

Someone once wrote a comment on this blog that, I think, nailed what Garodnick is about: He loves the demographic that is upper middle-class and that's into the artificial lifestyle of the cheap amenities that a landlord can offer to make a residential area more than it really is. These are the people, young and progressive like him, who can fill his campaign chest up with nice contributions. (Big real estate has already donated to his campaigns, and will continued to do so in the future.) These are the people who don't care if the soul of New York City disappears, as long as a Starbucks and a Duane Reade are around the corner, as well as some nice restaurants offering artisanal food. These are the people for whom Dan wants to see condo conversion happen in STPCV.  "Affordable housing"? The meaning of that has changed, and while Dan may have some nostalgia for the type of real middle class, working class families that use to live here in genuine affordable housing, the world changes and it's time to move on.

74 comments:

Anonymous said...

ugggh

Hippo said...

A wormy, self-promoting little man who has done NOTHING to address the destruction of StuyTown-PC as perpetrated by Tishman-Speyer, CW Cap and myriad avaricious, greedy, money grubbing ghouls. He talks out of both sides of his mouth but is, ultimately, in bed with the real estate, development, landlord interests of New York. He has taken oodles of money from the Real Estate Board and their acolytes. He has done nothing for the middle class and working man. What a phony! Danny Boy for Mayor! Ain't gonna happen.

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't vote for him if he was running for Dog Catcher! He's SLIMEY!

Anonymous said...

Sorry Dan. does he read you str? you blew it with me a while back on the corner there at 16th street and you never addressed again.

Anonymous said...

Wow. Self promoting at this point in a third term speaks volumes. If he were solid, his work record would speak for itself.

Anonymous said...

the brookfield deal did it for me.

Anonymous said...

You think DG's positioning himself to primary de Blasio from the center. Not happening IMO. First. When, if ever, was the last time that a mayor got primaried in the history of NYC? Garodnick might have had one shot in eleventy million as Speaker of the City Council to go on that suicide mission, but DG's not Speaker so he's practically unknown outside of his district, making a primary run that much crazier. Second. He voted yes on the municipal ID card, but raised the same objections that the NYCLU did -- that the law didn't provide enough protections for cardholders against snooping expeditions by NYPD. That's not centrist, that's lefty.

DG's obviously trying to stay on constituents' radar screens, but there aren't any slots opening city-wide when his final term's up so maybe he's biding his time in the unlikely event of some career-ending scandal. Or maybe he's hoping that Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney decides to retire. Or maybe he's just exercising the independence that a final term affords. Who knows. But like one anonymous member of the City Council said about DG in the article: "...he takes a more thoughtful approach. It's not sort of knee-jerk..." Too bad that approach towards DG isn't often taken around here. It's why opinion pieces like this are so easily dismissible.

Anonymous said...

Dan G typical 2-faced lying politician.

No way, Jose.

Anonymous said...

Did trust Dan once, now that he is sadly getting the blame for the Stand pcvillage massacre.

Anonymous said...

It is all staged and faked smoke and mirrors with these guys.

A typical Cuomo press conference where the audience of city workers was summoned.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/30/nyregion/handshakes-and-hugs-hallmarks-of-the-stump-are-rare-with-cuomo.html?_r=0

Garodnick took a page out of the Cuomo Moreland PR playbook which Preet Bharara called out for what it is.

Have allies feed press quotes in positive spin article, Check

Have friends tweet positive spins and retweet them, Check

Have TA President positive plug comment on blog of all you've done, Check

Do all this simultaneously.

To cover up what?

Anonymous said...

He's hot my vote, truly dedicated public servant and one of the only credible, effective advocates for stpcv tenants.

Anonymous said...

STR, Check your Blog from years ago!
I said that Dan will tell people what he thinks they want to hear, and not how he intends to vote. I called Dan a Feckless leader years ago, and I stand by my moniker for him. Feckless Dan!

Anonymous said...

If he's so credible, please ask your friend Dan to explain all those promises that were not kept and what happened to the conversion and our money from Sandy and our money from Roberts. Please ask your friend to come out with at least an apology.

Anonymous said...

Who can I speak to now that we've filed overcharge forms on our apartment that was just renovated and looks to be grossly overcharged?

Is there a lawyer, the TA or who now? I don't trust the DHCR to file this or investigate. If anyone can post results or a # to call.

Anonymous said...

What a crock of crap.

Anonymous said...

More and more I get the feeling Dan is using his office for his business interests and not for serving the people.

We have too many politicians who practice serving the businesses feigning that it will trickle down to serving the people even though evidence is to the contrary with that only enriching the politicians and businesses.

More and more I see Dan's Brookfield deal serves the businessess, lawyers and politicians and the residents will bear the financial burden of the corruption-fueled unsustainable toxic liabilities here. Just like residents pay mci's for the security system for corrupt NYU deal. Residents pay the price while politicians and their business buddies enrich themselves. I will never be able to forget the picture of Dan with Roberts-adversary Tighe at the REBNY party. That says it all to me.
7:44 The Robert's money went to RE and their politicians and lawyers in their pockets who stole our court victory.


Anonymous said...

I can't believe the way you talk about a neighbor who grew up here with many of you, whose parents also live here. The vitriol and hate you feel for your eighbors is so sad.

Anonymous said...

August 30, 2014 at 8:02 PM said: "Who can I speak to now that we've filed overcharge forms on our apartment that was just renovated and looks to be grossly overcharged?

Is there a lawyer, the TA or who now? I don't trust the DHCR to file this or investigate. If anyone can post results or a # to call."

Call the TA or email them. This is an important issue.

Anonymous said...

August 30, 2014 at 7:44 PM

(1) CWCap has refused to talk to the TA, Dan G or anyone as far as I know about selling. That's what happened to conversion. (2) It took awhile but we got our Sandy money, you didn't get yours? Did you sign up for it? BTW, landlords across the city dug in their heels and claimed loss of electric was an Act of God, so no rebates for their tenants. (3) The Roberts case was settled in a court of law, outside the purview of elected officials. That's all on the attorneys and the judge.

Anonymous said...

"Who can I speak to now that we've filed overcharge forms on our apartment that was just renovated and looks to be grossly overcharged?

Is there a lawyer, the TA or who now? I don't trust the DHCR to file this or investigate. If anyone can post results or a # to call."

August 30, 2014 at 8:02 PM

You can hire your own tenant lawyer (gotta be a tenant lawyer), which is expensive, or you can let the TA know. The TA may have some experience with this sort of thing since it has dealt with DHCR. You can reach them via their website (stpcvta.org) There's also a phone line: 866-290-9036. Good luck and thank you for fighting this. It would be great if you could get your rent rolled back to what it really should be.

Also, make sure you understand the terms of your lease. There may be a legal rent and a preferential rent. The preferential rent will be lower. When it's time for you to renew, management can raise your rent all the way up to the legal rent or any point in between. It can also add in the annual increase as determined by the NYC Rent Guidelines Board.

Anonymous said...

DG is one man who has always worked overtime for the betterment of this community. To sit back and blame him for all our problems, as if he had superpowers he wasn't using, is childish. Good DG.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>I can't believe the way you talk about a neighbor who grew up here with many of you<<

Being a neighbor does not grant freedom from criticism of one's official positions and activities, surely?

Anonymous said...

11 - 04 --- I'm not that original poster but have spoken to the TA about same. Unhelpful - - unhelpful with no knowledge. GL to all. wE're moving end of November.

Anonymous said...

lmao -- right! CW refused to talk to Dan. Yet Dan and clan repeatedly said front eh beginning (lies) that CW said they'd consider a sale to tenants.

Many of us have not forgotten that DAn. Dan, you should discuss this comment, meeting , stringing us all along NOW. Or we will forever think you 're full of BS.

Anonymous said...

We have 12000 neighbors. Odds are there are bound to be a few bad seeds.

Anonymous said...

STR

You did a sidestep. Criticism is one thing, that commenter was talking about the "vitriol and hate' which run rampant on this site.

Anonymous said...

Steve Sanders was born and raised in ST, and served the community in the State Assembly for a couple of decades. He never faced harsh criticism as Mr. Garodnick has. Could it be because he stood toe to toe with them, or is it just a different time ? Just a thought.

Anonymous said...

You people are never happy. The Roberts case was a good thing for the community. For those of you that cannot read, keep waiting for those big refund checks. What idiots!

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>STR

You did a sidestep. Criticism is one thing, that commenter was talking about the "vitriol and hate' which run rampant on this site.<<

From some people, perhaps, but not from all. People have their opinions, and the commentators on this blog do not promote one unified opinion.

Anonymous said...

He talked the talk about relocating the farmers market but never followed through. Another one who's impotent.

Anonymous said...

Not blaming DG for all our problems. Blaming him for saying things that were lies, incorrect and not confronting them a year later, 2 years later. Own IT DAN, I'D HAVE RESPECT FOR DG IF he'd own it.

And i am blaming him for not stepping up to CW or TS and kissing ass. TELL ME PLEASE WHY HE DOES NOT PLAY HARDBALL AND TRIES TO FRIEND THEM.

Anonymous said...

"Steve Sanders was born and raised in ST, and served the community in the State Assembly for a couple of decades. He never faced harsh criticism as Mr. Garodnick has. Could it be because he stood toe to toe with them, or is it just a different time ? "

Yes a different time--no Internet. He probably would have been just as reviled if people could have vented online.

Anonymous said...

STR

the commentators on this blog do not promote one unified opinion.

I disagree strongly. You may not, but waaaaaaay more than once I've seen commenters on this site accuse those who make comments in defense of Garodnick or the TA as being the work of "shills' or "trolls" or "members of the board".

At least you acknowledged the hate and vitriol.

Anonymous said...

August 31, 2014 at 6:01 PM

A quick Google search proves what you write is patently false. See this post by STR from back in April 2012.

http://stuytownreport.blogspot.com/2012/04/green-market-in-food-trucks-out.html

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Actually 6:01 is not incorrect. There was talk of moving the Green Market and Garodnick was involved in that talk. What came about was its allowance as being strictly "for residents and their guests." This zoning allowance also touched the Oval Cafe. Meanwhile, people who are NOT residents and their guests are freely using both the Green Market and Oval Cafe, with no protest from Dan or from the TA.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

And Dan, as someone who has used the Oval Cafe recently, should have noticed that there was not ONE damn sign anyplace about it being for "residents and their guests." And when he bought his Oval Cafe lukewarm coffee, he surely must have noticed that no one asked him to show an ID that proved he was a resident or a guest of one.

Anonymous said...

people who are NOT residents and their guests are freely using both the Green Market and Oval Cafe, with no protest from Dan or from the TA.

Again, you just make blanket statements without backing them up. How do youy know the above is true? I know zip about the oval cafe so maybe you'll explain why nonresidents would bother making the trek in to use it? What makes it so special?

Maybe you can also explain the ridiculous Security presence and their ropes cordoning off the Farmers Market every Sunday? Is it to protect the farmers from howling mobs of STPCV residents? Or maybe to doscourage outsiders from using the market?

Stuy Town Reporter said...

The Oval Cafe has no signage that states it is meant for only residents and their guests. When it first opened, there was a tiny notation like that, at least on the placard advertisement for the cafe. Inside, you can buy any item without the need to show you are a resident or a guest. I went in twice at various times of the year to check if this was true, and both times it was true. (I even asked if I have to show ID to buy anything and was told no.)

Regarding the Farmers Market, no one has to show any ID. Public Safety has a presence to protect the businesses from theft or keep order or whatever, but NOT to dissuade outsiders from buying product.

As to your idea that non-residents wouldn't want to make use of the complex and such things as the cafe and market, where have you been? Non-residents are continually coming into the complex and using the cafe, the Farmers Market, the Oval lawn for sunbathing, the benches for sitting around, and, if they have dogs, for their to dogs use the grounds as a public relief station. I have verified this many times, so that it's not even open to debate.

Things will get much worse (as far as outsider presence is considered) once the area below 14th St gets built-up with residential buildings, as is happening right now at the corner of Ave A and 14th. Where do you think these tenants will go when it's a nice day and they want to relax in "park-like" surroundings? Tomkins Square Park? Not likely. They'll head right across the street to Stuy Town, and make use of the grounds and the cafe and the Farmers Market.

Seriously, get to know your community better, if you live here at all.

Anonymous said...

Lollll Still no comment from Dan on anything eh? Oh sure, he's really concerned about illegal entry from CR… sure he is..

and he's adequately addressed the student housing campus we have here… sure

and he's definitely on our side for saving the affordable housing and was a huge help (not) when we got our $300 per month rent increase. ole buddy Dan - can't wait till he's gone.

Anonymous said...

3:10 that is ridiculous. The ropes and security at the farmer's market is to keep bikes, dogs, and such out. As if anyone would believe it is to make sure only tenants and their guests are the reason as you say.......ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

Dan is cut from the Bloomberg cloth.
His only interest in becoming a councilman or holding any kind of elected political position is simply to serve the interests of his business interests and those of his friends and benefactors in Big Law and Big RE. He is not even slightly interested in the welfare and interests of his constituents. That said, he's probably no worse than any of the political hacks we have had and continue to have running this City.
I see no reason whatsoever to vote for him or any of the current crop of shysters. They all totally suck, from the Big Goombah in Albany to the toads in City Hall, including Dopey DeB.

Anonymous said...

If the ropes at the Greenmarket are for keeping dogs away, I can tell you personally that it doesn't work. I was sitting by the Greenmarket this past Sunday and the stupid signs they have posted about keeping dogs away from the vendor booths were as useless and ineffective as everything else that CW does here. There were all sorts of dogs walking with their owners right next to the booths. No one - NOT ONE - dog/dog owner was on the other side of the rope.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Yes, I've noticed that dogs go right up to the stalls and even inside them! No enforcement of that signage that I see.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

The signage is probably just meant for CWCapital/CompassRock to say they are following health codes, but like much around here, there's no enforcement. Another scam.

Anonymous said...

STR

I have used the lawn to sunbathe, but have taken no surveys to see if all of the people around me live here. I buy at the Farmer's Market every Sunday but have taken no surveys to see if all of the people around me live here. Have you?

And I've lived here for 20+ years, you dick.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Thank you, yes, I have one. Don't know what you have, though.

Okay, so you have lived here for 20 years plus. Then you seem very unaware of what goes on around here or have little interest in finding out. Yes, I have taken the time to see where some of the people go after they buy produce from the Green Market, and I have seen people (most females) crossing 14th from the East Village with their towels, etc, on the way to the Oval Lawn. I've seen (oh so many times) non-ST/PCV dogs being walked into the complex from outside.... And you have seen...nothing?

Anonymous said...

Hey, NO-Dick of 20+ years: STR roams around the property and has his camera with him most of the time. He is a Reporter. He Observes and he Reports.

What was it you said you do apart from shop at the scruffy "Farmers Market" and sunbathe on the lawn?

Anonymous said...

The same Dan Garodnick that lost 25% of his support in his last re-election? His unknown republican opponent who didn't spend one dollar on her campaign got 30% of the vote. Not one incumbent council member gave up that many votes, not one. Mayor....LOLOLOLOL

Stuy Town Reporter said...

You don't even need to be a reporter, ace or otherwise, to notice outsiders coming into the property. At the very least, you should be able to see the non-registered and illegal dogs being brought in from points west and south, and using the property as a urinal and feces marker.

Anonymous said...

STR

Yes, I have taken the time to see where some of the people go after they buy produce from the Green Market

I am very aware of what goes on around here, but do not have the time to stalk people after they buy produce from the Farmer's Market or stale donuts or whatever from the Oval Cafe.

Apparently that fact makes my residency here suspect.

Anonymous said...

11:28 Nice mouth. Str you should delete those.. or *** after You ***.

We all know what lowlifes live here. NO need to print it. Ew.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>Str you should delete those.. or *** after You ***.<<

I sometimes pass stuff like this for a reason. Sometimes.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>I am very aware of what goes on around here, but do not have the time to stalk people after they buy produce from the Farmer's Market or stale donuts or whatever from the Oval Cafe.<<

I don't have the time, too. But if I'm to make certain statements, I like to back them up with proof. It's not "stalking," btw. It's research that should be done, as CWCapital/CompassRock is turning a very blind eye toward the zoning regulations. Dan is aware of these violations, of course, but you won't hear a word from him about them. Silence from the TA, too. And let me head you off at the pass: Yes, it's not the end of the world that the zoning regulations are being ignored here via commercial enterprises. But, as Victor Hugo said: "Men become accustomed to poison by degrees."

Anonymous said...

STR

Well geez, how far do you follow these people? Usually after the Farmers Market, we'll trek over to Associated for meat or chicken. If we were a subject of your "research" for example, would you wait outside of Associated for us so as to continue your "research?" Sometimes we'll go to Zeichner's for a bottle of wine next. Would you follow us there and wait outside for us again? Sometimes we'll go to the fruit cart guy in front of Beth Israel for blueberries next. Are you still tailing us at this point or have you given up by now and just decided that we're not residents? If you did, you'd be wrong because now we're gonna be crossing First Ave to come home to our ST apartment with the goods to make dinner.

So long story short, in order to back up your assertions, you'd actually have to follow these people home to their non-STPCV apartments (even then, they may be visiting friends). Is that what you do?

Anonymous said...

And still no comments on any of the problems, which are now worse, from either the TA or Dan G.

Noise, overcrowding, exhorbitant rents, mdi which are fake + illegal.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>So long story short, in order to back up your assertions, you'd actually have to follow these people home to their non-STPCV apartments (even then, they may be visiting friends). Is that what you do?<<

All you have to do is be at the corner of 14th and Ave A, on the Stuy Town side, and see the people come in from the LES empty-handed and come out of Stuy Town and make their way to LES with produce bought from the market. Simple.

Anonymous said...

STR

All you have to do is be at the corner of 14th and Ave A, on the Stuy Town side, and see the people come in from the LES empty-handed and come out of Stuy Town and make their way to LES with produce bought from the market. Simple.

No it's not that simple. What do you do, tag these people who "come in from the LES empty-handed?" There's really no other way to keep track of them.

And why are these people supposedly trekking way outta the way into ST for our Farmers Market when there is a REALLY nice Farmer's Greenmarket right at Tompkins Park every Sunday?

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. Without checking IDs or standing at the market and surveying shoppers there really is no reliable way to assert what you are asserting.
And to expect Dan G or the TA to do whatever about the Greenmarket based on what you are basing your assertions on is just silly. Especially when cat least one board member of the TA is very opposed the Greenmarket. I'm sure you remember his angry letter to the T&V a couple of years ago.

We have a lot of real problems here in ST-PCV. This just isn't one of the.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

Actually, the sellers at the Farmers Market should be checking IDs or Public Safety should. That should be an intrinsic part of the zoning regulation Dan stipulated in his agreement with the DOB to have commercial enterprises inside Stuy Town. These enterprises are meant ONLY for residents and their guests. If no one is checking, then the zoning regulation is not being enforced.

I've seen the Farmers Market at Tomkins Square Park, and it's not as large, or in as "clean" surroundings, as the one at the Oval. Plus, you can always make it a half day at the Oval by going to Oval Cafe. ;-)

>>We have a lot of real problems here in ST-PCV. This just isn't one of the.<<

Again, remember what Victor Hugo said about poisons. Anyone who ignores a problem because he/she considers it insignificant accepts that problem as the status quo. Multiply those "insignificant" problems, and you start feeling their significance.

Because we've accepted commercial enterprises around the Oval, we've also accepted the possibility of a 7/11 opening up here or a bank, as long as it's for (wink, wink) "residents and their guests." But perhaps you wouldn't mind that?

Anonymous said...

Dan did not have the right to make that agreement with the DOB. He is a city council member, who is supposed to represent ALL his constituents. Not just his TA board and/or by default TA members. Dan should have either checked with ALL residents on the commercialization or he should have recognized it is not appropriate for a 'single' Council Member to make such a DOB deal for commercial purposes in a residential zoned neighborhood. This wreaks of all sorts of wrong doing.
What are some other of Dan's deals?

Anonymous said...

Where can we see a copy if the agreement Dan made with DOB on zoning regulations and commercial enterprises in PCVST? That should be posted for the community to see, yes? It isn;t a secret deal - so where is it posted for us to see what Dan is dealing our way?

And by what authority can he make such a deal?

Anonymous said...

The TA board member the poster is referring to is James Roth. He is no longer a member of the TA Board. He is a stand up guy and his letter stands true today. Here it is. BTW, last year I went to the “Winter Wonderland” twice. There is sign in sheet that asks for the name of the “Resident or Guest”. At no time was I asked for my ID. There are no signs in in the tent stating the facility is for only residents and their guests.

How is ‘special event’ in ST/PCV defined?
5/12/2012 letter to the T&V.
To the Editor:

It is unfortunate that Council Member Garodnick has gone along with CW and Rose in sidestepping the zoning rules (and apparently ignoring the “clearly incidental” and “customarily found” requirements found in the Zoning Resolution definition of Accessory Use) to allow the return of the greenmarket to the Oval under the pretense that its availability will be limited to “residents and their guests only,” and the return of food trucks at “special events.”
Notably, “special events” are not defined so, presumably, anything that CW and Rose declare to be a special event, perhaps even the greenmarket, will qualify. By agreeing to this pretense, the Council Member has ignored the primary complaint about the greenmarket – its location on the Oval – and opened the door to CW and Rose further exploit the Oval as a commercial and event space, without limit, merely by claiming the activities are limited to “residents and their guests only.”
According to the Council Member, management has agreed to add language to its perimeter sidewalk signs and on any of their materials referencing the market that the market is for “residents and their guests only” and are in the process of correcting any outstanding public references to the market being open to the public. While GrowNYC has removed the reference to the market being open to the public, it contains a map of the market’s location and a link to management’s website for more information and, as of April 29, one week before the market’s opening, neither that site nor management’s own site has added the language for “residents and their guests only” or any other language that would indicate that it is not open to he public.
During his tenure, Council Member Garodnick has, generally, represented the ST/PCV community well and has done many good things on behalf of it. His acquiescence in CW and Rose’s charade to continue the presence of the greenmarket on the Oval is not one of them and will only embolden the property’s current mercenary management to create more Oval annoyances, of course — wink, nod – for “residents and their guests only.”

James J. Roth, P

Anonymous said...

Suggesting that because I don't have a problem with a seasonal one day a week Farmers Market, I'm not gonna mind a 7-11 or a bank opening on the Oval is a cheap shot. The Farmers Market won't open the door to a 7-11 or bank. As you yourself wrote way back when: zoning laws prevent "open commercial use" of residential property, but that "limited commercial activity in residential areas that are designed to serve as an 'accessory use' for residents and their guest only" are allowed.

A 7-11 or bank would constitute "open commercial use." That's not allowed. Period. And that's not what we were arguing earlier. You argued that CWCap isn't following the terms of the agreement regarding accessory use in that you claim non residents are coming in from the LES - way out of the way - bypassing the Tompkins Park Greenmarket (for reasons that I consider pretty suspect) - so as to shop at the ST Farmers Market. I argued that you have no verifiable proof that this is happening and are using your blog to create a problem where none exists. Lectures and insults aren't going to change my mind, actual proof of what you are alleging would.

Anonymous said...

Of course they turn a blind eye to outsiders coming in to shop at the green market and slurp swill at Oval Cafe. If they had to depend on residents alone, there would be very scant business at these two shitty "amenities."

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>A 7-11 or bank would constitute "open commercial use." That's not allowed. Period.<<

Good heavens! What do you think the Oval Cafe is??? If a 7-11 opened up here and was "for residents and their guests" of course it would be allowed. Who'd stop it? Dan or the TA???

>>I argued that you have no verifiable proof that this is happening and are using your blog to create a problem where none exists. Lectures and insults aren't going to change my mind, actual proof of what you are alleging would.<<

I've given you proof. My word on what I've seen and noticed with my own eyes. (I've also taken photos, but the Green Market ones are buried someplace at this point, and I'm not about to dig them up for you.) You are, therefore, basically calling me a liar. Well, I'm calling you deluded or ignorant if you don't think outsiders are using the complex to go to the Green Market here, stop in at Oval Cafe when they are in Stuy Town, use the Oval Lawn for sunbathing or walk their dogs through the complex. It's actually dumbfounding to me that you don't think outsiders make use of the complex AT ALL.

Anonymous said...

September 3, 2014 at 4:15 PM

ST-PCV has 25,000+ residents. That's more than enough to sustain a small farmers market like ours. Something like half the combined cities, towns, boroughs, villages and townships in the USA have fewer than 25,000 residents.

You may not like the farmers market but enough residents do or the farmers wouldn't keep coming back every year.

Stuy Town Reporter said...

We're up to about 30K residents. A very small portion use the market.

But the issue is not whether residents use the market or not. The issue is a commercial business inside Stuy Town.

Anonymous said...

As a life time tenant here, I support by 100% STRs factual assertions that the so called amenities here are used by non-residents all the time. I posted Jim Roth’s letter and this is not a minor issue. CWC/CR, like TS before, is destroying this place by the death of a thousand cuts. These intrusions are commercial enterprises since there is zero enforcement of the residents and guests regulation. When the green market first opened, there was a person at the TA FB page who vigorously promoted the market. It was then discovered that this person had a financial interest in the market

Anonymous said...

The issue is a commercial business in residential Stuy Town. Exactly right STR. Stuy Town is in NYC, a stones throw from the world's best restaurants, shopping, farmers markets, etc. The beauty and value of Stuy Town was that this residential community in a PARK was a stones throw from the best of (above listed). Now it is just another commercial neighborhood and the cafes and farmers markets are subpar to the standards ofr NYC. Stuy Town is devalued by the commercialism.

Anonymous said...

Guterman is right. We're not going to do nothing but lose this place, our home bit by bit.

Anonymous said...

"Guterman is right. We're not going to do nothing but lose this place, our home bit by bit."

Let them just try to get me out of my home of 35 years! I will fight them tooth and nail.

Anonymous said...

We're up to about 30K residents. A very small portion use the market.

The 30K residents statement is based on fact. The rest is not.

Anonymous said...

"The 30K residents statement is based on fact. The rest is not."

Oh really? So the STR is a liar on that statement as well. I guess you pump up the concert/movie attendance numbers as well.

Do you notice that the Greenmarket/Commercial development shills that post here NEVER address the details of the zoning issue or the content of Jim Roth's letter?

BTW, I believe Garodnick’s surrender on the Greenmarket was negotiated directly with the infamous Amanda Burden. Need I say more?

Stuy Town Reporter said...

>>The 30K residents statement is based on fact. The rest is not.<<

Simple question: How many residents do you think buy at the Farmers Market on Sunday?

Anonymous said...

God forbid this self-serving political hack should ever be elected to public office again. WE THE PEOPLE are sick of being major league FUCKED by these shysters! Cuomo has to go and so do all of these self-serving corrupt politicians.