A Law Unto Itself

Blackstone, ST Management, Beam Living, Public Safety, and the Tenants Association have all failed law-abiding residents of Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village. We could add a few more names, like our local politicians, newspapers/TV stations, the city's own DOB, but residents of ST and PCV are being duped or ignored by the above. Yes, there are certain things that are right here. It is not all bad for sure. But outright lies or misrepresentations are frequently said or adhered to by the very people and organizations that should help us.

I have lived here for over 30 years, and I challenge anyone of the above to prove otherwise. I have photos (lots) and my own "seeing is believing" experiences. The important attitude of these organizations is to have a happy face--and lie. Every person or organization listed above has lied to residents and to me. Many residents now realize that they are being lied to and refuse the Kool Aid being offered.

Sure, if there is some serious trouble, Public Safety will help, but not in the "small" laws that build up and up and create indifference in residents or even hatred. I cannot go to or call the above organizations or people without preparing myself for the standard BS that all of them give.

Basically, Blackstone and Management are a law unto itself. They do not enforce several city laws and their own. Laws to them are just for talk and promotion. The reality is that a lot of things are just accepted, regardless of Blackstone's own law, regardless of what New York City/State mandates.

This coming year more pressure is going to be put on the above individuals and organizations. From my part, it will be done very legally. As we know, "legal" is ignored here. The fight is to get things that are legal actually legal.

Goodbye Associated

There's been a lot of talk about this supermarket closing. Some of the comments have been pro and some negative. I shop daily there, mostly for milk, sometimes for the deli department. And I always check to see what's on sale, as some of the sale prices are indeed beckoning. Soon, though, no more. The store is becoming empty of items, though many perishables are still to be had. Signs say that the other Associated store at 8th Street and Ave C will have flyers, etc., but that's too far to walk for most. The Management at Stuy Town promised another similar store will take its place, but I'm not holding my breath.

Anyway, one less option for me and for many others. Goodbye.

We Interview the Woman Who Screams

The TA inadvertently published a recent photo of a Stuy Town resident screaming "There's no heat!" while the woman next to her (also a resident) is looking thru Stuy Town garbage for anything to eat. As we here at the STR blog are very curious about this scene, we searched for the first woman and found her walking around the Oval, as she was careful not to get run over by a speeding bicycle or scooter.

Me: Is that you?

Yes, I can't take this place anymore. And I'm a new resident that's paying $7,000 a month for a renovated one-room IKEA apartment.

Wow, that's a lot. I didn't know that rents go up that high.

Sure do, even though they say I am a rent-stabilized tenant like everyone else. And now Gracefully is charging $5 for a small cup of coffee. Necessary price increase, Gracefully says.

But you go to Associated?

Closed. I'm still going to the East River to drink water and catch a fish and wash clothes, but the East River Park will be closed soon, while they raise it 2 inches.

All of it?

Yes, all of it., but we have to fight global warming. At least that's what they say, but I'm suspicious of those planned high-rises along the East River that they're going to build.

So what are your options?

Don't tell anyone, but I am forced to do AirBnb because I can't afford the rent anymore. Luckily, our Public Safety department looks the other way on most things.

Boy, you're in a tough situation.

That's why I screamed. I hope I didn't wake you?

No, you didn't. I'm used to noise by now, living near the new subway extension on 14th Street. Human screaming is nothing compared to the jack-hammering that's going on. 

I admit that I went to Management's s'mores event and gobbled what I could. Thank God for small favors.

*     *     *

With that, the woman hustled over to the new Veteran 's Memorial, where, despite no real trees, she found many empty spaces to sit and rest.

Yes, thank God for small favors.

Leaf Blowers - The Danger and Management Doesn't Care

As long as the leaf blowers are outside and creating noise, let me address this issue, and it is quite simple. Though Stuyvesant Town prides itself on making this place have the latest technology and freedom (or close to it) from pollutants, the fact remains that leaf blowers are a danger to the health of residents. Of course, nothing is being done about them. Yesterday I even saw a bigger leaf blower "doing its thing" and thereby also scattering humans out of the way.

Yes, there are many leaves on the ground from the trees here. But getting rid of them was not like this in the past. The effort previously was quiet and done by grounds workers with things such as rakes. (Remember those?) But now, with the use of leaf blowers, Management thinks it has found a way to do things cheaper and quicker. Your health be damned.

Leaf blowers are not energy efficient, unless the energy we are talking about is human energy. Leaf blowers blow not only leaves, but dirt, feces, etc. They pollute. Period. I myself have gotten a "taste" and a "smell" from leaf blowers nearby. And face it, a lot of the grounds people with leaf blowers are here just to do a job as quickly as possible, and collect a pay check. Again, your health be damned.

If this were the days of King Solomon (remember him, from the Bible?), I would have Management stand in front of a running leaf blower and breath in all the noxious waste and get some of that waste and dirt inside their system. But these are not the days of King Solomon....

This is a good place to start on the potential danger:

https://www.salon.com/2017/10/08/noisy-but-that-is-not-all_partner/

"No trees were cut down..." The TA - Peter Stuyvesant Reports!

I have another post in the near future, but I had to get this in, with photo, because not only did I see a tree being cut here and there, but I also heard the very loud noise a buzz-saw was making. The fact that the TA has assumed something different is not only telling on the TA (it's clear now that your TA does not see what goes on around here) but is indicative of the SPIN told by Stuy Town to anyone who says something different. I guess Management's way out is the tree was removed, but not really, really "cut down."

Here is the process in progress:

 

"Peter Stuyvesant: We asked this question and were told no trees were cut down...."

"Will ask again. Perhaps bushes/other plantings were removed. I know some benches were removed. But we were assured no trees were cut down."

UPDATE: Since Blackstone is broke, residents will have to learn how to make labels themselves and put a label on the front door.

 

Citi-bike Rules Playground 9

So I passed by Playground 9 (that's the playground that has those Citi-bikes), and found that the actual playground is closed for repainting, etc. But not closed is Citi-bike. Playground 9 was recently worked on, but now, in September, the playground will be closed for basketball. Makes no sense. A normal company, if work needs to be done (a big question mark), would close the playground at the winter months, but not in September!

Unless, of course, Citi-bike requires an "adjustment" at that playground, and time can't be wasted with Citi-bike and our incompetent Management. (Or maybe Management is very competent, but doesn't bother about residents in this situation.)

Regarding the rule of walking your Citi-bike. BS. Today I passed by two Citi-bikes that were not being walked in the pathway by Playground 9.

A big failure. Enjoy September.

Another Fine Mess

Can you imagine this uncovered mattress wet? Yes, a little bit of rain adds to another fine mess. Photos taken this Wednesday. The mattress has been there for hours.

Stuy Town Increases Plant and Tree Devastation of the Oval - Uncovered Mattresses Continue

Take a look. Soon all of it will be gone in that area. Our hope is that our Tenants Association still has a seat at the table with Blackstone, as they so proudly proclaim. Who knows? The fallen tree and plants may be made for a new table for them.

Update: The photos below were just taken about 15 minutes ago. The mattresses have been there for hours. Along the First Ave Loop. Entry for cars, 18 St., exit 16 St.; August 8:

From August 3rd:

The Truth About Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village

For those of you who are new to this complex, and even if you are not, but need reminders. From the Daily News, Dec. 16, 1976:

Membership at the time of the Tenants Association was reported as only 2,000.

Another article by the Daily News from October 10, 1982 states that the figure for membership in the TA is 1,000, a droppage of 1,000 since 1976.

The Wheels Start Turning...

It is time to start the wheels moving as there have been no suitable responses. There are only four or five issues that will currently be taken. One involves the Tenants Association, a group that has been responsible for several things, not necessarily to any success, while ignoring other things that are seen by residents daily. This "tenants" organization is not open about current dues-paying membership or what year had the largest membership. As reported by this organization, this information is "confidential." Meaning, no one knows who is a tenant and is not part of a small privileged group. This seems odd, as it is a "tenants organization" and should have no secrets to tenants. But it is not so. The continual promotion of this organization being the largest in the country can't be even checked because of this. This has got to change. Any tenants organization should have basic information about its organization available to tenants. Dues are asked for continually, though.

The other issues have to do with our landlord, currently Blackstone. There have been no responses from their legal department (to which Public Safety ultimately refers) about enforcement of a ban on running e-bikes, outside dogs, and uncovered mattresses on the loops. There is also the crucial question of who "owns" 20th street and whether club cars can cross it.

These issues have been brought up and questions have been asked and will continue to be asked. But the difference is that certain wheels will be turning now.

No Joke

As we head into the middle of summer, August, it is time to raise the temperature in other ways.

At the tail end of last week, I wrote a query to the Tenants Association. I had only two questions.  1) What is the dues paying membership for 2018? and 2) What year was the largest membership?

I was answered quickly. The reply:

>>Dues for the Tenants Association is $50.00 but $25.00 for tenants who are on DRIE or SCRIE.

Thank you again for contacting us,

Your Tenants Association<<

 

No joke. That was the response. LOL.

 

And.... I still have not heard from the Legal Department of Stuy Town. I asked: How many summonses were issued to e-bikes in the month of April. (I emailed on this issue starting May with at least two further requests and another e-mail address. Nothing yet.) I mentioned the running e-bikes at E-ssa Bagel, a tenant of Stuy Town/Blackstone, too. I also mentioned the club cars crossing 20th street. Illegal or not? Nothing.

I have no other recourse than to continue and press in a number of ways. All legal. Yes, the wheels move slowly, but they do move.

Message from the Boss Man

You seem to have forgotten who owns this place.

The new rent laws: We are going to fight it all the way to the Supreme Court. What did you think? We're going to turn over and play dead? Of course, we are doing it for you, the tenants, as you deserve the very best we can provide.

This controversy about Playground 9.... We can make money renting bike stations to Citibank. 1) Citibank is going to pay us and 2) we can advertise a new amenity.  So, win-win for us. Just because some of the kids here can't use the sprinklers before we think of something to placate the bitchers, so what? I'm tired of sniffling, whiny children dictating anything. Go and play in the Fountain area. That is why we let crayons and paint all over the place. Our crack Public Safety doesn't care what you do, so do anything you like!

We are also bringing in beer and wine for that Five Stuy Cafe with all the dog piss stains on the low wall. Yes, another amenity. (The beer and wine, not the dog piss.) You will not care after getting sloshed, so what is the problem? Not caring is the key to living here in Stuy Town and Peter Cooper Village.

Old timers.... Get out of the way. That's the best advice I can give you. Bikes, club cars, skateboards. They rule, you don't. And we are hoping e-bikes are on the way.... Oh, and when are you leaving us, if you get my drift. We can make double and triple from your apartment once it's vacated. (Memo: Donate more money to fight the new rent laws.)

Oh, yeah, we are touting sustainability and green living. LOL. You don't believe that, do you? With all the polluting club cars, lawn mowers, shit-removing zambonis, pollution is not our priority, but advertising amenities is a priority so that we constantly have a flow of new renters. (Money talks, bullshit walks.) Some of these amenities on the roof will give people who live on the top floor cancer, but so what? We all have to go sometimes, so it may as well be with a cellphone glowing in your ear.

Another thing: I am tried of being called "Dick". I am not your buddy or, if you are an old female or gay, your dream lover. From now on it's "Boss Man" or "Master Dick."

Now that we understand each other, you know who rules. It ain't you.

The New Rent Laws - What, Me Worry?

These photos were taken today in the morning: from Peter Cooper Village, which used to be the upscale version of her brother across 20th Street, Stuyvesant Town. The photos, around the entrance and exit of Peter Cooper and some inside will show you the current condition of the walkways and roads. It is important to state the condition of this and the Stuy Town community, because our current owner, Blackstone, will try to impress that it is because of the new rent laws that things have deteriorated. BS. I took many photos through the years and can show the truth, with photos.

Blackstone and our Management can plead poverty (yeah, Blackstone making worldwide billions dollars can guarantee the poor house), but it is just typical Real Estate spin. The only thing that can not be spent (wasted) is on the "amenities," which were BS anyway. We, residents, are still protected as residents and rules that do not allow deterioration in necessary services.

The photos, which show walkways and roads of the Peter Cooper Village jewel:

The Curious Case of the Disappearing Posters

All over Stuy Town, it seems. Posters also released by Crime Stoppers. Showing the perpetrator, and warning residences of Stuy Town to be on the lookout. Why? A crime was committed (the victim was choked to unconsciousness) and the crime was going to be more serious if a passing resident hadn't stopped it, causing the perpetrator to run away. A poster by Crime Stoppers near the incident has been taken down days ago. Why? What is going on here? Is the selling of apartments is more important than alerting residents? Than exposure of the perpetrator?

---------------------

Update 7/9: But the selling of apartments continues full blast. Seems it is not permissible to mention any crimes being committed here.... Seen today on one of my internet travels (enlarged a bit):

Can a "happy place" have any crime? Impossible! Can a "happy place" have dog crap, intrusive noise, motorized bikes, skateboards, suicides, club cars riding this way and that across 20th street??? Impossible!

-----------------------

Another update 7/10: The Oval Fountain area is one of our "jewels." But this hasn't stopped Management from turning it ugly. Yes, I blame Management. If it were me, I won't allow a screen like this to stand for days until the next showing. Not only is this a hazard (children play around there), but it is ugly to boot.

And we've seen this! Below is "paint" that doesn't come off with simple rain. The doodling will be there for a few days at least, and inside the fountain, too. Again, I wouldn't allow this in the fountain area. This area is also for residents to relax and take in the "peace and quiet." But little Johnny can do what he wants, and Stuyvesant Town doesn't give a damn.

Uncovered Mattresses on the Loops

The city demands that discarded mattresses be covered by plastic to combat the city's problem with bedbugs. Stuy Town and owner Blackstone do not regularly cover discarded mattresses. What you see below can be seen almost every day.  Neither Management or Blackstone seem to care to enforced this rule. All manner of people who work for Stuy Town, from porters to Public Safety, pass scenes like this by, ignoring what the city dictates.

 

The photos below were taken yesterday, Sunday morning. The photos are from the Stuy Town interior of the loop along 1st Ave. Something like this is what I see every day. Most of the photos, if they are close up, are disgusting. Today, the part of the loop where I walked, the "mess" hadn't been cleaned up.

Oh, and I forgot....

Attack in Stuyvesant Town

There was an incident Saturday early morning of a young woman returning to her apartment in Stuyvesant Town. An outsider suspect saw her and, inside Stuyvesant Town, at her building entrance, her choked her until she lost consciousness, and then proceeded to try to sexually molest her. A passing resident came across this, stopping the perpetrator and causing him to run away. The police are looking for him, and there are photos of him already. My assumption is that he will be caught soon. The woman is okay, physically.

This Sunday morning, I was over at the area. Right now, I don't have editing capabilities, but part of what I saw, both at the place in question and in other areas, is evident--and then there are regular photos I took, too.

I can't stress enough that I see daily, and many times in each case, the "rules" being broken or ignored. These rules are not as serious as the choking and molestation incident, but because they are broken or ignored, they are serious in their own way. THEY SAY SOMETHING.

_____

And I just saw this, on one of my internet travels. Do you think it may be the wrong time just now to promote Stuy Town after yesterday's incident?

 ----------
UPDATE: July 4th, morning. The two predator posters I've seen have been taken down. More on this when I get more info.

How about some supervision?

I didn't mean to have another video so soon, but I saw this yesterday evening. I'm sorry, but John or Jane just can't do what they want. This is not Lord of the Flies.

Our First Vblog: Playground 9 and Citibikes

Unbelievable but Very True. Citibank Bikes Enter Playground 9.

This is the way part of Playground 9 looks now. The Citibank bikes will be here shortly.  Money, money, money. Profit before people. I told you Rick was here to make the medicine go down. I'm sure there is more medicine coming up.

 

Update 6/20: What greets everyone who clicks on Stuy Town.com in this transport section. Very large (I reduced the photo), and, yes, Rick approves. 

Beautiful Stuyvesant Town (and some misguided people think we are a slum!)

Photos taken around 11am.

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!