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January 13th, 2010
State Senator Daniel Squadron is out with his take on today's agreement on ethics reform. He has made it a signature issue. Like most of his colleagues, Squadron says the agreed-upon bill is a step in the right direction, if not everything reform advocates wanted:
Since taking office, I have pushed for increased disclosure, enforcement, and independence in our ethics and campaign finance oversight, and this morning, I joined with Senator Sampson, Speaker Silver, colleagues, and good government advocates in announcing a reform package that represents a significant step forward. Though the package is far from perfect, I am pleased that my hard work has led to a solution that will actually change Albany. To begin restoring New Yorkers’ faith in our government, a good law is more important than a perfect press release. Throughout this process, organizations like the New York Public Interest Research Group, Citizens Union, and the League of Women Voters have been partners in the fight for transparency and accountability in government, and I am pleased that they are supporting the package we negotiated.
Continue reading Squadron on Ethics Reform
January 13th, 2010
The Salvation Army's former home on the Bowery
Back in July, Community Board 3 made a stand against the restaurant Koi, which hoped to move into the old Salvation Army building on the Bowery. Opposing a liquor license for the huge "sushi palace." board members said they could not support yet another destination restaurant on an overburdened street. Now Eater reports (via a "well-placed" tipster): "Koi has abandoned all hopes of making the Bowery deal work, and instead has decided to re-sign at the Bryant Park Hotel.
A call to Koi's reps in LA confirms the move, meaning that the Bowery
will continue to hold onto its past, at least until the community gets
on board with its next potential owner."
January 13th, 2010
All over New York, people are reacting to the devastating earthquake that struck last night. Tonight from 5-8pm, the Lolita Bar is doing its part to help. They'll be offering $4 drafts, well drinks and margaritas – a dollar from each drink purchase will benefit Doctors Without Borders and Konbit Pou Ayiti,
a nonprofit focused on solutions to environmental, social and economic
problems in Haiti. After 8pm, a DJ will be spinning. There's a suggested $5 donation – all of that money will go to the two organizations.
January 13th, 2010
A short time ago, leaders in the State Assembly and Senate announced they've reached a deal on ethics reform. According to a press release, the proposed reforms would:
…create an autonomous, fixed-term investigative body to oversee legislative ethics, require greater disclosure from lobbyists, restore an independent lobbying commission and provide greater information regarding legislators’ outside sources of income. Additionally, the legislation would create a body within the New York State Board of Elections to enforce greater adherence to campaign finance laws.
Continue reading Legislators Announce Ethics Agreement
January 13th, 2010
Anytime a bicyclist is hurt or killed on the streets of Lower Manhattan, Bill di Paolo makes a point of getting to the scene as quickly as he possibly can. The founder and executive director of the environmental and bicycling advocacy organization, "Time's Up," di Paolo knows the value of first-hand observations in the moments after an accident. Last week, he arrived at the corner of Delancey and Ludlow streets not long after a fatal incident involving a bicyclist and a school bus.
Yesterday, DNA Info reported the victim was an East Village resident, Fuen Bai. Di Paolo wonders why it took the NYPD a week to release the woman's name and why they have declined to release details about exactly what happened in the moments before Bai was killed. Di Paolo says the facts known so far simply don't add up. He believes learning what occurred is critical to saving the lives of other bicyclists in New York City.
Continue reading Bicycle Safety Advocates Demand More Information on Delancey Accident
January 13th, 2010
Select artists from the most recent round of the Rhizome Commissions will present and discuss their works in
progress tomorrow night at the New Museum. Rhizome, a non-profit affiliate of the New Museum, was founded in the 90's to promote the first artists working online. Grants are now given annually to eleven emerging artists for the creation of original works of new media art.
7pm // $6 members // $8 general public
January 13th, 2010
 The monthly variety show, "Skits 'n Tits", highlighting "the best of downtown burlesque beauties, comedians, sketch, variety acts, and music" is back at The Bowery Poetry Club tonight at 10pm. This month’s line up will include Adrienne Lapalucci (Winner of The NY Comedy Festival’s People’s Choice Opening Act Competition), Jessica Kirson (Last Comic Standing), Mike Amato (2 time Andy Kaufman Award Finalist), Mike Lawrence (NY comic icon) and Ben Lerman (Fringe, Edinburgh).
Continue reading Skits ‘N’ Tits Returns to Bowery Poetry Club Tonight
January 13th, 2010
City Councilmember Rosie Mendez is among a group that will travel to Puerto Rico to meet with the family of Jorge Steven López Mercado, a gay teenager who was murdered. A benefit was held last night at the Nuyorican Poets Café.
Charter school opponents fight for the right to picket in front of Bloomie's home.
The New York Nights blog weighs in on changes at the State Liquor Authority, which it believes have "stirred up anger" among local community boards.
Continue reading Mendez Plans Puerto Rico Trip, Remembering a Yiddish Theater Legend, Unveiling the “Rear Yard”
January 13th, 2010
This just in from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's office:
Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb today will announce the introduction of sweeping ethics and campaign finance reform legislation. The legislation will include provisions agreed to by both the Senate and Assembly that would require greater disclosure from lobbyists and restore an independent lobbying commission, provide greater information regarding legislators’ outside sources of income and create a body within the New York State Board of Elections to enforce greater adherence to campaign finance laws.
A news conference is scheduled for 11:30am. More to come…
January 13th, 2010
Lilly O'Donnell grew up in the neighborhood. She fondly recalls going to Ray's Candy Store with her grandfather. Now, along with other supporters of a neighborhood institution, Lilly is trying to save Ray Alvarez from eviction.
For more than a week, the story has been front and center on Bob Arihood's blog, Neither More Nor Less, and on EV Grieve. Over the weekend, there was a big piece on Ray's dilemma in "The Shadow." In the latest chapter of a saga that's been going on for several years, his landlord is vowing to padlock the Avenue A store unless Ray pays $8-thousand in back rent.
Continue reading Neighbors Organize to Save Ray’s Candy Store
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