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Vol. 6, No. 3, September 7-21, 2009
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Publisher’s Notebook David J. Glenn
Don’t do what I did I thought I was going to get life without parole. “We’re waiting for the police, ” the security guard told me. “If you leave now, they’ll come after you.” Had I robbed a bank? Mugged a little old lady? Created a Ponzi scheme? No. I had parked my Chevy Lumina in the employee parking lot at a neighborhood branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Not only that, but – since I was trapped in by a just-arriving UPS truck, – I violated the primary edict handed down by the Court of Road Rage: Do not make any contact between your vehicle and the parked car in front or behind you. Actually, I succeeded in making such contact with both the car in front of me and the one behind in my vain attempt to navigate around the UPS truck. This evil act was captured by video cameras and microphones that the security guard informed me were prevalent in the parking lot. “We have it all on camera, ” he assured me. That’s nice. I wasn’t arguing that I had not touched the other cars. And I fully admitted I shouldn’t have been in the parking lot, since I’m not an employee of the library (although my city tax dollars pay their salaries, but that’s an issue for another time). This, however, didn’t appease the respective owners of
Absolutely right When David Glenn wrote in his previous Publisher’s Notebook, “It’s not just about health care reform,” he was absolutely right. It’s about the politicians trying to ram a convoluted heath care reform bill down our throats and refusing to listen to their constituency. George Najarian Marine Park
Just not the same I really miss the way the summer concerts at Asser Levy Seaside Park used to be. This summer Marty Markowitz has changed the whole atmosphere, and is destroying the park to make way for his big amphitheater. And he expects people to pay for concerts that they’ve been used to going to for free? Kathy Sheepshead Bay
Political shenanigans In 2004, Senator Edward Kennedy asked the Massachusetts political leadership to change the law that allowed the governor to appoint an interim senator, because Governor
the two vehicles. I thought they were going to kill me. The woman who possessed the car in front frantically pointed to a series of scrape marks that she was convinced was put there by my Lumina. The woman who owned the other car showed me some dots on her car’s back fender which my vicious Lumina had caused, she said. The women clearly were not happy campers. “Are you going to pay for this?” the first woman shouted. “How am I going to get this fixed?” the other said in a half-decibel lower voice than her co-worker used. I tried telling them that I (actually, my insurance company) would take care of it. But they were determined to wait for the police. After more than an hour, when it became clear the cops were going to take quite a long time in responding to this very low priority case, the security guard convinced the women to take down my license and insurance information, and he allowed me and my Lumina to leave the library parking lot. Why exactly am I relating this story? As a warning: There are a few things you can usually get away with in Brooklyn (although I do not recommend doing them). Littering and jaywalking come to mind. But park in an employee lot of the Brooklyn Public Library? Fahgeddahaboutit!
Romney would have appointed a Republican if Senator Kerry had won the Presidency. The politicians changed the law to require a special election within five months of a vacancy. Fast forward to 2009 and the Massachusetts legislature and the governor are currently evaluating a recent request from Senator Kennedy to again change the law of succession for a senate seat. The current law requires an election be held 145 days to 160 days after the death of Senator Kennedy. Massachusetts is considering changing the law to allow Governor Patrick, a Democrat, to appoint an interim senator. The move is designed to keep the number of Democratic senators at 60, which is the number needed to cut off debate and stop a filibuster. It is possible the passage of health care reform legislation might hinge on just one vote. Hopefully it will be defeated to save this country from socialized health care, which will cost the U.S. an additional $1 trillion, and $500 billion will come from cuts in Medicare. About 50 million new patients will be immediately added to the currently stretched system, including 13 million illegal aliens. Kennedy served his country well, but Massachusetts should not change the law to satisfy partisan politics and contribute to the socialization of this country. Donald A. Moskowitz Londonderry, New Hampshire
Member of the New York Press Association Writers David J. Glenn Olga Privman Publisher Christina Pisano Lara Mondrus I. Friedin Michael Schlager Suzanne H. Glenn Amadeo Constanzo Editor Contributors Kerry Donelli Jacqueline Donelli Patrick Hickey Jr. Matt Lassen Sports Editor Dale Neseman
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Bay Currents Now that’s a title!
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righton Beach is featured in a 1990s Russian spycomedy that has what has to be among the longest titles in movie history, if not the longest: There’s Good
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Weather in Deribasovskaya, It’s Raining Again in Brighton Beach. The film, with subtitles in English, revolves around a love affair between Soviet superspy Fyodor Sokolov and beautiful CIA agent Mary Star, who partner to provide security for a meeting between the presidents of the USA and USSR.
September 7 – 21
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The Bay area joins the rest of the city – and nation – in marking the eighth anniversary of that horrific day in September when terrorists flew hijacked planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a Pennsylvania field, taking nearly 3,000 innocent lives.
SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 BILL BROWN PARK
If you can’t come to any of the events in person, you can be there in spirit. Say a prayer Read – or write – a poem or essay about 9/11. Talk about it with a friend or loved one. Just do not forget.
MARINE PARK
Prayers, candle-lighting, and music will highlight the memorial in the park starting at 6 p.m. at Fillmore Avenue and Marine Parkway.
The Brooklyn/Bedford Park 9/11 Memorial Committee once again sponsors a candlelight vigil beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the handball courts of the park at Avenue X and Bedford Avenue. Families who lost loved ones at the World Trade Center will join police, firefighters, and EMT workers in songs, poetry, and testaments.
AMERICAN VETERANS MEMORIAL PIER
Candle-lighting and prayers begin at 8 p.m. at the pier at 69th Street.
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COVER STORY
A ‘living, vibrant portrait of Coney Island’ By CHRISTINA PISANO pisano@baycurrents.net
Efforts to preserve the legacy of Coney Island – now even more jeopardized by the City Council’s approval of new zoning – begin at the base of the Cyclone, under the rattle of the landmarked rollercoaster, at the Coney Island History Project.
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non-profit organization founded in 2004 by Carol Hill Albert and Jerome Albert in honor of Dewey Albert, creator of Astroland Park, the Coney Island History Project began with the idea of preserving and fostering awareness of the rich history of Coney Island. At its Surf Avenue exhibition site, free of charge to all, the History Project displays photography exhibits of past and present Coney Island, as well as historical artifacts and documentary material. For many, the photographs of Coney Island on display serve as a pleasant reminder of childhood summer days spent along the beach. Those who were born too late to have enjoyed the earlier days of Coney Island – when bathhouses were open to help wash off the heat of summer, and “under the boardwalk” was more than just a 1964 track by The Drifters – get the chance to experience Coney Island through black and white prints of a brimming beach and inflated parachute ride drifting above the seafront. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen and such an interesting part of Coney Island’s past,” said Lauren Anderson, a first-time visitor to the History Project Center. “I just wish I could have been around to see it myself!” While the photography exhibits, including “Coney Island Icons: The Story Behind the Landmarks of the World’s Playground” and “The Astroland Archives Photography Exhibit: Back to the Future,” preserve Coney Island in image, “Coney Island Voices” is an oral history project that gives people of all ages the chance to preserve their memories and experiences of Coney Island. For those passing through, the exhibition center incor-
“Phenomenal” retrieval in Coney Island A sunken treasure has been pulled from the Coney Island waters. It wasn’t gold or silver, but brass – a giant brass bell, to be exact. The bell dates from the late 1800s, when workers would ring it to greet the steamboats bringing amusement seekers to Dreamland Park. But a fire in 1911 tossed the enormous bell into the sea.
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porated a Video Interview Booth at the open of the season, prepared to record the memories of anyone with a Coney Island story to share. “Many visitors have cherished memories of Coney Island to share with us. Others are too young to remember but are fascinated by films and photos of the beach packed with people in the 1930s or the rides at Steeplechase Park, which closed in 1964,” said Tricia Vita, administrative director of the Coney Island History Project. “I think our location under the Cyclone helps the history lesson come alive for visitors.” It’s little surprise that Vita should be inA commercial diver, Gene Ritter, was able to retrieve the piece of Coney Island history. “Being able to bring this up is phenomenal, almost like a dream come true,” Ritter said. Ritter, who was born and raised in Coney, vowed nearly 20 years ago to find the bell and remnants of the pier. “I planned it so the tide would take me right into it and I saw it. I heard the harp. It was unbelievable,” he said. Ritter also retrieved bottles that likely had contained vinegar in the late 1800’s as well as the bell’s rocker arm. Ritter found the bell last year, but wasn’t able to bring it up. He finally did it early this month. “I tried to wrap my hands around it and I couldn’t just to feel if it was real,” Ritter explained. “Normally, you get barnacles and marine growth on it, but this thing was in pristine condition.” The Coney Island History Project has placed the bell on display near another historic Coney artifact – the Cyclone.
volved in something like the CIHP – she spent the first 17 years of her life in a traveling carnival with her parents, who operated the game concessions in New England and in New York State. Though she was never taken to Coney Island as a child, Vita knew it as a historic place and began coming to the amusement mecca in the early 1980s after graduating from college and moving to New York City. “Coney Island is the birthplace of the amusement industry in the U.S. – the place where the hot dog was invented and the roller coaster and other rides were first manufactured,” said Vita. “Coney Island still has mom and pop businesses that have been here for decades. They make Coney Island a special place. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know everyone. It’s like coming home to me.” Charles Denson, a Coney Island native, executive director of the History Project, and local historian, has been instrumental in the success of the project. Author of the awardwinning book Coney Island: Lost and Found, Denson’s photographs of Coney Island have been the center of the History Project exhibit. Featured works by Denson included “Woody Guthrie: The Coney Island Years,” “Land Grab: A History of Coney Island Development, 1823-2007,” and “Icons: The Landmarks of Coney Island,” as well as the Coney Island Hall of Fame, honoring local pioneers, leaders and visionaries. “I think people revisit places where they’ve had unusual experiences,” said Denson. . “There’s a Coney Island saying, ‘If you get sand in your shoes you can never get it out.’ These people, I think, have sand in their shoes.” In recent years, the unique grounds of Coney Island, a 2.7-mile bazaar of sideshows and amusement rides long cherished by visitors from around the city, nation, and world, have been threatened by new zoning laws and planned new development. . Having watched Astroland switch the lights on its last running
September 7 – 21
season, lovers and lodgers of Coney Island have been looking to Coney Island’s past to help preserve its future, starting at the History Project. “It’s sad to think that many of the structures and attractions we are photographing today may only exist in photos in the future,” said Vita. “The History Project’s Icons exhibit highlights endangered Coney Island landmarks such as the Shore Theater, Nathan’s, and the Grasshorn, Henderson and Popper Buildings. The City has delayed acting on the landmark applications of these historic buildings, which are in danger of being demolished after the city’s rezoning is complete.” For Amanda Deutch and other Coney Island History Project staffers, preserving the history of Coney Island and raising awareness to protect its future means maintaining a bridge between generations. “There are interviews with people with Coney Island memories ranging from an elderly woman who, as a child, was put on exhibit as an incubator baby by the man who invented them, to a man who rode the Cyclone for two days straight,” said Deutch. “The aim is to continue to have that span of old to young, to create a living, vibrant portrait of Coney Island past and present.” It’s been nearly a century since New York City subway lines reached into the seaside resort of Coney Island, allowing the city’s less wealthy citizens inside the then-lavish resort for just five cents. Nathan’s hot dogs were 10 cents, and the bathhouses were 50 cents. When the beach opened to the public just three years later in 1923, Coney Island began welcoming millions, meeting prices their visitors could afford, and creating its legacy. For the visitors of the future, the Coney Island History Project hopes to keep the icon alive, while capturing its essence and heritage in still-shot and in oral history. Said project volunteer Stan Fox: “She might not be as great as she once was, but she’s not done yet!” Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
Volunteers protect Marine Park’s ‘Forever Wild Preserve’ By CHRISTINA PISANO pisano@baycurrents.net
To many, Brooklyn means urban life, a small step from the bustle of Manhattan and a place where busy avenues and 24-hour mini-markets meet tree-canopied streets and rural-inspired homes. Yet for organizations like the Salt Marsh Alliance, a non-profit of volunteers dedicated to preserving and promoting Marine Park’s Nature Center, Brooklyn is a place of natural beauty, an ecologically developed marshland right outside our window.
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ormed in 2002 to help support the Salt Marsh Nature Center, the Salt Marsh Alliance looks to provide a way for residents and local businesses to help maintain the Nature Center in partnership with New York City’s Park and Recreation Department and the Urban Park Rangers. Through joint effort, Brooklyn’s largest park composed of 530 acres of grassland and salt marsh, home to a variety of birds and native flora and fauna, has been protected as a “Forever Wild Preserve.” “We decided to come in as users of the Center and found that they could use some extra help and so we formed the alliance as volunteers,” said David Schulman, board member of the Salt Marsh Alliance. “Now there are about a hundred members in the alliance.” While the Nature Center is tended to by Park Rangers, the art educational exhibits and displays require ongoing
care, maintenance and security. The grounds, including the one mile trail, must be patrolled for the safety of visitors and nearby residents. The Salt Marsh Alliance provides items and services as needed, including supplies and labor, such as litter removal and the repairing of graffiti and vandalism. “We keep up with changing the art exhibits – otherwise it’ll get boring for visitors. Alliance volunteers are around to provide help to school groups that visit the Nature Center and offer assistance during walks on the trails or during events such as movie screenings,” said Jessica Schulman, president of the Alliance. “All events at the Center are free of charge. During movie screenings we do open a concession stand where people can purchase refreshments for a small price because, well, people do enjoy popcorn with a movie!” On Earth Day (April 22) 2000, the Nature Center opened to the public in marshland that had suffered the devastation of fire during the 1990s, when it was then just a boardwalk and natural trails, unlike the current ones marked by the Parks Department. The Salt Marsh Nature Center now serves as an in-park community center for public education, recreational activities and environmental studies. It also serves as starting points for walking tours and workshop sites. The Center works to highlight the diversity of the landscape as well as provide an abundance of informational written material such as trail maps, nature center brochures, and Outdoors, a newsletter that lists walks, tours, and special events. “I, along with a number of friends of Marine Park, was involved in the fight to have the Center built. Once it opened, I knew I wanted to be a part of it in some way because I was
interested in the nature around it,” said David Schulman. The Salt Marsh Alliance is committed to preserving the marsh land, as more than 75 percent of the original salt marsh in Jamaica Bay was destroyed, much of it between 1950 and the mid-1970’s. The destruction came as a result of filling the marshes to create more land area for homes and industry. Marine Park’s salt marsh, formerly a wasteland filled with trash and abandoned cars, has been restored to its natural condition. For the Alliance and residents alike, this serves as proof that a rare and fragile ecosystem can safely exist even within the borders of a heavily urban area like Brooklyn. To mark its 10th year honoring Earth Day next April 22, the Alliance plans to host a celebration at the Nature Center in light of a decade of environmental preservation and appreciation shown to the wildlife of Marine Park. In addition to introducing visitors and residents to this rare ecosystem, and providing a quiet oasis in urban Brooklyn, the Salt Marsh Nature Center also hosts cultural and community-oriented events. Every month, the Saturday Nights Live! Program brings live entertainment to the Center, including musical groups, storytellers, and open-mike poetry readings. Weekends usually feature children’s programs, made up of magic shows and arts and crafts. Important community functions like civic group meetings, and blood drives are also held at the Center. The Nature Center is open every day but Wednesday from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. The grounds, including the nature trail, are open from dawn to dusk. To learn more about the Salt Marsh Alliance and upcoming events, visit their website at www.saltmarshalliance.org or call 718-421-2021.
Voting in Russian The large number of Russian-Americans in the Bay area and around the rest of New York City will now be able to have election materials and ballots in Russian.
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new state law, which supporters said will have a “profound impact” on the Russianspeaking community, will require cities in the state with a population of at least 1 million to provide voting materials translated into Russian. The bill was scheduled to be signed into law on Wednesday, Sept. 9 by Gov. Paterson in ceremonies at the Shorefront YM-YWHA in Brighton Beach, a neighborhood which has become the center of the Russian-American community in New York. “For far too long, thousands of Russian-Americans in our city have been shut out of the voting process unfairly because of the language barrier,” said Sen. Carl Kruger, who sponsored the bill in the Senate and that was introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Bill Colton. “Voting and registration materials are printed in many languages other than English, but Russian has long been ignored. In an infuriating Senator Carl Kruger Catch-22, these New Yorkers aren’t voting because they aren’t registered -- and they aren’t registered because they can’t read the materials in English to do so.” Voting materials are already translated into Spanish, Chinese and Korean, yet, according to U.S. Census figures, Russian is currently the third most widely spoken foreign language in New York City, after Spanish and Chinese.
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SENIOR CURRENTS Signs and symptoms
Falling into despair The difficult changes that many elderly individuals face—such as the death of a spouse or medical problems—can lead to depression, especially in those without a strong support system. But depression is not a normal or necessary part of aging. In fact, most seniors are satisfied with their lives despite the challenges of growing old. Left alone, depression not only prevents older adults from enjoying life like they could be, it also takes a heavy toll on health. But if you learn how to spot the signs of depression and find effective ways to help, you or your loved ones can remain happy and vibrant throughout the senior years. Loss is painful—whether a loss of independence, mobility, health, your long-time career, or someone you love. Grieving over these losses is normal, even if the feelings of sadness last for weeks or months. Losing all hope and joy, however, is not normal. It’s depression. If you have depression, you are not alone. According to the National Institutes of Health, of the 35 million Americans age 65 or older, about 2 million suffer from fullblown depression. Another 5 million suffer from less severe forms of the illness.
Frank’s story Frank is a 74-year-old widower. He used to be quite active, volunteering his time at the local community center, playing golf with his buddies at least once a week, and enjoying frequent get-togethers with his grown children and grandkids. But since his wife Ruth passed away, he’s lost all interest
Recognizing depression in the elderly starts with knowing the signs and symptoms. Depression red flags include:
in getting out or seeing anyone. It’s been nine months since his loss, but Frank shows no sign of feeling better. To his friends and family, Frank seems like a different person. He’s not the lively man they used to know, always cracking jokes, telling stories, or starting a new project. Now he seems to walk and talk in slowmotion. He doesn’t even leave home most days and he avoids phone calls and visitors. Even more concerning is his rapidly deteriorating health. Frank’s diabetes used to be under control, but not anymore. Making matters worse, he often skips meals or forgets to take his insulin shots. Although depression in the elderly is a common problem, most seniors don't get the help they need. Some assume seniors have good reason to be down or that depression is just part of aging. Elderly adults are often isolated, with few around to notice their distress. Physicians are more likely to ignore depression in older patients, concentrating instead on physical complaints. Finally, many depressed seniors are reluctant to talk about their feelings or ask for help. The consequences of this oversight are high. Untreated depression poses serious risks for older adults, including illness, alcohol and prescription drug abuse, a higher mortality rate, and even suicide. So it’s important to watch for the warning signs and seek professional help when you recognize it. The good news is that with treatment and support, depressed seniors can feel better. No one, whether they’re 18 or 80, has to live with depression.
• Sadness • Fatigue • Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes • Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home) • Weight loss; loss of appetite • Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness) • Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, selfloathing) • Increased use of alcohol or other drugs • Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts
Depression without sadness Older adults don't always fit the typical picture of depression. Many depressed seniors don’t claim to feel sad at all. They may complain, instead, of low motivation, a lack of energy, or physical problems. In fact, physical complaints, such as arthritis pain or headaches that have gotten worse, are often the predominant symptom of depression in the elderly. Older adults with depression are also more likely to show symptoms of anxiety or irritability. They may constantly wring their hands, pace around the room, or fret obsessively about money, their health, or the state of the world. Helping a depressed friend or relative The very nature of depression interferes with a person's ability to seek help, draining energy and self-esteem. For depressed seniors, raised in a time when mental illness was highly stigmatized and misunderstood, it can be even more difficult—especially if they don’t believe depression is a real illness, are too proud or ashamed to ask for assistance, or fear becoming a burden to their families. With such roadblocks, assistance from others can mean the difference between suffering and recovery.
If a senior citizen you care about is depressed, you can make a difference by offering emotional support. Listen to your loved one with patience and compassion. Don’t criticize feelings expressed, but point out realities and offer hope. You can also help by seeing that your friend or family member gets and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Help your loved one find a good doctor, accompany him or her to appointments, and offer moral support. Other tips for helping a depressed elderly friend or relative: • Invite your loved one out. Depression is less likely when people’s bodies and minds remain active. Suggest activities to do together that your loved one used to enjoy: walks, an art class, a trip to the museum or the movies—anything that provides mental or physical stimulation. • Schedule regular social activities. Group outings, visits from friends and family members, or trips to the local senior or community center can help combat isolation and loneliness. Be gently insistent if your plans are refused: depressed people often feel better when they’re around others. • Plan and prepare healthy meals. A poor diet can make depression worse, so make sure your loved one is eating right, with plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and some protein at every meal. • Encourage the person to follow through with treatment. Depression usually recurs when treatment is stopped too soon, so help your loved one keep up with his or her treatment plan. If it isn’t helping, look into other medications and therapies. • Make sure all medications are taken as instructed. Remind the person to obey doctor's orders about the use of alcohol while on medication. Help them remember when to take their dose. • Watch for suicide warning signs. Seek immediate professional help if you suspect that your loved one is thinking about suicide.
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Page 9
A swan story By LARA MONDRUS mondrus@baycurrents.net
Emmons Avenue along the Bay has long attracted people from the five boroughs and beyond for the restaurants, the fishing boats, and the nearby beaches. There are few things more pleasant than sitting in the sun or under the moon and stars, viewing the water as a soft breeze comes in. And of course, there are the swans. Seagulls, you’d expect. But swans? Actually, the elegant avian creatures have been in the Bay for some time. Marisa Miller, urban park ranger at the Salt
Marsh Nature Center, said the birds came over to these shores along with the first European settlers. “People thought they were pretty and brought them here with them,” she said. The settlers “would clip their wings so they couldn’t escape from the fountains and ponds at the [colonial] homes, but fortunately their wings grew back and they congregated here,” Miller added. “They escaped and got into the bay.”
in fact, they congregate at the Bay in all kinds of weather and water conditions.
The swans seem to prefer the Bay rather than the ocean because “there is a lot of protected space, not a lot of storms, and there are no predators in the Bay,” she said. “And there is a lot of fish they can eat there.” The swans like it so much,
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Although the birds are friendly, Miller cautions to admire them from a distance. “They have strong wings, and I always tell people not go too close,” she said. “We don’t like to encourage people to feed them too much bread,” she said. “The yeast in bread can cause infections.” They’re certainly not dependent on humans for getting dinner. Seaweed, grass, crabs, and small fish are readily available in the Bay, and they are quick learners in survival. “They watch the adults swim and learn from them, they can walk themselves, they can feed themselves and they learn how to swim pretty early,” Miller said. “By the end of the summer, the young can live on their own.” “They are successful and beautiful creatures,” she said.
Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
Young party animal
We weren’t sure if this little tot was wide-eyed about the Haring Street block party held last month, or was just fascinated by our camera. Either way, the party went well into the night, complete with a DJ, picnic food, and games for the kids. BAY CURRENTS PHOTO
718-251-8030 6610 Avenue U, Key Food Shopping Center in Mill Basin
Catering for All Occasions Dine In • Take Out • Delivery Now serving pizza by the slice all day! Ask us about our other two locations! Free Convenient Parking
Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
September 7 – 21
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SPORTS CURRENTS
Q & A with Aviators Coach Rob Miller Part 1 of an exclusive interview sports@baycurrents.net
After wrapping up a successful playing career – which included a season with the Brooklyn Aces where he scored 23 points in 22 games and served as assistant coach and team captain – Rob Miller is ready to take the New York Aviators of North East Professional Hockey League to the ice.
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n this exclusive interview with Bay Currents, Miller discusses what kind of team he expects to pitch this season and how he feels taking the reins of a professional hockey team. Q: A few months ago, you were saying how much you wanted to get into coaching after your playing career was finished, you even turned down an opportunity to play in Holland. You were focused on becoming a coach and it happened. How does that make you feel?
Rob Miller: It feels great and it feels especially greater to be back in Brooklyn.
Q: Considering the fact that you ended your playing career here, did it make it that much easier for you to coach here?
to go back to a place where you played before and where the people know who you are, regardless of if you played there three years ago or last season. So, yeah, it’s really good to be back in Brooklyn. Q: A lot of Aces fans will be coming to Aviator to watch the Aviators this season. What kind of team will you be putting out on the ice this season? What should they expect from the team this season?
Miller: I think we’re going to have a handful of the same players back. Some of them will be in and out. We’re going to be more of a local team this year; we’re not going to be housing players at all. That’s going to be one way things are going to be different this season. As far as my coaching goes, I like aggressive hockey, and I think every player on the ice has a job. If you’re job is to score goals, I want you to go out and do that. If your job is to fight and prevent the opposition from scoring, that’s what I want you to do.
BAY CURRENTS PHOTO / Patrick Hickey Jr.
By PATRICK HICKEY Jr.
Q: Speaking of players returning, is there anyone that you’re sure of will be back?
Miller: We’re not ready to announce anything yet, but we will be, soon.
Q: Are you guys having open-tryouts?
Miller: We’re not having them until October and we’ll be announcing them on Aviator’s website in the next week or so. They’ll most likely be during the second week of October.
Miller: Yeah, absolutely. It’s always good
Be sure to check out Part 2 in the next edition of Bay Currents!
Coach Rob Miller (right) with Chris Robinson
Weiner survives town hall meeting on health reform
The fact that many town hall meetings on health care reform around the nation have deteriorated into shouting matches, or worse, didn’t discourage Congressman Anthony Weiner from holding several last month. With the
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exception of a few shouts of “socialism!” or “un-American!” the meetings have been relatively calm, as when Weiner described his own proposals at a town hall meeting at Kingsborough Community College (pictured here). Weiner’s
September 7 – 21
proposal, more so than President Obama’s, emphasizes a public plan that effectively expands Medicare-type insurance coverage to all Americans of any age. BAY CURRENTS PHOTOS
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OPINION
The last of his kind By I FREIDIN freidin@baycurrents.net
It wasn’t just the man who died. There were the indiscretions, and Chappaquiddick never went away. But Ted Kennedy’s life meant so much more than the person with human foibles and frailties. His passing marked the last of the New Dealers; policy that represented social progress; people before profit; empowerment for the public over the forces of ignorance and greed.
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here are very few heroes in American politics; virtually none in the higher echelons. The nature of the profession and the system in which it exists doesn’t allow it. The Kennedy brothers, though, were as close as you could get; the rich boys who championed the causes of the people; understood their needs and tried to fulfill them. Despite their human shortcomings; and there were many; they represented the needs of the American public; rising well above the legacy of their father who unscrupulously clawed his way to
the top of the economic food chain. When Teddy was first elected to the Senate, New Deal thought dominated American politics and social progress was the order of the day. We were forging ahead to correct our national ills; minorities and women were being empowered as equal members of society and the richest nation on the planet was finally getting around to eliminating hunger and poverty within its borders. But John and Robert left us way too early and times changed. Fellow New Dealers were purged from office or just got old. Their replacements have leaned more toward the concept affirmed by Calvin Coolidge, the do-nothing president who precipitated the Great Depression, “The business of America is business.” Yet, Ted Kennedy forged on, never forsaking the ideal. The tragic incident at Chappaquiddick didn’t simply impair the reputation of the man; it deprived the American public of another Kennedy White House; a place where the emphasis was on improving the quality of life for all; a place where the greatest value was people; a place where innovation and culture were priorities. The life of a young girl was lost that night; the reputation of a man irreparably damaged; the American people denied. Still, as probably the greatest senator of his time, he was a beacon in the darkness, preserving the ideals of the American
dream. To say he will be missed is a gross understatement. He can never be replaced. As a footnote, Barack Obama’s policies seem to be in the Kennedy vein. Unfortunately, those with like thought are long gone, with too many in Congress beholden to the moneyed interests that would prey on the public for their own gain. As things stand today, will we ever have a viable health care plan; will we ever see true bank regulation; will the mega-corporations rule until they drive the American people into the Third World?
Who Looks Out For Us? Isn’t the primary job of government to protect its citizens from jeopardy from within and without? Our government surely botched 9/11; the great danger from the outside. But possibly worse is the neglect that led to the collapse of Enron, the housing market and the Bernie Madoff debacle, to name just a few. In so many cases, our government, rather than look out for our interests, is complicit in allowing the public to be bilked, debasing our standard of living and degrading our quality of life. The profits of the insurance companies and banks, among others, take precedence over the needs of citizens. --- I. Freidin The views expressed on the Opinion page are those of the writers, not necessarily those of the staff or management of Bay Currents.
BUSINESS & TECH CURRENTS
The Nanny Tax By JOSEPH S. REISMAN JSReisman@TaxHelp1040.com
If you have a cleaning lady, housekeeper, nanny, babysitter, health aide, private nurse, caregiver, house cleaner, yard worker or similar domestic worker, and If you control the work that is performed (how the work is done, what work is to be done, when, you provide the tools), and If you pay them $1,500 or more during the year, then You are a household employer. Congratulations! The main tax issue is the amount of control you exercise – what is done, and how it is done. The pay frequency is not important (hourly, daily, or weekly), and it makes not difference whether the job is full-time, or part-time.
Example 1: A family hires Victoria, a caregiver, for their elderly mother 4 days a week in their home, for a total of 25 hours. The family gives Victoria instructions about the caring, needs, and other household duties. In addition, the family provides all of the supplies Victoria uses to do her work. Victoria is a household employee.
Example 2: A family hires Lenny to care for their lawn. Lenny works for other homeowners as well, and provides his own tools and supplies. He also hires and pays any helpers he needs. Lenny is considered an independent contractor, not an employee of the family. Lenny is responsible for all employment taxes. Even if you consider Victoria an ‘independent contractor’ and give her a 1099 form at the end of the year, she is still considered to be YOUR employee.
What taxes and related expenses are involved? For you, the employer: • Social Security and Medicare: 7.65% of Visit us at: www.BayCurrents.net
the Gross • Federal Unemployment Insurance: up to $56 a year. • State Unemployment: up to $349 a year (first year). • Worker’s Disability Insurance: About $200 a year. • Worker’s Compensation Insurance: About $400 a year.
NY State http://www.tax.state.ny.us/ pdf/publications/multi/pub27_1207. pdf Your tax preparer.
For your employee: • Social Security and Medicare: 7.65% of the Gross. • Federal, State, Local Income Tax (Based on Marital Status and allowances.)
Are there exceptions? (Is this the Government?) • Your Spouse. • Children under age 21. • Your parent, if: (1) You have a child (under 18) living with you, who has a physical or mental condition that requires the personal care of an adult for at least four continuous weeks in a calendar quarter; and (2) You are divorced (not remarried), or you are a widow/er, or you are married and living with a person whose physical and mental condition prevents him or her from caring for your child for at least four continuous weeks in a calendar quarter. • An employee under 18 at any time during the year. For example, a student’s “principal occupation” is not providing household services, so you would not have to pay FICA and Social Security taxes for a high school student who is working for you as a babysitter, even if the wages exceeded $1,500.
Tax Implications: • Possible child-care credit, • Possible medical deduction, • Reduced possibility of vacation at ClubFed.
You may contact Joseph Reisman: Tel: 718-3321040; Fax: 718-743-2721; E-mail: JSReisman@ TaxHelp1040.com; Mail: 2751 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235-5004
Come study the
Torah
with us Tuesday evenings at
Young Israel of Bedford Bay We will welcome you in a warm, spiritual environment 8 p.m.
Free and open to members and non-members Call us about the many other programs and activities for all ages at Young Israel 2114 Brown Street (off Avenue U) Marine Park
718-332-4120
For more information: IRS http://www.irs.gov/publications/ p926/index.html September 7 – 21
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STARS
IT'S IN THE
While many other newspapers devote a sizable amount of ink and bytes to the pseudo-science of astrology, we thought it would be interesting to present a column on astronomy— discoveries and events literally of galactic proportions. Tell us what you think!
‘Exo-planet’ on death spiral A
giant planet in a distant solar system seems bent on ending it all. Astronomers have detected what might be a suicidal planet orbiting a star, called WASP-18 (for the Wide Angle Search for Planets team of scientists), some 325 light-years from us in the constellation Phoenix. (A light-year, the distance light will travel in a year’s time, is about 5.8 trillion miles.) The fiery planet is so huge and so close to its sun that it is causing enormous plasma tides on the star, which in turn cause “wobbling” in its rapid orbit (less than a day in Earth time). Astronomers predict that the strange planet will eventually plummet into the star – after about a million years. “It’s causing its own destruction by creating these tides,” said Coel Hellier, an astrophysics professor at Keele University in England, who discovered the planet. The planet, called WASP-18b, is nearly 2 million miles from its star – just 2 percent of the distance between Earth and our sun. Because of this, the surface temperature of the planet, which is 10 times the size of Jupiter, is a hellish 3,800 degrees. The giant planet is among some 370 recently discovered planets outside our Solar System. These “exo-planets” have not been seen directly through telescopes, but have been inferred by detecting the changes in light emitted from their stars as they pass between the star and the view from Earth.
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Artist’s rendition of suicidal planet WASP-18b
September 7 – 21
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By the Bay Currents staff
Sounds fishy
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by Matt Lassen Each Bay Sudoku has a unique solution that can be reached logically without guessing. Enter digits from 1 to 9 into the blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, as must every 3x3 square.
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Here are just a few of the places to pick up Bay Currents -- and some great coffee! ABS DISCOUNT GROCERY 2713 Ave. U (between East 27th and 28th Streets)
WHAT!? YOU MISSED THE LAST ISSUE OF BAY CURRENTS? Don’t let it happen again! Make sure you always get the best of news and features of oceanfront Brooklyn by subscribing. Only $25 will ensure that you’ll get all the thoughtprovoking features and columns of Bay Currents at your doorstep for six months -- or just $35 for a full year -- even if the nearby sidewalk box, store, or newsstand has run out.
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JOSEPH’S CARDS & GIFTS 3042 Avenue U (at Coyle Street) 718-648-0105
LAUNDROMAT JOEY’S CARDS & & CAFE GIFTS 1244 3042Avenue AvenueUU (between and 12th St) (bet. Coyle11th and Brown streets)
CORNER MINIMART 2423 Ave. U (at Bedford Avenue)
CAFE VERTORIS More Than a Bagel 2803 Ave. U (at East 28th St
BAY STOP GROCERY 2970 Ocean Ave. (Ocean Avenue at Avenue Z)
Quick Stop Mini Mart & Deli, Coney Island Avenue at Avenue U
RAJ NEWSSTAND 2811 Glenwood Road (off Flatbush Avenue)
SHAKESPEARE & CO. 14 Hillel Place (at Brooklyn College) 718-434-5326)
STARBUCKS 33 Hillel Place (at Brooklyn College)
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Key Food – /FQUVOF "WF Walgreens Drug Store – /FQUVOF "WF CVS – /FQUVOF "WF Peggy O’Neill’s -- 4VSG "WF American Suds Laundromat – 4VSG "WF Community Care Pharmacy – 4VSG "WF Saul’s Pharmacy & Surgical Supply – .FSNBJE "WF Major Meats – .FSNBJE "WF
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Cheating death Joseph Tiralosi died and lived to tell about it. The 56-year-old Gravesend father of two started feeling very faint in his car while coming back from a car wash in Manhattan on Aug. 17. He tried to drive himself to New York-Presbyterian Hospital but ďŹ nally had to pull over. A friend who happened to call him on his cell phone rushed to him and took him to the hospital, where he collapsed. Doctors and nurses started CPR, but his heart stopped. They then used a deďŹ brillator, but his heart was still not pumping. After administering shocks with the deďŹ brillator eight times, doctors then injected a solution to eliminate any blood clots. Finally, they felt a pulse. In all, 45 minutes had passed. Normally, people suering a heart attack will die within 10 minutes after the heart stops, or experience severe brain damage after only two or three minutes. Tiralosi not only survived, but suered no brain damage, doctors said. “Extraordinary, â€? “a miracle, â€? and “came back from the deadâ€? were among the descriptions doctors, nurses, and family used.
Hosed down Coney Island ďŹ reďŹ ghters got their own hosing down after they took time to give a
circus elephant a bath. Engine Company 245 was out of service for about a half hour on Wednesday, Sept. 2 while they hosed down Suzie, a pacaderm with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus “Boom a Ringâ€? in Coney Island, for a photo op. It’s unclear who arranged the publicity. Steve Cassidy, president of the ďŹ reďŹ ghters’ union, said the Bloomberg administration ordered the department to participate even though the FDNY at ďŹ rst said no to the request from Ringling Bros. The mayor’s oďŹƒce simply referred inquiries to the FDNY, which said the ďŹ reďŹ ghters were originally only supposed to hose down Suzie as she was herded in front of the ďŹ rehouse, not to travel about a half-mile to a spot in front of Nathan’s for the photo op. An FDNY spokesman acknowledged that the company “should not have been out of service, â€? but stressed that a ladder company had taken over for them during the hose-down. There were no emergency calls during the photo-op, he said.
‘Many loved’ Akituusaq Akituusaq, the ďŹ rst PaciďŹ c walrus ever born in the New York Aquarium, died Sept. 1 due to complications from pneumonia. The walrus had been under special care by Wildlife Conservation Society veterinarians.
Viva la Salsa! (Chase Wonder Why Workshop Series) “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved walrus Akituusaq, â€? said Jon Forrest Dohlin, director of the New York Aquarium “We know Brooklyn was proud of Akituusaq and many loved him. Akituusaq was the ďŹ rst PaciďŹ c walrus born in the Aquarium’s 113 year history, born on June 12, 2007. Walrus births in aquariums are very rare, with very few surviving to one year of age.
End-of-summer at the museum Here are some of the summer-into-fall events at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
I Scream, You Scream (Kitchen Chemistry Series) Saturday, Sept. 5, 11:30am-12:30pm
Saturday, Sept. 26, 1:30-2:30pm Sunday, Sept. 27, 1:30-2:30pm How do you know when a tomato is at its best? Which peppers are hot but not too hot? Join us in the Museum’s Garden and Greenhouse for a zesty exploration of the vegetables and spices found in salsa. Prepare ingredients for a pico de gallo recipe, perform a taste test to make sure it’s just right, and take the recipe home to share.
Top Secret: Mission Toy Oct. 3, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010 Calling all toy experts! Use your investigative skills to check out toys from around the world. Explore dolls and balls, robots, puzzles, and secret de-coding devices. Find out why tops are tops and how string can be a fascinating thing, and even build your own special toy. For more information call 718-7354400 or visit www.brooklynkids.org
Your Desktop
‘H’ was enough
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Sunday, Sept. 6, 11:30am-12:30pm If you can’t stand the heat, come into the kitchen! Join us in the ďŹ rst installment of the Kitchen Chemistry Series, monthly family programs where you’ll explore the appetizing science hiding in the refrigerator, microwave, and table. For September, we’ll be shaking things up with physics and chemistry basics behind ice cream.
ans Hansen Bergen (circa 1610 – 1654), the namesake of Bergen Beach, was one of the earliest settlers of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam. He acquired a sizable amount of property in what was to become Brooklyn, even though he was said to be illiterate, signing his name on deeds simply with an “H.�
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September 7 – 21
Page 17
Twice the Advice
By Jacqueline Donelli and Kerry Donelli The silent treatment
Dear Twins, My wife and I have been married for just over a year, and engaged for two years prior to that. She has always been the most loving, sweet, attentive wife a man could ever want, and I’ve tried to reciprocate in kind. That is, until about four months ago, when she turned stone cold, and I mean into ice. From the minute I come home she’s either in a bad mood or she gives me the silent treatment. When I ask her what’s wrong, her usual answer is “whatever,” and then she walks away from me. I don’t know what I’ve done to make her turn on me this way, or if there is someone else. How can I get her to at least communicate with me? I don’t want to leave her because I still love her so much. – Heartsick in Hamilton
Kerry says: Dear put your heart out there, Communication is the key. You need to tell her you’d like to sit down and talk as you feel your marriage is on the rocks. When she’s ready, ask her to listen first while you explain all the situations where she has responded coldly. Don’t attack her but rather come from a loving and safe place. Ask her if there is something about your relationship that is troubling her. Be patient, kind and sincere as this will get her to stop being defensive and to open up. I haven’t a clue what it could be, but at least this will provide a forum to get some answers.
Jacqueline says: Dear Sick in the Heart I think Kerry’s being too soft … I mean, you said, “When I ask her what’s wrong, her usual answer is “whatever,” and then she walks away from me.” Doesn’t this behavior warrant an explanation? Isn’t this treatment undeserved? Did it occur to you to sit her down and say, “We need to talk about this”? It certainly occurred to me. I’m more surprised at your behavior then hers. Hers I get. She is apparently mad at something she believes you did. But to watch someone act this way and not ask why is just plain strange or wimpy on your part. How long are your going to let your wife act this way? So man up and ask her what’s wrong for crying out loud.
Not my perfume
Dear Twins, My husband and I have been married for only eight8 months, and we went together for four years before that, and I have always trusted him completely. He works in a job that often requires him doing overtime several nights a week. Last night he came home late, and I’m sure I smelled perfume on his shirt - and the week before I noticed the same perfume on his shirt - and it is not mine. I didn’t say anything to him about it, but I am sick over it. What should I do? I’m so worried that he is seeing another woman. I’m thinking of following him, and feel terrible about it. – Worried in Wilmington
Jacqueline says: Dear Worry Wart, You smelled perfume on him? Aren’t people who have affairs these days more discreet than that – like taking showers before they go home? Maybe the reason you smell perfume is because a woman gave him a hug. I hate to think after almost five years, twice you “think you smelled perfume,” you jump to these conclusions. But I’m up for being upfront. Why don’t you just come out and ask him?
Kerry says: Dear Worried Wilma I agree with Jacqueline. You can’t sit around guessing and obsessing over it – it is a waste of time, is emotionally draining, and it’s not going to get you any answers. Besides, you may be fretting over nothing because your only claim to him cheating is that you smelled perfume on his shirt on two occasions. Nonetheless, it would behoove you to flat-out ask him and be prepared for his answer.
In control Dear Twins, I have a girlfriend that I’m crazy about, and I hope to marry when I get out of college. (I am 19 now and so is she.) My problem is that I think she might be getting a bit controlling, and I want to nip it in the bud before it gets out of control, without hurting her feelings. For in-
C
stance, she always wants to pick out the type of clothes I should wear, which at first I didn’t mind because she had good taste, and I had no taste. But now she talks about when we get married, she’ll select the furniture, the house, the car, etc. When I suggest we do it as a couple, she just laughs at me as if I’m a fool. She even wants to pick out the place where we’ll go on our honeymoon! I need to have a say in all of this. If it’s this bad now, what will it be like after we’re married? She’s really a nice, loving person, but she has a way of taking over everything! – Silent in Salem
Kerry says: Dear Sail Away, Would you like to know why she is behaving like that? And would you like to know why you don’t know how to handle it? Are you ready? It’s because you are both 19 YEARS OLD. You’re both kids and should not even consider being married at this age! Besides, there are already red flags that she is clearly a control freak. If you are having these kinds of conflicts already, imagine spending spend the next 70 years with this person!
Jacqueline says: Dear Don’t be Silent, I’m curious as to why, at the ripe age of 19, you feel you must rush out and get married….so I am in complete cahoots with Kerry! (That’s the second time in one column that we agree – hmmmmm….) But to answer your question, you claim she “takes over things”. Yes, you do need to address this – if you think it is bad now it will get worse after you are married. If she starts to pick out your clothes again, remind her you are not her kid, but the man she is marrying and you are capable of picking out your own clothing. Let her know that although you appreciate her kindness, when you get married YOU WILL BOTH select the furniture, the house and the car. If she just laughs at you as if you’re a fool, as you say, then tell her she really doesn’t know the man whom she is about to marry – because this man ain’t going to put up with that. You might be surprised – she might very well welcome your assertiveness.
Way ahead of its time
enturies before the idea of feminism or women’s equal rights was ever uttered, Gravesend was actually founded by a woman: Lady Deborah Moody. A land patent was granted to the English settlers by Governor Willem Kieft on Dec. 19, 1645.
1916-style PR
N
athan Handwerker, who in 1916 founded the famous hot dog stand in Coney Island bearing his name, deployed men wearing surgeon’s smocks to patronize his stand to convey the message that his franks were safe (this was before the days of government inspection of meat). That -- and charging only a nickel for his dogs while his competitor Feltman’s (whom he had worked for) charged 10 cents -- made his business soar.
Page 18
Lady Deborah Moody’s House
September 7 – 21
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The Democratic primary in New York City is Tuesday, Sept. 15. Here we present, in alphabetical order, thumbnail profiles of the candidates in the key races:
MAYOR Avella, who was an aide to Ed Koch and then David Dinkins when they were mayor, has represented Queens District 19, which includes Bayside and parts of Flushing and Little Neck, on the City Council since January. He is chairman of the Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee and a member of five other Council committees: Higher Education, Housing and Buildings, Fire and Criminal Justice Services,
Committee on General Welfare, and is a member of the Finance, Environmental, and Civil Rights committees. De Blasio had served as campaign manager for Hillary Clinton’s successful candidacy for a seat in the United States Senate in 2000. He had also served in the Clinton administration in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as in the David N. Dinkins administration. In 2005 de Blasio made a bid to succeed Gifford Miller as Speaker of the City Council, but eventually conceded to
and speaking and writing on an array of civil rights issues. During his tenure at the NYCLU, Siegel was involved in the creation of an independent Civilian Complaint Review Board; the successful defense of the Brooklyn Museum’s right to exhibit a controversial piece of art; the fight for citizens’ access to the steps of City Hall; the battle against involuntary hospitalization of people with mental illness; and efforts to improve community-police relations. In 2001, Siegel ran for Public Advocate and lost to Betsy Gotbaum in
Green garnered much attention as Public Advocate when he brought a lawsuit against then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s police force, contending that the police used racial profiling in pursuing suspects and making arrests.
Katz represents Queens District 29 on the City Council, which encompasses Forest Hills, Rego Park and
Weprin, former deputy superintendent of the New York State Banking Commission, and former chairman of New York’s Securities Industry Association, represents Queens District 23 on the City Council. He had held a variety of high-level positions in financial companies before he took his seat on the council in January 2002. Weprin, son of the late New York
Tony Avella
Bill de Blasio
Norman Siegel
Melinda Katz
David I. Weprin
Land Use, and Veterans. He also is the founder and chairman of the first Italian-American Caucus of the Council. Avella, a graduate of Hunter College, has been known for his stances against overdevelopment and for animal rights.
current Speaker Christine Quinn. De Blasio has taken a stands against certain developers in his district, but he has supported some large-scale developments despite community opposition, including the Atlantic Yards project.
a runoff. In 2005, he ran again, but was likewise unsuccessful.
Bill Thompson
Eric N. Gioia
Thompson, a graduate of Tufts University, currently is completing his second term as the city’s comptroller. He was in his years in politics a Congressional aide, deputy Brooklyn borough president, and president of the then-Board of Education. In the early 1990s, he “moved to the private sector,” his campaign says, to be the senior vice president of an investment bank, but returned to government work when he was appointed as Brooklyn’s representative to the Board of Education.
Gioia, an attorney, is completing his third term on the City Council representing Queens District 26, which includes Long Island City, Woodside, and Astoria. As a young man he worked in his family’s florist shop in Woodside, which has been in operation for more than a century. He was as a law clerk in the White House under then-President Bill Clinton, worked in private practice in Manhattan, and later on Al Gore’s presidential campaign in 2000.[ Gioia, chairman of the council’s
Green was the city’s first public advocate, elected in 1994 and reelected in 1997. He was New York City Consumer Affairs Commissioner from 1990 to 1993 He won Democratic primaries for the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and mayor of New York City, but in each case lost in the general election. He has written, co-written or edited 22 books, including two bestsellers, Who Runs Congress? (1972) (cowritten with Michael Waldman) and The Book On Bush (2004) (co-written with Eric Alterman. Green was born in Brooklyn. He graduated from Cornell University in 1967 and from Harvard Law School
Kew Gardens. She is chairwoman of the council’s Committee on Land Use, which is at the epicenter of the often controversial development projects around the city. In 1998 Katz ran for the District 9 congressional seat of Charles Schumer, who was elected to the Senate, Katz narrowly lost to City Councilman Anthony Weiner, a former legislative aide to Schumer. Prior to running for Congress, Katz served as a state assemblywoman from Queens
State Assembly Speaker Saul Weprin and brother of New York State Assemblyman Mark Weprin, holds a law degree from the Hofstra University School of Law A self-proclaimed advocate of the middle class in the City Council, Weprin brought in between $105,000 and $285,000 in outside income 2006, primarily as an investment banker, in addition to his City Council income.
Bill Thompson
Eric N. Gioia
Two years later, he began the first of five consecutive terms as its president.
Oversight and Investigations Committee, has written laws on child hunger and on environmental protection. In 2007, he garnered citywide publicity by living on $28 in food stamps for one week, the typical allotment for an individual. “As tough as this week has been for me, the sad fact is that it was nothing compared with what over 1.1 million New Yorkers face every day,” he said.
Tony Avella
PUBLIC ADVOCATE Bill de Blasio De Blasio represents Brooklyn District 39 on the City Council, which covers Borough Park, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowns, Kensington, Park Slope, and Windsor Terrace. Elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2003 and 2005, he had previously represented some of the same areas as a member of Community School Board 15. He chairs the council’s
Norman Siegel Siegel, director of the New York Civil Liberties Union from 1985 to 2000, has been in private practice, representing various activist groups
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Mark J. Green
CITY COMPTROLLER Melinda Katz
John C. Liu
mote political leadership from within the Asian-American community.
David I. Weprin
David S. Yassky
Liu is completing his third term representing Queens District 20 on the City Council When he was 5, his family moved to United States from Taiwan in 1972. His father changed Liu’s first name from Chun to John in honor of John
Yassky, since his election in 2001, has represented Brooklyn District 33 on the City Council, which includes Brooklyn Heights and Williamsburg. He previously served as chief counsel to the House Subcommittee on Crime, a subcommittee chaired by then-Rep. Charles Schumer. A gradu-
Mark J. Green
John C. Liu
David S. Yassky
in 1970, where he was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review Green’s brother is real estate developer Stephen L. Green. During the 1970s, Green was a “Nader’s Raider” at Ralph Nader’s Public Citizen in the 1970s. There he worked on a lawsuit against the administration of Richard M. Nixon and later ran Congress Watch (1977-1980). He founded the New Democracy Project, a public policy institute in New York City; running it for 10 years. During the 1984 presidential election, he served as chief speechwriter for Democratic candidate Senator Gary Hart, who ran second in the primary.
F. Kennedy. His brothers became Robert and Edward, while his father became Joseph. Liu graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a degree in physics in 1988. He worked as a manager at PriceWaterhouseCoopers before his election to the City Council.[2] Liu is chairman of the council’s Transportation Committee and serves on the committees on Education, Consumer Affairs, Health, Land Use, Contracts, Oversight & Investigations and Lower Manhattan Redevelopment. Liu is a co-founder of the Asian Political Leadership Fund, a federallydesignated 527 fund set up to pro-
ate of Yale Law School, Yassky had been on the faculty of the Brooklyn Law School. In 2006, Yassky ran for U.S. Congress in Brooklyn, losing to Yvette Clarke. Yassky is one of 29 councilmembers who voted last year to extend term limits for themselves (and for the mayor), despite two previous public votes imposing a limit of two terms. Hours before the final vote on term limits, Yassky proposed a rare amendment from the floor, which would have altered the legislation to require approval by popular vote before term limits could change. The amendment failed by a vote of 28-22.
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