The
Red Hook StarªRevue
DECEMBER 2016
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FREE
Criminal Justice Revolutionized in Red Hook
PSA1 Community Cops to Become Peacemakers by Noah Phillips
T
erence Williams grew up in East New York, Brooklyn. Five years ago, Williams joined the New York Police Department, and on December 8 Officer Williams will graduate from the Red Hook Justice Center’s Peacemaking program. The Peacemaking program adapts Native American conflict resolution strategies to New York City court cases within the Justice Center’s catchment area - police precincts 72, 76, and 78. It is the first such program in the country, and Officer Williams is among the first police officers to receive the training. “We like Peacemaking because we’re not looked at solely as police officers. We’re looked at as human beings,” said Officer Williams during a November interview. “We want to do Peacemaking because we believe that it will be an alternative way to solve issues within the community - as opposed to doing things the traditional way, where if you do something wrong, we take you to jail. Maybe you can talk it out, let’s try that first.” Amanda Berman is the Project Director at the Red Hook Justice Center
“It’s all about our communities personally knowing their local cops, and trusting those cops to help them and their neighbors lead better lives.” (RHJC). Berman started her career as a public defender in the Bronx, but gradually moved away from direct practice towards exploring alternatives to incarceration and reform of the criminal justice system. She came to the RHJC in 2015, and is excited about the officers’ engagement in Peacemaking. “They’ll have more tools and options available than just ‘arrest or walk away,’” said Berman. “They’ve been a great resource for us but we are also providing a resource for them.”
Building Familiarity
This year saw an extensive expansion of community policing efforts by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The Neighborhood Coordination Officer (NCO) program was first rolled out in May 2015, and has been spreading across city precincts
Church Fresco Gets Facelift
I
by Emily Kluver
n a large Catholic church located on Verona Street, on the corner of Coffey Park, a massive fresco of the crucifixion overlooks the altar with commanding presence. The 1898 fresco, a painting method done with watercolors on wet plaster, acts as a eye-catching focal point in the large gothic revival-style church.
He entered a parish $150,000 in debt, struggling to meet its annual deficit of $100,000 and got the church back on its feet within his first year. But it has not been an easy ride.
Red Hook Star-Revue
ever since. The program designates officers specifically for community policing. By engaging in neighborhood meetings, events, and programs, the NYPD hopes to be proactive in crime prevention as well as build bridges at a time when many communities feel alienated by the force. “This is a crime-fighting model that is improving neighborhoods, incrementally on a small scale, block by block,” said then-Chief of Department, now Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill in an August press release announcing the expansion. “It’s all about our communities personally knowing their local cops, and trusting those cops to help them and their neighbors lead better lives. This is happening in a respectful and compassionate way, every day, all over New York – and it’s making the whole city safer.” One place where the NCO program has made big waves is Police Service Area 1 (PSA1), which is responsible for policing the 19 NYCHA developments in South Brooklyn.
Last year, if you would have entered Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, you would have found their fresco in a different state. Since 2010, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church has been undergoing a slow and steady revival process at the hands of Father Claudio Antecini.
From left to right: Officer Terence Williams, Captain Neteis Gilbert, Sgt. Anwar Yearwood and Officer Louis, of NYPD’s Police Service Area 1. (photo by Noah Phillips)
Visitation BVM Fresco. (photo by Emily Kluver)
Fighting the church building’s quick decay, compounded by damage from Hurricane Sandy, Fr. Claudio has spent the past six years fighting to save a parish once thought to be (continued on page 7)
“The NCO program has been significant in helping us drive down crime,” Captain Neteis Gilbert, PSA1’s Commanding Officer, said in an interview with the Star-Revue. “It’s a universal program that helps people whether they’re a victim or a perpetrator, and just getting through daily life.” Before receiving command of PSA1 in March, Captain Gilbert was an Executive Officer at Precinct 105 in Queens. She’s risen steadily through the ranks at a variety of ranks and assignments
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since 2000, when she joined NYPD. She said that for her, building relationships between the police and the community is essential. “It’s one of my fundamentals,” said Gilbert. “In order to effectively address crime, you need the community. You have to listen, you have to understand what their issues and concerns are.” There are 180 police officers under Gilbert’s command in PSA1. Most of them are organized into platoons, which might patrol a NYCHA development or be dispatched from their station house, reacting in relatively unknown territory to calls from relatively anonymous community members. PSA1’s eight NCOs, by contrast, “get the opportunity to be proactive, and actually see the results of it, and know that they’re helping,” said Gilbert. NCOs attend Tenant Association meetings, give out their cell phone numbers, give presentations about domestic violence or bullying, and attend community events. They focus on crime prevention as well as simply becoming familiar with the communities in which they serve. “It’s not like we’re seeing you one time, we’re seeing you probably every other day, or every day. You have that number, if your niece, nephew, grandchild or child needs a conversation about school, or bullying, or anything, we’re there.” The eight NCOs under Captain Gilbert’s command are spread across (continued on page 3)
December 2016, Page 1
Community Telephone Numbers: Red Hook Councilman Carlos Menchaca............... (718) 439-9012 Red Hook Assemblyman Felix Ortiz........................ (718) 492-6334 Red Hook State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery.. (718) 643-6140 Gowanus Councilman Brad Lander......................... (718) 499-1090 Park Slope Councilman Steve Levin........................ (718) 875-5200 CB6 District Manager Craig Hammerman ............ (718) 643-3027 76th Police Precinct, 191 Union Street Main phone ............................................................... (718) 834-3211 Community Affairs................................................... (718) 834-3207 Traffic Safety............................................................. (718) 834-3226 Eileen Dugan Senior Center, 380 Court Street..... (718) 596-1956 Miccio Community Center, 110 East 9th Street... (718) 243-1528 Red Hook East Dev. Office, 62 Mill St...................... (718) 852-6771 Red Hook West Dev. Office, 55 Dwight St.............. (718) 522-3880 Brownstone Republicans...info@brownstonerepublicanclub.com NYCHA Satellite Police Precinct, 80 Dwight Street Main Phone................................................................ (718) 265-7300 Community Affairs.................................................... (718) 265-7313 Domestic Violence.................................................... (718) 265-7310 Youth Officer.............................................................. (718) 265-7314 Auxiliary/Law Enforcement Coordinator ............ (718) 265-7378 Detective Squad........................................................ (718) 265-7327
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Happenings, etc. For more events and community meetings, visit our website at www.star-revue.com and click on the “calendar” tab. To get your event listed in this section, email editor@redhookstar.com and include “happenings” in the subject line.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6
The Red Hook Community Collective General Meeting at the Red Hook Library 7 Wolcott St., 6:30 pm. This resident-led organization’s mission is to organize for equitable development in Red Hook. The 76th Precinct Community Council will meet at the police station, 191 Union Street at 7:30 pm.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7
Santander Bank will be having financial literacy workshops at the Red Hook Community Justice Center, 88 Visitation Pl, from 9 am - 1 pm in the mural room. You can drop in to get advice, no appointment necessary. They will answer questions about managing income and personal budgeting, among other topics. The 2nd Annual Roots n ’Ruckus Fest will take place at Jalopy Theatre and School of Music, 315 Columbia St. Performances on two separate stages between 9 pm - 12 am. There is no cover charge, but organizers request audience members bring cash to tip the bands. Also Thursday, December 8.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8
The Mobile Legal Help Center is a partnership between the New York Legal Assistance Group and the New York State Courts. They give free civil services to New Yorkers in need. The vehicle will be outside the Red Hook Community Justice Center from 10 am until 3 pm, 88 Visitation Pl. For more information call 718-923-8250.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11
Christian
River Of God Christian Center
110 Wolcott Street, 646-226-6135, Secretary, Sister Roslyn Chatman. Sunday - Family Worship 11:00 - 1:00 pm Scripture, read in English and Spanish Wednesday - At The Gate 12:00 noon, Prayer 7:00 - 7:30 pm, Bible Studies 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Thursday Prayer 7:30 - 8:30pm, Friday Youth ABLAZED Ministries 6:00 - 7:30pm, Senior Pastor, Donald Gray
Visitation Church
98 Richards Street , (718) 624-1572. Office open Mon-Thursday 9 am - 3 pm. Saturday Mass at 5:00 pm English; Sunday 10:00 am Spanish, 12:30 pm English. Community Prayer on Tuesday and Thursday at 8:00 pm. Baptisms are held every other month. Please call to arrange for Baptisms, First Communion, Confirmation and Weddings.
New Brown Memorial Baptist Church
609 Clinton Street, 718 624 4780 Pastor A.R Jamal. Sunday School at 9:30 am. Sunday Worship at 11:00 am. Bible Study -Wednesday at 7:30pm. Communion every first Sunday
3rd Annual Crafty Red Hook Holiday Market (formerly the Red Hook Holiday Makers Market). Eat, drink and shop local! Food/drink by Homemade bklyn. Participating vendors: Artemas Quibble, Black Gotham Experience, The Crafty People, The Creative Cookie, Dry Dock wine+spirits, Ehrhardt’s Tempest, Food Culturist, kamau studios, Kristen Blush, Jacqui Ehrler, Kelsey Mohr & Bryan, The Red Hook Winery, Saipua, Samantha Citrin, She-Weld, Soraya Shah Textiles, Stephanie Han-Yu Shin, Sweet & Bitters, Tiki Papier, Travis King Studio, Uncouth Vermouth, Winkworth and more. Atelier Roquette, 66 Commerce Street, 11 am - 6 pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13
The Red Hook West Tenant Association Meeting will be at 428 Columbia Street #1C at 6:30 pm.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19
Stretching Far and Wide Global Ministry, Inc.
382 Hamilton Avenue, Studio B 1-800-948-9042 Archbishop Dr. Barbara Jackman, Overseer Rev. Dr. Dwayne Barnes, Pastor Services are held every Sunday @ 10:00 am Communion every First Sunday stretchingfar.webs.com stretchingfar@aol.com
The annual Friends of Brooklyn CB6 Holiday Party Fundraiser. RSVP to purchase the $40 ticket, which will get you a delicious meal as well as beer and wine. Purchase your tickets in advance. Loki Brooklyn, 341 2nd Street., 6:30 pm.
St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
467 Court Street, (718) 625-2270 Rectory Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 11:30 am, 1:00 pm4:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 noon. Masses: Saturday 4:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am, Monday Thursday, 9:30 am.
Saint Paul and Saint Agnes Parish
Church Office 234 Congress Street (718) 624-3425 Hours: M - F 8:30 am-12 St. Agnes Church Office 433 Sackett Street, 718-625-1717 Hours: M-F 1pm-430pm Email: stpaulstagnes@gmail.com St. Agnes: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 9 am (English), 11:30am (Spanish) St. Paul’s: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 8 am & 9:30am (English); 11am (Spanish) Monday & Tuesday 8:30am (St. Paul’s) Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am (St. Agnes) Saturday 8am (St. Paul’s)
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Saint Stephen Roman Catholic Church 125 Summit Street at Hicks Street, (718) 596-7750, info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 am, Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Saturday Vigil Mass at 5:30 pm, Sunday Masses at 8:00 am, 10:00 am, and noon (Italian/English) Weekday Masses during winter months at 8:30 am and 12:00 noon Confessions: Saturday at 4:45 pm and by appointment. Baptisms every third Sunday at 1:00 pm.
St. Paul’s Carroll Street
199 Carroll Street Parish Office: 718-625-4126 Sunday Mass at 10 am Weekday Morning Prayer - Mon.-Thurs. at 7:30 am Weekday masses as announced Holy Days as announced \Church open for prayer Tues. 6-8pm & Sat. 2-4pm http://stpaulscarrollst.weebly.com/
The Southwest Brooklyn Tenant Union will meet at the Carroll Gardens Association on 201 Columbia Street at 6:30 pm. At this meeting, the tenants and allies organize for housing justice in Southwest Brooklyn. If you have questions contact Ben at 718-243-9302 or bfgoogins@carrollgardensassociation.com
The
481 Van Brunt Street, 8A, Brooklyn, NY 11231
FOR EDITORIAL, ADVERTISING OR EMPLOYMENT INQUIRIES, email: info@redhookstar.com, or call (718) 624-5568
The Star-Revue is published by Kimberly G. Price & George Fiala
Jewish
Kane Street Synagogue
Noah Phillips, Associate Editor Nathan Weiser, Emily Kluver Reporters Halley Bondy, Arts Laura Eng, Religion
236 Kane Street, 718 875-1550 http://kanestreet.org/ Friday night services, 6:00 PM Shabbat services, 9:15 AM Sunday Services 9:00 AM
Congregation B’nai Avraham/Chabad of Brooklyn Heights
117 Remsen St., 718 596 4840 x18 www.bnaiavraham.com, www.heightschabad.com Morning Services: Sunday: 8:45am Monday - Friday: 7:45am Holidays (during the week): 8:45am Saturday: 9:45am Evening Services: Sunday: Shabbat candle lighting time Monday - Thursday: 9:00pm Friday: Winter: 5 minutes before Shabbat candle lighting time Summer: 7:30pm Saturday: Shabbat candle lighting time
If your religious institution isn’t listed here, let us know by emailing info@redhookstar.com Thanks!
Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue
Red Hook StarªRevue
Contributors: Mary Ann Pietanza, Alexandra Corbin The Red Hook Star-Revue is published monthly. Founded June 2010.
www.star-revue.com
December 2016
PSA1’s Captain Gilbert tasked with bringing community policing to the Red Hook Houses
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South Brooklyn’s housing projects. There are four in Coney Island, two in Canarsie, and two in Red Hook and Gowanus. These last two are based out of PSA1’s satellite location at 80 Dwight Street. Gilbert anticipates assigning two additional NCOs to Red Hook after the holidays and is eager to augment the program generally, but wants to focus on quality rather than quantity. “There’s a significant screening process. They have to show a genuine interest, because it can be very demanding,” said Gilbert. “The program is only as effective as the community’s relationship with our NCOs. If the community doesn’t buy into it, it’s not going to work.”
Officer Williams is one of Red Hook’s NCOs.
“I always said to myself, as long as I’m going to be a police officer, I want to do something community based,” said Williams. “I thought about Community Affairs, but ever since they came out with the NCO program, it’s like Community Affairs on steroids. You get to and reach out to people in a way that I’ve never seen.” “The NCO program has played a really important role,” said Amanda Berman of the Justice Center. “Their job is to get out into the community, and to get to know people, and to figure out how they can start building those relationships.” In addition to their other duties, Red Hook’s NCOs often participate in community events such as basketball games with local youth and Bridging the Gap, a series of events by the Red Hook Justice Center designed to give police officers and youth a safe space to interact and get to know each other on a human level. 25 youths and five police officers attended the first Bridging the Gap program in July. The second was attended by 40 youths and 15 officers. “No one knew going into that first one whether people were just going to sit there in silence or whether people were going to feel comfortable talking,” said Berman. “They did. There
was so much to say that it was hard to even wrap up - there was such a need and such a thirst for this kind of conversation that it could have gone on for hours and hours.” It was in this spirit that Officer Williams and three other NCOs enrolled in the Justice Center’s highly acclaimed three-month long Peacemaking program.
The Big Picture
The Justice Center opened in 2000. Galvanized in part by the violent death of beloved Principal Patrick F. Daly in 1992, the Red Hook community was seeking a radical shift in its dealings with crime and law enforcement. “The death of Patrick Daly came at a time when the violence, and the crime, and the crack epidemic and all of those issues were really coming to a head in Red Hook,” said Berman. “They reimagined the role of a court, and the idea was to create a place that was really a community center and a court folded into one.”
Captain Gilbert brings some of her officers to a recent meeting of the Red Hook West Tenant’s Association. (photo by George Fiala)
RHJC builds that trust by providing access to social workers, addiction and mental health professionals, and classes. More significantly, important stakeholders such as the District Attorney’s office, the Defense Attorney, and RHJC’s Judge Alex Calabresi all take the input of these service providers seriously.
According to Berman, only about one percent of defendants arraigned at the RHJC receive jail time as part of their sentence.
“Rather than addressing an immediate offense with that tunnel vision without looking at that big picture, we take a more holistic perspective at what is bringing this person through our doors,” said Berman. “The idea was to try to think about how we can solve community problems by engaging with the community, and how the justice system can play a different role in people’s lives, where it becomes sort of a partner with the community.” All misdemeanors and most low-level felonies go through the RHJC, as well as summonses and quality of life tickets such as public urination. Before a defendant sees a judge, they can have access to a wide array of evaluations by RHJC staff. The staff may then make a recom-
mendation to the District Attorney (DA) and Judge Calabrese, who decides the conditions of release, such as treatment. The DA can also reduce or dismiss a case once someone has fulfilled these steps, avoiding the need for a criminal record.
The court can also refer cases to the Peacemaking program, which began in 2012. Peacemaking is a ritualized approach to healing relationships within a community, which utilizes community members themselves. Participants sit in circles and use a talking piece to facilitate constructive discussion and mediate disputes. “Rather than trying to hash out who was right and who was wrong about the incident itself, the bigger discussion is about how do we heal, how do we move forward, and how do we do that collectively and come to a consensus,” said Berman. It is a revolutionary alternative to conventional practice, especially since Peacemaking sessions are confidential and include no formal legal actors. “The amazing thing about this is that the district attorneys are saying that we, the community, can take this case,” said Coleta Walker, RHJC’s Peacemaking Program Coordinator. “Once they give us the case, everything is confidential. They know nothing.” Although many indigenous cultures use similar techniques, Red Hook’s program is modeled from Navajo practice. In traditional peacemaking, participants sing, drum, and purify the space by burning herbs. Instead, Red Hook’s Peacemakers may open and close a session with a moment of silence, deep breathing, or a poem. “We had to take [Navajo] principles and the way that they do things and kind of tweak it for Brooklyn and Red Hook,” said Walker. “We tried to cater it for people with different cultures and different backgrounds.”
Coleta Walker, RHJC’s Peacemaking Program Coordinator, stands in the room where sessions usually take place. (photo by Noah Phillips)
Red Hook Star-Revue
Once receiving the blessing of tribal leaders to adapt the program, Walker and others at the Center for Court innovation (which administers RHJC’s
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services) issued a call for community activists who wanted to volunteer for learning this process. They attended community board meetings, precinct meetings, and other local events. The first class was 13 people. Cases can range from graffiti to shoplifting to noise complaints to assault, and referrals come not only from the court but from NYCHA managers, community boards, schools, and probation officers eager to resolve their client populations’ tensions before they enter the formal justice system. Walker has received 120 referrals so far this year, around 50 of which have completed the process.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
After doing an intake, Walker references her roster of trained local Peacemakers to select those with relevant experiences and backgrounds. For a shoplifting or graffiti case, she might choose a business owner; for a resisting arrest case, she might choose a retired police officer; for a neighborly dispute, she is likely to choose someone like Wally Bazemore, an active community member with deep roots in Red Hook. “I was raised in Red Hook, so I’m going to bring some of the Hook to the table,” said Bazemore, who has lived in the neighborhood on and off for 60 years. “Most of these people that I deal with in Red Hook, if I don’t know them, I know their grandparents.” As a sort of tribal elder, Bazemore can probe his extensive knowledge of the community for insights about how to reach reticent participants. “I might say something in reference to their parents,” said Bazemore. “We tell stories about our shortcomings, because nobody’s perfect, just to get them to open up, and let them know that we’re not here to pass judgement, just to get some clarity on the situation and bring some peace to the situation.” According to Berman, the most successful cases are those between neighbors or family members - conflicts in which the parties have an interest in investing in their long-term relationship. “If two neighbors have been disput(continued on page 18)
December 2016, Page 3
RELIGIOUS NEWS BY LAURA ENG laura.eng59@aol.com.
Mother Cabrini, A Saint Who Walked Among Us
D
id you know that an actual saint lived in our neighborhood and walked the streets of Red Hook and what is today known as Carroll Gardens? Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, more commonly referred to as Mother Cabrini, was canonized in 1946, the first naturalized citizen to become a saint. Her vast legacy impacted the lives of countless immigrants, including my own family, many of whom hailed from Southern Italy. Maria Francesca Cabrini was born prematurely in the Lombardy region of Italy in 1850 and was diminutive, delicate, and sickly when she was a child. Such words, however, would never be used to describe the courageous and resolute woman that Cabrini would become. As a teenager, she attended a local school run by the Daughters of the Sacred Heart and graduated with a teaching certificate. It was her dream to join the Daughters of the Sacred Heart religious community and to eventually become a missionary, but she was discouraged by the sisters, who thought she was not strong enough for a tough and ascetic life. But Cabrini was not one to be put off. She persevered and took her religious vows in 1877. In 1880, along with six other sisters, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. The sisters started locally, opening seven orphanages, a school, and a nursery in the first five years of their order’s existence. This got the attention of many, including Pope Leo XIII. Mother Cabrini’s ambition to help people was boundless and she petitioned Pope Leo to allow her to establish missions in China. But the Pope thought it would be a better idea for her to go not east, but west to America, in order to aid the plight of the Italian immigrants who were flocking there. In March 1889, Mother Cabrini arrived in New York City along with the same sisters with whom she had founded her order. Her reception by New York’s Archbishop Corrigan was not entirely a welcome one, as the Archbishop suggested they return to Italy. But, once again, Mother Cabrini was not one to be discouraged. Just like those they came to help, the sisters may have been immigrants themselves but they quickly overcame the obstacles of having few resources, limited communication abilities, and no place to stay, and got down to work. They first established an orphanage in West Park, New York and, from there, proceeded to spread out and zigzag all across the United States, down to Central and South America, and back and forth to Europe. It is said that Mother Cabrini crossed the
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Msgr. Massie takes mass to Cabrini Park.
Atlantic 25 times — this during a time before airplanes. Under the direction of Mother Cabrini, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart opened schools, hospitals, and orphanages all over the U.S., including in New York, Philadelphia, Scranton, Newark, Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle, Denver, and Los Angeles. It was in Seattle, in 1909, that Mother Cabrini got her wish of becoming a U.S. citizen. When Mother Cabrini died in Dec. 1917, she was preparing Christmas candy for sick children at Chicago’s Columbus Hospital. By the time of her death, she had established 67 institutions to represent the 67 years of her life. Along the way, Mother Cabrini walked the very streets we walk. In 1892, while working at Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Church (SHJM), originally located on President Street, Mother Cabrini, with the assistance of Brooklyn’s Bishop McDonnell, established St. Charles School to serve the children of the newly-arrived Italian immigrants. The school was located on Van Brunt Street, around the corner from the church. By 1900, with the concentration of Italian immigrants in our area believed to be the highest in the U.S., SHJM parish commenced their plans to build a bigger church on the corner of DeGraw and Hicks Streets. And by 1922, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart opened the much larger Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary School across from the church. In the late 1960s, Sacred Hearts-St. Stephen Parish (SHSS) renovated and dedicated a former Baptist Church on the corner of DeGraw Street and Strong Place to the honorable Mother Cabrini. Alas, SHJM School, Cabrini Chapel and even the original Sacred Hearts Church do not exist anymore, thanks to the plans of Robert Moses. But their absence should in no way diminish the profound influence Mother Cabrini and the Missionary Sisters had on (continued on next page)
December 2016
Religion
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this community. They improved life for the burgeoning immigrant population by providing social services and educating their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The visions which were rooted in the young dreams of Mother Cabrini undoubtedly served our local neighborhoods and enabled so many to enjoy and live the American dream that prompted their ancestors to leave home and come to this country of promise and opportunity. The fortitude of this small, brave Italian woman who became the first American saint is not forgotten. As part of the 150th Anniversary Year of St. Stephen Parish (Sacred Hearts and St. Stephen’s Parishes merged back in 1941), Mother Cabrini was remembered in a special Mass last month on her feast day, November 13th. And on Sunday, Dec. 18th, a relic of Mother Cabrini will be presented to SHSS parish in a Mass closing out its 150th anniversary year. Sister Bernadette Anello, a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart who grew up in Cobble Hill and taught at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary School, is now on assignment in Rome and was instrumental in arranging for the relic’s journey to its new home at SHSS Church. The parish’s original statue of the Sacred Heart has been restored and during the closing Mass, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will place the relic behind the glass door of a newly-refurbished tab-
Red Hook Star-Revue
ernacle, located directly beneath the statue. With this relic, Mother Cabrini will once again have a physical as well as spiritual presence at SHSS parish, where she will continue to be remembered with gratitude and reverence by the descendants of the many men and women she helped so long ago.
UPCOMING EVENTS Assumption BVM/St. Boniface Parish Advent Vespers on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 4 pm at St. Boniface Church, with speaker Christine McCarthy. Father Dennis’ Book Club on Dec. 18: Pilgrimage by Lucy Pick and on January 29: White Noise by Don DeLillo at 1 pm, Aula Maxima. Congregation Mount Sinai 250 Cadman Plaza West Shabbat Nariya The Shabbat Sing Out - First Friday @CMS on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 pm. Raise your voice with Rabbi Wax and special guest, rabbinical student Micah Shapiro who has composed new music for the psalms of Kabbalat Shabbat. Hanukkah Celebration featuring the Kvetch Klezmer Band on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10:30 am. Celebrate the holiday with singing, dreidling, latkes and bagels and kugel. $25 for adults and $10 for children. RSVP required! Sex and the Rabbis - Rabbi Sara Zacharia will introduce and explore several Talmudic stories regarding sex and marital obligations of the Sages. Tuesdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20 from 7 8:15 pm. $50 for 3-class series; $20 for a single class. Prayer and Mysticism Class, Satur-
days from 9-10 am, about the Jewish mystical tradition (Kabbalah).
Sacred Hearts/St. Stephen Church Summit & Hicks Street Christmas Star Lighting, Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 with Christmas carols on the steps of the church. 150th Anniversary Year of St. Stephen Parish Closing Mass, Sunday, Dec. 18, 10 am concelebrated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. On Christmas Eve, Family Mass at 4:30 pm will include the children’s Christmas play. Midnight Mass will be preceded by Christmas carols. Christmas mass, 11 am. All are welcome regardless of faith. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Saturday from 4-5:15 pm and on First Fridays from 7:15-8:30 St. Agnes Church Sackett & Hoyt Streets Sounds on Sackett, Sunday, Dec. 18, 4 pm featuring the Brooklyn Community Chorus. Free. Adults who are interested in being baptized, receiving communion or being confirmed, call (718) 625-1717. St. Mary Star of the Sea Church 467 Court Street Second Annual Family Christmas Sing-A-long and Children’s Nativity, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2 pm. Evening of Reconciliation, Monday, Dec. 19; confessions available from 4 pm to 8 pm. Christmas Midnight Mass (165th Anniversary Year), Dec. 24; Christmas Family Mass on Dec. 25, 10: 00 am. Weekly Saturday Vigil Mass changed
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to 4 pm beginning Dec. 31.
St. Paul’s Catholic Church 234 Congress Street Young Adult Group - For information please call the rectory 718-625-1717. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 199 Carroll Street Christmas in the City, Lessons and Carols held by the five congregations of Resurrection Church, (Presbyterian) at St. Paul’s, Dec. 9, 6:30 pm. Annual Book Drive. Deadline is Sunday, Dec. 11. After Mass that day all are invited to help wrap and label the gifts for distribution at Red Hook’s Miccio Center. On Christmas Eve, early Mass especially for families with small children featuring the placement of the figure of the Christ Child into the Crèche at 5:30 pm, Carol Singing at 10:45 pm followed by Solemn Mass of Christmas Midnight at 11 p.m. and on Christmas Day, there will be a Low Mass with Carols at 11 a.m. Sunday School Food Drive (non-perishable foods), ongoing through December. On 3 Kings Day, Jan. 6, food collected in bins located in the rear of the church will be taken to the Food Closet at First Presbyterian, Brooklyn Heights. Visitation BVM Church 98 Richards Street Breakfast With Santa, Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 am to 11:30 am. $5 for children and adults. Call (718) 624-1572 to reserve a seat. Healing Mass, Wed., Dec. 14 at 7 pm in Spanish and on Friday, Dec. 30 7 pm in English.
December 2016, Page 5
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December 2016
Celebrity Wedding: Demonic or Dramatic? by Emily Kluver
A
t the end of October, hired decorators, musicians, lighting specialists, and workmen spent a week preparing the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. They assembled a full-size piano inside the church, draped green ivy down the choir loft, and filled the aisles and main altar with warmtoned fall leaves and branches. From the outside, a man hired to do lighting set up large lamps to illuminate the church’s stained glass windows well into the night. By Saturday before Halloween, the finishing touches had been made. Then, on Saturday night, the ceremony began. Sister Máire recalled that the music on that special night, sung by a phenomenal church choir based in Manhattan, rang pure through the church like angels. Between the sounds and the lights, the space could have been plucked from the pages of a fairytale. This wedding was bound to be an impressive spectacle. However, the bride and groom, Argentinian reporter Nieves Zuberbühler and billionaire heir and New York DJ Julio Mario Santo Domingo, took church leaders and community members by surprise when their guests began showing up in costume.
Community Response
Hook as the revelers stepped out of cars and limousines, revealing their bizarre attire. In photographs of the event, wedding-goers dressed in costumes of all varieties can be found, from relatively harmless depictions of unicorns and royalty to more controversial representations of Jesus and the devil While the bride dressed traditionally in a floor length white gown, and the groom wore garments fit for a king, some of the costumes left more skin exposed than one would generally expect to see in a church. Locals have referred to the marriage as a “demon wedding,” and passed along false rumors that Father Claudio Antecini, the priest who, six years prior, had saved the church from threats of financial ruin, would be let go. A community member who wished to remain anonymous said, “I’ll just say, people shouldn’t have been dressed like that in a church.”
Church Response
The attire of revelers shocked Fr. Claudio, Sr. Máire, and church trustee Frances DeLuca, but they decided to welcome everyone into the church with open arms, regardless of attire. DeLuca said, “We were quite surprised, but when you arrive, you have a choice. You have 800 people who came to the house of God. We don’t place judgment.”
Gossip began floating around Red
The church leaders made a quick de-
Visitation Fresco restored
Japanese paper, they diligently tended the church fresco for six months— sometimes for as long as early morning until late into the night.
(continued from page 1)
“in its last days.” Last year, Fr. Claudio and the church community had to turn their attention to their fresco, which was quickly coming down from the walls in bit and pieces. Flakes came down throughout masses, a large crack showed clearly down the center of the piece, and everywhere you looked, the large work of art was peeling right off the wall. “If you touched the painting, pieces would fall off,” Sister Máire recalled. An estimated $250,000 would have to be raised in order to save the old fresco from complete ruin within three years time. The struggling parish was at a loss for what to do.
A plan
On a visit to Italy, Fr. Claudio and a trustee of the church, Frances DeLuca, met art restorer Morena Mezzaro. They convinced the young woman to come and work on Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s beloved fresco. She agreed, donating six months of her time to the fresco. At the very least, she would see what could be done. In May, Mezzaro arrived with her friend Dina Baggio, who assisted in the restoration. With syringes of resins, mixed paint powders, a variety of tiny paintbrushes, and specialized
Red Hook Star-Revue
Of their work, Sr. Máire said, “It was nonstop, exhausting.” She described their careful process in great detail—from shopping for items that could only be found in Europe, where this kind of restoration is more common, to working on peeled paint coming up from the wall. “Once, I remember going to an art store in Manhattan,” Sr. Máire recalled. “Morena mixed three different colors of gold to get the right the shade.” She continued, explaining the process of these two women sitting on the scaffolding day in and day out, flattening peeling paint using humidity to carefully soften the flaking plaster, sticking it down with delicately placed resin, and touching up the cracks with carefully matched paint. “It was so meticulous, their work. They spent one whole month on Mary Magdalen’s hair,” Sr. Máire exclaimed proudly. Morena took her work seriously. Fr. Claudio described the moment when she found a protective layer painted over the fresco, which dulled the color and could easily have been removed. She refused to take it down. She explained thoughtfully that it was the
cision: they would welcome the wedding party as usual. Fr. Claudio recalled, “I wanted people to feel welcome so they would come back, here or somewhere else. And some did.” The morning after the event, a number of people who had attended the wedding returned to the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary church for normal Sunday services. While Fr. Claudio notes that he would have asked that the wedding-goers to dress more respectfully had he known about the costumes in advance, he stands by the decision to welcome people.
Church Hopes
Fr. Claudio will not be let go as a result of the wedding, church public relations coordinator, Sister Rosanna, assured me. “Jesus spent time amongst the poor and amongst sinners, primarily,” Sr. Rosanna explained. She then cited Jesus’ tendency to spend more of his time with people on the streets, from prostitutes to tax collectors, as opposed to more pious observers like the Pharisees, a term used in biblical times to refer to a Jewish sect that strictly obeyed religious law. Though the church feels confident with their stance on the wedding, they acknowledge that not all of their community members understand why. DeLuca, saddened by the rumors being spread, said, “Gossip is expelled when people enter our community and truly participate.” She added that
intention of the original artist and it was her job to restore the fresco, not change it. In the end, not only did the two Italian women save the Fresco they came to restore, they also cleaned and shined the wood surrounding the fresco, helped with window restoration, and painted walls, mixing a soft shade of
“Restoration of the church is restoration of the community. The power and presence of God is here in Red Hook. We’re just enhancing it.” white to replace the previous grey tones. Fr. Claudio’s eyes shone with excitement, “They felt they were called.” Trustee DeLuca, expressing her deep interest in the process and how it affects Red Hook, explained that “Restoration of the church is restoration of the community. The power and presence of God is here in Red Hook. We’re just enhancing it.”
The end results
Fr. Claudio, Sr. Máire, and DeLuca explained that at the end of October, six months after the two women arrived,
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Two of the wedding guests.
she would say to those who doubt the good intentions of the church to “please come” and see for themselves. Despite rumors floating around, church leaders want to assure people that aside from costumes, all behavior inside the church appeared to be respectful. The wedding, they explained, was a traditional Catholic ceremony performed by an Argentinian priest. They added that all after-party events took place at local art studio and gallery, Pioneer Works. DeLuca, recalling the reverence of the attendees, said, “During the Ave Maria, you could hear a pin drop. It was so beautiful.” Fr. Claudio mused thoughtfully, “We all come to church in masks, but Jesus looks at our hearts, not our vestments.”
they brought their bags to the church to say their goodbyes. But, at the very last moment, Mezzaro noticed a flaw, a last bit of work that needed to be done. Without blinking, she grabbed a ladder, completed the work, and had to run out the door with Baggio to make it to the airport on time. Sr. Máire recalls that while she watched the scaffolding come down, she looked up and saw, as if for the first time, the dramatic height of the project. “You look up at the immensity of the work,” she explained with wide eyes, as if seeing it all again for the first time. But, while the work down has been incredible, there is always more to do. “The paintings in the arches need to be cleaned,” Fr. Claudio said, “Morena may come back in the spring if she has time.” Church leaders recall that despite her six months of volunteered service to the church, in addition to potential future work, Morena felt that her work is less of a gift and more of a calling from God. Morena herself seemed to feel a deep attachment to the church by the end of the restoration. Those present for the process recalled her sitting up high on the scaffolding, overlooking the church and saying, “I feel this church is mine”
December 2016, Page 7
LETTERS:
Mike Drop:
WHO WHAT WHEN HOW by Michael Racioppo
B
ased on President Obama’s approval rating (in the mid 50’s), the shrinking unemployment rate (now 4.6%), other positive factors, and the vulgar and unqualified bigot the Republicans had nominated, I figured election night would be one of celebration for progressives such as myself. Clearly, despite Hillary Clinton receiving 2.5 million more votes than Donald Trump, I was wrong. We now have President-Elect Trump.
The next few years are going to be a pretty rough stretch. For anyone thinking “give Trump a chance,” I’d suggest looking at the fact that avowed Nazis and White Supremacists are celebrating the people, such as Steve Bannon, that Trump has asked to serve in his administration. So what to do now? I have a few ideas. When it all boils down, as Harold Lawell said, politics is “who gets what, when, and how.” In the Trump era, especially as Republicans have complete control of congress, progressives are not going to be the ”who” in determining the what, when or how. Let’s also not forget that the Republican Party has won the popular vote in a presidential election only once since 1988 (Bush in 2004 in the midst of war). For this reason we have to fight from the ground up, organize better than ever, and do it everywhere possible. I have a few suggestions for how to do that here in Brooklyn. First, join a political club. Political clubs are organizations that work to bring together like minded people, or at least those with overlapping goals such as electing a specific candidate, through necessary work and involvement such as petitioning, phone banking and other activities. I’m biased, but I’d say the Independent Neighborhood Democrats is amongst the best to join. Sign up for the email notifications of meetings and other news (Indbrooklyn.org). If you read this prior to December 5, send an email to INDbrooklyn.org@gmail.com and find out how you can phone bank with IND to help Foster Campbell, who is challenging Republican John Kennedy for Louisiana’s Senate seat. If Campbell wins, he’d push the ratio of Senate Republicans to Democrats from 52–48 to 51–49, no small feat. You can be sure Trump and his allies are going to do all they can to make sure the GOP keeps that seat. We may not win, but better results will come from persistent communication and organization. For a list of clubs around the city - check out Gotham Gazette’s comprehensive list at www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/city/5049-2014-politicalclubs. In the same vein, I’d recommend signing up for the #getorganizedbk meetings Councilman Lander has put together in the wake of the election. Sign up at http://bradlander.nationbuilder.com/committogetorganizedbk.
Engagement in the more local and civic sphere is a great way of moving forward. I’d say getting involved with your local Community Board is an excellent start. This is another instance in which I am biased (as it says below, I am the vice chair of Brooklyn Community Board 6). Community boards are official advisory bodies that weigh in on issues such as granting liquor licenses, transportation issues, public safety and land use issues such as rezonings and variances. And speaking of land use, the last, but by no means least, recommendation I’d make is to sign up and get involved with the NYC Department of Planning’s Gowanus Neighborhood Planning Study. The next meeting is on December 8 at Wyckoff Gardens at 6:30 pm with a focus on resiliency and sustainability (find out more at www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/plans/ gowanus/gowanus.page). I didn’t think my post-election column was going to be a to do list for resistance. I thought I’d be writing with pride about how as a country, we had elected our first female president and that the future of our life on this planet, while at risk, was on a sustainable path. Until the next election we may not be able to affect the “who” “how,” or “what” of politics and policies, but I can tell you when we must start resisting and fighting back - NOW. Michael Racioppo is the Executive Director of Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation and Vice Chair of Community Board 6
The Star-Revue is looking for someone to sell Neighborhood Service classified ads. This work can be done at home by phone and e-mail.
For more information please email George@redhookstar.com Page 8 Red Hook Star-Revue
McBride and Music
What a great story! Citizens Committee for New York City invites the musicians to apply for our signature Neighborhood Grant of up to $3,000. Should the group be awarded, we welcome their desire to keep a low profile and remain rooted in Red Hook. Grant application is due by January 23 and the application can be downloaded or filled out online here: www.citizensnyc.org/grants/neighborhoodgrants - Saleen Shah
Trump and Bea Byrd
Thank you Ms. Byrd for your speaking on behalf of us in Red Hook. It’s time we come together more than ever and take care of each other. I hope and pray and I can not be “complacent” I am afraid. I have been able to sustain my Life because of the Affordable Health Care Act. It has allowed me and millions of people like me to continue recieving the life sustaining medication needed to survive. I am also not a gloom and doom person and living in person living in the Red Hook Houses for most of my life has taught me to be resilient! I does not matter who is the White House, I will do me, mine and Community. – Alice Tapia
LICH remembered
LICH was mismanaged and its leadership should have been held accountable. Moving forward, our elected officials screwed up by making demand and demand on the developers which is why the community has finally been told that there will be no space set aside for any medical facility, community public areas and affordable apartments. We can thank our local councilman Brad Lander, who along with his council associates and our mayor for this mess. It appears to me that Lander, DeBlasio, et.al., were more interested in pushing along their socialist agenda on more important issues such as the Brad Lander nickel shopping bag tax, impossible integration of our schools of which over 90% of the students are minority, insuring themselves a salary increase, restoring and then non-restoring the “F” train express, acting non-patriotically by refusing to salute the American Flag, singing at council meetings the Black Panther anthem, etc. It is because of Democrats like Brad Lander and Bill DeBlasio that Donald Trump was able to make just enough inroads with Democrats that defeated Hillary Clinton. - Conor
SHORTS: Volunteer at the Miccio
Mentors are needed at the Miccio Community Center, which is located at 110 West 9th Street. You will be asked to provide mentoring to three to four middle school participants in the after school program. They are asking that you spend 90 minutes each week mentoring. Contact program director, Trequan (917-751-8397) or assistant director, Nigel (718-243-1528) if you are interested.
Need something fixed?
The Neighborhood Restitution Crew removes graffiti, does neighborhood clean-up and does outdoor and indoor painting projects as well as other services in South Brooklyn. The Red Hook Community Justice Center is committed to improving the South Brooklyn area by providing community service through the Neighborhood Restitution Crew. You can contact the crew’s supervisor, Derek Goddard (718-923-8241), to discuss the organization further.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey develops simulation center
Under a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will make investments to improve the barge program that transports containers between terminals in New York and New Jersey, the company said in its press release. The grant, obtained with the assistance of New York and New Jersey’s Congressional delegation, will increase the barge system’s cost-effectiveness and reliability for shippers.
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These factors, in turn, will help the Port Authority, its terminal operators and ocean carriers to grow the existing barge program, which last year moved 35,000 containers, resulted in 60,000 fewer trucks on the region’s roadways, and eliminated 1,600 tons of CO2. But the MARAD grant also helps create the New York Harbor Crane Operators Training Center (COTC), the first of its kind in the country. The COTC’s three state-of-the-art simulators will help train members of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to operate the newest generation of ship-to-shore and yard cranes, thus optimizing the loading and discharge of container barges. The award of $492,480 from the MARAD grant will be matched by $328,320 committed by both the New York Shipping Association (NYSA) and Port Newark Container Terminal, plus an in-kind contribution of a simulator from the NYSA. The full grant will also support: Enhancing the fender system at Berth 6 in Port Newark, specifically the Red Hook Barge Terminal, to help protect both Port Authority-owned barges and the berths from damage during docking and undocking operations. The MARAD grant award of $157,500 will be matched by $192,500 from the Port Authority. The purchase of two new high-tech machines to augment existing container handling equipment at Red Hook Container Terminal. The MARAD grant award of $982,316 will be matched with $327,439 from Red Hook Container Terminal.
December 2016
COLUMN: An Immodest Proposal, by George Fiala
Chris Ward and his plan for our part of Brooklyn
F
aithful readers of this newspaper will notice that we have not mentioned Chris Ward’s AECOM proposal for the development of Southwest Brooklyn. This has been a purposeful omission. We did not want to publicize what we consider a pie-in-the sky, self-serving proposal that is not in the interest of any current residents of the existing Red Hook community. One example of the results of the media giving free publicity to an outlandish idea is the recent election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States. However, Chris Ward recently appeared before the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to present the plan. One of our faithful readers provided us with the booklet that was given out. It is so dangerous that I feel obliged to comment. Chris Ward, recently turned 62, has been both a public and private servant. His first city job was with the Department of Consumer Affairs. In 1988 he became an Assistant Commissioner for the NYC Department of Telecommunications and Energy. From 1992 to 1996 he was a Senior VP for Transportation and Commerce with the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC). He then spent two years as Director of Business Development for American Stevedoring at the Red Hook Container Terminal, after which he became Chief of Planning and External Affairs and Director of Port Development for the Port Authority. In 2005 he became the NYC Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner. After three years heading an agency, he went back to Sal Catucci’s American Stevedoring, where he was CEO for two years. He then became Managing Director of the General Contractors Association, a trade group for building contractors specializing in government work. He was appointed Executive Director of the Port Authority by Governor David Patterson in 2008 - a job he held for three years. His signal achievement there was getting the redevelopment of the World Trade Center, which had been over budget and behind schedule, back on track. Unfortunately, most executives like to have their own team of loyalists in
Red Hook Star-Revue
place, and incoming governor Andrew Cuomo was more interested to have his own crony in place at the Port Authority than a competent one. Ward realized this, and resigned be-
“One example of the results of the media giving free publicity to an outlandish idea is the recent election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States.” fore Cuomo had a chance to fire him. He took a position at Dragados, an international construction company specializing in infrastructure, and in May 2015 was hired by another global engineering and construction firm, AECOM. AECOM is a huge company, with annual revenues exceeding $20 billion. Ward is a senior vice president tasked with business development, especially in the NY area. Ward’s resume gives him an impressive knowledge of how government works, as well as access to many of its players. Undoubtedly, he has used these experiences to climb the career ladder. He has seen firsthand the operations of our local port, and then went to work for its landlord, the Port Authority. One of his duties there was the eviction of his former boss, Sal Catucci. He has long advocated for the relocation of the container terminal itself, to Sunset Park, so the Port Authority can turn what has become prime real estate over to private development. Back in 2011, I wrote about Ward in the Star-Revue. He had already turned in his resignation to Governor Cuomo and made a well-publicized (and what I called absurd) speech at the Municipal Art Society where he “complained that the container operation here is preventing Governors Island from reaching its full potential.” I continued: “He proposed moving all shipping operations to Sunset Park and perhaps building a hotel or school on the pier, and possibly a bridge going (continued on page 19)
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December 2016, Page 9
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December 2016
Thor Equities debuts plans for sugar refinery site, receives community pushback
A
fter years of speculation and rumors about Thor Equities’ intentions for its waterfront holding at 280 Richards Street, representatives from the company unveiled its “Red Hoek Point” at a well-attended Community Board 6 Land Use committee meeting. The December 1 presentation at the Miccio Center was given by Ethan Goodman, Director of New York Planning & Project Management at Fox Rothschild (land use council to Thor Equities), and Catherine Dannenbring, Director of Development at Thor Equities. As presented, “Red Hoek Point” will be a two building office complex designed with an eye for tech companies. The site will house retail on the ground floor along with an esplanade and other amenities, such as a bicycle valet service for the young professionals working there. “There’s a lot of thought that’s gone into this project,” said Goodman during the presentation. ”Thor has come up with this project not only because it’s economically feasible, which for any developer is a number one consideration, but also because amongst all the potential uses out there Thor believes this is one that will be met with the most positive reception and success, not only with the office market but also in terms of the community.”
Parking relief
While Thor Equities can build Red Hoek Point as-of-right, meaning it will not need any zoning changes, the company is seeking relief from the standards regulating its parking capacity and its bulkheads. The December 1 presentation focused on the parking requirements, as the company is hoping for a thumbs-up from CB 6 on December 22 before its application appears before the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA). BSA can grant up to a 50% reduction in required parking spaces for office developments. As Red Hoek Point will be primarily offices, Thor Equities is seeking the full reduction, which would leave around 1,100 spaces. “As we’re seeing up and down the Brooklyn Waterfront, and in developments all over the place, the kind of people that are working at these office
Red Hook Star-Revue
by Noah Phillips
uses… tend not to drive to work,” said Goodman. “They don’t own cars, they don’t like to drive to work, and they find other modes to get to work, so we think that in actuality, the demand will be much lower than even that.” The meeting’s attendees were not convinced. While some of those present seemed impressed by the look and design, many voiced concerns both about Thor Equities’ approach to neighborhood relations and about how the development would impact the community. “To say the least, this is our first time seeing you, or speaking to you, and it kind of sounds like you already have your ideas,” said Karen Blondell. “I understand this is an as-of-right project, but we’re still looking for you to be a good neighbor and include us in your conversations. And I don’t see that happening.” Blondell is a founding member of a group called the Red Hook Community Collaboration, which has put forward ideas such as the development providing space for local non-profits, organizing a tech internship for local youth, and creating a watchdog group to monitor the company’s conduct. Thor Equities’ representatives said that they were eager to engage with the community, and that they had hired Joni Yoswein’s PR firm, Yoswein New York, for that very purpose. “We are just coming out here, and we will be out here for months going forward” said Goodman. “This is the beginning of a process.” Responding to a question from John McGettrick about sewage capacity, Dannenbring said that Red Hoek Point would capture its rainwater and handle outflow directly.
on record in favor of maintaining Red Hook’s remaining cobblestones. It struck community members as odd that Thor Equities, as of yet, has no leases signed for the property despite its avowed marketing efforts.
“To say the least, this is our first time seeing you, or speaking to you, and it kind of sounds like you already have your ideas,” said Karen Blondell. Sustainable Commitments
In 2004, community opposition was ignored and a rezoning that forever changed downtown Brooklyn was passed by the City Council. A generation of small business owners that catered to lower income African-American consumers was basically evicted from the Fulton Mall as property owners took advantage of the increased property values that the zoning change (allowing much larger buildings) produced. One of the beneficiaries of this plan was Joseph Sitt, owner of Thor Equities. He had purchased the Albee Mall in 2001, financially supported and testified for the pro-business Downtown Business Partnership that proposed the plan, and once it passed began evicting all his tenants. In 2007, he sold off the mall, netting a profit of $100 million on a $25 million investment.
This is the same Thor Equities that is now asking for two zoning changes on its Red Hook property, and appeared before Community Board 6. Perhaps the most resonant comments were made toward the end of the meeting by David Estrada, Councilman Carlos Menchaca’s chief of staff. Menchaca was hoping to make the meeting himself, but had multiple meetings throughout the district that evening, so Estrada spoke in his stead. “Community engagement means nothing if the input of the community cannot be demonstrated within the outcome, said Estrada. “Ownership changes, times change, economics change, and if there are community benefits built into this, there needs to be a formal mechanism [to sustain those benefits].” Estrada reiterated Menchaca’s earlier statements to the group, charging Thor Equities to demonstrate its good faith by both making real changes to the project based on the community’s wishes and making sure that those changes will survive change of ownership and occupancy “in terms that themselves are sustainable and resilient, verifiable and enforceable.” “I think that those things are in your reach, you’ve said all the things that sound good,” Estrada continued. “I don’t doubt that those are aspirations, but if they’re not commitments, then they haven’t served this community.” It remains to be seen whether these valuable variances, if granted, will benefit the currently tenantless Red Hoek Point, or whether they will simply be a useful selling point if Sitt decides to flip the property.
PortSide’s Carolina Salguero pointed out that the two major complexes adjoining the site, those housing IKEA and Fairway, already have esplanades and are underutilized. She offered her services in optimizing the shoreline with water-centric programming. Finally, Dannenbring indicated that their plan involved replacing the cobblestones on Beard Street with regular pavement, and integrating the salvaged stones into their complex. Community Board 6 has gone
A skeptical community listens to the Thor presentation. (photo by Noah Phillips)
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December 2016, Page 11
What will Trump Mean for Red Hook? Editor’s Note: This piece was written in the days following election day. In the weeks since, we have learned much more about the impact Trump’s administration is likely to have on our community. If you have specific questions about what the next four years might have in store for you and yours, please email noah@redhookstar.com. Also, Red Hook is NOT unanimously dreading January – this reporter has spoken to several Trump supporters in the neighborhood, but they wish to remain anonymous for fear of social or business retribution. If you want to do one thing to move our society forward from its current plight, let it be this: Talk to your neighbors.
R
ed Hook’s streets were quiet Wednesday morning, with the few pedestrians walking their dogs or waiting for the bus looking despondent. “It’s unsettling and confusing and I’m not really sure what’s going to happen next,” noted a man on King Street. “I think it’s embarrassing,” said a woman near Wolcott. “This is what happens when people don’t go vote. I’ve been thinking about it all morning – I don’t know what it means I just know I don’t like it.” Employees at several businesses were in tears and did not want to comment. Donald Trump will be President of the United States come January, which means that the businessman and reality television star will assume leadership of a wide variety of important federal agencies and departments. As a diverse coastal community, Red Hook is impacted by a wide array of these agencies, from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (which funds the Red Hook Houses) to the Environmental Protection Agency to the Department of Homeland Security, which manages the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Due to Trump’s political heedlessness and inexperience, it is hard to predict how Red Hook will be impacted by his presidency. His policy positions are unclear, and his efficacy as President is uncertain. But what impact might President Trump have on our neighborhood?
Immigration and Education
Border control and deportation of undocumented immigrants was, in many ways, the centerpiece of Donald Trump’s campaign. In September he
Page 12 Red Hook Star-Revue
promised to target between 5 and 6.5 million undocumented immigrants for immediate deportation and to triple the number of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. In total, his plan would cost between $51.2 and $66.9 billion dollars over the next five years, according to the Washington Post. New York City has an estimated 500,000 undocumented immigrants, and some of them attend Summit Academy Charter School.
“Byrd says that Trump and his supporters care less about improving Americans’ access to care than undoing President Obama’s legacy.”
We have to explain to our kids that it’s not that simple, that Donald Trump doesn’t wake up tomorrow and deport everyone that doesn’t have citizenship.” Tim Vetter is Summit’s High School Assistant Principal. “We don’t really know what’s going to happen, but since I’ve been here we’ve had kids that were stop and frisked, we’ve had staff members who were stop-and-frisked, that’s confusing to a lot of people. We had a graduate last year whose parents were illegal immigrants, who shared stories with us about working with their parents on days off, who needed the money.” “We have a number of kids whose parents are undocumented,” says Vetter. “It could have a drastic impact. The impact that we’re already seeing, the reason we’re having this assembly today, is that people are just freaking out. People are upset, I don’t know what’s going to happen.” Vetter also has concerns about Trump’s impact on the Department of Education, which the PresidentElect has indicated he would like to close entirely or at least drastically scale back in favor of local control and school vouchers. Although Vetter works at a charter school, he says different students have different needs.
A community issue
“We serve a migrant community, and many of our scholars and their families are in this country without citizenship,” says Natasha Campbell, founder and executive director of Summit Academy. “And [Wednesday], in light of Donald Trump being elected President, we had kids who were concerned that almost immediately they or their families would be deported.” Summit Academy staff is working to provide students an outlet for their concerns, holding multiple assemblies Thursdays where scholars can voice their fears and ask questions. “In the coming days, they’re going to all write letters to Mr. Trump, to talk about what they’d like to see happen in his four years as our leader,” says Campbell. “I don’t know, we’ll see.
“In this neighborhood, there was a need for a charter school. But I’ve worked in public schools, I’ve seen teachers in public schools who work incredibly hard,” says Vetter. “It’s tough. It’s tough in New York City, it’s tough in a neighborhood that needs help, and we need to look at it more as a community issue than as a school issue or a public versus charter issue.” “When your only meals are the subsidized meals you get in school, or you’re going home and raising your younger siblings, or you’re going home and working for the family, these are all things that people hear about happening in a low-income community,” adds Vetter. “And it is just the reality of all of our kids here.”
Public Housing and Health
“For me, it’s too soon to speculate as to what it will mean for the community,”
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says Bea Byrd, who serves on the boards of the New York Public Housing Authority and the Addabbo Family Health Center. “I think we’re all in shock.” Trump has repeatedly vowed to “repeal and replace” the Affordable Care Act immediately on assuming office. “I will ask Congress to convene a special session so we can repeal and replace, and it will be such an honor for me, for you and for everybody in this country, because Obamacare has to be replaced,” Trump said November 1 per the Los Angeles Times. “We will do it and we will do it very very quickly.” Byrd says that if that happens, a lot of Red Hook residents will lose their health insurance. “With the Affordable Care Act, a lot of people who were uninsured and had no health coverage at all were able to get coverage,” says Byrd. “I certainly don’t think that anyone would like to see that rolled back.” Byrd says that Trump and his supporters care less about improving Americans’ access to care than undoing President Obama’s legacy. “It’s not Obamacare, it’s the president himself,” says Byrd. “It’s not Obamacare, it’s black people and minority people moving forward, and whenever the pendulum for minorities moves forward, there’s going to be a swing back. That’s been my experience. We made progress by electing an African American president, so here is the backlash, electing Trump.” Trump has not taken a stance on public housing or housing assistance programs. NYCHA and other public housing projects are funded mostly by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the leader of which Trump will be able to appoint as president. “Most of the money that we get for NYCHA comes through HUD,” says Byrd, noting that most housing projects across the country are already underfunded. “And again, these are poor people, these are minority people who live in low-income housing, and… there’s always been a shortfall. So today, just because Trump is now in the White House, we’re going to have
December 2016
facturing non-competitive.” Though he later claimed this tweet was a joke, sources close to his campaign reported Wednesday that he had selected Myron Ebell, a famous climate change skeptic, to spearhead his takeover of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
even more regression. We don’t have enough, even as we speak now!” Byrd is unwilling to give in to cynicism, however. “I’m not a doom and gloom kind of person,” says Byrd. “Let’s give him an opportunity to stand up and be the man that he alleged that he was going to be for all of the people, and let’s see where it goes from there.” Byrd was excited by the long lines of people waiting to vote in Red Hook, but she cautions against complacency. “You have to care every day, you have to be vigilant every day, if affordable health care is under attack, we have
to fight b a c k . You can’t just lay down and roll over because there’s a different person in the White House,” says Byrd. “All those people who stood in long lines and who voted, stay on the lines! Stay out there! Stay vigilant in your community!” “Whoever is in the White House will not make a difference in this community if the people in this community stay on their watch,” she added.
Climate Change and Resilience
Trump’s position on climate change has been contradictory. In 2012 he tweeted that “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manu-
His campaign website also promises that he will “Unleash America’s $50 trillion in untapped shale, oil, and natural gas reserves, plus hundreds of years in clean coal reserves,” “reduce and eliminate all barriers to responsible energy production [created by Obama’s executive actions],” and “open onshore and offshore leasing on federal lands, eliminate moratorium on coal leasing, and open shale energy deposits.” Alexandros Washburn, a local expert on coastal resilience about whom the Star-Revue has written previously, says that Trump needs to pay attention to climate change. “Even for people who are skeptical of anthropogenic climate change, what has happened already demands attention,” says Washburn. “We get it, as New Yorkers, because we were hit by Sandy. Trump is a New Yorker, after all, he knows about Sandy.” “We don’t have to agree about why the climate is changing, but we do have to agree that we have to do something about protecting ourselves,” Washburn continues. “The effect climate change has had already requires adaptation, requires coastal resilience. And sea level is rising, which is mea-
surable.” Washburn says that while a Trump presidency will have a lot of risks for the coastal communities around the world, environmental regulations do need a shake-up. “I’ve said for a long time that environmental law may be the Achilles Heel of resilience,” says Washburn, noting that most of the laws were designed in the 1970s. “These laws were made to protect nature from us. We are now in an era of Hurricane Sandy, of coastal dangers, where we need to protect ourselves from nature. Is this an opportunity to look at that law and realize it needs to be rebalanced?” Coastal resilience means impacting the environment and managing humans’ relationship with the water, something very difficult to do presently. “The regulations make it virtually impossible to do the sorts of things that you have to do now to protect yourself in a coastal hurricane environment,” says Washburn. “Like off-shore breakwaters. Like building up berms with dredged materials. Like reshaping parts of our coastline to serve new purposes.” The answer isn’t less regulation but “more accurate” regulation. “You can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater, but you have to pare down the regulations, make them more accurate, get them to support the needs of today and tomorrow,” says Washburn. “It’s a new paradigm.”
SERVE TO GET COMMUNITIES OF COLOR OVER THE HUMP
I
f you woke up on the morning of November 9, 2016 finding yourself as apprehensive about Donald Trump being elected the country’s 45th President as I did, that may not be such a bad thing. The brash and often outspoken Trump is set to be one of the most erratic and unpredictable Presidents that the country has ever elected into office. With that said, when taking into account the several delicate issues that the country is currently facing, there are two crucial questions to be considered going forward: Is Donald Trump is the ideal President to govern the country through significant social reform? Do we actually need him to be? There are several issues confronting communities of color that need to be addressed during this next Presidential term. To name a few; the immigration issue and its roots, reform of the criminal justice system and the policies of our police force, prison reform, equal education, employment, poverty and health care. Most of these difficult issues actually are within our influence by way of community accountability and communities being more assertive with our local politics. The people, i.e. our community leaders and local politicians actually have more agency over the quality of life and the prosperity of our communities than the current and forthcoming
Red Hook Star-Revue
by Khary Bekka
President of the United States. For some of us, our expectations of significant social reform taking place in communities of color were heightened with the historical election of the country’s first black President. In fact, President Obama being in the White House in some ways may have served to stunt our political progress on the grass-root level, as people viewed him as a symbol of hope and may have become complacent. With the changing of the guard in the White House come January 20th, for many that idea of hope has been replaced with an assumption of hopelessness. Considering what we have heard from his past and present rhetoric, it seems unlikely that Donald Trump is intent on championing the cause of communities of color, which places the ball squarely back in our community’s hands where it should be. Any architect will tell you that you build buildings from the bottom up, not the top down, and the same fundamentals apply when building communities. Executive orders play a major role in shaping the country’s infrastructure, but nonetheless it is the Amendments and intro bills on the state and city level that have immediate consequences on our quality of life. In times when an individual and/or a community may feel powerless in their current state
of affairs, it is human nature for that individual and/or community to strive to gain some form of control over their situation. This was manifested when we witnessed thousands of people across the nation taking to the streets in protest of Trump’s election. People protesting in the streets or using symbolic gestures has become a popular avenue of public expression towards wanting change, though protesting for the sake of protesting with no clear strategy for significant reform has come under much criticism as being ineffective. It is time for us to march to a different strategy. Any fear and uncertainty felt the morning after Donald Trump became the nation’s President-Elect should be replaced with a sense of personal accountability in conjunction with showing a “Distinct Recognition” and holding our local official accountable. These local officials should all serve our communities with innovation, creativity, commitment and temperance in their positions.
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Let us be mindful that most officials are elected into office for the people by the people. Let us collectively self-reflect, serve our communities selflessly, consider our resources and creatively utilize them, vote and hold our “Local” public official accountable, and let us educate our communities about the political grid a n d process i n
tricts,
our cities
disand
states. We will discover that we have the power to create Hope and Healing, and we will Make Our Communities Great Again.
December 2016, Page 13
Red Hook Christmas is special by Emily Kluver and Noah Phillips
M
ary Dudine Kyle, a coowner of Dry Dock on Van Brunt Street, knows that the holiday lights in Red Hook are special. “When you’re driving back from someplace else that’s really stupid, and you’re sitting at a cocktail party talking to people that you just have to, and all of a sudden, you come to the top of Van Brunt Street, and look down, and just see these faint teeny tiny lights, just little things…” Mary trails off wistfully. In Red Hook, the lights on the streets are not status markers of wealth, prestige, or power. In a neighborhood still somewhat isolated from the rest of New York, surrounded on three sides by choppy dark water, the little colorful lights that crisscross Van Brunt during the month of December, and on through January, February, March, and even April, symbolize community. Mary notes that the holiday lights don’t look like those in other neighborhoods, ones organized by business associations, which end up being expensive and flashy.
Here, lights come from the community. “It’s so genuine,” Mary says. “It’s so Hooker.” The lights, brought to the community through the efforts of many locals, require extensive work. Everyone, it seems, has an important role to play. Mary, who has been involved with the display for at least 12 years, describes herself as the Betsy Ross of the group, stringing together lights in her home and storing the strands, tape, and yards upon yards of rope in her basement until it’s time for the set-up to begin. Jim Macnie, who she describes as the project’s “most intrepid fool,” plays the vital role of climbing ladders and going places few others in the group are willing or able to go. There are many others, but above all, Mary points out that the project’s “patron saint,” is John McGettrick. “He’s such an amazing soul. We could never pay back his love,” Mary states emphatically.
PATRON SAINT OF LIGHTS
John has been putting up lights on Van Brunt Street since the late 1980s. He had just moved into the neighborhood, though he had been connected with the neighborhood throughout his childhood as the son of an Irish immigrant who used to work in the shipyard. The Red Hook that John remembers was not clean or safe. There were waste transfer stations. The streets were dark, and crime was rampant. These Christmas lights, he believed, could brighten things up a bit. So with a bit of trepidation and the uncertainty of a newcomer, he decided to dive into the project. His efforts
Page 14 Red Hook Star-Revue
This year’s lights already hang over Van Brunt Street. (photo by Noah Phillips)
started out small. That first year, the project amounted to just a few strands of lights near the VFW. But with the expansion of the group, the lights have grown, covering 2, 3, 4 blocks, and more. This year, the lights cover 12 blocks with long strands of lights. THE FACES BEHIND THE LIGHTS John emphasizes that many locals play important roles in creating the Holiday atmosphere that Red Hook residents have come to know and love. Though many are members of the neighborhood Civic Association (of which John is the president), others are simply dedicated community members. John recalls that Pete, a glassmaker, created s 65-foot Red Hook sign people used to see lit up at the corner of Van Brunt and Hamilton Avenue, welcoming people home as the buses turned the corner into Red Hook. A woman named Liz, he recollects, once donated hundreds of dollars to get the Red Hook sign up and running.
of their house on Van Brunt Street, but Old Time Hookers know that they’ve lived in the house all their lives and, as Annette Amendola pointed out, they are keeping the traditions of their childhood alive. Annette recalls that her mother made sure that holidays were especially cheerful for her ten children. She went out of her way to make the holidays cheerful, and Annette cannot imagine celebrating Christmas any other way. “People used to decorate, but times change,” Annette recalls before adding that “now it’s coming back, we’re seeing more.” Annette particularly loves that during the holiday season, the people in Red Hook become especially friendly, whether at church, singing and walking in the street, or just passing by and saying “Hello.” And each year, the Amendola sisters
add their own touch to brighten the holidays. Their “cativity” scene, a lit-up nativity scene set up in the small lot outside of their residence, has become a local institution. As you walk by, you will likely see a stray cat laying in the manger. All in all, Red Hook residents seem to agree that holidays in the neighborhood are something special. Mary compares the communitywrought display to something between “It’s A Wonderful Life comes to Brooklyn” and “Little Charlie Brown Christmas lights,” while Wally Bazemore, a long-time Red Hook activist and resident of the Red Hook houses, particularly loves the independent quality of the lights strung up in Red Hook. “[The city] doesn’t live here, we do,” Wally pointed out, adding, “I see the kids’ eyes light up when they see it. That’s what it’s all about.”
Though the sign has since been taken down due to both a change in building ownership and aging, John hopes to get a smaller version lit up again at what is now the Tesla Factory. Beyond the sign, there have been efforts of community other Red Hookers - great and small - which have shaped the area’s holiday tradition. Before he died, a local man called Solly would donate a tree from his stand to put up near the VFW. Ben from the Good Fork helps out, along with Mary and Ron at Dry Dock. And of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without the holiday displays done by the Amendola sisters.
NATIVITY SCENE
Some local residents may know them as the people that feed the cats outside
The Amendolas are famous for their annual Christmas Nativity presentation.
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December 2016
Vito Gentile recalls Christmas seasons past by Mary Ann Pietanza
A
apartment window. He vividly recalls many patriotic parades and religious processions from atop his father’s shoulders as a very young boy.
Vito Gentile is such a person. A writer by profession, lover of poetry, he is another Red Hook success story, one who finds it hard not to trace his accomplishments back to his family values and neighborhood influences. And while he lived in Red Hook only until his fifteenth birthday, he cannot attribute his fondest memories or his development as a child turned man, to his two successive neighborhoods of Flatbush and Washington Square. Red Hook will forever be the cornerstone of his life - his courage, his loves, his sentiments.
When he was older, camping out in front of Red Hook’s iconic DAVE’s Department Store as the owners decorated and set up huge toy trains for their Christmas display, was a sight he felt was exclusively his to behold. The elevated BQE on Hamilton Avenue that crossed over Clinton Street, created a dark overpass which tempted Vito and his friends to climb and explore the different folds of the massive steel columns supporting the highway above. They actually discovered an opening that led to a doorway and into a room, that was most likely used by the construction workers, but became a secret hiding spot for the boys!
s children of immigrant parents, we are born into this inherent double-sided life; that of our deeply rooted ethnicity in our home, and that of the views we form from our neighborhood surroundings.
Born in 1944 just prior to the end of World War II, privileges him with an era in Red Hook that most of us can only imagine, and oftentimes, can leave us speechless with a lifestyle that was ruled by religion, morality and the disciplinary lengths that were taken to grow boys into men and girls into ladies. Yet, surprisingly, no one felt like a victim. Vito’s father, Vitoantonio Gentile, was born in Mola di Bari, and came to Red Hook’s shores in the 1920’s just prior to the crash on Wall Street, where he met Vito’s mother, Clementina, whose Neapolitan parents had settled in Red Hook years before. They were married in Sacred Hearts, a church that was founded by Mother Cabrini that was built for the exploding Italian immigrant population at that time, but was eventually demolished due to the construction of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in the 1940s. Many years later, Vito managed to find a picture of the church, which deeply touched his mother. She, and many like her, felt the void and heartache of the destruction that took place because of the BQE project. Clementina cried tears of happiness and sadness upon seeing the photo, a moment that still resonates with Vito. The Gentiles were typically Italian. They were family oriented, living with some extended family members, in addition to their seven children, in a quaint apartment on 4th Place between Court and Smith Streets, down the street from the current Molese Club. In fact, Vito’s father was instrumental in bringing Mola’s statuary patron saint to Red Hook in 1948. Life during the fifties in Red Hook, according to Vito, was a boy’s dream come true. When he was little, he had fond memories of the trolleys on Court Street that slowly glided their way to and from Atlantic Avenue in two way traffic. As with any boys’ fascination with transit vehicles, Vito felt blessed to be able to watch the IND F train as it cruised in and out of the underground Carroll Street Station from the elevated West 9th Street Station from his
Red Hook Star-Revue
Vito remembers when there was no security in sight, he’d sneak into the Red Hook houses and pretend that he was an elevator operator! And if anyone has ever wondered about the reasoning behind having those two partial gates, separated by a gap, on either side of the Summit Street foot bridge on Hicks Street, it was erected to slow down the speedy foot traffic of rambunctious young boys who would run like mad over the bridge and couldn’t stop with gravity’s force and, oftentimes, ran into oncoming traffic in front of St. Stephen’s Church. One hates to think of the tragedies that probably occurred due to poor designing, but hopes it actually saved many lives through the years. In his book, “Little Christmas” Vito goes into detail about his childhood life while attending school and church at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea; the church where mobster, or gangster, Al Capone had married his Irish
maiden, Mae Josephine Coughlin in 1918. During the fifties, the school was run by the Franciscan Brothers, who showed no mercy regarding the expectations of their students with respect to God, clergy and one’s parents. Vito reminisces about one Brother Angelus, who according to neighborhood legend, had once been a professional boxer who punched out so many opponents, he developed a dead middle finger. A finger that he effectively administered quick strikes of disciplinary action with when boys were not paying attention during mass or some other infraction that went against school rules. According to Vito, “Brother Angelus’ domain reached well beyond the boundaries of St. Mary’s and its schoolyard.” In keeping with the era’s philosophy of the village raising the child, Vito remembers being levitated by a set of huge hands that pulled him from a mountain of beautiful, white fluffy snow one winter afternoon. He came face-to-face with the egregious Brother who decided to teach him a lesson for playing in the snow in his school clothes that, unbeknownst to an innocent, playful Vito, were painstakingly provided to him by his hardworking parents. His punishment was having his face shoved into the snow, which Vito claimed was more fun than either of them thought! Perhaps his most entertaining tales in “Little Christmas” were those of the traditions of his Italian Christmases, starting with the thorough cleaning and painting of their apartment in November, the official start of the Christmas season on December 8th (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception), the preparation of Struffoli (Italian Christmas cookies) and the infamous
Vito Gentile in front of his tree
Christmas Eve fish dinner (24 of them versus the more commonly known seven) to the finale of Christmas, the Feast of the Epiphany, known as Little Christmas, in celebration of the Three Wise Men arriving at the manger of Jesus’ birth. This is a portion of Christmas that most Italians still acknowledge and/or celebrate. Vito Gentile is an engaging writer, spinning his tales with stark truth and time-honored humor. He takes his readers back to Carroll Gardens, when it was still Red Hook, to a by-gone era that offsprings desperately wish to recapture generations later. I would encourage anyone who loves culture and neighborhood history to read “Little Christmas.” It is a perfect Christmas gift from one of our own. (Vito Gentile has resided in England and currently lives on the East end of Long Island. He could be contacted at augustfirststarts@aol.com)
Tree lighting traditions continue by NathanWeiser
D
ecember is a major holiday season and there will be many community tree lightings in Red Hook to properly celebrate.
ceremony later the same week organized by the Carroll Gardens Association. According to Ben FullerGoogins, who is the Programing and Planning Director, this will be their 10th annual community tree lighting.
One place that will be participating in a customary tree lighting ceremony is PS 15 - Patrick F. Daly Magnet School of the Arts. PS 15 is an elementary school located at 71 Sullivan St, between Van Brunt Street and Wolcott Street. The school is a two-story beige building with a large schoolyard and has been in operation for decades. According to PS 15 Parent Coordinator Tiffany Zelaya, the school’s tree lighting will be on Tuesday, December 6 at 4 pm. The lighting will take place in the school’s courtyard, which is a certified bird sanctuary. The ceremony will be PS 15’s eighth annual event and is highly anticipated by many in the community.
PS 15 lights their tree on Tuesday Dec. 6
“I do know that the community likes for this event to happen,” Zelaya said. “That is why we do it as a school.” Besides the actual tree lighting, there will also be refreshments and caroling for all to enjoy. “There will be kids from the school and the [tree lighting] is welcome to people in the neighborhood too,” Zelaya added. “We are a very neighborhood friendly school.”
CGA TREE LIGHTING
There will be another tree lighting
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The ceremony will be held at Human Compass Community Garden, which is at the corner of Sackett and Columbia Street. The event will go from 6-7:30 pm. on Friday, December 9. CGA’s tree lighting will have a local flair for people of all ages to enjoy. The event is geared towards families, with a Santa that comes and gives out toys, according to FullerGoogins. “We have a band that comes, an afro/rap/jazz band, and then food gets donated from different restaurants in the community,” Fuller-Googins said.
December 2016, Page 15
Who Was Sol Goodman, anyway? The Story of Red Hoook’s Rec Center
R
by Nathan Weiser
Red Hook, was impacted and damaged by Hurricane Sandy in late 2012, and it didn’t open again nearly two months after the hurricane hit the neighborhood. The surge filled the center’s basement with water, which Born in Brooklyn in 1917, Goldman led to the two months of repairs. dropped out of Brooklyn College to This summer, renovations took place run his father’s grocery store in 1935, to modernize the doors to the buildand later on started buying foreclosed ing and add new flooring in the weight properties at low prices in the 1950s. room. He would add the Chrysler Building in The Rec Center has many activities 1960. for people of all ages during the year ed Hook’s Recreation Center and enormous outdoor pool, open during the summer through Labor Day, is named after Sol Goldman, who was a real estate mogul in New York City.
Despite setbacks in the 1970s, Goldman appeared in the first Forbes 400 list of richest Americans in 1982, with a net worth estimated at $200 million. When he died in 1987, that number had grown to $1 billion. According to Crystal Howard from the Parks Department, during the 1991 fiscal crisis in New York City, the Goldman family donated $2 million to help keep the outdoor pools open during the summer. The Red Hook Pool and Recreation Center was named for Sol Goldman shortly after. The Sol Goldman Red Hook Recreation Center, located at 155 Bay Street right across from the baseball and soccer field, was built in 1939 and originally operated as a bathhouse. The Rec Center, as well as the rest of
to utilize. There is a basketball court, a weight room, pool table, cardio room, an after-school room, a computer resource center, and other rooms for the neighborhood to use and enjoy. For adults ages 25-61, the Rec Center costs $150 for a one-year membership and $75 for a six-month membership. The cost of a yearly membership for people with disabilities, seniors 62 and over, veterans and young adults 18-24 is $25. All youth from 1-17 can use the Rec Center for free with ID. The computer resource center has a special schedule for classes and activities. Examples include intro to audio production, adult/senior open access, intro to email, intro to digital photography for teens, digital media club for teens, intro to MS Word for adults and
The Red Hook pool is a popular part of the Rec Center
seniors, and homework help for chil- These classes are available for toddlers up through seniors. The earliest class dren. Membership activities available dur- begins at 6 AM and the last class ends ing this season are: weight loss for at 8 PM. seniors, cardio and strength training, billiards, soccer for teens, learn to play basketball, self-defense for adults and teens, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and chess classes for adults and teens.
From Monday-Friday, the building opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 8:00 p.m. On Saturdays, the Rec Center opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 4:00 p.m.
Floor Damage puts Senior Center work in limbo by Nathan Weiser
I
n 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the original Red Hook Senior Center. Today, the seniors of Red Hook are still waiting to move back into a center of their own. While they wait, they are using a room in the basement of the nearby Miccio Center.
floor, which was deteriorating due to damages caused by a water tank leak underground, heat, humidity and poor ventilation over time.”
According to Byrd, every time it has been announced that it would open on a given date, that date has come and gone, and then the process has started all over again.
en appliances and other equipment at this time, according to Byrd.
The spokesperson added that the issue with the flooring became obvious in the late stages of construction when workers gained access to the under“When you are doing construction, side of the concrete following the final and it is something that has been im- clearing of crawlspaces beneath the pacted by Hurricane Sandy, of course, site. and it is an old building to start with, Flooring issues are preventing progyou never know what you are going ress on other aspects of the senior to find,” Bea Byrd, who is both on the center as well – some of the construcboard of the New York City Housing tion requires equipment that can’t go Authority (NYCHA) and a Red Hook in until everything is stable and seresident, said. “That has been the sto- cure. The floor is not going to be able ry here.” to hold the refrigerators, stoves, kitch-
“Even if I say it’s opening in January or February, January or February could come and conceivably it is not done,” Byrd said. Construction on the building has uncovered many problems, such as the building’s roof, which had to be repaired in previous years. Currently, structural concerns having to do with flooring in this old building have halted progress, according to Byrd. A NYCHA spokesperson explained, “the project was delayed due to an unforeseen issue with the concrete
Page 16 Red Hook Star-Revue
Carlos Menchaca addresses an early discussion meeting concerning the Senior Center
The city and NYCHA have had to to address the deterioration of the go back to try to find funds to fix the concrete floor, we will work towards building. securing funding to complete the “They thought it would be $2 million at work,” the NYCHA representative said. first,” Byrd said. “That $2 million a few During this process, NYCHA and years ago has now ballooned to maybe elected officials have said that they $4 million now. When you open up the want to do it one time and want to do facility construction-wise, you are going it right. They want to make sure everyto find things that you didn’t anticipate.” thing is taken care of before the doors NYCHA is currently working with en- open and seniors walk through. gineers, designers and contractors to “It is frustrating for everybody,” Byrd assess and determine the best solu- said. “It is frustrating for the seniors. tion for repairing the concrete slab It is frustrating for the elected officials that has deteriorated. The spokesper- who say I am going to get it done for son said that they expect to have an you and then it comes and goes and official cost estimate soon. it’s not done. Everybody is frustrated.” “Once we receive a final cost estimate In the beginning of the process of
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planning the new Red Hook Senior Center, there were tenant association meetings every other week about the new building. However, that schedule has become too much for people, so they are not meeting as often. Byrd believes the construction company is doing all that they can to get the job done. “I am sure it is nobody’s fault,” Byrd added. “It is just the state of the building.” The spokesperson for NYCHA added that they are committed to completing the senior center as soon as possible. Like Byrd, she noted that safety is a priority and that they need to make sure everything is secure.
December 2016
Long before "Pre-K was for all"
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At PSCH, school readiness is our goal, our commitment, and our promise.
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Red Hook Star-Revue
Continuous 2 year program [ages 2.9 yrs - 5yrs]
718.858.8111
info@pscheadstart.com
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December 2016, Page 17
Summit opens IKEArenovated College Center to community
Summit Academy unveiled its newly renovated College and Career Readiness Center Thursday, November 10. The renovations were designed and paid for by IKEA Brooklyn, and the grand opening was marked by an official ribbon cutting and speeches from both staff and students. “I literally burst into tears when I saw this beautiful space,” said Summit’s Principal, Cheryl Swift. “We’re so excited that the hard work that our scholars are doing and that our staff is doing, is actually in a beautiful place. IKEA has done such a fabulous job putting it together.” The College and Career Readiness Center will be a resource for Summit’s students as well as others in the community hoping to get a secondary education. Counselors and space will both be available to those working on applications, essays, financial aid. “The reality is, children in Red Hook and the local communities deserve an opportunity to go to college,” says Natasha Campbell, Summit’s founder and executive director. “Everyone in this building, we are working to make sure that college is not just a dream or a model, a mission statement or a banner - we are working to make sure that it is your reality.” 93 percent of Summit’s graduates were accepted to and are attending
The
college, according to Swift – and she’s hoping for a 100 percent matriculation rate from the class of 2017. “We want you all to be a beacon of hope in this community,” says Campbell. “We want you all to be the example, so that those who don’t choose college straight out of high school know that it’s still an option.” The College and Career Readiness Center will be open to the entire community on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, as well as certain Saturdays which will be posted on Red Hook HUB. Visitors will have full access to Summit’s staff, computer work stations, and library. “IKEA paid for everything, they came in and they designed everything, so we’re so excited to share that,” says Campbell. “We want to move the entire community towards college graduation.”
PSA1
(continued from page 7)
ing over noise complaints, or other issues, you’re bringing together not just those neighbors but maybe their family members or maybe other neighbors,” said Berman. The conventional process could involve one of the two parties getting an order of protection against the other, rendering them more divided than ever. ”Oftentimes these are friends, neighbors, or family members,” Berman continued. “When you tell them they can’t talk to one another, and they can’t be near one another, then you’re literally breaking these communities apart.”
Red Hook StarªRevue
BARS!
There are so many to choose from. In this day and age, so modern in many respects yet so arcane in others, the familiar sight of a long countertop placed before a shelf of bright gleaming shiny multicolored mysterious profane delicious bottles of warmth and good cheer is a comfort and a joy. Whether you are drinking alone, looking to mingle, or already have one or two friends of your very own, Red Hook and its environs has the saloon, cocktail lounge, dive, drinking hole, cantina, or sports bar for you.
“She didn’t have family in this city, so she was living by herself with a child and a random boyfriend, and she had to take measures in her own hands,” remembered Bazemore. “Eventually she opened up. We had her call her mother and reestablish a relationship, and we had her send a letter to Target apologizing.” Another case involved adult siblings who lived together and had been fighting for years. Healing steps in that instance involved the brother agreeing to wash dishes on certain days and the sister replacing the iPad she had thrown out their window in frustration. Cases involving disputes between parents and their teenagers may involve family outings.
A Good Rapport
Up until this point, Williams and his colleagues (Officers Louis, Trim, and Centeno) have only interacted with the Peacemaking program through referrals. “Let’s say there’s a dispute between mother and daughter,” said Williams. “We’ll hear about it, we’ll do a check-up on the family and make sure they’re okay, we’ll listen to the story. We’ll interview the mom, interview the daughter, and we’ll say ‘you know what? This could probably be ad-
RED HOOK
BAIT & TACKLE
Seaborne
Quiet cash-only cocktail lounge. Mon-Sat, noon-3 am; Sun noon - midnight. 718-852-4888. 228 Van Brunt Street.
Sunnys
You won’t find any food at this crusty establishment, but you will find a lot of taxidermied animals. 3pm-4am M-F, 1pm4am Sat & Sun. (718) 451-4665. 320 Van Brunt St. LIVE MUSIC 9PM MONDAYS
Botanica
Fancy cocktails and rare beers - from the folks who brought you Widow Jane distillery next door. Mon. closed; Tue, Wed 3-10 pm; Thu, Fri 3 pm -12 am; Sat 12 pm - 2 am; Sun noon-11 pm. (347) 225-0147. 220 Conover St.
But starting next week, Officer Williams and the other graduating NCOs will actually be called upon to participate in cases as trained Peacemakers. It’s an unprecedented step towards deepening community relations, putting police officers and those they serve together in a setting where everyone will feel vulnerable and, hopefully, secure. All involved are eager for the experiment. “They’re bringing a perspective that no one else in the group has,” said Berman about the NCOs. “It’s giving the community members who are training alongside them a unique window into who these officers are and how they see their roles.” Captain Gilbert is manifestly proud of her officers, and glad for the new communication skills they have gained. “With the Peacemakers, it’s one of those situations where everyone is treated equally around the table, and you get heard, which often doesn’t happen,” said Gilbert. “We’ve heard nothing but positive things when we go to the community meetings and what have you.” “When we come to sessions, we don’t come in uniform, we come dressed normally, just so it doesn’t intimidate anyone, and to show everyone that we’re on an equal playing field,” said Williams. “Those are the things that we look forward to. Showing everyone that we’re only humans, we’re all equal, there’s no power imbalance, there’s no pendulum, everyone’s the same.”
When you drink at Sunny’s you’re drinking history - this bar has been around for over 100 years. LIVE MUSIC Thu, Fri, & Sat nights. Mon closed; Tue 4 pm-2 am; Wed-Fri 4 pm-4 am; Sat 10 am–4 am; Sun, 10 am–midnight (718) 625-8211. 253 Conover St.
Verona Wine Bar
A new, low-key, family owned place. Excellent tapas, mixed drinks, and wine (of course). Mon-Tue closed; Wed-Thur 3 pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 3 pm-3 am; Sun 3 pm -9 pm. (929) 3376014. 253 Van Brunt St.
ROCKY SULLIVAN'S
outdoor patio & karaoke. Sun-Thur 4 pm-2 am; Fri-Sat 4 pm-4 am. (917) 733-1054. 200 Columbia St.
The Hop Shop
Extensive beer list with a friendly atmosphere. Mon, closed; Tue-Thur, 5 pm-midnight; Fri 5 pm-2 am; Sat, noon - 2 am; Sun noon-midnight. (718) 852-2184. 121 Columbia St.
Jalopy Tavern & Theater
Half solid bar with tasty drinks and food, half kickass venue and music school. Live music almost every night. Mon-Thur 4pm-2am; F,ri 4 pm-4 am; Sat noon-4 am; Sun 11ammidnight. (718) 395-3214. 317 Columbia St.
Mazzat
A wholesome, warm, friendly Mediterranean restaurant with tapas and full bar. Noon-10pm daily. (718) 8521652. 208 Columbia St.
Phil’s Crummy Corner
Lively sports bar with fresh, authentic Puerto Rican food. Mon, closed; Tue, Wed & Sun, noon-2 am; Thur-Sat noon-4 am. (718) 246-1252. 323 Columbia St.
Fort Defiance
DJ
Ice House
Neighborhood atmosphere with full kitchen and full bar. Weekly trivia, Irish classes, and live music most nights, including jam sessions. (718) 246-8050. 34 Van Dyke St.
Bar Tano
COLUMBIA WATERFRONT
Halyards
Cocktails and food in the heart of Van Brunt. Mon, Wed-Fri, 10 am-midnight; Sat, Sun 9 am-midnight; Tue 10 am-3 pm. (347) 453-6672. 365 Van Brunt St.
Hometown Bar-B-Que
Barbeque joint with rustic aesthetic and live music on weekends. Fri-Sat, noon - midnight; Sun noon-10 pm; Mon closed; Tue-Thur noon-11pm. (347) 294-4644. 454 Van Brunt St.
Hope & Anchor
dressed in Peacemaking.’”
BAR DIRECTORY
Cozy laid-back tavern with punk music, decent bar food and a back patio. Noon-4 am daily. (718) 222-1865. 318 Van Brunt St.
Brooklyn-style diner with karaoke Fri & Sat from 9 pm-1:30 am. Mon-Wed 11:30 am-11 pm; Thur-Fri 11:30 am 1:00 am; Sun 9 am-10 pm. (718) 2370276. 347 Van Brunt St.
Page 18 Red Hook Star-Revue
After intake and a prepping session, the parties break bread together and sit down to talk out their differences in the company of the Peacemakers. Only one person in the circle may speak at a time. After one or many sessions, the group agrees on healing steps. Bazemore remembers his first case, in which a woman was caught shoplifting diapers from Target.
B61
A friendly bar with wide-open windows, sidewalk seating, and Alma Restaurant upstairs. Mon-Fri 4 pm- 4 am; Fri 5:30-11 pm; Sat 2 pm-4 am, Sun 1 pm-4 am. (718) 643-5400. 187 Columbia St.
40 Knots
Cheap drinks, $1 pool table, juke box
www.star-revue.com
RESTAURANT & BAR
GOWANUS
Cozy Italian bar & bistro with full menu. Mon-Thur 11am–midnight; Fri 11 am–1 am; Sat 10am-1am; Sun 10 am-midnight. (718) 499-3400. 457 3rd Ave. Games, cocktails, craft & classic beers, pub food. Mon-Thur 4 pm-2 am; Fri 4 pm-4 am; Sat 2 pm-4 am; Sun noon-2 am. (347) 532-8787. 406 3rd Ave.
Lowlands Bar
Local dive with a large back patio and paninis. Mon-Thurs 5 pm-4 am; Fri 1 pm-4 am; Sat 10 am-4 am; Sun 1 pm-4 am. (347) 463-9458. 543 3rd Ave.
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December 2016
Chris Ward (Continued from page 9)
berg) for years, slowly refining it using the new knowledge and contacts he gathered in his many stepping stone positions to this final job of his.
called visionary whose vision imposes on the places we live. The Mayor has called this plan “DOA,” probably because he has his own plan to satisfy both his real estate backers and the public desire for perceived affordable housing.
Civic Association holds a big September meeting
to Governors Island from Red Hook.”
It was around this time that rumors were floated about Ward considering a mayoral run, but I guess he thought better of it and took his well-paid poThe Red Hook Association drew sitions in the Civic construction industry. a larger crowd and had a larger agenThis has all culminated in what I will daagain thancall many of the earlier absurd - his planmeetings for Souththis The September meeting westyear. Brooklyn, which he calls “Growwas held in the PS 15 auditorium ing From the Waterfront Again.” and president John McGettrick held sway The pretty little booklet begins with an over a number of local topics. over-elegant paean to NYC’s development. He began with a tirade against city “Today, City facesasaeven moment and state the government morein time that will defi ne its future demoney has been slashed fromforthe cades to come. Worldwide economic much vaunted Integrated Flood Proforces,Program. questions of equity, the whole tection Originally slated as a idea of what is a neighborhood, and $200 million project by the governor, dramatic climate change will drive it was cut in half (as reported first by and transform Newthis York rethe Star-Revue) earlier year.City When gardless. is a given. The that quesasked why, Each McGettrick was told tion becomes, can each one of these the $200 million was simply a typoquestions be answered in a way that graphical error. creates an equitable, sustainable and It now seems cut in half again, as the resilient city.” city has moved from the IFPS budget creating theItstraw - those toHaving it's flawed Build Backman program, givens Ward proposes his new ideas: which has run into huge cost overruns subway stops in Red Hook and lots while many in flood areas are still outof new residential towers in our ofgiant their homes. partfour of Brooklyn - theSandy, part of and Brooklyn "It's years since we that Ward worked in for a total four are still no closer to any sort ofofreal years. flood protection," said McGettrick. One can imaginemoved that Ward slowly reThe conversation to the new fi ned his idea for an alternative use Citi Bike stands throughout the neigh-of the container (justhas likebeen mostborhood, whichterminal some feel ly every other real estate developer, overdone. McGettrick said he would Alicia Glen the de tryincluding to get someone fromofDOT to Blasio disadministration and Mayor Bloomcuss this at the October meeting, but
The
He no doubt approached AECOM with this Robert Moses type vision and sold them this bill of goods. AE- Fiala by George COM has the development money to Our local councilman Carlos Menchagamble with, and the credibility to be ca considers this form of top-down divulged, and only hetaken feels seriously that a balance be struck by thewill media. Hence tion development disingenuous. I agree. somebody and stands removed as their us-45 because an some idea to inundate our area with age is monitored. million square feet of mostly luxury happened to look at apartments is taken by new those their website - www. No Someone asked aboutseriously the many Nojob jobtoo toobig bigor or too who believe everything they read. It thehookrc.com. No Parking signs at many corners. toosmall small was explained these 'daylight' A close look atthat a rendering that ap- McGettrick, as a way Toilets, corner trucks making Toilets,Boilers, Boilers,Heating, Heating, pearssigns in thehelp booklet reveals theturns desire of introduction to the Faucets, Hot Faucets, HotWater WaterHeaters, Heaters, onofour streets. It was the narrow real estate industry to pointed continue special guest, State Pool Heaters. out NYC has a 55 foot on Senator Pool Heaters. thethat Manhattanization of limit Brooklyn Velmanette truck traffic with that the is never enforced, that began downtown rezon- Montgomery, again and signs kind ofwho legitimize the announced his longingthese of 2004. Anyone hasn’t been larger trucks.Street McGettrick pointwould out term desire for ferry to Fulton since 1995 that also prevent smushed cars. be they shocked with the high-rise tow- service to Governors ers next that subject dwarf the The wasformerly the newneighfor- Island from the AtlanVelmanette Montgomery, fresh off a primary victory, was a borlydetox shopping and commercial area. tic Basin, something profit center being built on Van special guest along with Leon T. Gelzer, the new Sr. Mortgage Downtown usedDry to Dock the be that EDC is still conBrunt Street Brooklyn across from Development Officer at Santander Bank. (photo by Fiala) placeand where regular people workedofat sidering. Wines Spirits. Mary, co-owner places like the phone company, govmandatory for upcoming closings of Dry Dock, felt that the owners snuck Montgomery spoke of her desire to offices, without and bargain stores. libraries in Sunset Park and Brooklyn inernment their building informing see maritime uses of our waterfront Most of that is now goneher – replaced Heights, and that she would look into the community, leaving to won-by maintained -as they are a great job things like Target and Marshalls and it for Red Hook. der what kind of neighbors they will generator. She has been supporting luxury condos. end up being. a Harbor Middle School as a feeder Finally, Andrea McKnight introduced McGettrick saidfor that we were of treated The rendering our corner South- school to Governor's Island public shabbily by thefeatures community board. Harbor High School. She said that Leon T. Gelzer, newly stationed at the west Brooklyn the sprouting The center's application a such a school could be located either local Santander Bank. The bank is in of these highprevious rises starting at the condanger of violating the Community couple years ago forspreading a nearby locatainerofterminal and south- in Red Hook or Sunset Park. Reinvestment Bank - which mandates tion caused at the ward to thecontroversy Atlantic Basin, the board current and so this time property they simply bypassed Thor Equities next to IKEA, She urged everyone to vote for Hillary local banks support the surroundany community oversight and are in the upcoming presidential elec- ing community - and his mandate is parking lots owned by the O’Connells asked about plans for an to make Santander a true Red Hook building it as-of-right. The and Quadrozzi, as well as original city and tion. She was 196 ColumbiaRed Street, between Sackett & Degraw Hook bank. He has already issued a $40,000 filings for the new building werethe aspoa alternate library while the Port Authority land, including evergreenliquor@yahoo.com Library is closed for repairs next year. grant to the Red Hook Iniative for fihotel with largeringing roomsthe - only lice property Erierecently Basin. Mon. - Thurs. 11 am - 10:30 pm; Fri & Sat. 11 am - 11:30 pm; Sun. 1 pm - 9 pm She stated that such plans were made nancial education, and he is looking was real Ward natureisofnot thethe construcOf the course, only so
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October 2016, December 2016,Page Page19 19
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December 2016