Our Town - November 14, 2019

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The local paper for the Upper East Side ART FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE ◄ P.12

WEEK OFOF WEEK NOVEMBER NOVEMBER

14-20 14-20 2019 2019

INSIDE

BIG CHALLENGES FOR NEW POLICE BOSS LAW ENFORCEMENT

Dermot Shea will face criminal justice reforms and the planned closing of Rikers

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Each month, Dermot Shea sits with other top New York City police officials and the mayor to brief reporters on the latest crime statistics. In front of them, often, is a big, blue sign featuring a variation on their underlying message: “Safest Big City in America.’’

The deck is stacked against him.” Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD sergeant who now teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Appointed last Monday to be the city’s next police commissioner, Shea will soon have the ultimate responsibility for keeping it that way. But serious challenges

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Subway passengers ignore the elaborately-presented, essentially useless “Art Stop” information. Photo: Douglas Feiden

THE MUSEUM OF LOST MUSEUMS UNDERGROUND

Touring a cultural Bizarro World where the words of the MTA graphic designers are written on the subway walls. The only problem: They’re almost all outdated, confusing, inaccurate or just plain wrong.

critics, architects and preservationists seeking to save the beloved if quirky building as it advanced its broader artistic mission – reimagining how Modernism is showcased in the 21st century. MoMA bought the distinctive structure in 2011 as the smaller museum exited midtown to reclaim property it owned at 2 Lincoln Square, then in 2014, unapologetically demolished the folk-art gem. Into that void it built new gallery space, elongating its linear campus to the west. And thus, on Oct. 21, it officially unveiled its latest su-

“So what are you waiting for? Head on up and see the sights!” Display panel on a midtown E train station platform

BY DOUGLAS FEIDEN

Mayor Bill de Blasio announcing that Dermot Shea (right) will be next Commissioner of the New York Police Department, at City Hall on November 4, 2019. Photo: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

For better or worse, the latest territorial expansion of one museum on West 53rd Street could never have been accomplished without the real estate deal that triggered the total obliteration of another.

The Museum of Modern Art quite literally bulldozed its way through a controversy that erupted when it purchased the home of its nextdoor neighbor to the west, the American Folk Art Museum. It ignored the howling of

WEEK OF AUGUST

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Crime Watch Voices NYC Now City Arts

3 8 10 12

Restaurant Ratings 14 Business 16 Real Estate 17 15 Minutes 21

2019

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has seen a surge Five years in, NYC fluctuating and in cyclist deaths – and motorist numbers of pedestrian fatalities BY EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM

year that saw 299 In 2014, after a traffic-related incipeople killed in Mayor Bill de Bladents in the city, eliminate all traffic sio set out to

CONTINUED ON PAGE

6

AT LAST

WOODSTOCK SOJOURN an NYPD judge recommend at City Hall after Photography Office holds a press conference Appleton/Mayoral Mayor Bill de Blasio 2019. Photo: Michael Friday, August 2,

firing Officer Daniel

Pantaleo on

THE BILLY AND GILLY SHOW

Kamala HarWarren, Cory Booker, and Bernie debates,” longris, Amy Klobuchar for the September Pete strategist George Sanders, South Bend Mayor time Democratic doesn’t have former Texas Rep. Artz says. “De Blasioare way down Buttigieg and both Beto O’Rourke. the donors, and close, but none of A few others are in the polls.” Hank Sheinde Blasio or GilliPolitical consultant that either them are named kopf says it’s “50-50” “Any- brand. returned reBY STUART MARQUES will make the next round: Neither campaign but they’re not quests for comment. thing can happen, agree that Warde Blasio faced to qualify.” Pundits generally When Mayor Bill held off the more Gillibrand – likely a minimum of Candidates need to ren and Sanderson the first night. off with Sen. Kirsten Democratic presi- 130,000 unique donors and have moderate field and eight other in four qualigot high marks on – on July 31, it Booker and Yang and hit at least 2 percent dential hopefuls the last Billy candidates have the second night, but Biden a might have marked presidential fying polls. Eight the polls. and are assured at the are still ahead in hit those marks and Gilly Show largely igon Sept. 12 Harris Gillibrand Houston and in De Blasio debates. ei- spot onstage Presiawful tough for are former Vice 18 “It’s going to be and and 13. They Senators Elizabeth CONTINUED ON PAGE get the donors dent Joe Biden, ther of them to needed to qualify polling numbers”

POLITICS

dim for Presidential prospects Democratic New Yorkers on the debate stage

C i e Watch

Legendary Chelsea bookstore launched a fundraising campaign to help pay for its move to a new location. p. 16

THE FLOOR IS OPEN

It’s standing room only for slams at the Nuyorican Poets Café. p. 15 Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday, November 15 – 4:20 pm. For more information visit www.chabbaduppereastside.com.

◄ 15 MINUTES,

INSIDE

SAFETY

BOOKS OF WONDER PLAGUED BY DEBT

Eastsider just For East Side residents, major having access is a accomplishment. p.5

IS VISION ZERO WORKING?

Friends, family members, employers and local officials turned out in support. p. 9

‘MY HANDS ARE OUTSTRETCHED’ P. 19

f d h e s, p gs ng st ts alng ish ass eel

SUTTON PARK,

chair of the City Ydanis Rodriguez, committee, Council’s transportation street s afety on speaks at a rally for steps of City Hall legislation on the McCarten/NYC May 8. Photo: John Council

HONORING BUILDING SERVICE WORKER AWARD WINNERS

3

14 Restaurant Ratings 16

day Jon Friedman on a 8 love and music. p.

of peace,

SURVIVNG YOUR SUMMER COLD

seasonal How to deal with thefeel worse virus that makes usp. 2 than a winter bug.

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