The local paper for the Upper er East Side CHRONICLING A MANHATTAN BREAKUP < Q&A, P.21
WEEK OF JULY
16-22 2015
COUNCIL BILL WOULD GROUND CHOPPERS TOURS
THE LEGEND OF JOHN BLAIR
Forthcoming city council bill would permanently ground helicopter tourism
A chance encounter, a homeless man, the story of a life
BY DANIEL FITZSIMMONS
As a proposed ban on horse carriages appears to have stalled in the city council, another effort targeting a different sector of the tourism industry is working up a head of steam. A forthcoming bill from Councilman Carlos Menchaca, who represents the Sunset Park and Red Hook neighborhoods of Brooklyn, would permanently ban helicopter tours around New York City. “The negative contribution of tourist helicopters to air quality and noise is well documented, and has — for many years — been a real problem for New Yorkers,” Menchaca said in an announcement. “On the ground, we are hearing from residents about the real need for allies in government — in the City Council, we are ready to be that ally.” While the legislation is still being drafted and has yet to be introduced, advocates on both sides of the issue are marshaling resources for the fight ahead. Helicopter Matters, a pro-helicopter industry group, told this newspaper they’re gearing up for a fight and will seek to protect the 200 jobs that are at stake. “The coalition has engaged with City Hall in good faith, and we’ve engaged a lobbyist,” a company spokesperson said. “We’re having meetings and we’re working on a compromise.” On the other side, the forthcoming bill already has a certain amount of
PERSONAL STORY BY BLOSSOM BENEDICT
There is a man I keep in my phone whom I can never call. And while I know he will never pick up, I can’t erase his number. It makes me smile to see his name. And reminds me of the adventures awaiting only a breath away when
you say yes. I had just returned from a retreat. The one where I sat in the water. I had managed to bring this magic back through a muggy airport, three connecting flights and now stood on a street filled with taxis and screaming drills. I glided across the street to get a slice of New York’s finest. Cheese with extra parmesan. I started my way back across the street, toward my 71st St. hole in the wall I treasured. “Hey miss, can you help me up the curb?” His wheelchair was stuck on the lip of the sidewalk. I responded automatically and grabbed the handles of his chair to push. I was about to walk away, when his tone stopped me. “What are you?” he asked me. “What’s your name kid?” he asked. And that was the beginning. John Ellington Blair was a homeless man who lived on the corner of 71st and Broadway and went by the name Master John. A wheelchair filled with musical instruments and knick knacks, he was a bit of a local character. A big black garbage bag wrapped around one of his legs. “Keeps the moisture off the cast when I sleep he explained.” He swore he could make me a star. After two minutes of knowing me he was utterly convinced. “Wow, a homeless agent” I thought to myself. “I’m really moving up!” But I gave him my cell phone number when I left. No, I don’t know why.
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Our Take THE MAYOR AND THE HOUSING BUBBLE Mayor Bill de Blasio has had more than his share of hapless moments since he came into office, and we haven’t been shy about using this space to point them out. So it only seems fair to give him credit when it’s due, as in this week’s announcement that his administration has created or preserved more than 20,000 affordable housing units in the city. The new housing is a first step towards de Blasio’s goal of 200,000 affordable units over a decade, among the more audacious -- and laudable -efforts of his administration. There is, of course, lots to bicker with here. The web site Goathamist.com points out that even the 20,000 number is tiny; recently, 93,000 New Yorkers applied for housing slots in Queens alone. But the mayor is doing the right thing here. Housing affordability has become a defining crisis for the city, and doing nothing -- or, as Michael Bloomberg chose, letting developers do it themselves -- are not viable options. de Blasio’s efforts make the city accessbile to thousands of New Yorkers who previously had little hope. Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candles every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday July 17 – 8:06 pm. For more information visit www.chabaduppereastside.com.
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Fabulous upcoming New York State events and must-sees at ILoveNY.com/summer15 and inside!
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