Our Town East Side - Latest Comments

Re: A Fishy Business

Upper — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:25:17 -0000

This sounds like NIMBY to me.

Re: Bellevue One of the Few

Aravind — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:12:41 -0000

Good job and keep up the good work. Our children deserve this.

Re: A Fishy Business

Ellen — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:08:42 -0000

Another thing I find troubling: there are comparatively few parks along the East River and Carl Schurz Park is probably the most beautiful and most utilized. Everyone comes, every language is heard, every age group represented. The benches that face outward to that broad expanse of water where the two rivers meet is one of the most beautiful sights on either side of Manhattan and is a real haven for seniors, among others, who occupy those benches any day when the weather isn't terrible. They are barely 2 blocks from the proposed garbage station. With one sweep of their political hands, Ms. Quinn and Mr. Bloomberg wipe off the face of the East Side the best children's fitness center and the most serviceable loveliest park along the East River.

Re: A Fishy Business

Halgofish — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:23:26 -0000

As an upper east side resident I find it appalling that this mayor and his rubber stanp political followers like Christine Quinn have the nerve to attempt to force this enviromental
disaster upon our residential neighborhood. I can assure you that if Mr. Bloomberg was living in Gracie mansion this fools idea would never happen. This marine transfer station is ill planned, ill conceived, and should never be allowed to be built. There are groups of fisherman always"trying to catch" right in the shadow of the old building, and if they are
always there that means there are fish. I am a fisherman and have been all my life and I know that the stripe bass, an endangered and protected species not only spawns and
feeds along the shoreline of the east river but it is also a migratory route for them. The
ACE should never allow such a traveristy to occur, not only for the reasons I listed, but
because of the negative impact this will have on our community. Let the Mayor look
in industrial areas where this belongs and stop refussing to do so. The entire upper east side community is united in making this issue Mr Mayor's "Waterloo."

Re: A Fishy Business

Caroline — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:34:45 -0000

Where is Bloomberg's head?

Re: A Fishy Business

Vstolt — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:42:35 -0000

I recall sleepless nights due to noise from garbage trucks lining up to the old MTS, which was five times smaller than the proposed one. Since the old MTS closed, the number of children in the area has mushroomed and so has amenities catering to families.

Using rail to transport garbage out of Manhattan would be environmentally sounder, and the old West Side Yard has the rail infrastructure. However, the City struck a deal with wealthy real estate developers to create the Hudson Yard and another deal with Waste Management regarding Manhattan's trash business - to be processed in the middle of Asphalt Green before being shipped off to an unknown destination.

Re: A Fishy Business

Serene379 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:17:09 -0000

It's a shame that "federal legislation" does not protect thousands of New York City families, the elderly and children from the harmful, wrong-headed, fiscally unsound and "just plain dumb" ideas of our local elected officials, including Mayor Bloomberg and Christine Quinn. This outrageously expensive (in excess of $190 million of our hard-earned tax dollars), proposed garbage dump in the middle of a highly-populated residential neighborhood and heavily-used playing fields and a children's playground, just a stone's throw from public housing projects and schools, is a monument to the mayoral ego, at a time when the city is firing teachers, cutting our police force and closing firehouses, schools and libraries. Shameful. It is particularly shameful that Christine Quinn refuses to comment or visit the site located at Asphalt Green, one of the city's jewels, and a nationally-recognized recreational facility lauded for working with hundreds of thousands of children, city-wide, year after year. And, just to be clear: the vast majority of Manhattan's residential trash is NOT trucked through disadvantaged neighborhoods, but to waste-to-energy facilities in New Jersey, which is an environmentally sound and cost-effective strategy for coping with our borough's waste. Something about "this deal" smells a lot more "fishy" than the striped bass in the East River. Thank you for this illuminating article.

Re: The Truth About Sybil

themoonwithin — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:52:14 -0000

It's terribly sad that sensationalism about things like this, whether or not the case of Sybil was truly one of multiplicity or not, end up hurting people that actually are part of the plural community because of misinformed and widespread public thoughts on the topic.

Re: From Diapers to Fixing Toilets

Aldo Vilela — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:55:32 -0000

Great Job Ivan ... Congratulations!! You deserve all the accolades ... very happy for you

Re: The 5 Ugliest Buildings on the Upper East Side

suskiem43 — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:48:12 -0000

The summary of my comments about 154 East 64th Street, aka 835-839 Lexington Avenue, omitted an important point. This building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, section 7, page 63. In spite of this important designation the structure has been severely neglected. The East 64th Street Lexington to Third Avenue Neighbors Association has never advocated the replacement of this contextual and formerly elegant property. This structure, the gateway to our street, with peeling pink paint, crumbling window frames, dangling wires, exposed conduits and other potential violations should be restored.
Susan Mindel, Co-President
The East 64th Street Lexington to Third Avenue Neighbors Association

Re: Neighbors Wonâ€™t See the Light of New Cancer Center

Onewhoknows — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:27:55 -0000

The windows are lot line windows. they have enjoyed the light all of these years, but they do not own it. By law, (NYS MDL) they are required to seal the windows at their own expense and ensure that all habitable rooms (bedrooms) have light. If a room does not have light (30' out from the window to the sky) , it is not a legal bedroom. DOB can write a $5000 violation if they see a bed in a room that has no light. This is an Occupancy Contrary ECB violation, and can, as per MDL 302, allow the lender to foreclose on the entire building. Talk about a butterfly causing a hurricane.

On the other hand, the argument regarding the need for 2 floors above grade is weak.

Re: Neighbors Wonâ€™t See the Light of New Cancer Center

Eric McClure — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:04:42 -0000

Opponents of the plan have very justifiable concerns. But booing a cancer patient? There's a great way to win sympathy.

Re: Getting By With A Little Help From Camp Friends

Camp4u — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:50:36 -0000

We of, The Camp Connection, www.thecampconnection.com want to extend our thanks to the Manhattan Media papers for acknowledging our proud lineage of assisting families in finding summer programs for their children. We are a FREE personalized service that has helping parents for over 25 years in finding that wonderful sleepaway camp for their children. We've referenced the camps, visited the camps and referred the camps...We are an accurate source of reliable information! 800-834-2267or camp4u@thcampconnection.com

Re: Analog House Calls

David — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:29:27 -0000

It's really great to see the different ways that old & new can intersect and arrive at something new & different. I love the idea of combining the tactile and auditory experience of an old typewriter with a usb connection to the digital age. Plus there's the question of how the slower more careful pace of an old typewriter impacts the user and the creative muse and output. I want to hear more about this!

Re: Working Out a Way to Really Take Pounds Off in 2012

Marji — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:12:31 -0000

Matthew Cole was my Pilates instructor in Chicago-he was wonderful and a great motivator.. New York is lucky to have him.

Re: Opponents Bash Landlord’s Hardship Claims

CBerns — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:58:15 -0000

These are beautiful LANDMARKED buildings on the Upper East Side on Manhattan!! The buildings are HOMES to many lifelong tenants! It would be an egregious act committed upon the community if this FALSE "Hardship Application" is passed. Oh and by the way Stahl, my friend was just told that studios go for $1800!!! 3X the so called $600 max you claim you could get!

Re: Opponents Bash Landlord’s Hardship Claims

Monica McLaughlin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:58:39 -0000

This is NOT a landmark issue!!! No one, including owner the Stahl Organization, is trying to de-landmark First Avenue Estate! In 2006, the LPC unanimously voted to reinstate the landmark status of the 2 buildings that had lost landmark status in 1990. In 2007, the NYC City Council voted unanimously to affirm the decision of the LPC. In 2008 Stahl lost a NY Supreme Court case to de-landmark the buildings. That decision was upheld by the NY Supreme Court Appellate Division in 2010.

In October 2010, Stahl put in a hardship application to the LPC seeking a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the 2 buildings based on claims that the landmarking of these buildings created an economic hardship and that the buildings are incapable of providing a sufficient economic return as per RCNY 25-309. Stahl claims that the buildings lose money because maximum rents the 100 warehoused market rate apartments could bring in if rented is $600, and that before being able to rent them, $4.5 million dollars of renovations are required to make them legally habitable. (This is a joke and is correctly portrayed in this article.)

Please correct the misinformation. I speak as an attorney when I say that there is a very important legal distinction between what this paper reported and what the buildings' status actually is. An important public hearing at the LPC is to take place on January 24 on this matter. No one should be mislead regarding the issues and fail to object appropriately either with live or written testimony. The legal repercussions for just such an error could be disastrous for tenants and friends of First Avenue Estate.

Re: Subway Sickness?

ROBBIE MICHAELS — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:49:56 -0000

I THINK THIS IS A MUCH BIGGER CONCERN THAN MEETS THE EYE.
OUR LIVES ARE AT STEAK AND DO U THINK THE CITY CARES AS LONG AS THEY BUILD THEIR SUBWAY???
DID THEY CARE ABOUT 9/11???

Re: The Best of the Pinot Noirs

Cboggs — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:08:10 -0000

Happy New Year Josh. Thank you for the great recommendation of our Row 11 Vinas 3 Pinot Noir. We're glad you're a fan. With best regards,
Craig
Row Eleven Wine Co135 Third StreetSan Rafael, CA 94901www.rowelevenwines.com

Re: Fired By My Doctor

Thriftyshopper2001-2012 — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:22:14 -0000

Dr.Rosenthal said he would fire you once you reached medicare age and that he doesn't like taking on older people? I don't what you heard: but I know Dr.Rosethal for years ( and I am not by any means wealthy-as a matter of fact I pay out of pocket. For my health insurance to cover him, I would have to have a lot more visits.

Dr.Jesse Rosenthal is one of the most caring doctors that I have ever met. I think you simply don't "click". It sounds as though you have a personal bias.

If, think this is a problem-hope to God, OBAMA CARE doesn't take effect-because then all of options will be out the window.

Re: An Age-Old Problem, Alcoholism, Also Hits the Aged

Charlene Rubush — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:06:49 -0000

Thank you for this most informative article. It is startling to know how many seniors have this problem. It is also heartbreaking. I believe we could call this a national epidemic and the cost to society is incalcuable.
I've had relatives, male and female, who suffered this fate. It is so hard for the loved ones who have to deal with someone whose brain is chemically altered. I don't know what the answer is, but we need to keep talking about this and keep it in the news.

Re: Don’t Trash the Upper East Side

Yorkville Human — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:35:25 -0000

Quote from New York City League of Conservation Voters--in support of moving away from the MTS to landfill model(Speakers included city officials.) It's not environmentally sound and we can't afford it. We need new alternatives.

"New York City ships 10,500 tons of residential waste to out-of-state landfills every day? That
adds up to nearly 27 million miles a year -- all on large, long-haul
trucks that spew massive amounts of climate-warming emissions into our
air.
New York City is lagging behind
other major cities in the adoption of new technologies, even as our
current system grows more and more expensive. Isn't it time for the Big
Apple to rethink its solid waste management strategy -- and soon?"
http://nylcv.org/newsroom/rele...

Re: Don’t Trash the Upper East Side

Mauricio Gonzalez — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:25:39 -0000

New York City has a history of fighting over where its garbage and pollution should go. The North River Waste Water Treatment Plant that recieves pumped Upper West side waste to Harlem comes to mind first. If you make an inventory of where the worst air quality is and the highest asthma/cancer rates are because of air quality in NYC, visit the following web site (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/nat... and you may begin to understand that we're all in the sinking boat together. None of our children's playgrounds are ideal. The city just finished building the Harlem River Park by the Harlem River Drive, the Bus depots, and the Harlem bridges that recieve all diesel powered commercial traffic. This area used to be a dumping ground for service infrastructure for decades while Harlem children grew up having no idea where the Harlem River was. The kids now have a place to fish and one day bikers from Yorkville will be able to ride around manhattan because of this effort to build a greenbelt around the island. What we all need is to play our part in solving the BIG picture. We need BIG - LONG TERM CITY WIDE solutions that go beyond neighborhood feuds. The 2nd avenue subway is another such idea. It will help reduce traffic and pollution in Yorkville and other neighborhoods. These are BIG ideas that make all of NY better. Getting back to Mr. Garfields arguments - they're too local and too small in scope. I applaud Mr. Bloomberg and Dr. Orton for seeing beyond the petty arguments and thinking of how our city should be led into the next 100 years. (I'm a school teacher/marine biologist and am typically against this administration's decisions with regards to education policy but suppotive of their environmental foresight.) Mr. Garfield dissects Dr. Orton's opinion in incomplete snippets that would be given a C grade at best for analysis.Clarification: Dr. Orton refers to trucking the garbage "through" and not "to" low income neighborhoods. What we also really need is to decrease our waste production, all 720 tons of it! Don't lose sight of the BIG picture, we're all breathing each other's air. At best, Mr. Garfield's article is aimed to inflame and incite community residents. The only "sane" idea Mr. Garfield proposes is the LONG TERM solution of improving recycling. Let's add this idea to the MTS if it's not already there, along with pushing for alternative-fuel-powered garbage trucks. Don't mistake long term planning with INSANE ideas.

Re: Don’t Trash the Upper East Side

Yorkville Human — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:51:27 -0000

I wanted to address another issue in Mr Orton's article--how many trucks a day are fine to run on a driveway adjacent to a athletic facility where thousands of children play a year--really the only playing field for soccer, football and baseball in the area? Please come visit some time and explain to the taxpaying parents how
ruining a facility built with millions of taxpayer dollars is a sound idea with the added benefit of poisoning their children with diesel exhaust. Did it ever occur to you that maybe something else is going on here? Also please not that your perspective is not new--it's straight from Mayor Bloomberg's office!

Re: Don’t Trash the Upper East Side

Yorkville Human — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:41:24 -0000

You can not be serious. Where do you think the garbage goes after is goes off the boat? It will then be transported by truck or rail to some distant location at great cost to the environment and to the city. Even the city admits this. Shouldn't we be demanding that the city amp up its recycling efforts and get on the reduce, reuse, recycle bandwagon. The MTS plan is now nearly 10 years old--technology has changed. Also you should read up on the history of this project--it was pure politics. Heavy handed Bloomberg overruling the city council.
BTW, what will you say when the first resident of this densely populated area is hit by a truck?