The
Red Hook StarªRevue
NOVEMBER 2013
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FREE
“Skip” Williams - hospital hitman
“T
his community has been lied to,” said Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio. “At the same time [that] SUNY and the Governor promised everything possible was being done to save LICH, they were preparing to sell it off to the highest bidder.” “SUNY is violating a court order to keep this hospital open, and we won’t let it stand,” de Blasio said. “The same luxury condos being put up over St. Vincent’s will soon rise over LICH if we don’t stop this in its tracks.” One man stands leading that charge: SUNY Downstate President, Dr. John “Skip” Williams. School Chancellor, Nancy Zimpher and the SUNY Board of Trustees have stood behind Williams’ decisions to close Long Island College Hospital. In a memorandum on March 19, 2013, Zimpher wrote to the board, “The proposed resolution expresses the Board’s approval and support for the President of SUNY Downstate Medical Center [Williams] having submitted a plan […]
by Kimberly Gail Price to cease operation of [LICH] as a fullservice inpatient hospital facility.” In a press release from the same day, SUNY said, “We commend Dr. John
LICH may have blinded many to a more sinister purpose to seize its assets and dismantle the hospital,” she wrote. In August, SUNY chose a man well
“In January 2003, Williams was named Provost – or senior academic administrator - of GWU. On August 23 that same year, George Washington University Hospital closed the doors.”
Williams and his team at Downstate Medical for their commitment to preserving and ultimately strengthening this hidden jewel of the SUNY system,” by closing LICH. SUNY officials may have put plans in place long before Williams was hired, as suggested by Kings County Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice, Carolyn Demarest. In August 2013, she overturned her original decision to grant ownership of LICH to SUNY Downstate Medical Center (DMC). “The wave of enthusiasm for a solution that would preserve
seasoned in leading a medical school to the eventual closure of a university run hospital. For that purpose, the truth speaks clearly on why McCall considers Williams to be “precisely what we have been looking for.”
A change of leadership Dr. John LaRosa preceded Williams as President of DMC from 1999 until June 2012. Prior to that, LaRosa served as the chancellor of Tulane University Medical Center. From 1987-1991, he served as dean of clinical affairs, and dean of research from 1991-1994 at George
John Williams (photo by Kimberly Gail Price)
Washington University (GWU). During LaRosa’s time at GWU, Williams was working first as an assistant professor of anesthesiology, then as an assistant dean for admissions, and finally, as Associate Vice President for Graduate Medical Education and Spe(continued on page 3)
Elite private school to be built near Red Hook Houses
A
private K-12 school catering to parents who can afford $23,500 annual tuition is about to receive a variance allowing it to be constructed in Red Hook. It will be built on what is now a truck parking lot at 556 Columbia Street. That location is across from Red Hook Park, close to IKEA and about two blocks from the Red Hook Houses. The operators of the school, BASIS Independent, run a number of charter schools in Arizona, Texas and Washington DC. The company is owned by a husband and wife who were granted their first charter school in Tucson, Arizona in 1998. They opened a second in 2003, and have received the support of Craig Barret, founder of the Intel Corporation, who is used to promote the schools on their website. Preparation for this school began as early as last summer, when a builder contracted by BASIS had an environmental study performed on the property. The
by George Fiala
only obstacle they now face is approval from the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) for a special use variance to operate a school in an M-1-1 Special Mixed Use site. That hearing is scheduled for December 15. They have already received approval from a CB6 committee at a meeting at the Miccio Center held on November 14th. The CB6 Executive Board is expected to rubber stamp it’s approval at their December 11 Executive Board meeting.
Not much publicity For those not paying attention, a for-profit private school two blocks away from the Red Hook Houses comes as a complete surprise. Meeting notices were only required to be posted up to 400 feet away from the property, an area pretty much unoccupied. Neither Lillie Marshall or Dorothy Shields, presidents of the East and West Tenant Associations, were notified. Wally Bazemore, local activist living on Columbia Street, was surprised to hear about this plan when contacted
The truck parking lot which is the future location of the BASIS school. (photo by Stefanie Deji)
by the Star-Revue. Red Hook investigator John McGettrick only found out by scanning upcoming hearings of the Board of Standards and Appeals. Dan Wiley, from Nydia Velazquez’s office, stated that since no government funding
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
is asked for, BSA approval is probably all they will need to start building. According to DNAinfo, a representative from BASIS told CB6 that they chose Red Hook because of its proximity to (continued on page 18)
The The
Red Hook StarªRevue Red Hook StarªRevue BROOKLYN’S SOUTH COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
NOVEMBER, 2013
VOLUME 4 NO. 12
In just two short years we Table of Contents have grown from a novelty Gowanus ROD................... 4 Basement winery....... 10 Digital Stewards. ................ 6 Thanksgiving............. 12 to an institution. Red Hook West elections... 7 Banksy &Rhapp......... 19 The Red Hook S Project Hope...................... 9 Parade....................... 20 tarª MAY 16 - 31, 201 2
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The Fashion world of Jean Paul Gaultier: From Sidewalk to the Catwalk will be on display at the Brooklyn Museum through February 23, 2015. 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Museum is the final venue for WAR/PHOTOGRAPHY: Images of Armed Conflict and Its Aftermath on view November 8-February 2, 2014. 200 Eastern Parkway TRACES: Drawing in Motion by Sepideh Salehi and Kamran Taherimoghaddam runs through Saturday, November 23 at Kentler International Drawing Space. An artists’ talk will be held in the space on November 23 at 4 pm. 353 Van Brunt Street
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garage ng artists democrating is a descrip mechanic’s of emergi ed ideas The followi is a former the exhibition and impart and place where WORK izing in g exchanged web site: a time ont special artists have of barriers. In tted to bringin and our Hook waterfr tion is commi 0 WORK the dissolu 201 reflection. ive, WORK y 2007, space in June ion and more expans l discuss Since Januar g to utilize the critica bigger and circles, for for more, cally, seekin searching into close next door. many are of culture a is right matters r Botteg important Street, Scoote at 65 Union is Work
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Thank you Brooklyn!
Sacred Hearts St. Stephen Church is having Thanksgiving mass. The Children’s parish choir will make their very first debut. For information or to have your kids dressed up as pilgrims or Native Americans, call 718596-0880. 125 Summit Street. 7 pm.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28 101 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 Kimberly@redhookstar.com
718 624-5568 www.RedHookStar.com
Star-Revue Community Calendar COMMUNITY BOARD 6: ALL MEETINGS AT 6:30 PM
Mon Nov 18: Economic/Waterfront/Community Development & Housing meets with EDC and Port Authority on ferry service, shore power initiative, Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, Red Hook Containerport and Cross Harbor tunnel. Cobble Hill Health Center, 380 Henry Street Wed Nov 20: Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs with the Department of Parks & Recreation Cobble Hill. Community Meeting Room, 250 Baltic Street Thurs Nov 21: Transportation/Public Safety and Landmarks/Land Use Committee Meeting to discuss New York Methodist Hospital for the Zoning Resolution to permit construction of a new ambulatory care facility. John Jay Educational Campus, 237 7th Avenue, Auditorium. 6 pm Mon Nov 25: Environmental Protection/Permits & Licenses 78th Police Precinct, 65 6th Avenue, 4th floor Court Room
Prospect Park Track Club’s Turkey Trot 5-miler. Kick off the holiday season with one of the biggest Brooklyn running events of the year! Medals will be awarded all registered finishers and souvenirs guaranteed to the first 2,500 registered entrants. Begins at 9 am. Starts and finishes at the Oriental Pavilion, off the Lincoln Road entrance.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4
Futures in Education of The Diocese of Brooklyn presents The Spirit of Christmas concert featuring the New York Tenors Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. There will be a 5 pm dinner at the Marco Polo restaurant on Court Street. The bus leaves there at 7 pm for the 8 pm concert and returns at 11 pm. $120 pays for dinner, the bus, and concert. Reserve your tickets at 718596-7750 or info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com. First come, first serve.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 5
Join BGI for Greenway+Industry for a champagne reception, dinner, cocktails, live music and dessert from 6-10 pm at Brooklyn Industry City. Purchase tickets at http://www.brooklyngreenway.org/events.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
Target First Saturday. A celebration of Brooklyn-based artist, Wangechi Mutu. Includes live performances, pop-up gallery talks, Artist talks, hands-on art. FREE. 5-11pm Brooklyn Museum 200 Eastern Pkwy.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
Tues Nov 26: Youth/Human Services/Education to discuss local educational issues with Margaret Kelley, Education Policy Analyst, Office of the Brooklyn Borough President. Park Slope Armory, 1402 8th Avenue
Education author and historian, Diane Ravitch will have a conversation about the future of public education in the PS 15 Library from 5-7 pm. Her new book, Reign of Error, will be discussed; participants are encouraged to discussion questions corresponding with the book. 71 Sullivan Street
Thurs Dec 5: Landmarks/Land Use. 527 Court Street. 6 pm
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
Wed Dec 11: General Board Meeting. Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Court Room
OTHER MEETINGS & EVENTS Tuesday, Nov 19: Gowanus Community Advisory Meeting, open to the public, 6:30 pm, St. Mary Star of the Sea home, 41 1st Street. NY Rising Community Meeting, Help envision resiliency plans for Red Hook. Community participation urgently needed. 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Miccio Center, 110 West 9th Street. The Brooklyn City Council Speaker Forum will address what the Speaker does, who is running on January 4, and what they stand for from 6-8 pm. Brooklyn Borough Hall 209 Joralemon St. Wednesday, Nov 20: The Senior Edge Series will discuss Techniques for Senior Fitness from 1:30-2:30 pm at the Carroll Gardens Library. 396 Clinton Street Thursday, Nov 21: Volunteer Communication Network meets to create a resilient people-driven communication network at 6 pm at South Brooklyn Community High School. 173 Conover St.
The Carroll Gardens Association begins their Christmas Toy Drive to benefit neighborhood children. Drop-off locations are 201 Columbia Street from 9 am-5 pm Monday through Friday, (201 Columbia Street), and House of Pizza Calzone on Saturdays and Sundays (132 Union Street).
ONGOING
Find and Seek, a new children’s program at The Red Hook Library meets every Friday in the back classroom from 10:30 am-2 pm. Story Play, for ages 0-5, is a hybrid approach to storytelling, puppet shows, and facilitated and imaginative play from 10:30-11:15. Materials Lab: Explore recycled and natural materials for ages 3-5 runs from 12-2 pm. Come, hear, and enjoy NYC’s exciting weekly music series Roots n’ Ruckus at The Jalopy Theatre and School of Music. Every Wednesday at 9 pm. FREE. 315 Columbia Street. Smith Street Stage performs Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in Carroll Park December 4-15. Performances are Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 5 and 8 pm, and Sundays at 8 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. The show takes place in the brick building nearest to Smith and Carroll Streets.
Tues Dec 3: 76th Precinct Update. 191 Union Street 7:30 pm
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November 2013
John Williams - upwardly rising failure (continued from page 1)
cial Projects at GWU. On June 12, 2012, LaRosa abruptly resigned. According to a New York Times article printed on June 13, 2012, LaRosa “gave no explanation” for his notice, which took effect “immediately.” The Times also noted “the latest disruption to face the institution” may have been the result of “an [April 2012] audit spurred by anonymous tips [that] revealed fake bids for construction contracts and other procurement problems.” LaRosa had also “criticized [the] recommendation” of the Medicaid Redesign Team to consolidate services into LICH, and was himself highly criticized in the Stromberg Report. The day of LaRosa’s resignation, SUNY’s Chancellor, Nancy Zimpher met with the board of trustees to request a $75 million line of credit, “convertible later into a loan,” to support DMC’s restructuring and “ensure a successful transformation.” The letter states, “The campus may be provided with a one-time influx of cash to enable it to address a shortfall of operating funds.” The memo also goes on to point out that, “Downstate’s need for funds is not necessarily one-time or short-term.” On June, 13, 2012, Dr. Ian Taylor was appointed officer-in-charge of DMC. In his acceptance speech, Taylor said he looked forward to working with SUNY “over the next several months” to continue “high quality medical care to our patients” as well as “top-notch educational services to our students.” However, Taylor’s appointment was much briefer than “several months,” as he had anticipated as the process for replacing a major medical school president can be lengthy. Taylor held this position for 49 days - only 7 weeks - before Dr. John “Skip” Williams was hired and took the helm.
Williams appointed SUNY’s Board of Trustees held a special meeting on August 1, and voted unanimously to appoint Williams from “on or about” August 20, 2012 through August 20, 2014. Chancellor Zimpher said, “Dr. Williams has achieved all the important titles necessary for the leadership [at] George Washington University.” Chairman of the Board, Carl McCall said, “Do whatever is possible to save Downstate.” Williams called his new position a “daunting challenge” to “get this institution to the tipping point” of financial stability over a five to ten year period. He expressed gratitude to be back in his hometown of Brooklyn. “This is a very, very unique campus, and it’s one that has to survive,” he said. “And I pledge to make it survive.” McCall followed his comments with optimism. “What we are looking for is not only for you to bring about the stability that Downstate needs, but also to show us the new model for delivering healthcare and education in this community,” he said. “We are with you all the way, and we have great confidence that you will show us the way.”
Red Hook Star-Revue
Despite the lack of a search committee for a new president, McCall also said in a press statement released by the university, “With his extensive experience at The George Washington University and its own medical center, Dr. Williams is precisely what we have been looking for to lead SUNY through its
the school on probation was the reason for the evaluation, but not the cause of the probationary status.
ago as 2001 still had not been addressed when the school was put on probation,” The Post reported.
The ACGME is based on established guidelines and standards for post-MD medical training programs in the US. All graduating doctors must graduate from an ACGME accredited school to be certified. Probationary status means the school must correct any violation, or risk losing their accreditation.
The article also pointed to Williams’ “conflict of interest” of “focus[ing] on improving the hospital’s bottom line rather than investing in medical education, research and training.”
The Post also reported that SMHS was the only school of 129 accredited programs nation-wide on probation - “only the fifth” in 15 years. Losing their accreditation was “a stroke that would effectively kill the program.” Williams is quoted in the article blaming the probationary status on “curriculum management;” “administrative processes,” and an “inadequate study lounge space.” He also noted that “some of the problems [had already] been corrected.”
Bill de Blasio marching over the Brooklyn Bridge in support of LICH
financial restructuring.” Williams’ salary totals $650,000 plus amenities: $350,000 in state salary; $300,000 of “annual compensation from other sources;” up to $80,000 per year for housing costs; and use of a campus vehicle. In addition to the increased salary, Williams will be “eligible for two merit pay bonuses” of $25,000 each “after the conclusion of nine and eighteen months of service.” His contract, surprisingly, is only for two years. LaRosa - after 13 years - was earning a salary of $605,000 annually, plus $66,000 a year for housing and use of a university vehicle. Despite SUNY’s financial woes, Williams’ annual paycheck included an extra $45,000 with a $14,000 housing increase for his first two years. Before being hired at SUNY Downstate as President of the medical school, Dr. John Franklin Williams, Jr. spent nearly three decades at George Washington University (GWU). After completing his residency there in 1982, he quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Provost for the school in January 2003. At the same time he also served as the Vice President for Health Affairs, professor of Anesthesiology and Co-Director of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of George Washington University Hospital (GWUH). In 2009, The Washington Post reported that Williams’ income totaled $772,500.
Academic probation In October 2008, GWU’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) was put on probation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for “being out of compliance on several standards,” The Washington Post reported. The article also noted that the evaluation placing
On February 23, 2009, another article entitled, “Medical’s School’s Problems Were Worse Than Described” by The Washington Post said, “School officials said the reasons were mostly superficial matters.” The Post had obtained “confidential evaluation documents and interviews” revealing SMHS had “deficiencies” that were “considerably more serious.” “GWU has done an inadequate job of monitoring students’ time with patients and ensuring that those clinical experiences relate to classroom learning. Student debt levels are among the highest in the country. “Students complained of mistreatment. Problems flagged as long
After more than fifteen months, officials announced the GWU medical school had been taken off of academic probation in February 2010. GWU’s accreditation “never lapsed” and credibility of the medical programs’ degrees did not suffer as a result. Two years later, Williams was facing complaints about the residency program at LICH and would have to face another evaluation. By eliminating the residency program, investigation of complaints could not be evaluated. Downstate pulled the residents and did not replace them, manufacturing their own staffing shortage. In mid-July 2013, Downstate was placed on academic probation, again under the leadership of John Williams. The “unfavorable status,” as defined by ACGME was issued because SUNY is under contract for two residential sites; after removing residents from LICH, Downstate was only maintaining one. In the ACGME Accreditation Decisions Report for the 2012-2013 Academic Year, SUNY Downstate is the only school in the nation listed as an “Institution with an Unfavorable Status.” In a SUNY Board of Trustees meeting, (continued on page 8)
LICH UPDATE by Jeff Strabone, Cobble Hill Association
State University of New York’s (SUNY) contempt hearing scheduled for Monday has been postponed for a month to allow new negotiations a chance. The Cobble Hill Association and our allies in the movement to save Long Island College Hospital (LICH) have agreed to a four-week adjournment of SUNY’s contempt hearing scheduled for Monday. The hearing would have called to the Court the SUNY Board of Trustees on accusations of criminal and civil contempt. As stated in Justice Johnny Lee Baynes’s Order to Show Cause on November 12, at stake was the question of whether the Court would “assess fines of $250,000 per day until such time as the Long Island College Hospital (LICH) is fully operational and provides the same level of services it provided on April 1, 2013.” This contempt hearing has now been postponed until December 16, pending new negotiations between the parties. According to the Agreement signed by the parties, “During the Standstill Period, SUNY shall devote sufficient resources to maintain, and shall maintain, current services at LICH, including but not limited to BLS [Basic Life Support] ambulance service, and shall not effectuate any layoffs during the Standstill Period.” If at any point during the four-week Standstill Period SUNY violates the Agreement, we are entitled to ask the Court to resume contempt proceedings immediately. What makes this four-week period different from previous delays? After nearly a year of silence, Governor Cuomo’s own counsel has joined the negotiations over the future of LICH. We welcome - at long last - the governor’s attention. It seems that the threat of a contempt hearing and fines finally got his full attention. During the next four weeks, the parties will attempt to negotiate a resolution to the ongoing litigation. If no resolution is reached, the contempt hearing will proceed on December 16. The Cobble Hill Association and our allies will seek from these negotiations the protection of LICH’s assets and mission, the restoration of medical services, and full transparency in the RFP process to find a new operator for LICH. After a year of intransigence from the SUNY Trustees, we are cautiously optimistic that the Governor’s involvement may make progress possible.
www.RedHookStar.com
November 2013 Page 3
Star-Revue
News Briefs
New restaurant
Communications
They are a family owned restaurant that has expanded over the past ten years with restaurants in Long Island, Queens, and New Jersey. This will be their first Brooklyn venture. They specialize in paninis, but their lunch and dinner menu also includes soups, salads, specialty pizzas, bruschette and other entree items encompassing pasta and meat dishes.
The Red Hook Communication Working Group is set to develop the Volunteer Communication Network, a chain of select individuals who will be relied upon to relay information to neighbors in the case of an emergency.
Columbia Street diners have been without an Italian restaurant ever since Caselnova closed their doors a few months ago. However, the tradition of Italian dining at 215 Columbia will continue when La Bottega Italian Gourmet opens on December 1st.
For a better idea about what is coming, they have a detailed web site which includes menus. This can be seen at http:// www.labottegagourmet.com.
Fish Fry
Robbie, a fixture at Bait and Tackle as well as at all the good fishing spots, has started a neighborhood music jam every Tuesday night at Bait n’ Tackle. The jam, called the Tuesday Night Fish Fry, is anchored by a rhythm section that brings with them a drum kit and bass amp. It’s an open mike, and singers, guitarists, horn players and keyboardists are welcome. The jam begins at 9:30 pm and ends around midnight. All kinds of music are welcome. And of course what’s played depends on the players. Robbie says there is kind of a jazz undertone. All are invited - and a fully stocked bar is of course right there!
Millman sponsors laws On November 14, Governor Cuomo signed into law two bills sponsored by Assemblywoman Joan Millman. The first extends the expiration date of the foster family care demonstration program for an additional four years. This program was established as a community based alternative to care in a residential health care facility. The bill received unanimous bi-partisan support in the Assembly and the State Senate. The second bill will require the director of the New York State Office of the Aging to develop materials relating to elder abuse awareness. Such materials will be distributed to social adult day services programs for employees and volunteers. The materials will help identify ways to discuss suspected elder abuse with seniors while providing resources for counseling and shelter. “I am pleased to see these bills become law so that we can protect some of the most vulnerable members of our society, seniors and foster children”, said Millman. The Assemblywoman went on to say, “since becoming Chairwoman of the Assembly Aging Committee I have made it my focus to address the issues surrounding elder abuse. All too often a senior citizen’s plea for help goes unnoticed”.
While the neighborhood still mourns its losses from some twelve months ago, most residents will tell how they got through the storm—they depended on each other. Fortunately, there are several blossoming organizations that intend on solidifying the community as one of togetherness and neighborly love for years to come.
The initiative, seemingly founded by local organizer and humanist Reg Flowers, will train those selected to deliver the information both accurately and with great haste. Youth Empowerment Coordinator Corbin Laedlein of Added Value Farm in Red Hook has been graciously involved as well. Alongside Flowers, he has helped to prepare some of the first of the volunteers. A number of these canvassers have recently gone door-to-door in hopes of gathering the names and contact information of people who would be interested in volunteering to represent their block or building. On November 21, South Brooklyn High School will host the orientation; those involved will help to make Red Hook a “stronger and more resilient community.” To anyone that may be interested in getting involved or nominating a neighbor should contact rhcommunications@gmail.com. - Ric Luca
A little less Home/made
Home/made on Van Brunt Street has decided to close its doors on its dinner service until further notice. The service has failed to regain its sales to its pre-Sandy levels since the restaurant’s reopening in July. The bright side is that Brunch will still be served and is now being expanded to weekdays, except Mondays, starting at 9 am. It will still feature all of its favorites plus soup and lunch specials. There will still be private dinner parties and special events at the restaurant and the Atelier Roquette hall on Commerce Street.
Kentler introduces app
The Kentler International Drawing Space has launched their free iPhone app on June 30th. The Kentler App features artist information, an interactive map of the B61 Bus, subways, and surrounding ferries, and an interactive drawing pad for kids. According to program manager, Sallie Mize, the app has been a helpful tool that leads people to the gallery. iPhone users also can read information about the artists and collections, or “flatlines,” sign their children up for events, and access the gallery’s blog. It is available on the iTunes App Store to download.
Lillie Marshall and Phaedra Thomas at an EPA outreach meeting at PS 15.
Page 4 Red Hook Star-Revue
www.RedHookStar.com
November 2013
Gowanus Superfund cleanup plan becomes Federal law
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f everything goes according to plan, by 2022 the Gowanus Canal will be a hub for waterfront recreation, clamming and fishing and a pristine spot in the middle of South Brooklyn for nature lovers. The EPA’s Record of Decision (ROD) is the blueprint for the cleanup. In March 2010, the Gowanus was named a Federal Superfund site due to the extreme toxicity that the city and state of New York has been unable to mitigate on their own. The process is spelled out in the 1980 federal law which created the Superfund. There are six distinct phases in that process. The ROD is the fourth phase - preceded by the Preliminary Assessment/ Site Inspection, the Site Listing and then the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS). Following the ROD are Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/ RA) and Construction Completion. The upcoming design process is planned to take three years, with the actual construction six. The ROD was presented on September 30, on the banks of the Gowanus in the Lowes parking lot. The next day the EPA shut down, along with much of the rest of the Federal Government. The 16 day shutdown delayed the community presentation, which finally took place in Gowanus and Red Hook on November 13 and 14. The Red Hook meeting was held at the South Brooklyn HS. A small crowd listened politely to a brief presentation and were able to ask the Project Manager questions. Many of the questions were technical. There was no controversy, unlike earlier meetings in which many protested the possibility that toxic materials might be left in Red Hook. The Gowanus Community Advisory Group (CAG) was set up by the EPA as in intermediary organization between the CAG and the community. It is composed of representatives from local organizations as well as concerned at-large members. At the October CAG meeting Project Manager Christos Tsiamis stated that the ROD is now law, a fact he repeated in Red Hook. The EPA is the enforcement agency to ensure that the $504 million plan in implemented on schedule. The EPA named 29 businesses as Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), who are responsible for bearing the cost of the cleanup. The PRPs are being held accountable for the 150 years of pollution that they, or antecedent companies introduced into the Canal. For example, National Grid, who owns the assets of the polluting Brooklyn Union Gas Company, is responsible for a lion’s share of the cost without having themselves polluted. Some of the entities will simply pay into the cleanup fund, while others - including National Grid - will be actively involved in planning and hiring the contractors to do the work. This process is closely supervised by the EPA to make sure everything is done correctly. In addition to the dredging and capping, the clean-up will require new infrastructure so that once cleaned, recontamination does not occur. This includes erecting barrier walls to prevent adjacent toxic areas from leaching poisons into the waterway, and most importantly, preventing the sewage overflows that continually introduce human and manufacturing
Red Hook Star-Revue
by George Fiala wastes into the canal. The responses received during the Public Commentary period (Star-Revue, October 2013) show that National Grid is especially concerned about recontamination. They have a proprietary interest in making sure that the money they pay to clean the canal is not wasted. The second largest PRP is the City of New York, a continuing critic of the Superfund designation. They claimed that the designation would hold back development adjacent to the canal, and that planned improvements, including sewer upgrades and bioswales, would do the EPA’s work to clean up the waterway. However, that proved wrong on both counts, as the Lighthouse Group is preparing 700 apartments adjacent to the Canal. The city’s plans would only cut the overflows by 34%, an insufficient amount according to the EPA. Their plan will cut overflows by as much as 79%. The City may also be unhappy to bear the expense. The ROD is very similar to the initial plans presented to the community in December 2011 and 2012. At least five feet of sludge will be dredged out of the canal, detoxified and sent out of state for disposal. A tiered layer will be placed above the new bottom of the canal to prevent the poisons below, mostly coal tar, from leaching upwards. Bulkheads, which may be damaged during the dredging, will be cleaned and rebuilt - in most cases maintaining their historical integrity. Debris in the canal - including at least two sunken ships - will be removed. A turning basin, an offshoot of the main waterway , that was filled in at 5th Street and 3rd Avenue will be restored. The ROD demands two giant containers, called retention tanks, be built. One will hold eight million gallons of liquid, the other, four million. The EPA suggested that these be placed under the Double D park at Third Avenue between Douglass and Degraw Streets. Much of the Gowanus community voiced complaints about this. The EPA’s response was that this was only a suggestion, they don’t care where the containers are placed, only that they are placed somewhere. The purpose of these containers is to
keep the sewage overflows from dumping into the canal. Currently, during heavy rainstorms the sewers overflow. Raw sewage dumps into the canal along with the excess rainwater. The two underground retention tanks will act as temporary storage facilities, holding the sewage until it can be safely sent to the Red Hook or Owl’s Head treatment plants. The ROD has two The EPA’s Natalie Loney discusses the chronology of the main changes from cleanup, while Christos Tsiamis waits to discuss the science. the original proposals. One is the revival of the 5th Street Turning Basin. In that originally lobbied for the CDF continue case, the EPA responded to a suggestion. to be present at EPA meetings. The second is the decision not to use The ROD takes into consideration fudredged material from part of the canal ture Gowanus development. It mandates to create on-site landfill. An option to that all development activities take care add ten acres of landfill was proposed to not to introduce new pollution into the be placed for the Gowanus Bay Terminal canal. During the recent CAG meeting, (GBX). The GBX is a privately owned Tsiamis explained that a harsh enforceparcel which includes the NYC Grain ment mechanism exists and will be used. Terminal building. It is adjacent to the The EPA will continue to monitor the Red Hook ballfields. Citing community canal even after the construction is comopposition, this idea was nixed and the pleted. Any entity that is found polluting sludge will be transported out of the area. the Canal, such as the Lightstone Group, or any future project, will be named a Dewatering to be decided There are still decisions to be made. One PRP and become financially responsible that might involve Red Hook is the pro- for the cleanup and future maintenance. cess of “dewatering.” The dredged mate- This severe financial penalty provides a rial is full of canal water, which has to be huge incentive for following the law. separated out. This can be done on the The ROD - and it’s many pages of ancilbarges as it is lifted out of the canal, or on lary documents - is available to the public land. On page 85 of the ROD it says: “A on the Gowanus EPA website. The plan temporary on-Site facility may be neces- is ambitious. Tsiamis and Loney have sary for dewatering, water treatment and/ said that the only threat to the cleanup or transfer of dredged sediments. To the would be the dismantling of the EPA. extent practicable, such operations may There will be continuing community take place on barges.” input during the planning and construcGBX, which lies at the foot of the ca- tion phase, both through the CAG meetnal, might be considered for this facility. ings, which are open to the public, and One of the reasons that NYC previously direct comments to their team. Natalie plagued Red Hook with Waste Transfer Loney, Community Involvement CoorFacilities was its proximity to the wa- dinator, is readily available by phone or terfront. Garbage is collected and then email. Her number is (212) 637-3639. loaded onto waiting barges for transport The Cag next meets on January 23 at St. out of state. Sludge would be treated Mary’s Star of the Sea, 41 1st Street in the same way. GBX representatives who Gowanus.
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November 2013 Page 5
CGA looks to the future of the Columbia Waterfront District by George Fiala
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he Carroll Gardens Association (CGA) welcomed interested residents and business owners in what they called a “Commercial Corridor Visioning” session at the offices of the Red Hook Star-Revue, on Wednesday, November 6. The dynamic part of the meeting was the breaking out into six groups where ideas to invigorate the business community were discussed and shared. In addition, a new merchants association was announced and invitation were given. The previous merchants association for the Columbia Waterfront District (CWD), disbanded about three years ago, mostly due to disinterest. This time, with the positive energy of their new Community Program Coordinator, Lindsay Donnellon, interest is increasing. A lack of population density, as well as some bad historical events - including the building of the BQE and the infamous sewer construction project in the 1970’s - caused business to migrate from a once vibrant Columbia Street to Court Street. Restaurants that move
here complain of a dearth of business during the week. Residents are faced with a fragmented shopping experience. A trip over the BQE is necessary to find a supermarket, butcher or fruit store. Businesses complain of a lack of parking. The B71, which used to connect the CWD with Park Slope was shut down. The closest bank is out of the immediate area. The satellite postal station is gone. Some creative suggestions came out of the meeting. A municipal parking lot to replace the parking area ill-used by the Port Authority was suggested at the foot of Union Street. Catherine Clark, from the Brooklyn General Store would like to see old fashioned pushcarts with new fangled goods be during weekend shopping scene on Union Street. Someone suggested light rail. The return of the large standing clock that once adorned the intersection of Union and Columbia was spoken of. Merchants long for a CitiBike rack that would bring people to the area. A few years ago, a plan was made to
make the BQE crossing easier. People are wondering why it has not been acted on. Some are starting to wonder why there isn’t access to the waterfront. This is, after all, the Columbia Waterfront Lindsey Donnellon greets neighbors at the CGA Visioning meeting that District. A took place at the Star-Revue offices (photo by Fiala). popular suggestion was a weekly farmer’s market. a performance space, and the creative Someone else suggested a First Saturday, use of empty shipping containers. featuring musicians organized by Jalopy. Donnellon is busily compiling the most Other suggestions included ferry service, popular suggestions and will be making more mom and pop stores, a movie the- a presentation at the Community Board ater featuring foreign films with perhaps next month.
RHI’S DIGITAL STEWARDS BRING COMMUNITY WI-FI by Stefanie Deji
A
group of young adults from the Red Hook Initiative (RHI) ages 19-24 is bringing free WiFi to the Red Hook community. The group, also known as the Digital Stewards, has created the wireless network, Red Hook WiFi during the past year as employees of the Red Hook Initiative. They’re hoping that it will bring much-needed resources such as legal aid, homework help, and employment opportunities. The network plans to expand throughout Red Hook’s busiest areas such as Clinton, Lorraine, and Van Brunt Streets and hopes to cover about 80% of those streets by the end of the year.
Hook community, they also created two apps hosted on the local network by a program called Tidepools, designed by Baldwin with the input of Red Hook residents. The “Where’s the B61 Bus?” and “Stop and Frisk” apps enhanced communication while at the same time served the needs of the community.
RHI’s Director of Media Programs, Anthony Schloss, created the program in late 2012. Inspired by the lack of communication options in the Red Hook Houses, he constructed it as a way to bridge the digital divide that exists in the neighborhood. “The digital divide,” Schloss explains, “is the difference between those who have access to and know how to utilize computers and the Internet for resources that can benefit them in their lives and those that don’t.”
Community based internet
When the hurricane hit, RHI served as a central hub for food, blankets, cell phone charging, and also wireless internet access. When FEMA saw all of the work that was done, they provided RHI a satellite uplink that enabled Schloss and Baldwin to expand the network and create a hotspot in Coffey Park for residents and relief workers. One of the things that makes Red Hook WiFi unique is that the local infrastructure is 100% percent maintained by the Digital Stewards themselves, and aims to be owned and operated by community members. Instead of using national Internet Service Providers such as Time Warner and Verizon, Red Hook WiFi partnered with Brooklyn Fiber, a local Red Hook business that supplies Internet access to about 100 clients in the neighborhood. Red Hook WiFi uses a mesh network, which is structured like a spider web allowing nodes to connect to each other. When one node goes down, the others take its place, allowing the internet to operate without any interruptions. The Stewards plan that the network can also be used locally without access to the Internet to share information.
ing Red Hook youth. The young adult participants work four to five days a week in a year-long fellowship. They receive training in technology-based skills such as network maintenance, website development, media production, wiring, installation, and app development. To learn these skills, they’ve worked alongside experienced field analysts from OTI and Brooklyn Fiber to create Red Hook WiFi. Salaries are paid for by RHI funding and the NYC Works Progress Program. This year the Digital Stewards have attended many conferences and events, including the Allied Media Conference in Detroit, and recently, the International Summit for Community Wireless Networks in Berlin, Germany. Five more young adults were hired to be part of the Digital Steward Street Team this June. Together they attended a monthlong “Digital Bootcamp,” a media production workshop with other young adults from South Brooklyn Community High School, led by facilitators from Dance Theater Etcetera and RHI. They created videos and commercials of local businesses that will be featured on the WiFi network’s homepage.
ards figure out areas that are most likely to receive coverage through factors such as clear pedestrian space, the height of the building and weather conditions. After contacting businesses and organizations, they place a wireless router called a node on either a window or a rooftop. If successful, a user then is able to connect to the internet by first checking of the Terms of Service that is on the homepage. After that the user sees the redhookwifi.org splashpage. It acts like a bulletin board board letting the local resident know all of the latest happenings in the neighborhood. Businesses and organizations can also post latest news, updates, and employment opportunities there.
KLYN O O R B
The lack of communication opportunities in the Red Hook was also another motivation to create the program. “For example, teens at RHI spend all year creating amazing workshops for their peers, and then have real difficulty getting the invitations and information out to the community. And of course, having a strong and stable way of sharing information could make a real change in times of disaster and also during ‘normal’ times”.
Earlier in 2012, Schloss collaborated with Open Technology Institute Field Analyst Jonathan Baldwin to experiment in creating a local wireless network. Based on crucial needs of the Red
Page 6 Red Hook Star-Revue
There are now eight Digital Stewards in the RHI program. The Digital Stewards program was originally an open source curriculum developed by the Open Technology Institute (OTI) and Allied Media Projects in Detroit. OTI and RHI adapted the curriculum and to offer job training and align with RHI’s mission of support-
The program has been a hit with the Stewards themselves. “It taught me a lot about technical work and it’s cool because I get to meet a lot of different people,” said Larry Fishburne, one of the members of the street team. “I like creating the WiFi network and I am gaining new skills that I can possibly make a career out of,” explains Digital Steward Tiwan Burrus. After the program ends, some of them will go on to further technology-based training and internships. Others will go on to work at jobs in technology companies and even start their own businesses.
Red Hook WiFi’s coverage is built through strategic planning. The stew-
www.RedHookStar.com
“I think that it’s a wonderful opportunity for young Red Hook residents to explore a career path in technology,” says Schloss. Many of the Stewards are happy contributing to their community and developing skills. Each year, more Digital Stewards will be hired, and Red Hook’s coverage will be expanded even further. They plan to negotiate with NYCHA about putting the WiFi network into Red Hook Housing, while organizing meetings and participatory budgeting strategies. Five years from now, Red Hook WiFi will serve as a central hub for community information while leading Red Hook into the future.
November 2013
Former PAVE space provides community for special needs children by Angela Johnson-Archer
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n 2010, Eliza Factor wanted to create a haven for children with disabilities where they would be able to play and relax, rather than focus on their limitations. As the mother of a son with severe autism and cerebral palsy, she had a first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by special needs children and their families, who often feel the need to protect and explain the child to others. Factor established Extreme Kids and Crew, which welcomes children with both cognitive and physical disabilities, and seeks to connect and empower them through the arts, movement and play. The program has recently made a home in Red Hook - in the P.S. 15 space formerly occupied by PAVE Academy Charter School. Partnerships with popular organizations allows Extreme Kids and Crew to offer a variety of classes and workshops, including Circus Arts with Gym Stars and Music Therapy with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. There is also a theater arts program for tweens offered in conjunction with The Miracle Project, which was profiled in the award-winning HBO documentary, Autism: The Musical. In addition to the classes, the space is
used for Open Play on Sunday afternoons. Here, kids can engage their senses with a host of activities including a ball pit, tire swing and various musical instruments, while families share stories and offer support to one another. An annual membership affords families a discount on classes along with 10 free Open Play sessions. Caitlin Cassaro, who serves as Executive Director, found Extreme Kids and Crew while searching for a supportive environment for her own family – her son Shane has Sensory Processing Disorder and ADHD. “I found Eliza’s ‘Founder Letter’ on the [Extreme Kids and Crew] website and was moved to tears,” she says.
Warm reaction
The Extreme community relaxes at PS 15. (photo courtesy of Extreme Kids and Crew Facebook page)
Cassaro began donating her time and experience with non-profit business management and quickly connected with the other families within the community. Her role is now focused on developing the programming and deepening the organization’s reach within the community. She is pleased with the warm reception Extreme Kids and Crew has received so far.
hard to turn away from,” she says. “We saw a kindred spirit and knew we had found our next home.”
“The spirit of PS 15 and Red Hook was
Funding for the programming is gener-
In 2014, Extreme Kids and Crew plans to expand their programming to include after school programming, an Arts Education Program in partnership with Red Hook’s Kentler International Drawing Space, and a spoken word program for siblings of special needs children.
ated through donations and foundation grants. For more information, visit www.extremekidsandcrew.org, or call (347) 410-6050. Extreme Kids & Crew Current Programming Schedule Thursdays, 4 pm: Circus Arts Saturdays, 10 am and 11 am: Music Therapy with Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Sundays, 11 am: MusicWorks Sundays, 12 pm to 4 pm: OPEN PLAY Sundays, 4:30 pm: Miracle Project
Red Hook West to vote for officers by George Fiala
I
t was a full house at 428 Columbia Street, #1C as the Red Hook West Tenants Association (TA) held their nominating meeting on November 12. This meeting precedes the election of five positions mandated by the Association Charter. While the tenant leaders act independently of NYCHA, a NYCHA official, Michael Cox, was on hand to ensure that procedures were followed properly. Well known community leader Danelle Johnson was picked to lead the nomination process. In order that the proper rules of order were followed, she was prompted often by Cox. Nominations have to be requested three times - motion to close nominations must be made AND seconded. Cox’s booming voice was often heard making sure that Miss Johnson followed strict Lillie Marshall at a reception at the Red Hook procedure. West farm last summer
Bazemore puts hat in ring The big news was that Wally Bazemore put his hat in the ring, running against the affable Anthony Johnson for Vice President. Wally is a lifelong resident of Red Hook. Along with John McGettrick, Bazemore led the fight against
Red Hook Star-Revue
She has lived in the Houses The election will be held at the next since 1966, and has suggested Tenant Association meeting on Tuesday, that this may be her last term, December 10th, at 428 Columbia Street, because she plans on retiring #1C. Voting hours are 5 - 8 pm, and only to her native Barbados. Last members as of December 9th can vote. In summer she received an award case of a tie, there will be a runoff. Voters from NYCHA president John must also present a valid ID. Rhea for her work in promot- The candidates for Red Hook West ing the small NYCHA farm Tenants Association are as follows: along Walcott Street . In President.............. Lillie Marshall addition to being TA PresiWally Bazemore with Florence Brown at her Mother’s dent, she the DisAgainst Gangs luncheon. trict Chair of the waste transfer stations relocating to Red Brooklyn South City Council Hook. He is well known as a commuof Presidents (CCOP), which nity leader. This is his first run for a pogives her certain authority sition in the association. over other TA presidents. Lillie Marshall is again running unopCox explained very carefully posed as president of Red Hook West. the qualifications necessary for running. A candidate’s name must be on the lease. If a candidate claims to live in Red Hook West, but is not named on a Red Hook West lease, he is in effect “turn- Anthony Johnson with Kimberly G. Price at last suming himself in.” NYCHA can mer’s Night Out Against Crime in Coffey Park. pursue eviction or back rent, as rent is Vice President.... Anthony Johnson, based on income. The candidate must ......................... Wally Bazemore be “in compliance” with NYCHA rules. And finally, the candidate must be a Treasurer............. Mary Downing, current member of the Resident Asso- ........................ Cathy McKnight ciation, which carries annual dues of $2. Secretary................... Rhisa Benn These restrictions may hampered par- Sergeant at Arms... Bernetha Curry, ticipation because it took three tries ....................... Barbara Y. Smith to get any nominations for Treasurer. The meeting ended with the serving of It was explained that if an office is un- a light dinner and cake, as is the cusfilled, NYCHA benefits, including Ten- tom. Other business included speeches ant Participatory Funding (TPA) are by representatives of Felix Ortiz and Wally in the foreground with Lilly behind her. Both are attending a NYCHA meeting withheld. At the last moment, two can- Nydia Velazquez, as well as the 76th didates nominated themselves. Precinct. at last January. (photos by Fiala/Price)
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November 2013 Page 7
LICH ill-served by Williams
ACGME’s review should occur approximately one year after the initial review in May 2014. For SUNY, everything hangs in the balance of those reviews. LICH may lead to the downfall of the medical school simply by staying open.
(continued from page 3)
Williams discussed the probation status. “The site visit actually went very, very well. In fact we thought we would have no difficulty whatsoever,” he said. “But because of the Concerned Physicians at LICH continuously calling [the ACGME], um… and, uh and, and really causing a lot of difficulties - they were threatening our residents; they were making it an extremely unsafe environment for our residents - we decided to withdraw our residency program. As a result ACGME did place the residency program on probation.” A LICH staffer rebutted, saying, “[The] ACGME acts on facts, not phone calls,” and that Downstate’s removal of residents from LICH was the culprit. However, as previously reported in the Star-Revue, SUNY Downstate did anticipate “difficulty” with the ACGME’s upcoming visit, and forced the heads of the three remaining residency programs to “voluntarily” withdraw their residencies temporarily. Once the withdrawal was complete, SUNY announced the withdrawal would be permanent. An ICU nurse at LICH, who worked closely with residents, said medical residents and interns “have made similar complaints since Williams took over and started reducing the number of attending and faculty physicians at LICH.” In addition, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) results for LICH in 2012 included four programs: Internal Medicine; Obstetrics-Gynecology (OBGYN); Medicine Preliminary; and Radiology-Diagnostic. In 2013, SUNY did not register any NRMP positions for LICH. The deadline for an institution to change a quota for 2013 residents was January 31, 2013 - eight days before SUNY’s first illegal vote to terminate LICH. The Match results were announced on March 15, 2013. SUNY’s letters to residency programs to “voluntarily withdraw” were sent on May 20, 2013. Downstate had decided well in advance not to continue residencies at LICH. The ACGME website also shows the voluntary withdrawal from the radiology department, but as of press time shows continued accreditation in the OBGYN and internal medicine programs. Combined, both programs show 78 approved and filled positions for the 2013-2014 academic year. In addition to those residencies - for which SUNY did not apply in the 2013 NRMP match, LICH continues to be listed on the ACGME website as a required rotation site for at least 20 of SUNY’s 53 listed residencies. Williams also announced over the summer that the Liaison Committee of Medical Education (LCME) also issued SUNY Downstate a warning. Graduates of LCME accredited programs are eligible for residency programs accredited by ACGME. Dr. Ian Taylor, Dean School of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, reported back to the Board of Trustees at the September 11 General Board Meeting concerning the LCME accreditation. “Although we were fully
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New 80% profit hospital George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) was founded in 1824. The hospital was partnered with the university for 173 years.
John ‘Skip’ Williams at a May meeting. (photo by Kimberly Gail Price)
accredited at the meeting last February, [LCME] had two major concerns,” Taylor said. “They’re going to come in and look at the roll out of the new curriculum; that is one of the issues.
putting SUNY in violation of their contract with ACGME.
“The other issue they’re very focused on - and it’s clear from what the secretary requested for next week’s visit - the only standard they are looking at separately and which they’ve asked for twice the amount of time is the current financial environment and its impact on the educational program.”
In addition, SUNY has been issued a warning by LCME because of their financial situation. Because SUNY is not allowing services at LICH but cannot lay off workers, the medical school is losing even more money than when LCME first issued the warning. They are also in jeopardy of losing their accreditation with LCME.
Taylor went on to say, “When they visited, we sort of thought LICH was going to be sorted out one way or the other, either it was going to be state support to keep us going or some other solution. And obviously, that’s stuck in the craw. I think that’s going to be a problem for us because they’re going to come in and find out we’ve still got LICH and we’re still losing a lot of money around that.” LCME has required SUNY to submit a full progress report to the Board by December 1, 2013, which SUNY anticipates will result in another “limited” site visit to look at the financial and curriculum statuses. For the time being, SUNY Downstate’s website claims the school “enjoys full accreditation” by the LCME. Based on the revelations from The Washington Post during his tenure at George Washington University and his lack of transparency toward LICH, the concept that there may be more to the currently probationary status than Williams is revealing. However, ACGME does not release detailed reports for probationary statuses. SUNY Downstate is still on probation under appeal with ACGME. As long as LICH’s residency program is discontinued - and the hospital still exists SUNY Downstate remains in jeopardy of losing their national accreditation with ACGME and possibly LCME as well. Even if LICH is transferred to another operator, SUNY will still be obligated to have two residency programs: one at UHB; the other at LICH. Because SUNY has contracts for residency programs at LICH - and did not maintain those contracts - they are in jeopardy of losing their accreditation with ACGME. In the NMRP, SUNY did not register LICH by January 31, 2013, and until the end of the 2013-2014 year, they cannot place residents at LICH. But the ACGME still has internal medicine and OBGYN residencies listed through 2014,
The only way to avoid losing their accreditation with ACGME at this point is to close LICH.
Losing their accreditation with LCME or ACGME would effectively ruin the medical school. SUNY is in “unfavorable standing” with both agencies. This creates extreme urgency to close LICH, thereby salvaging SUNY Downstate. The LCME and ACGME are both national agencies. State officials, including SUNY’s Board of Trustees and Governor Cuomo have no political room to maneuver agreements; either SUNY complies, or they lose accreditation.
The Washington Post reported that GWUH experienced huge financial losses. “The facility was losing money and sapping the school’s endowment.” As a result, the hospital was closed, torn down, and a brand new facility was built – a state-of-the-art for-profit hospital. The old hospital, built 1949, was called a “tired old building.” The new facility opened in 2003 in a parking lot across from the old hospital site. In 1997, GWU sold 80% of the hospital’s shares to Universal Health Services (UHS) during Williams’ tenure as Vice President for Health Affairs. GWU only maintains a 20% stake. In January 2003, Williams was named Provost – or senior academic administrator - of GWU. On August 23 that same year, George Washington University Hospital closed the doors. The new facility housed 371 beds and $45 million of medical supplies. The hospital cost a total of $96 million to build, mostly funded by UHS. During his reign as Provost, GWU’s medical center released a report entitled “Meet the Provost.” The article defines his role during the time GWUH was being sold to UHS as, “responsible for the administration and oversight comprising the academic health center,” including “the University Hospital, in conjunction with the majority owner of that facility, University Health Services, Inc.” (continued on page 9)
MULTI-PHASE PLANNING While at GWU, Williams was part of a multi-phase plan to revitalize the hospital and medical school that left the university on academic probation, created a conflict of interest in his dual roles, and ultimately led to his resignation. The multi-phase plan at GWU looks eerily similar to SUNY DMC’s current Sustainability Plan submitted to New York State earlier this year. BDC Advisors, a company that helps develop a “new business models, organizational structures and new leadership paradigms,” according to their website, was hired by GWU. Ironically, they are also working with SUNY Upstate Medical Center and Stonybrook, but not SUNY Downstate. Williams’ resignation and yearlong sabbatical came almost exactly one year after the announcement of the Task Force - just days after the completion of phase one. Phase one of GWU’s plan involved cutting core curriculum, “”reduce unnecessary costs,” “avoid unnecessary costs in the future,” and to spend as wisely as possible,” Knapp was quoted in another GWHatchet article. Under Williams, SUNY’s Sustainability plan includes all three of these implementations, plus raising students’ tuition and selling off the real estate of LICH. The three phase plan is built almost entirely around the prospect of securing more government funds. However, every phase includes “significant workforce reductions.” In an October 28, 2013 article, the Queens Ledger wrote, “More than 300 jobs have been eliminated at Downstate, and thousands more layoffs may occur if the hospital continues its so-called ‘restructuring plan’ - designed to save money at the expense of healthcare.” Once again, Williams’ focus is on the bottom line, not on improving the academics of SUNY’s medical institution.
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November 2013
Williams (continued from page 8)
Dual roles questioned On February 6, 2009, The GW Hatchet published the article “Provost’s dual roles questioned.” At the time, Williams was serving as both University Provost and Vice President of Affairs, “the second most senior administrator at the university.” He was also on the Board of Directors of University Health Services. According to the article, Williams was paid $709,005 from the university and had also received more than $750,000 plus “valuable stock in the Fortune 500 company” since 2001 from UHS. “His dual positions may have posed a conflict of interest because Williams is tasked with both improving the academics of the medical school and keeping an eye on UHS’s profits. Given his two roles, Williams could theoretically choose to ensure the hospital’s profitably and forgo investing in upgrades and training that could benefit medical students and faculty,” the article claimed. Williams joined the Board of Directors of UHS in 1999, two years after GWU sold a majority of the hospital’s shares to the private company in 1997. In 2001, UHS was, according to the article, “instrumental in helping GW[U] build and equip an new hospital.” In the article, university spokeswoman, Tracy Schario said, “Since last summer [2008] in particular, there has been a great deal of interest with this possible conflict of interest.” University President, Steven Knapp, GWU’s Board of Trustees all asked Williams to step down from the position with UHS. Law professor at the school, Theresa Gabaldon told The Hatchet, “One of the problems is [Williams] was beholden to the management,” his friend and CEO, Richard Becker. Richard Becker, served as CEO/Managing Director at GWUH from March 2004 until May 2008 and previously as medical director during Williams’ tenure on the for-profit board. Williams and Becker were colleagues at GWU and have been close friends for more than 30 years. While Williams declined to talk to the press about the issue, he did resign from
the board, giving up his “six-figure salary and stock options.” Becker, at that point, became CEO of Brooklyn Hospital, which would benefit greatly from the closure of LICH. According to an anonymous email to the Star-Revue, “The first person [Williams] met with when he came to Brooklyn was Brooklyn Hospital’s CEO, Becker. They are friends from medical school. Maybe Becker found the SUNY job for him. Who knows? But when Williams came here, the first thing he did was try to close LICH, which would get rid of the competition for his buddy and the hospital Becker runs.” FORCED RESIGNATION On November 30, 2010, Emily Cahn of The GW Hatchet broke the news that Williams was resigning at the end of the year after “senior officials at the University pushed him out of his position,” af-
SUNY Board meets last May. (photo by Kimberly Gail Price)
ter more than 30 years of employment. The Washington Post reported Williams was “being removed from [his] position six months into a[n internal] university review” because the school “no longer wants him in that position.” They also reported that Williams, who had tenure with the university, “hired an attorney to negotiate an agreement.” According to the university’s 2009 tax returns, Williams earned $912,839 at the end of the fiscal year in June.
The Post article cited Williams’ previous problems with the academic probation and the conflict of interest with serving on UHS’ Board of Directors. The article also notes, “The university’s hospital was purchased by the for-profit company [UHS] in 1997; the facility was losing money and sapping the school’s endowment. It is rare for a for-profit company to run a teaching hospital.” (continued on page 15)
A report that originally supported LICH is changed
O
n June 15, 2011, Commissioner of Health for the New York State Department of Health, Nirav Shah wrote a letter to Stephen Berger of Odyssey Investment Partners asking him “to lead a Medicaid Redesign initiative to evaluate the hospital system in Brooklyn. Six months later when the 86 page report was released, it was familiarly referred to as the Berger Report. The Berger Report investigated all 15 hospitals in Brooklyn and narrowed in on six of them that “do not have a successful business model and sufficient margins to remain viable and provide high quality care to their communities as currently structured.” The report on several pages emphasizes that “the financial position at Long Island College Hospital has also been grim, but it has recently been placed under the umbrella of SUNY Downstate Medical Center and can be turned around with its support.” But SUNY had very little support to offer as the current and previous year’s audit have revealed. Phillip H. Smith, president of United University Professions (UUP), the union representing 35,000 faculty and professional staff at the SUNY system, penned a letter to the New York Press Association in March 2013. He outlines the “threats to SUNY’s mission,” saying that the school network is “facing a critical crossroads, a choice between fulfilling its mission and failing to live up to its promise.”
According to the statement, SUNY lost over $700 million in state funding over a four year period. The schools now rely on tuition and fees for 75% of their operating budget. “Many SUNY campuses,” as a result, Smith writes, “have closed programs and courses and have dramatically increased class sizes. These factors combined have delayed graduations, postponed students’ employment earnings and increased their debts.” Smith goes on to say that, “If SUNY’s state operated campuses do not get increased support, they may be forced to reduce programs and courses further.” In a letter to Shah in March 2013, Concerned Physicians of LICH wrote,” SUNY acquired LICH less than two years ago and has not put forth a feasible financial, community or economic plan to help LICH,” as the Berger Report deemed necessary for Brooklyn hospitals’ survival. The only plan SUNY had put forth in regards to LICH at that point was a closure plan. Although University Hospital of Brooklyn was not among the six facilities, the Berger Report gave very specific instructions for UHB on page 10. “SUNY Downstate should reconsider any planned expansion of beds at the former Victory Hospital site and any development of an ambulatory facility in the vicinity of University Hospital or at the former Victory Hospital site. Any request by SUNY Downstate to open additional inpatient beds at the Victory Hospital site should be denied.”
Ambulatory services, inpatient beds and additional services have since been approved by Shah and DOH, and implemented by DMC. The report instead recommended consolidating services and patients into LICH, who serviced 56% of patients for emergency room visits from Carroll Gardens and Red Hook – a designated Healthcare Professional Shortage Area. On page 59 in the report’s conclusion, the Work Group behind the report – including Berger – stresses the importance of these six hospitals remaining viable. The report claimed that losing just one hospital in Brooklyn would cause a disruption in primary care to 2.5 million residents. “Given the high rates of chronic disease and the heavy reliance on hospitals in the communities served by all six hospitals, steps must be taken to assure access to high-quality primary care in those communities.” In summer of 2012, as La Rosa was asked to step down and Williams was being anointed, the man behind the Berger Report recanted after strong opposition from the SUNY system and its faculty. In a recent article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Berger “bluntly” said, “It turned out the plans were delusional […] We assumed that SUNY’s leadership understood what to do to make serious progress. They didn’t, and [LaRosa is] gone.”
Project Hope helping Red Hook residents recover
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by Angela Johnson-Archer
s the holiday season approaches, many Red Hook residents are still distressed by the impact Hurricane Sandy had on their homes and businesses one year ago. Feelings of isolation and sadness may even come as a surprise to those who initially felt grateful for their survival. But those who need help identifying and coping with their emotions have an outlet to share stories and work towards recovery.
have experienced damage and loss as a result of the storm. Their mission has been to provide the emotional support and coping skills people need to move forward and deal with future crises. The services are free, and participants remain anonymous. Many of the team members have either lived or worked in the area, giving them a personal connection to those they are trying to help. “Everybody has a reaction to this,” Phillips says. “Some people need to talk about it.”
Project Hope is a FEMA-funded program operating in conjunction with The Department of Mental Health and Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens. Project Coordinator, Michael Phillips, along with a team of six crisis counselors, have spent the past year making contact with home and business owners across Red Hook, Gowanus and the Columbia Waterfront District who
In addition to individual check-ins, the Project Hope counselors have conducted group work with area schools and community groups, including developing classroom modules designed to equip students with trauma coping skills.
Red Hook Star-Revue
Phillips insists that residents should not feel ashamed of the feelings that may still be troubling them at the anniversary of the storm. He stresses that sad-
ness, anger and fear are common among disaster victims, and are by no means an indication of mental illness. And while people often think they want to be alone, he suggests that people maintain and even expand their social contacts when their spirits are low. “We encourage people, particularly senior citizens, to link up with their neighbors,” Phillips says. “Activity can be a great way to step out of the problem and see that things will get better.” Project Hope’s work is rooted in outreach and support, and is not intended to provide psychiatric services. People who exhibit long-term emotional issues, requiring a longer discussion are connected with appropriate mental health resources for additional support. “We are committed to leave Red Hook better than when we found it [after the storm],” says Phillips.
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Project Hope volunteers at Fairway
Project Hope will be providing counseling services in the community through February. If you are interested in speaking with someone, contact Mike Phillips at (917) 671-6223.
November 2013 Page 9
Growing up in Red Hook with my father’s wine by Mary Ann Pietanza
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t this time of year when summer’s evidence is long gone and the weather takes on that edge of autumn air that lures winter to its refreshing, yet dismal side, I think of childhood days back in Red Hook. For the siblings in my home, the change of season also brought about a change of cuisine. Anticipation of dinners with soups, cacciatore or mashed potatoes rounded our moods and eased the pain of endless, tedious homework given to us by our Catholic school nuns. Harvesting would have, at long last, been over and our endless jarring was finally put to rest on the myriad of handmade shelves lining the basement walls, dutifully waiting winter’s consumption.
drained into an uncorked hole that spilled into another empty pail which we frantically pushed underneath it, lest any of the secretions made its way to the floor. God forbid. The onset of this process demanded skill and speed on our part as the grape juice gushed out filling
In an assembly line, we hoisted and passed crates to each other, basking in the sweet aroma of grapes that hung suspended in the air surrounding our chain gang. Once everything was inside, the square footage of space left to work in had suddenly shrunk significantly, but our father seemed to manage us, his crates and our limited space just fine. His crow bar came out, and he began to open a set amount of crates for the night. Our mother never participated in this part of the wine making - not a second of it! Her due diligence was to make and keep dinner warm and waiting for the work crew at the end of the evening. Our father had this all down to a science. Three barrels, separate from the ten “wine barrels” were lined up to receive the crusher - a square, funnel-like, bottomless and motorized contraption designed to rotate, separate, and crush all the grapes and stems into ruins while releasing all of its fine juices. It was a sloppy mess. When the three barrels were filled, the process of the presser began. The broken grapes and stems were scooped into pails and poured into the presser, (another motorized contraption.) Their extracted juices spilled through wooden slats into a surrounding moat-like reservoir. Flowing like a river, the juices then
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lined up to receive the crusher - a square, funnel-like, bottomless and motorized contraption designed to rotate, separate, and crush all the grapes and stems into ruins while releasing all of its fine juices. It was a sloppy mess.” window that lingered for months on end as I drifted off to sleep. My purplestained hands that I desperately tried to conceal from my predominantly Norwegian classmates in Bay Ridge who quite often ridiculed them. The customers - consisting of neighbors, friends of neighbors, and relatives - who came ringing our doorbell all hours of the day or night to purchase a gallon or case of my father’s wine. I used to help my mother pour their wine into the same gallons that were recycled and washed by my father just weeks before. Then there was the bottle of wine that was solely my father’s which sat alongside the table on the floor and had to be filled before he came home for dinner each night.
But on any given day each autumn as we eagerly stepped off the B61 bus on our way home from school, we would spot those huge, mounting stacks of crates outside of our house. From a distance they resembled the outline of the New York City sky scraper just across the harbor. We never knew how many boxes there were exactly - 50? 100? All we knew for sure was that crushed and juiced; they filled ten barrels of pure sizzling grape juice to their brims! This sight was never a pleasure for us - if anything, it spelled work with a capital W. Our father was generally home earlier on those delivery days. He anxiously awaited our return from school to start unloading the 42 pounds boxes, which needed to be moved from the sidewalk, through the patio gate and down a flight of cement stairs to the area outside the designated “wine room.”
“Three barrels, separate from the ten “wine barrels” were
Wine press from Italy that we used to make wine in Red Hook. It was manual, but our father had a motor added to speed up the process and have less work. Also, the cinder blocks you see here were common for us to use in order to put more weight on the plates which crushed the grapes to squeeze out the maximum amount of juice possible. Nothing was wasted. Afterward, the shriveled up grapes became garden fertilizer.
up the two-gallon pail in record timing. The hole had to be corked temporarily to quickly switch pails in preparation for the next fill up.
Dad takes over When this “rush” was over, it became a waiting game as the seemingly 200 pound plates that pressed the grapes to a quarter of its original bulk, lowered to the bottom where the juices almost dripped out in timeless agony. Over the course of several days this whole process took place. Then, as suddenly as it had started, it was over. And we were sent off. Our business there was done; it was our father’s turn to start the real task of wine making with yeasting, fermentations and eventually racking the wine to his liking. We were never privy to this information, it was his secret only. I can’t begin to say what an integral part of my life my father’s wine making was as a child growing up in Red Hook. The aroma of fermenting grapes that drifted up the shaft way outside my bedroom
As kids, we even drank wine as our beverage for dinner and Italian Sunday lunches. It was well diluted with water; no soda for us. And as a teenager, I never desired to abuse drinking which I now attribute to no great mystery of alcohol or the thought that it was an adult-only drink.
Sleep inducing My father’s wine making also took me out of Red Hook. When I got married, my in-laws christened his wine and dubbed it “Pietanza Nytol” for its soothing, sleep-inducing effects. It was a popular and family-bonding elixir. All the differences in culture among us found common ground in my father’s wine. I remember when my husband and I hosted our first big party in our small apartment beneath my parent’s in Red Hook. It was a Baptism gathering for our first-born child. I worried incessantly about the number of confirmed guests thirty-five - and where were they all going to fit? It didn’t take long after everyone arrived at the apartment from the church that my tentative problem had been solved. At least half my guests were found in the basement in my father’s wine room having a party of their own! Their basement-barrel celebration still evokes fond memories among the families to this day. When I moved to the suburbs, my father arrived early one Saturday morning with his cousin, Luca. It was 8 am, and he was hell bent on locating a store he said was in my new town to purchase yeast and other wine-making products. There were no signs of him slowing down even though he was getting older. As time went on and true wine drinking became serious in America, I too
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developed a taste for pairing wines with dinner and enjoying better and better bottles of red, less white, and a regret for having even indulged in Rose at some abbreviated time in my life. Truth was, I was embarrassed during most of my childhood that my father made wine. It was strong - unusually strong. It was mostly red made from the available grape varietals at that time, and it was dry and heavy. Leaping from the seclusion of my dominantly Italian surroundings as a young adult, I found that “outsiders” were drinking a different version of wine, Ruinite, a sweet and light-bodied version that the owners of long-established Banfi Vineyards created in their Italian countryside in order to tap into the American market. They parlayed it well here and I actually partook in it. But only for a little while. Turned out, I really preferred the boldness of my father’s wine, which can be described these days as “homemade red” or “table wine.” When mainstream America caught up with the romance of true red wines and flirted with exceptional and varied varietals, I realized it was just a matter of
This was an old card 4 x 5 that our parents saved through the years. Nito’s was located on Third Ave in what is now Sunset Park, but for us, at that time, was considered Bay Ridge. While Nito’s no longer exists, a distributer of grape juice located in Bay Ridge off of Bay Ridge Avenue, hails from Nito’s. Another worker who worked as a stock boy at Nito’s back in the 70s now has a grape distribution business on Long Island.
time before my father’s own wine would become prized. And while many immigrants in the neighborhood made wine, too, we sort of stood out as the family that made the most, and created a small business in doing so. I will forever have images in my mind of (continued on page 11)
November 2013
Winemaking (continued from page 10)
that wine room - ten barrels sitting on their sides on hand-made wooden resters, separated by a narrow aisle. In the far corner were shelves that held most of the wine-making equipment. A steel door confirmed the value of the wine room’s belongings. The white-washed cement walls that my father painted when he built that room. I could still see him measuring each barrel’s content with a hand-made dip stick, drawing samples from spigots into little juice glasses that he and his friends taste tested. Their conversations grew long and lengthy as they cemented their opinions of politics, work, and wine. Most of the grapes that were purchased came from the Brooklyn Terminal Market on Flatbush Avenue, and Nito and Sons on Third Avenue across from the 23rd Street Pier - a pretty convenient location since many potential customers were the Italian immigrants who worked there as longshoremen. My involvement in the process of helping my father to make wine would, in a great way, explain my appreciation for it as an adult. To the extent that it was a personal and natural reason to have my daughter’s wedding at a vineyard, where I, oddly enough, preferred to be in the cellars taking in the lost pleasure of fermentation in action, seeing wine storage in all its elegance in brand new barrels and gated wine libraries. But wine making in the neighborhood had its own flavors. And stories which can never be duplicated again. A friend told me that he remembered as a kid that his dad and uncle asked him to crawl into the bottom of a barrel to scoop out the remains of the crushed grapes. The space was so tight and the fermentation odor so strong, that he passed out! Then there were the “Election Day Barn Fires” - fondly named for the hundreds of wine crates that the neighborhood boys would set on fire - for fun! On our side of the highway, it occurred at the end of Hamilton Avenue. My brother laughed as he recalled that it was one act of delinquency my father didn’t mind him participating in since it saved him the trouble of dealing with the garbage men!
MAKING SURE EVERYONE HAS A GOOD THANKSGIVING by Jherelle Benn
T
he Thanksgiving table at the Arkord family household will be full of delectably delicious dishes. The yams will be candied and the turkey will be juicy and baked to perfection.
The truth is that they are still feeling the aftereffects of Hurricane Sandy. James Arkord and his family reside on Columbia Street in Red Hook and lost their vehicle to flood damages but he assures on Thanksgiving they will be sitting together at their dining table giving thanks for the food and the precious gift of life. As is tradition several local organizations, community centers, and churches will be offering the less fortunate a warm meal and open doors this Thanksgiving. In New York City, there are thousands of homeless individuals. According to the Coalition for the Homeless website, the numbers of homeless New Yorkers in shelters have risen by more than 69 percent since 2002. As of September 2013, the total number of homeless families is at an all-time high of 52,351. Those numbers only account for families who actually stay in shelters. That does not include the many people who spend the night on the cold ground outside, in train stations, and other random places they can find temporary shelter. The active community members of Red Hook have no intentions of letting anyone under these circumstances - or any other - go hungry. Even working families who have homes still struggle to afford nutritious meals. Food Bank of NYC has estimated that “2.6 million New Yorkers experience difficulty affording food for themselves and their families.” The food bank offers warm meals to New Yorkers all year round and volunteer opportunities for those wanting to give back and help someone else in need. Food Bank of New York also offers income support, nutrition education, and information and assistance to recipients of SNAP benefits. On their website, foodbanknyc.org, the organization stresses the importance of volunteers and available food resources to the “1.4 million people — mainly women, children, seniors, the working poor and people with disabilities — [that] rely on soup kitchens and food pantries.” Anyone with internet access or a local library offering computer services can go online to their website and use the Food Program locator to find food pantries/soup kitchens in and around their area. Many organizations in the Red Hook, Brooklyn area are still in the process of repairing their buildings and getting things back in order from the physical and financial damages caused by the storm. However, there are still various opportunities for a hungry belly to get fed this holiday. Good Shepherd Services at the Red Hook Community Center Beacon will be holding their 22nd Annual Thanksgiving Celebration on Saturday, November 16 from 5 pm-8 pm. This celebration held at PS 15 Patrick F. Daily School on 71 Sullivan Street is open to all members of the community, but individuals and families are encouraged to RSVP so that everyone can be accommodated. High School students from South Brooklyn will be volunteering at the event. For more information, to RSVP, or volunteer contact Laura Greene, program director, at (718) 522-6910. On Thanksgiving from 9:30 am-12:30 pm, an organization called God’s Love We Deliver (GLWD) will be preparing and delivering nutritious meals citywide to individuals with life-threatening illnesses. They work with over 800 volunteers delivering meals to residents all over the New York City. Visit their website, www.glwd.org for more information on how to receive a meal or volunteer opportunities. There are also several food pantries in and surrounding the area of Red Hook where one might go and receive a pantry bag full of canned goods and other food items. Food First Inc. located on 165 Conover Street is a local pantry operating on Mondays from 11 am-1 pm. (Eudoria Wallace (718) 624-1950) Movement of Pentecostal Christian Church on 90-92 Summit Street is another local pantry that serves pantry bags from 11 am-1 pm on Tuesdays. (Rene Baez (718) 253-1941) Downtown, The True Holy Church of God in Christ Jesus on 2336 Atlantic Avenue serves as a pantry on Thursday between the hours of 4-6 pm. (Shirley Anderson (718) 385-0248) The week before Thanksgiving the Miccio Community Center on 110 W. 9th Street is also planning a community dinner. As this function is still in the planning phase anyone interested in attending or wanting additional information can email Gloria Muhammad at gloria.muhammad@nycha.nyc.gov or Lillie Marshall, the Tenant Association President of The Red Hook Houses West at redhookwest.lillie@aol.com.
Vinegar barrel we still use to continue on our father’s wine. The “mother” that remains there still produces our father’s tasty vinegar. This barrel stored vinegar for almost 30 years in Red Hook.
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Typically, more organizations and local churches offer dinner on Thanksgiving to the community, but with the dust of Sandy still in the air, it has been difficult for some to continue the tradition this year. Father Claudio of Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on 98 Richards Street insists that he would love to put a dinner together for the volunteers who assisted after the storm and other members of the community. They are still undergoing repairs to the church, and the dinner that they are organizing is tentatively set for the Friday after Thanksgiving. Interested parties can contact them at (805) 807-2878 or padreclaudioa@hotmail.com to confirm date and time. Additionally, the Calvary Baptist Church of Red Hook serves as a food pantry and offers food every Thursday from 9 -10:30 am. They are located on 755 Hicks Street. Thanksgiving is a time to come together in communion. It is a time to share good food and good company. Regardless of circumstance, the community of Red Hook will be coming together to feast and give thanks for the precious gift of life.
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November 2013 Page 11
PREPARING FOR THANKSGIVING...RED HOOK STYLE by Katie Schulder-Battis
T
hanksgiving is a time to come
together and celebrate with friends and family. This special holiday should evoke feelings of gratitude and generosity. But sometimes, one of the biggest cause of stress around the holiday season can be where to find what you’re looking for. Luckily for residents in and around the Red Hook area, all of the bits and pieces for the perfect Thanksgiving dinner can be found right around the corner. The most exciting part: for everything from the recipes for hors d’œuvre to dessert, there is someone who to tell you how to combine those things into a meal that won’t itself be yet another stress. Sahadi’s is a good place to start. Located at 187 Atlantic Avenue, it’s about as far north as you should have to go. There, you’ll find the fresh ingredients and ready to eat desserts we well as fresh nuts to get through family stories before, after, and during the meal. Of course they also cater to the cheese and fine meat aficionado in all of us with an usually strong selection of cheeses from far and wide as well as all manner of salted, cured, and smoked ham. A little closer to home, on bustling Van Brunt Street there is more than a little by way of after dinner treats. Baked, on Van Brunt has fresh apples for a tart pie finish to a meal and chocolate bourbon pecan and pumpkin for those looking for something rich and classic to round the evening out. If none of the usual pie options sound appealing, Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies is only a few blocks away, at 185 Van Dyke Street where the road hits the water. Not just food - drinks too! When it comes to drinks, local business can satisfy any craving. While watching the Super Bowl, you can enjoy a locally brewed beer from Sixpoint Brewery situated at 40 Van Dyke, or a bottle of wine from Botta di Vino. (357 Van Brunt) If you’re visiting guests, they’ll have plenty to be thankful for if you arrive equipped with a bottle of Cacao Prieto’s Cacao Rum or Cacao Liqueur and a bar of their dark chocolate. (218 Conover)
Editorial: Red Hook for the Rich & Famous?
C
ommunity disasters can be natural or man-made. Last year’s hurricane Sandy was of the natural kind, and we are still dealing with its after-effects. Now, the first new construction in the vicinity of the Red Hook Houses has the potential to be a man-made disaster.
With little notice, a group from Arizona is planning to build a fancy private school on Columbia and Bay Streets. While ‘by right,’ - a real estate term - they are legally allowed to do this, it doesn’t seem right for us.
Balsamic figs with walnuts. Great Thanksgiving side dish made by Sahadis.
IKEA and Fairway both took advantage of land availability to build their big stores in our neighborhood. Each have brought crowds from other parts of the city to Red Hook. But they also have brought us benefits in the form of affordable shopping and job opportunity. They have not destroyed the fabric of our community. They have become supporters of the Red Hook community. After the storm, FEMA received donated space in IKEA for many months. IKEA recently hosted our candlelight vigil at their Erie Basin Park. Fairway offers us low-cost dining in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. They have been big boosters of ReStore Red Hook. They sponsor local events, cooking competitions, and are donors to many local charities. The BASIS Independent School is planning an elite private school in the shadow of the Red Hook Houses. They will be marketing their school to children of the wealthy who live in Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. They are here not to offer opportunities to our local youth but to make a healthy profit from outsiders who can afford it. They have avoided scrutiny by changing their business model from a charter school to a completely private school, thus able to do as they please.
Baked prepares a seasonal banana cake.
Van Brunt) Since you have the time and want things to go the best that they possibly can you’ll want to open All Hands on Deck, a recently published compilation of the best recipes from local restaurants, which includes delicacies like home/ made’s famous chocolate torte. (293 Van Brunt) Thanksgiving Red Hook style will leave you with a heaping portion of memories - and a stomach too full to celebrate Black Friday!
By not looking to integrate themselves with the community from the beginning, they are the harbingers of a Red Hook future that is not compatible with our community today. A future Red Hook that is a playground to the rich, offering beautiful sunsets and views as well as elite schools and no doubt luxury shopping, services and condos. The population of the Red Hook Houses has been starved for local employment opportunities. We were hoping that our city and state government would eventually initiate a public-private venture promoting economic opportunity. Instead, we will be receiving a closed-off private school, unaffordable to most in the Houses. There is only a short time to make your feelings heard to the closest thing we have to local government - Community Board 6. Call Craig Hammerman at (718) 643-3027 or email him at districtmanager@brooklyncb6.org and let him know your thoughts. Call before December 11, since that is the day that their Executive Board is expected to approve the school’s application to build.
When it comes to making the main courses Fairway has everything covered from turkey to cranberry sauce. They have all of the things you’ve already forgotten to think about let alone go out looking for and they probably have a few to replace the ones you burned. (499
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November 2013
Holiday Safety Tips From the 76th Precinct With the holiday season upon us, most people are preoccupied with the details of holiday plans and shopping. Unfortunately, the safety precautions which we normally take are sometimes forgotten or the excitement of the season causes us to let down our guard. The New York Police Department wants this to be a SAFE holiday season for all. Follow these tips and enjoy the City and the season. Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Criminals often target people who are distracted.
Halloween party at the Rec Center On October 31st, The Friends Of Red Hook Recreation Center had a Halloween party at the Sol Goldman Recreation Center. NY Cares, volunteers from the Red Hook community, Friends of Red Hook Recreation Center, Red Hook Recreation Center and Parks staff partnered together to make this event a success. More than 150 people attended this first-ever Halloween party. Volunteers created games for the youngsters , including Pumpkin races, Pumpkin Bowling, hoola-hooping, and craft activities.
Whether driving, walking or taking public transportation, plan the trip in advance. Know how to get to your destination by the most direct and safest route. If possible, stay in designated waiting areas or in view of the station booth clerk while awaiting your train. Never walk or stand near the edge of the subway platform. Travel on populated, well lit streets. If possible, travel with a friend. When driving, keep your doors locked and the windows closed. Make sure the gas tank is full. Maintain your car in good working order to avoid breakdowns. Always lock your car. Before getting into your car, check the back seat to make sure no one is hiding there. Avoid leaving valuables in your car. Whenever possible, place items out of sight in the trunk of your vehicle prior to reaching your destination. Never leave packages in the passenger compartment unattended. Plan your purchases in advance and carry only the amount of cash or number of credit cards necessary to make the purchase. If you must carry a large sum of money, divide the cash between your purse, pockets and wallet. Cancel credit cards you don’t use and keep a record of the account numbers for each credit card you possess. This will facilitate reporting the theft or loss of the cards. Carry your purse close to your body. Place one end of the purse in the palm of your hand and the other in the bend of the elbow. Never wrap the strap around your body. If you are carrying a wallet, carry it in the breast pocket of your jacket or in your side pants pocket. The rear pants pocket is the easiest to pick. When in a restaurant, don’t leave your handbag over the back of your chair or on the floor. Don’t leave belongings unattended.
Big Geyser, Vitamin Water and Honest Tea all provided refreshments Snacks were served with a theme: Healthy , Happy Halloween. Bananas, apples, and even clementines - which were prepared to look like tiny pumpkins were very popular.
Don’t wait until you have reached your front door to look for your keys. Have them ready in your hand. If a stranger is standing near your door, it may be a good idea not to go in until the situation feels safer.
Every child received a treat bag. A raffle was held at the end of the evening, for the adults. Music was provided by DJ Anonymous.
Be wary of con artists. Con artists use a number of ploys to trick you and steal your property. Some divert your attention while another picks your pocket, some pose as utility workers or as a trades person to gain access to the inside of your home, while others conduct scams that are more elaborate involving several con artists.
At the end of the evening each family received a photograph of their costumed child. The mission of Friends of Red Hook Recreation Center is to support the Red Hook Recreation Center as a means of serving the Red Hook community. - Jay Tanner
Mitchell-Lama rule change
Governor Cuomo signed State Senator Daniel Squadron’s legislation to make the Mitchell-Lama Housing program more accessible to middle class families. “Now, thanks to our legislation, more families will have the chance to make a life here, no matter what their family looks like,” said Squadron, “This is a big win for New Yorkers, especially as our city faces an affordability crisis.” Thanks to this legislation, families without dependents will also part of the Mitchell-Lama program.
Sandy bracelets
Artist Miki Tenaka has designed the Red Hook Bracelet to help benefit art gallery, the Artist Volunteer Center which Red Hook-based artist, Jason Maas created post-Hurricane Sandy to form artwork inspired by social issues. What inspired Tenaka to create the bracelet are the remnants of materials left in her Red Hook home during Hurricane Sandy “When the storm hit, we (Tenaka and her husband) were in Japan visiting family. Flying back right away was not a possibility. Over four feet of water flooded the inside of our home and workshop. All of our furniture, bookshelves, machinery, and tools…everything was soaked in oily sewage water,” said Tenaka describing her experience. The original prototype of the bracelet was made from copper, which was pulled from Tenaka’s home. Since then, Los-Angeles based gallery ART from the Ashes has collaborated
Red Hook Star-Revue
Lock your front door immediately upon entering your home. If you live in an apartment building, don’t buzz in someone who rings your bell until you have verified who they are. This will help protect both you and your neighbors. If you have elderly family members or neighbors, please remember to check in on them. Remind children to be wary of strangers, including those on the internet.
Be wary of telephone and e-mail solicitations asking for personal information about your accounts, passwords or social security number. As a consumer you should avoid illegal vendors selling goods on the street. Purchase merchandise only from licensed vendors or reputable stores. Follow your instincts. Remember, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.
PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE, DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! with her to create many Red Hook bracelets. Proceeds from the sales will go to the Artist Volunteer Center and are available to buy at http://artfromtheashes.bigcartel.com/product/red-hookbracelet.
Learning Lab opens
A new training lab has recently been opened at the Red Hook Initiative building on Hicks Street on November 1st. As part of a year-long initiative to provide New Yorkers access to free computer and technology centers, Time Warner Cable provided the RHI building with 15 laptops, 4 large classrooms monitors, and a multi-media entertainment system for educational and recreational purposes. It also includes cameras, audio visual editing software, and high speed internet and cable service.
waves ashore, crashing into villages and towns, flattening buildings and ripping families apart. The storm is one of the strongest on record. The storm has receded, but the emergency is far from over. Many families are searching for food, some even looking through garbage piles to find something to eat. Water supplies are contaminated and unsafe to drink. Hospitals are overwhelmed and medical supplies are running low.
Community members are partnering together to collect supplies for survivors. A drop-off Event will take place at 95 Union Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn on December 7th & 8th From 9 am-8 pm. Please bring hygiene items, water, blankets, non-perishables, A $5 cash donation sponsors 1 supply bag shipped to the Philippines. For more information or to donate, visit www.philippinepromisefund.com.
“We are thrilled to with all that the Learning Lab will make possible,” said RHI’s founder and executive director Jill Eisenhard, “Youth will use it for college applications, job readiness preparation, hands-on math and science learning, as well as developing content for our community-wide WiFi project. If young people have access to state-of-the-art technology, it will give them an education leg-up and the opportunity to develop skills needed for today’s workforce.”
Pay it forward Red Hook
With the help from the community and local businesses we can save lives. October 29th 2012 Red Hook was devastated. So Red Hook Relates: Typhoon Haiyan’s 150 mph winds drove huge
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November 2013 Page 13
PROTECT US FROM FLOODING by Jake Bienecke and Andrea Sansom
(EDITORS NOTE: Andrea and Jake are Red Hook residents. They have generously offered Star-Revue readers their experiences and advice in dealing with the changes since Sandy, as well as this call to action).
H
urricane Sandy is sometimes called the “storm that sparked a thousand conferences,” a reference both to the effect the storm has had on the collective conscience of New Yorkers waking up to the risks of coastal living in an era of climate change, and to the widespread perception that there is too much talk and not enough action. Adapting the city to better manage these risks, however, is an enormously complex undertaking, and the process will likely occur not at once but in successive stages spanning the next fifty years. The planning discussions now underway are critical, as they will determine the basis for prioritizing and directing resiliency spending for the foreseeable future. In Red Hook, there are currently three planning processes operating in parallel, managed respectively by the City, State and Federal Governments (SIRR / OLTPR, Communities Rising, and Rebuild By Design, respectively). All of these programs received funding through the Community Development Block Grants that were established as part of the Sandy Supplemental appropriation by Congress. Although there are differences between each of these processes, the overall aim is shared: to improve the resiliency of neighborhoods in the face of a changing environment, first by reducing exposure and risk, and second by strengthening the systems that can help restore normalcy after a major disruption like the one caused by Sandy. Each process combines advice from technical experts with community input. Since the outcome of these planning efforts will not only direct funds currently available through the Community Development Block Grant program (approximately $16 billion), but also set the stage for long term infrastructure, zoning, and regulatory development, it is important that everyone in Red Hook makes an effort to contribute. Otherwise, we will have missed a singular opportunity to have a voice in the future of our community. Here’s how: CITY: The Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR) plan was completed in June, 2013 and offers a comprehensive plan for all of New York
Page 14 Red Hook Star-Revue
City with specific recommendations made on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis, with the intention of having everything completed by 2050. Because the SIRR plan was completed largely before the Communities Rising and Rebuild by Design initiatives got underway, it is often a reference for these other planning efforts. The SIRR Report recommended a coastal barrier for the whole Red Hook Neighborhood, under Coastal Protection Initiative Number 23 (See below). Other recommendations included: address the major expense of repairs and resiliency for lowrise buildings; understand the tremendous hurdles attached properties face in meeting FEMA guidelines; provide flood protection from inland water bodies [Gowanus]; mitigate street and property flooding, combined sewer overflow events ; address the particular risks of industrial properties; and increase transportation redundancy. The SIRR report plan can be viewed here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/sirr/html/ home/home.shtml and you can write in support of this recommendation by clicking Contact NYC Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency at http://www.nyc.gov/html/sirr/html/ home/home.shtml. STATE: The New York Rising Community Reconstruction (NYRCR) Program was established by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to provide additional rebuilding and revitalization assistance to communities damaged by Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. This program empowers communities to prepare locally-driven recovery plans to identify innovative reconstruction projects and other needed actions to allow each community not only to survive, but also to thrive in an era when natural risks will become increasingly common.” The process is currently underway and is actively seeking community input. You can view the plan at http://stormrecovery.ny.gov/sites/default/files/crp/ community/documents/red_hook_concept_plan_final_11-7.pdf and submit comments at http://redhook.nyrisingmap.org/comments. FEDERAL: The Federal Rebuild by Design task force selected 10 international design/infrastructure/consulting/urban
planning/environmental teams to compete in the creation of enduring and inventive resiliency projects for NYC. The preliminary proposals were unveiled at the end of October, and several participants have been invited to participate in the next stage of the planning process. Unfortunately, very few of the proposals focused on Red Hook, and these did not include comprehensive coastal protections. You can view the proposed projects here: http://www.rebuildbydesign. org/. The proposal submitted by one team, HR&A Advisors, who are also one of two consultants managing the NY Communities Rising process, suggests flood surge protection exclusively for Van Brunt Street, and can be viewed and commented on here: http://www.rebuildbydesign.org/project/coastal-commercial-resiliency-financing/. You can also go to Talking Transition: http://talkingtransitionnyc.com/ to tell Mayor-elect de Blasio what you want for Red Hook and there will be a Talking Transition station at Red Hook Initiative soon. Get Involved! Leave your comment on the 3 websites. Come to a meeting on Monday, November 25: Red Hook Innovations: Design Proposals and Big Thinking
Monday, November 25 PS 15 Auditorium (71 Sullivan Street) 6:30 pm to 8 pm Red Hook Flood-Mitigation Group: https://sites.google.com/site/redhookfloodmitigation/home The following is a statement from a long-time Red Hook family: As long-time residents of Red Hook, over the course of thirty years, we have deeply experienced the changes that have occurred in our community. Following Superstorm Sandy, we have seen neighbors more than willing to remain in Red Hook by doggedly rebuilding. We have seen our businesses renovate, restore and and reopen, bringing back the vibrancy that evokes the spirit of our neighborhood. We have further witnessed new or planned residential construction that follows required elevation codes. All this means to us is that people truly want to live in Red Hook. But in order for people to have a future here, we need a comfort zone - a level of defense that will ensure this future. It is our heart-felt belief that proposed coastal protection efforts can provide this sense of security. However, a basic band-aid plan would not be nearly sufficient to stem the tide! - by 2016.” Isaura and Michael Horenstein, Richards Street, Richards Street - emphatically Red Hook
Coastal Protection Initiative 23 Install integrated flood protection system in Red Hook. “Red Hook faces a number of challenges from climate change: A low-lying topography; older, often-attached buildings; a significant number of industrial businesses with valuable, ground-floor equipment and inventory that are difficult to elevate; vulnerable commercial corridors; and a significant population that lacks the means to make resiliency investments. These conditions make site-specific flood protection measures a challenge, likely leaving many residents, businesses, and infrastructure assets exposed. Subject to available funding, the City, therefore, will install an integrated flood protection system in Red Hook, composed of permanent features, temporary features, and landscaping and drainage improvements. This approach would protect much of the neighbor-hood but, at the same time, would not interfere with the neighborhood fabric during non-storm conditions. The design will be selected following an international competition and may include elevation of portions of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway. Other elements likely would run along the first mapped street inland of the waterfront throughout the neighborhood. The goal is to commence design in 2014 with completion expected by 2016,
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November 2013
Williams (continued from page 9)
After being forced out of his position, Williams announced a year sabbatical from the university beginning January 1, 2011. In a press release posted on the university’s website, Williams said, “I believe now is the time to allow new leadership to guide the Medical Center during the next phase of its development.” On December 2, 2010, one day after Williams announced his one year sabbatical GWU released a statement entitled “Dr. John Williams announces Transition.” President of the university, Steven Knapp said, “Dr. Williams led the strategic effort fifteen years ago to separate the medical school, the hospital and the Medical Faculty Associates (MFA), insuring the financial stability of all three entities.” Williams must have suspected his position with GWU was vulnerable because on April 1, 2010 - nine months before he announced his resignation, the City University of New York (CUNY) announced him as one of four finalists for President of City College of New York (CCNY). The presidential search committee of CUNY originally chose twelve semi-finalists, before narrowing the search to four. According to CUNY’s website, the each
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Digital Stewards go overseas
In October, Red Hook Initiative’s (RHI) Digital Stewards showcased the Red Hook WiFi project in Berlin, Germany at the International Summit for Community Wireless Networks. The conference was hosted by the Open Technology Institute (OTI). The Digital Stewards not only participated in the event, but also assisted OTI to set up a WiFi network at the conference and provided technical support throughout the event. Other participants at the conference were from Cameroon, India and Mexico. The conference was RHI’s second international trip for their youth. Tony Schloss, Director of Media Programs,
finalist spent a day at the campus. Williams attended on April 6, 2010. He was the first finalist to visit CCNY. After his one year sabbatical, Williams was hired as Senior Vice President at Verras Health Care International in May 2012. Verras provides analysis and “riskadjusted data” to hospitals to improve financial and clinical outcomes, according to their website. Williams only worked there for three months before accepting the position of President of DMC. After working with GWU - under tenure - Williams was forced to resign. Under his leadership, the university faced academic probation, was forced to sell off more than three-quarters of the university hospital to a private entity, and Williams himself raised concerns about the hospital’s bottom line versus quality student investment. Now, in the SUNY Downstate system, his focus remains on the bottom line, while he has again landed his residency program on probationary status, is trying to sell off LICH’s 18 essential hospital buildings to build a new hospital in Central Brooklyn, and is being examined about the business enterprise of SUNY. In an address to the SUNY Board of Trustees on November 15, Jeff Strabone, Cobble Hill Association board Member said, “Public health decisions should be made on need, not greed.” accompanied Nigel Taylor Johnson, Tiwan Burrus and Katherine Ortiz to the conference to spread the word about Red Hook WiFi and its potential to help during times of crises.
Sandy relief music
MPress Records released the final installment of New Arrivals Vol. 5: Artists for Hurricane Sandy Relief. Founder, Rachel Sage collected over 1,000 submissions. “NAV 5” includes work from Brooklynbased band Lucius, NYC singer/songwriters Lucy Wainwright Roche and Ari Heist, and a bonus track from Grammy ® Winner, Paula Cole. The album was released digitally on the anniversary of Sandy on October 29. One hundred percent of proceeds will benefit Red Hook Initiative, Project Hospitality Staten Island Hurricane Relief Fund, and Graybeards in the Rockaways.
THE STROMBERG REPORT In October 2010, Cliff Stromberg was commissioned by Chancellor, Nancy Zimpher to evaluate the Research Foundation of four Health Science Centers in the SUNY system. Cliff Stromberg works for a legal firm in D.C. called Hogan Lovells. His bio on their website says “For several years, he held an appointment as adjunct associate professor at The George Washington University Medical School.” Hogan Lovells is a law firm that represents health and medical facilities. SUNY signed a $10 million contract with them in 2009 for legal health services. Hogan Lovells helped with the handoff between Continuum and SUNY in 2011. In late 2010, Chancellor Zimpher commissioned Cliff Stromberg from Hogan Lovells to investigate the research funds of the entire SUNY system. He worked on the report from October 2010 until February 2011, before turning it over to Zimpher. The Stromberg Report was released to Zimpher and the Board of Trustees in May 2011. On June 3, 2011, The Times Union published an article called “SUNY top leader out after scathing report,” announcing that Vice Chancellor John O’Connor was resigning because “[the] report criticized his autocratic and uncommunicative leadership” with SUNY and the Research Foundation (RF). He had worked with SUNY for 15 years. Meanwhile, Williams who had been on sabbatical from GWU for the entirety of 2011, took a job with Verras Healthcare International in May 2012, just before LaRosa’s resignation. If Williams and Stromberg were well-acquainted from GWU, it makes perfect sense that Williams would know the results of the evaluation before May, and set himself up to be in the proper place when the other shoe fell. On June 12, 2012, La Rosa, who was interviewed for the “scathing report” also resigned after 13 years. Stromberg wrote the report that ultimately led to the immediate resignation of O’Connor, and eventually the resignation of LaRosa. During the time between the two resignations, Governor Cuomo also appointed McCall as the Chair of the Board of Trustees. McCall had previously been on the board and Carl Hayden was the chair. Hayden resigned from the board before his term expired because he didn’t want to be on the board after basically being demoted by Cuomo. The stage was set for Williams to come in and argue the acquisition had been a mistake, and LICH needed to be sold off to preserve the medical center. At the Legislative session to discuss the Sustainability plan earlier this year, McCall and Zimpher both denied being involved with SUNY during the takeover. However, Zimpher was appointed chancellor in early 2009, and although McCall was not yet the Chair, he was already serving as a trustee. By replacing all of the heads of Downstate relevant to LICH, SUNY seems intent on reversing the commitment they made to keep LICH as a full-service hospital because the decision to acquire LICH was made by people no longer with the university. But with all of the pieces in place, it appears that destroying LICH was part of the plan from the initial acquisition. At the November 14, 2012 Academic Medical Centers and Hospital Committee Board of Trustees meeting, Stromberg advised the board on a number of solutions. According to the meeting’s minutes, Stromberg advised, “If you want to sell assets, than you should hire an investment banker. Otherwise, to save Downstate you hire a consultant like David Pitts.” Enter Pitts Management. Pitts Management entered into LICH in early 2013 under the guise of moving LICH into a sustainable operation after SUNY dropped their formal closure plan with the Department of Health. However, as Downstate continued to take measures to close the hospital, Pitts Management enacted their orders by refusing to admit patients, diverting all ambulance services and maintaining dozens of armed guards throughout and surrounding the LICH campus. Stromberg also said SUNY should start thinking about which assets they could sell to get out of their financial hole; Zimpher said they had already assessed their assets. LICH was not specifically mentioned. However, SUNY Downstate had already appraised the real estate assets of LICH’s 18 remaining buildings. “These options were presented to the leadership of the academic medical centers and that some of the narrowing of options had occurred,” the chancellor said. Hogan Lovells stayed mostly in the background of the closure plans until Judge Demarest reversed her ruling of 2011 to united LICH with SUNY Downstate. Because they were involved in the original merger, Hogan was pulled into the court proceedings, and has now joined SUNY’s legal team.
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November 2013 Page 15
Sandy brings Red Hook all kinds of publicity by Jherelle Benn
O
n a map of New York City, Red Hook is literally a small corner in South Brooklyn shaped like a hook. Red Hook is home to thousands of residents, including those in Red Hook Houses, one the largest housing developments in the United States. It is historically significant and culturally diverse. In a sense it has always been “on the map” softly buzzing for its recognized potential. Due to the tragic devastation of Hurricane Sandy, the community came together raising thousands of dollars, building a coalition, and forming a stronger community foundation forcing the rest of New York to take a closer look at this little hook. About three years ago, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) submitted a request for program proposals. In their request the NYCEDC stated, “Although underutilized until recently, the Atlantic Basin is now an integral part of the bustling Brooklyn waterfront.” They sought programs that would utilize Pier 11 on the Red Hook waterfront for various artistic and recreational uses. The request went on to say, “This is an excellent opportunity to create public space and programs in the heart of a working waterfront and promote deeper public engagement with the City’s maritime past and present.” Red Hook was not only being recognized for the waterfront but for the economic potential as well. An article published in The Daily News on September 15 of this year entitled, “Channeling Success Gowanus is new hotspot with manufacturing boom,” gives notable mention of Gowanus and South Brooklyn as a whole. Paul Basile, president of the Gowanus Alliance was interviewed and stated, “New businesses are saying this is the cool place to be.” The article goes on to mention that new business in the area is up 44% since 2000. Clearly, Red Hook was gaining attention on its very own for some years but since Sandy rocked New York, there has been a notable increase of exposure for Red Hook in the press and media. For example, an article was published in March by The New York Times entitled, “Red Hook: Treasures on Every Block” by Pete Wells. The article mentions local restaurants in Red Hook recognizing them as “treasures.” Anyone
walking into Defonte’s Sandwich shop on Columbia Street could read the laminated article which hangs on the wall amidst many others. Directly following the storm The Huffington Post published a piece in November of last year by Rebecca Orchant entitled, “Brooklyn Court St Grocers on Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath in Red Hook.” It describes the area as, “a Mecca for restaurants and food producers, including The Good Fork, Fort Defiance, the production kitchen of Mile End, the Red Hook Lobster Pound as well as old-school, decades-old businesses like Sunny’s.” In addition to sounding hip in the paper, there was also a substantial spike in economic benefits as a result of the storm. According to the New York State Attorney General’s July 2013 interim report, “twelve organizations reported Hurricane Sandy fundraising totals that exceed 50 percent of the total revenue reported in their most recently available annual financial report.” Red Hook Initiative (RHI) was among the 12 raising $1,200,000 for Sandy relief - a 161% increase from their most recently reported revenue of $744,114. In their Summary Report of the Storm, RHI broke down how the funding was utilized. A reported $1.3 million in contributions was raised for Hurricane relief, both short and long term. Fortytwo percent of the support came from the foundation itself while, 28% came from corporate contributions, 24% came from individual donations, and only 6% from the government. Thirty-one percent of these funds went to providing access to resources. Twenty-three percent of the funding went to network and communication systems, allowing RHI to provide internet access and computers to residents. Twentyseven percent was used for emergency hurricane relief for thousands of supplies: batteries, candles, blankets, space heaters, canned food, and other items that were distributed in the weeks after the storm. The remaining 19% of funds went towards community driven solutions. The summary reported that RHI “distributed over $50,000 in financial support and re-building expenses for those facing extreme financial hardship,” and gave paid jobs to over 100 lo-
“One particularly disturbing aspect of the meeting was its racial composition. In this predominantly working class Black and Latino neighborhood, the small business coalition, who were hosting the meeting had only managed to invite one single long-term black resident, a well-known local organizer, Reg Flowers.” He expounded, “Such exclusions are also increasingly common, and they bear witness to the important role played by gentrification in shaping the forms of recovery and reconstruction in Red Hook after Hurricane Sandy.” cal youth to build personal skills. The Red Hook Coalition was another positive result of the storm. The coalition consists of seven local non-profits including RHI, Good Shepherd Services, South Brooklyn Industrial Development Cooperation, Added Value, The Red Hook Volunteers, Dance Theater Etcetera, and ReStore Red Hook. In the aftermath of Sandy, these organizations banded together and, according to their website, (redhooksummit.com), have since been meeting every two weeks dedicated to “creating a vibrant and resilient community while addressing long term challenges and impending disasters.” “I definitely think it brought exposure to the neighborhood. Red Hook is a community that is fairly cut off,” explains Laura Greene, director of programs for the Red Hook Community Center housed at PS 15. The entire school was displaced and relocated to another school for 2-3 weeks due to damages caused by the storm. Greene explained that when the storm hit, “It brought Red Hook as a community closer together. There was no one to turn to but each other.” She is grateful that P.S 676 was able to provide a space for them while they raised the money to return to their school. Greene isn’t the only one who agrees the storm brought some position results to the neighborhood. Director of Training and Evaluation at RHI, Anna Ortega-Williams believes “Red Hook as a whole is more prepared because we are committed to learning from past experience. RHI, in partnership with residents and other stakeholders, are committed to implementing strategies to improve our emergency preparedness, such as the First Responders program. The key is to work on longer term issues, such as access to employment, education opportunities and needed services, along with building capacity to respond to emergencies.”
gether in a relief effort. Glick reported “Occupy Sandy, the NYPD, the National Guard, a representative from Mayor Bloomberg’s office, and a sizeable group of small business owners in Red Hook: over 30 people in total,” were in attendance. In the story published March 2013 entitled, “Race, Class, and Disaster Gentrification,” Glick describes the meeting as uneventful and notes that the organizations were able to provide limited immediate relief. Glick continues, “One particularly disturbing aspect of the meeting was its racial composition. In this predominantly working class Black and Latino neighborhood, the small business coalition, who were hosting the meeting had only managed to invite one single long-term black resident, a well-known local organizer, Reg Flowers.” He expounded, “Such exclusions are also increasingly common, and they bear witness to the important role played by gentrification in shaping the forms of recovery and reconstruction in Red Hook after Hurricane Sandy.” Red Hook and its surrounding areas have been evolving and diversifying more and more over the years. Gentrification and other economic factors are causing an increase of property values in the neighborhood and a decrease of minority and middle-class representation. This could mean less affordable housing options in exchange for more overpriced lofts and plans for a new shopping center.
Now, Sandy has Red Hook buzzing much louder than it was which may have had some positive effects on the community. But this increased exposure can be bitter-sweet for long time Red Hook residents. Zoltan Glick, a writer for Tidal Mag, attended a meeting that was held directly after Sandy to bring various groups toThe Red Hook Volunteers man a booth at last summer’s Red Hook Fest.
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www.RedHookStar.com
The NY Times recognizes Defonte’s as one of Red Hook’s “treasures.”
November 2013
Solar for Sandy Initiative Red Hook loses a great one Kimberly Gail Price
A
by Kimberly Gail Price
nother Veteran’s Day has elapsed, but it was missing something. Someone, actually.
Global Green volunteers stand in front of the Rec Center (photo by Tanner)
In the aftermath of Sandy, many Red Hook residents went without electricity and heat for weeks. Power outages put many lives at risk. Community centers were unable to offer assistance because they did not have fuel for gas-powered generators. But now, modern innovations will make the Red Hook Recreation Center a little more resilient and a lot more resourceful in the wake of another disaster. On June 13, 2013, Global Green USA announced its Commitment to Action to implement Solar for Sandy initiative to equip community facilities in low income neighborhoods in New York and New Jersey impacted by Hurricane Sandy. On October 23, 2013, the NYC Parks’ Red Hook Recreation Center became Brooklyn’s first official beneficiary of this solar installation. Solar panels were installed on the roof, where they will collect sunlight. The sunlight is converted to energy and stored in a battery bank. The solar panels constantly produce energy and lower energy bills, allowing more money to go to critical services in the neighborhood. NYC Parks Deputy Commissioner Robert Garafola is excited about partnering with Global Green. “It will increase the center’s capacity to educate New Yorkers about climate change, and it will enable the center to provide the center to provide potential relief to the public in the wake of severe weather events,” he said. IKEA, Solar for Sandy’s lead funder, supports projects that benefit children and the environment. “When we learned of Global Green’s Solar for Sandy Project
in Red Hook, we saw I as a natural fit,” IKEA US President Mike Ward said. “We saw firsthand the hardships that our neighbors had to endure after Hurricane Sandy.” Global Green is the US affiliate of Green Cross International, founded by Soviet President Mikail Gorbachev in 1993. The purpose of the organization was to foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure future. Following Katrina, President and CEO, Matt Peterson led a rebuilding program which TIME Magazine praised for paving the way in the greening of New Orleans. Global Green has also worked on projects to reduce waste in NYC, conserve energy use in California, and preserve water use in Louisiana. “Global Green’s Solar for Sandy initiative will serve as a catalytic model for the resilient and green rebuilding of low-lying coastal neighborhoods,” Peterson said. “Through smarter, more sustainable energy systems, we can improve vulnerable infrastructure and reduce ongoing energy costs, as well as demonstrate how we create green jobs as we respond to the realities of sea level rise and climate change.” The installation will help mitigate future blackouts and provide expanded emergency services. Other benefits include heating, cooling and ventilation; cell phone and laptop charging stations; refrigeration for emergency medicine and food; and provide a well-lit centrally located safe haven for the community. “The Red Hook solar installation is a step forward,” Ward said.
A World Record Crunch!
by Kimberly Gail Price On October 24, New Yorkers joined GrowNYC and the City of New York for the second annual “Big Apple Crunch.”Apple fans came from all over the state came together to crunch an apple. Crunches took place throughout the day at many different times at a variety of locations. Over 250 organizations participated including schools, after-school programs, senior centers, farmers’ markets, food stores and workplaces. Although the official tally has not yet been released as of press time, GrowNYC has confirmed a new record has been set, one that they will most likely attempt to break next year. Big Apple Crunch was part of a citywide Food Day to get New Yorkers thinking about healthy eating habits. Food Day is a national celebration to encourage healthy, sustainable and affordable food. In addition to being the state fruit, apples are also a seasonable food that grows in the region. The event began at Brooklyn Borough
Red Hook Star-Revue
photo courtesy of NYC Grows
Hall’s Greenmarket at noon with a ten minute countdown to crunching. The official kick-off included appearances by Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowhitz and Chef Jorge from the NYC Department of Education, and musical performance by Dr. Hip Hop. The Big Apple crunch was sponsored by the New York Apple Growers Association. They donated 2,500 apples for distribution. City Harvest donated 50,000 pounds of apples. The NYC Department of Education served apples with all school meals. Wellness in Schools organized 13 Crunches with 100 or more participants each. CAMBA afterschool programs crunched with over 2,000 public school students.
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7765 in Red Hook lost one of their icons. Sal Meglio, a hero and friend passed away in early September. Sal Meglio was one of the great spirits of Red Hook. Friends remembered him as a true gentleman. They spoke of his giving nature and his compassion. But mostly, the mourned the loss of a man they greatly respected and admired for all of the light he brought into the world.
Sal Meglio
Sal was not eligible to join Red Hook’s VFW. He served in the US military, but did not serve overseas, which is a requirement to join the foreign wars post. Instead, he served by repairing vehicles and aircraft that safely carried troops overseas into the fight. Sal’s service to the United States military was so valiant to the members of Red Hook’s VFW that he was eventually inducted as an honorary member of the Post. When anyone walked in, he had a seat and a cold beer ready. And he never forgot a name. Sal is well remembered for his stories. He would recall how, as a kid, he would pull up tar from between the cobblestones and chew on it. He liked the chewy consistency. The tar would turn his teeth and whole mouth black. Matt Graber, for an early Star-Revue article, asked Sal what it tasted like. Sal beamed his infectious smile and answered, “It tasted like tar!” Matt persisted, “Didn’t your mom get upset?” “Nah. She didn’t care, as long as we weren’t smoking,” Sal said as he inhaled a deep drag of his cigarette. Sal had a unique way of telling his stories, always keeping his audience intrigued until the very last sordid detail. He spoke of the past as if it were merely days ago, no detail left omitted. Whether an audience of one or many, a story retold or untold, Sal entertained and shared the memories of his life with the people he loved. During the aftermath of Sandy, The Post’s basement, like so many, was flooded out. But they had power and heat, and a little thing like five feet of water in the basement wasn’t going to stop Sal from opening the space to his neighbors and his friends. The basement could be repaired later, but when his friends were in need, he provided. Sal’s kindness extended far beyond the members of the post. He was generous and thoughtful, knowing that nothing is worth having if it cannot be shared. I remember more than one occasion when a reporter would return to the office with a cold six-pack sent by Sal. Sal loved hosting parties at the Post. His true patriotism is unmatched by most. The special days always began with reverence toward his country by way of opening ceremonies in the front garden. Afterwards, food and beverages were served. Sal spent most of those times in the basement, cooking far more than would satisfy his guests. He wanted everyone who passed through the doors of the VFW to feel at home, as if they had just as much right to be there as he did. On August 27, Sal stayed late at the Post to organize the annual reunion and order supplies. Afterward, he went home and suffered a massive stroke. He passed away one week later. The reunion was held in his honor the same day of his memorial service. Sal’s absence at the Post 7765 is felt far and wide. Members carry on his traditions of holiday parties and gatherings. But it feels as if something very special is missing. A man who gave so much, asked for so little, and will be remembered in the hearts of so many.
Holiday Arts and Crafts from BWAC NYCreates and Brooklyn Waterfront Artist Coalition are teaming up for a holiday and craft festival on the piers of Red Hook. The festival will feature artists living and working in New York, who will bring their high quality crafts to Liberty Warehouse (499 Van Brunt Street, 2nd Floor) for two weekends. Featured items will include jewelry, pottery, body lotions and soap, women’s and men’s wear, and accessories. All items are handcrafted by the artists. BWAC will also be decorating the walls with affordable artwork by local artists as well. The festival will be open to the public November 22-24 and November 30-December 1 from 11 am to 5 pm.
www.RedHookStar.com
November 2013 Page 17
New private school for Red Hook (continued from page 1)
number (929-210-1362) and a website (www.basisindependentbrooklyn.com). Basis is very open about their educational philosophy. As described on the website: “A for-profit independent school is a business. The school is owned by its investors and like any business, to thrive the school must satisfy its customers, our parents and grandparents, who pay the tuition. Our objective as a business is simple: to offer a world-quality learning experience at an exceptional value.”
Hours: Noon to 10:30 pm Tues. to Thurs. Noon to 11pm Friday. 4pm to 11pm Saturday & 4pm to 10:30pm Sunday.
As with most private schools, BASIS is marketed by the success of its students. However, critics such as Diane Ravitch point out that as with many charter schools, students who are forecast not to do well are weeded out by the time of high school. Well known Arizona education blogger David Safier writes: “The problem with The Legend is, it ignores the fact that BASIS students are a highly select group, especially by the time they make it to high school. Students who can’t make the grade fall by the wayside before they make it to their senior year. Most of the students who succeed would excel wherever they were -- district, charter or private school. BASIS’
Olga and Michael Block, owners of BASIS Independent schools.
reputation for excellence has far more to do with the students who manage to survive the schools’ rigor than the quality of the education offered. If you have reasonably good teachers presenting demanding material to the top-level students who survive at BASIS, you can be guaranteed they’ll ace all the tests that come their way. The question for Red Hook, especially those living in the Front, is whether hosting an elite private school is a desirable future for the neighborhood. By changing its business model from a charter school to an independent private school, BASIS has avoided that discussion for now.
Made in Red Hook! by Jenny Belin
There’s always something good going on at Rocky’s of Red Hook!! Tuesday Night is Irish Language Night Beginning Irish at 7 Advanced at 8 Taught by Brian Mallon
Jets, Giants, Rangers, Devils, Islanders Best Place to watch the games!
Available for Private Parties
Irish Traditional Music Sundays at 4, Tuesdays at 9
Pub Quiz Thursdays at 8 Sean Crawley, Quizmaster
SAT. NOVEMBER 23RD DIRECT FROM IRELAND!
Page 18 Red Hook Star-Revue
Shepherds Pie, Bangers and Mash and even Pizza made in our kitchen
Chanel designer, Karl Lagerfeld has found true love. His beloved kitten, Choupette, is the one; she is his fashion muse! I painted this portrait of the two lovebirds in my Brooklyn studio as I sat beside Edye, my own dear tortoiseshell kitty. The painting is my interpretation of a photograph taken by Karl Lagerfeld himself. I have made limited edition prints from this image, which can be seen at the Brooklyn Collective, at 212 Columbia Street. You can see more pet portraits that I have created on my website: www.jennybelin.com
www.RedHookStar.com
November 2013
Banksy’s Red Hook influence by Kimberly Gail Price
W
hether it was Banksy or not, RHAP youth were inspired to take their art outdoors based on Banksy’s theme of “Better Out Than In,” a city-wide graffiti project that enraged Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In mid October, Deirdre Swords found an imprint of her new space at 63 Richards Street. Four corners of 5 foot by 9 foot rectangle were labeled with the words “Better Out than In #ANONYMOUS GUESTBOOK” A smaller version even appeared on the side walk. Banksy, a British graffiti artist whose identity is largely unknown, completed a month long residency in New York City throughout October, left picture messages for the city nearly every night of the month. Deirdre is the Executive Director of Red Hook Art Project (RHAP), an after school and weekend program that allows kids to express themselves through various art forms. She began the program with one student several years ago at a picnic table in Coffey Park. She later moved the program into Red Hook Initiative’s (RHI) space on Saturdays. She recruited staff and volunteers to create more programs including film, music, sculpture, drawing, painting and any other medium her students were interested in. In August, Deidre moved the program into their very own space where she was able to add more days and curriculum to the schedule. Banksy’s first appearance in Brooklyn was in the form of a battered heartshaped balloon. After the original piece was vandalized, security guards were paid to watch the building. According to two of the men who were standing guard, Banksy would occasionally stop
by. Deirdre stopped by one night and handed them a business card, asking that the guards pass it along to Banksy. Ten days later, the imprint appeared on RHAP’s wall. Deirdre was excited that this “art-world phenomenon” had given her organization a “nod of support.” She believes Banksy was lending a hand to help raise awareness and encourage art. Surrounding the city with art on the outside of buildings will draw more attention to artists everywhere. Art should not just be hung inside on gallery walls. Skeptics questioned the validity of the tag as being authentic Banksy. Deirdre said, “The predominance of skepticism in our world may (sadly) be well founded, but I still find it a weak mode for folks to be in. It adds to the problems; [it] doesn’t help at all!” On October 23, Banksy posted a statement to his online NYC collection, saying “Today’s artwork has been cancelled due to police activity.” It was the only day of the month a new art work did not appear in the city. On that day, RHAP students gathered in the cold to prepare their own statement, filling in on the one day that Banksy could not. The following day, someone sent a message to RHAP’s Face Book page, “Sorry to rain on your parade, but that’s NOT a Banksy. Three of those walls went up and are not attributed to him. This group is responsible: http://anonymousguestbook.co.uk.” A close examination of the website reveals several connections to the artist. His work is featured on the website, including the confirmed red balloon that first appeared in Red Hook. Tags include #bansky, #banksyny, #banksynation and #banksyguestbook. The html code reveals dozens of references to the artist.
The guestbook website archives tab has two categories, October 2013 and November 2013. There are 64 pictures for October. Most are centered around the Anonymous Guestbook markings similar to the one at RHAP. They show the evolution of the guest books being painted by local artists. There are other pictures that show Banksy at work in elusive ways, including the site on Kings Street where the first Brooklyn artwork was found. For the November section, there are eight photos. Each of these show the Anonymous Guestbooks, most with completed murals. Although these have not been confirmed as authentic Banksy art, there
is strong evidence to suggest either Banksy or someone closely associated with him is responsible. Each of themurals all contain Banksy’s stenciled theme of “Better Out Than In.” They are being tracked much the same way Banksy’s other pieces are after being tagged. A quote by Paul Cézanne, “All picture painted inside, in the studio, will never be as good as those done outside,” is posted at the top of Banksy’s website. His residency in New York has come to a close. He neither publicly denounced or claimed the imprints. But one thing is certain: all across the city, Bansky has inspired New Yorkers to bring their art “out,” rather than “in.”
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Celebration, Reflection and Progress How does a neighborhood devastated by a hurricane look back and celebrate the anniversary? If that neighborhood is Red Hook, with surprises, gatherings, and compassion. Local business owners quietly arranged an impromptu parade to commemorate the anniversary of Sandy around 4 pm. Hundreds of Red Hook residents arrived dressed in costumes. Bait and Tackle built a “Generhook, Model 102912” push-float. The Hungary Man Marching Band led the parade through the streets of Red Hook. A 100 foot long tarp was dragged along, representing the massive wall of saltwater that tore through the neighborhood a year earlier. The route started on Van Brunt and wound its way down to Steve’s Key Lime Pie, where Steve and his gang had Coronas on ice and their signature key lime pies waiting. They parade wound around and passed Sunny’s and Hometown, eventually coming back to Van Brunt Street. The 76th Precinct, who knew nothing of the event, intercepted, and began leading and following the excursion. Organizers expected the parade to be shut down because they did not have permits, but with the precinct’s support, they were able to extend the parade down Richards and throughout the neighborhood. Red Hook Initiative (RHI) - the original hub of distribution, hot meals, services and information after the hurricane - also held an event. Community members gathered to mingle and view a documentary about the storm produced by kamau ware. Politicians, including Councilman-elect Carlos Menchaca and Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, offered words of encouragement to the community of Red Hook. Following RHI’s event, the community gathered in Coffey Park to hold a candlelight vigil. Residents greeted one another and reflected on the past year since the storm blew through. Resident and community activist, Reg Flowers invited the group to gather together in a circle to share a moment of silence. The vigil formed into a processional and began a slow somber march to the waterfront. Candles remained lit. Others wore headlamps, carried lanterns and toted flashlights. The processional ended on the behind IKEA at the Erie Basin Park. Fairway and IKEA both were serving treats for the participants. Fairway had an assortment of brownies and cookies with hot apple cider to wash the down. IKEA served ginger-cookies and glögg, a non-alcoholic mulled red wine. Just as Red Hook came together in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we also celebrated it together as a community. - Kimberly Gail Price
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November 2013