Star revue september 2014 for trumbull

The

Red Hook StarªRevue

EARLY SEPT. 2014

SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

FREE

Working Red Hook

photos by Micah B. Rubin

Our special Labor Day Salute begins on page 9 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

PRIMARY 2014

The

Red Hook StarªRevue

Happenings, etc.

proudly introduces our new website

www.Star-Revue.com For Editorial, Advertising and Help Wanted Inquiries, email info@redhookstar.com, or call 718 624-5568 The Star-Revue is published by Kimberly G. Price & George Fiala

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 Come to the legendary Sunny’s bar to celebrate Sunny Balzano’s 80th birthday. No doubt there will be blissful music, as well as the blissful Sunny and Tone. 253 Conover Street, around the corner from Brooklyn Crab. (718) 625-8211

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Joyful Laboring on Labor Day Weekend, Yankee-Style!!! Yankee Ferry needs your greasy elbows and eye for detail this Labor Day weekend. If you don’t already have something to do, then come to Yankee. We’ll be going for three days, and we need more hands holding hammers, paintbrushes, and sponges. They will provide breakfast, lunch, music, purpose, and a rockin’ gorgeous ship. And we want you to stay the nights too, so let us know and we’ll get your bunk prepped. So who’s in!!? Please email Josh, at ahoy@yankeeferrynyc.com

RELIGIOUS SERVICES CATHOLIC Visitation Church 98 Richards St, (718) 624-1572 Saint Paul and Saint Agnes Parish St. Paul’s Church - Rectory & Church Office 234 Congress Street (718) 624-3425 Hours: M - F 830am-12 St. Agnes Church Office 433 Sackett Street, 718-625-1717 Hours: M-F 1pm-430pm Email:stpaulstagnes@gmail.com St. Agnes: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 9 am (English), 11:30am (Spanish) St. Paul’s: Saturday 5pm Vigil Mass Sunday 8 am & 9:30am (English); 11am (Spanish) Monday & Tuesday 8:30am (St. Paul’s) Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am (St. Agnes) Saturday 8am (St. Paul’s) http://stpaulstagnes.org/

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Book Launch: The Teacher Wars by Dana Goldstein. In her provocative critical history of public education, Goldstein unpacks the cultural baggage surrounding teaching and looks to where it’s headed in the future.

7:00pm - 9:00pm PowerHouse Arena 37 Main St, Dumbo

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Saint Stephen Roman Catholic Church 125 Summit Street at Hicks Street info@sacredhearts-ststephen.com Saturday Vigil Mass 5:30pm Sunday Masses: 10am & 11:45am (Italian/English) Weekdays Masses: Tuesday Through Saturday 8:30am Confessions: Saturdays 4:45pm and by appointment. Baptisms: Every Third Sunday At 1pm. Please call the rectory one month before to make arrangements. Sick Calls: Please call the rectory to arrange for the sacrament of anointing whenever anyone is seriously ill. Marriages: Please call the rectory at least 6 months ahead for an appointment with a priest http:// www.sacredhearts-ststephen.com

Pork lovers in Red Hook will have the opportunity to try specialties from 25 NYC chefs at this year’s Pig Festival. The $75 entrance tickets include unlimited access to dishes carved from nearly 80 locally sourced hogs, craft beers catered by Sixpoint, wines and ciders from NY State, and live music. The event will run from 11:30am-4:30pm, and children under 12 enter for free.

St. Paul’s Carroll Street 199 Carroll Street Parish Office: 718-625-4126 Sunday Mass at 10 am Weekday Morning Prayer - Mon.-Thurs. at 7:30 am Weekday masses as announced Holy Days as announced (please see the Calendar) Church open for prayer Tues. 6-8pm & Sat. 2-4pm http://stpaulscarrollst.weebly.com/

Red Hook Readiness! 10:00 am – 2:00 pm All over Red Hook!! The day features a walk through for Red Hook’s Readiness at the actual support locations in the neighborhood. You’ll have the chance to meet your local agencies and community responders. There will be give-aways for your individual preparedness including a home Go Bag. Join us for food, music and prizes at the AFTER PARTY expected at P.S. 15!! Get information at redhookcoalition.net.

Columbia Waterfront Festival. Local merchants, vendors and institutions will have tables on Union and Columbia Streets. Rides for kids, food for all. And a full day of live music on our stage. Community Garden Tour begins at noon. Hours: 12 noon - 5 pm

Baptist

Calvary Baptist Church 773 Hicks St (718) 522-5159

Jewish

Kane Street Synagogue 236 Kane Street, (near Tompkins Place) 718 875-1550 http://kanestreet.org/ August 29 - 30, Shabbat Shoftim Candle Lighting 7:14 PM Shabbat ends 8:17 PM Friday night services, 6:00 PM Shabbat morning services, 9:15 AM Sunday Morning Services 9:00 AM Congregation B’nai Avraham/Chabad of Brooklyn Heights 117 Remsen St., 718 596 4840 x18 www.bnaiavraham.com, www.heightschabad. com Morning Services: Sunday: 8:45am Monday - Friday: 7:45am Holidays (during the week): 8:45am Saturday: 9:45am Evening Services: Sunday: Shabbat candle lighting time Monday - Thursday: 9:00pm Friday: Winter: 5 minutes before Shabbat candle lighting time Summer: 7:30pm Saturday: Shabbat candle lighting time

If your religious institution isn’t listed here, let us know by emailing info@redhookstar.com Thanks!

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14

Hootenanny Jamboree at the Urban Meadow 3:00 pm - 6 pm. Sing-a-long, play-a-long and get-a-long. $5 for adults, kids free. AThe first 90 minutes will be a sing-a-long with Don Friedman leading this part from 3- 4:30pm. Then at 4.30 someone--a seasoned bluegrass picker--will lead and call out tunes for everyone and for those who come with an acoustic instrument can play-a-long. Folks are encouraged to bring their acoustic guitars, banjos, ukuleles, mandolins, etc. The Urban Meadow is at Van Brunt and President Streets.

COMMUNITY BOARD 6:

ALL MEETINGS AT 6:30 PM Wed Sept. 10: General Board Meeting Cobble Hill Health Center, 380 Henry Street Wed Sept. 17: Parks/Recreation/Cultural Affairs A chance to discuss Valentino Pier and Coffey Park renovation plans Miccio Center, 110 west 9th Street Mon Sept 22: Environmental Protection/ Permits & Licenses 78th Police Precinct, 65 6th Avenue, 4th floor Court Room

Page 2 Red Hook Star-Revue

www.RedHookStar.com

Early September 2014

PORT AUTHORITY UNDER FIRE IN RED HOOK T

by George Fiala

he George Washington Bridge lane closure incident is nearing its one year anniversary. That scandal has already brought down Port Authority executives, and still threatens NJ governor Christie.

As a result of that well publicized scandal, under investigation by the NJ legislature, both the SEC and the Manhattan District Attorney initiated investigations of their own. They are examining financial transactions, especially PA money spent on rebuilding the Pulaski Skyway. Last Tuesday, the NJ newspaper, the Bergen Record, revealed that a deal made three years ago at the Red Hook Containerport is also under investigation.

Facts and rumors Back in September 2011, the Star-Revue reported on rumors and facts about the eviction of American Stevedoring from the containerport. American Stevedoring (ASI) had been the terminal operator in Red Hook since 1992. The fact we knew was that ASI was evicted as the stevedore on September 26, with a new terminal operator in place the next day.

As the Star-Revue reported in our October 2011 issue: Catucci and the PA battled for years It is no secret that for some time the Port Authority has wanted Sal Catucci, in Red Hook since 1992, out. His last lease renewal was highly contentious. The Bloomberg administration decided, around 2002 that there was a better use for the piers than loading and unloading containers. The Columbia Waterfront District, abutting Piers 7-12, was on its way up after years of decay, and hotels, beer gardens and luxury housing were in a plan boosted by then Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Dan Doctoroff. American Stevedoring was the last Brooklyn shipping operation, and the city and state, under development czar Charles Gargano, was of a mind that Staten Island and New Jersey operations were sufficient to handle maritime traffic.

Catucci fought back, along with friends

LICH still in litigation

By Kimberly Gail Price After many months of court battles, restraining orders, and rallies between LICH and SUNY, the majority of the hospital - except for a barebones emergency room - quietly went to sleep in late May. Despite the court approved settlement barring the named litigants from pursuing further action against SUNY Downstate, other interested parties have recently been provoked into resurrecting old wounds, bringing the condemned hospital back into the spotlight.

On Tuesday, August 26, New York State Nursing Association (NYSNA) filed for a temporary restraining order against SUNY to prevent Fortis Property Group from obtaining LICH. According to the nursing union, Fortis has violated their terms of agreement with

Red Hook Star-Revue

such as Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler and former City Councilmember David Yassky, for whom blue collar jobs, and especially union jobs, are important to keep in the city. After five years of lawsuits and negotiations, a new 10 year lease for ASI was finally announced in April of 2008.

However, it appears that things have not been as peaceful as it might have appeared from Columbia Street, or for the matter the NYC press reports.

According to persons connected with the industry, Stevedoring has not paid any rent since the lease renewal (at the time of the renewal ASI was in arrears for $2.6 million on rent, which was to be paid off as a credit against a Federal subsidy for barging freight to Newark). And ASI filed a massive federal lawsuit against the Port Authority in May of 2010, charging that the Port Authority, in violation of agreements, stopped applying for the Federal funds that would cover the barge operations necessary for the efficient and profitable operation of the business.

The major reason for the granting of federal subsidies for barging to NJ is pollution reduction – as the Newark facilities are situated near the interstate highways. The more containers loaded onto trucks here in Brooklyn, the more driving through the city, over the bridges, and the more pollution in the city and damage to the roads and bridges.”

Price to leave It was rumored that Catucci demanded a high price to leave - as much as $20 million including unpaid rent. But nothing was ever revealed - until the Bergen Record report.

The American Stevedoring part of this sign at the foot of Hamilton Avenue, was taken down shortly after Catucci’s eviction. It remains blank to this day.

Prosecutors have sent the Port Authority a wide-ranging subpoena requesting information about its 2011 agreement with American Stevedoring Inc. and any related communications involving the offices of Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., Governor Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, according to two sources with knowledge of the subpoena.”

Tolls and fees Much of Port Authority’s revenue stream comes from fees at area airports and bridge and tunnel tolls (see chart). In 2013 they reported $4.2 billion in income. As a quasi-government institution, controlled equally by the governors of New York and New Jersey, accusations have been made about slush funds and patronage - accusations which have grown since the much publicized George Washington Bridge incident and have encouraged increased government scrutiny, as well as calls for a reworking of the entire agency.

“The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is investigating a secret, $25 million legal settlement between the Port Authority and a politically connected seaport company that excused $15 million in unpaid rent at the docks in Brooklyn and Newark and handed over $10 million of public money to cover other debts.

Controversy is what the Port Authority likes least. Rather than develop the dilapidated Red Hook piers, they sold them to local developer Greg O’Connell. Likewise, they sold off the unused and rotting Erie Grain Terminal building at the Henry Street basin.

What is now Brooklyn Bridge Park was also Port Authority property. The PA was planning commercial redevelopment of the piers under the Brooklyn Heights Promenade back in the 1980’s.

The plan included an office complex

SUNY. Their submitted proposal - which was ranked third in the RFP process, largely due to elements they promised to incorporate - ensured they would rehire LICH staff.

A statement released by NYSNA on Wednesday said, “The two highest ranking bidders were earlier disqualified when they were unable to deliver on commitments made in their proposals – nurses maintain that the same standard should apply to Fortis.”

The case was seen in Kings County Supreme Court by Justice Lauren B. Jacobsen, who granted NYSNA a temporary restraining order through September 12.

Fortis has also promised portion of the properties would be used for affordable housing, but dropped that element after L + M Development Partners withdrew support Brooklyn resident and former LICH pa-

tient, Barbara Gartner filed an Article 78 petition on August 25 in the NYS Supreme Court against the Attorney General’s office for a “blanket denial” of a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.

Gartner released a statement on August 28, challenging the Attorney General’s refusal to make documents available to community members in regards to the Othmer Endowment Fund.

Gartner made two requests for the documentation and was denied both times.

“At a certain point,” she said, “you run out of administrative options.”

The Committee on Open Government wrote Gartner a lengthy letter stating that the “denial of access in our view is equally inappropriate.”

Oral arguments in the case will be heard on September 26 in Albany.

From the Bergen Record:

www.star-revue.com

Breakdown of PA income and expense. (from their annual report)

and residential buildings. Faced with vociferous opposition from Brooklyn Heights, they quietly backed off and sold the land to the city.

The Red Hook Containerport has been a money loser for the Port Authority, and its importance as Brooklyn’s only containerport has been questioned.

Real estate developers have been lusting after the land for years - and the Mayor is continuously pushing for “affordable housing.”

One can only conjecture what this newest controversy will mean for the future of the Port Authority property in Red Hook.

In early July, Derek Oubre, Trinidad Health Partners’ president, filed a formal protest with SUNY and the NYS Comptroller. His hospital’s proposal was ranked sixth in SUNY’s RFP process.

According to Oubre, SUNY accepted proposals that did not include evidence of financial resources to build or renovate a hospital, awarded LICH to a non-hospital developer, and “relative weighting” that favored SUNY over the community.

Local officials wrote two separate letters to both State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli regarding the sale of LICH on July 10, 2014.

State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assembly member Joan Millman, and Council men Brad Lander, Steve Levin (continued on page 15)

Early September 2014, Page 3

Second Red Hook park scheduled to close

Valentino Pier is one of the best places to view the Red Hook sunset. This view from the parking lot next door is marred by fencing already put up. Fencing now surrounds the entire although the whole park is still accessible.

T

he other day Councilman Carlos Menchaca sent out the following email:

“This morning my office was informed by community residents that fencing was placed around Valentino Pier. This is deeply concerning for several reasons. First, our office received no advance communications from the Parks Department about this fencing. Our Red Hook neighbors experienced this only months earlier with the fencing that went up around Coffey Park with no prior discussion with our office, and limited community outreach. Second, we now have two community parks that have fencing around them simultaneously.

This is unacceptable, and we are now working to get the details on the nature and scope of this project on Valentino Pier in order to resolve the problem this fencing has created. Improvements to our parks should be thoughtfully timed to ensure that there is always open space accessible to our community.”

My office has also received some questions on the capital funding allocated for Valentino Pier, which is separate from the project that started today. To provide some background, in 2012, the City Council allocated $1.5M in funding to construct a comfort station (or in simpler terms, a bathroom) for the Pier. A scoping meeting was held on August 9, 2012 to discuss the particulars of the project.

Then Sandy hit, which required Parks Department to rethink preliminary designs for the comfort station. The original cost estimates went up by about $500K—my office and the Borough President’s Office stepped in, each providing $250K in capital funds to close that funding gap. The project is now in design, and the Parks Department expects that they will present the design to the Community Board this fall. We will keep you all informed when a date is set for that meeting.

The Parks Department has indicated that they do not anticipate having to close the park throughout this process, and that the impact on park usage during construction will be minimal. We are committed to ensuring a full community process in close partnership with the Community Board on this project and the parks in our district more generally.”

Many in the community are upset at this further lack of communication from the Parks Dept. to the Red Hook community. Some are perfectly happy with the park the way it is. We received this message from local artist Paige Tooker: “People who visit Valentino park this week will find 100’s of feet of 6’ wire fencing that appears to be Additional fencing waiting to be installed run randomly throughout the park.

It’s caused a lot of confusion. Especially on Tuesday nite ‘flic’ night. Even the beach is fenced off.

The fencing is not the real problem. The problem is that the Parks department decided that more pavement will improve Valentino Park without reaching out to the community.

Everyone I’ve talked to likes the natural paths and adamantly opposes more pavement at Valentino Park.

This is one of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever been able to enjoy every day just the way it is. The landscaping is amazing. They’ve chosen plants that would naturally grow near the beach, and there are flowers blooming throughout the entire summer. Many families picnic and plan birthday parties here. The pier is frequented by the regulars that fish there. The Red Hook boaters takes lots of kids out in kayaks all summer from the beach. Dog owners take their dogs in the early morning. We watch movies there all summer on the lawn.

We DON’T want more pavement at Valentino park. We like the natural paths!”

At this point Menchaca is working to set up a community meeting with Parks.

As soon as the meeting is set we will post it on our website: www.star-revue.com.

Page 4 Red Hook Star-Revue

www.star-revue.com

Early September 2014

Assembly candidates square off in series of debates

by George Fiala

J

oan Millman’s decision not to seek reelection came as a shock to some.

She has represented the 52nd Assembly District in Albany since 1997, and would no doubt be re-elected to as many terms as she wanted. However, at age 74, and with a promised job in the City administration, she decided that her traveling days to Albany should be over.

Millman’s choice as her successor is Jo Ann Simon. Simon has the support of many political leaders, including Nydia Velazquez and Velmanette Montgomery. She is also supported by most of the Brooklyn political clubs, including the Central Brooklyn and Lambda Independent Democrats. She has served as Female Democratic District Leader in the 52nd AD since 2004, and ran for City Council in 2009, losing to Stephen Levin. Simon had been in consideration to replace Vito Lopez as head of the Kings County Democrats, a position eventually granted to another lawyer, Frank Seddio.

In her professional life, Simon specializes in disability discrimination lawsuits. She served as President of the Boerum Hill Association in the 1990’s.

Sikora surprise On June 2nd, members of the Independent Neighborhood Democrats (IND), the club that meets atop the Scotto Funeral Home, were met by a well dressed gentleman on their path upstairs to their endorsement meeting. It turned out that the gentleman was Pete Sikora.

In what many deemed an unexpected twist, Sikora won the IND endorsement at the end of a long, steamy session.

The vote was extremely close, and left Simon supporters fuming.

Sikora is a lobbiest in the NYS legislature, representing the Communication Workers Union, and has also worked for NYPIRG. He was active in the fight against the closing of LICH, founding a group called Parents for LICH.

Wild card Doug Biviano also ran in the 2009 Council race won by Levin. He is a lifelong Brooklyn Heights resident with a degree in Civil Engineering from Cornell. While the other candidates have raised close to $200,000 each in this campaign, Biviano is running a low budget operation, and until recently was not taken very seriously as a candidate.

viano - who tends to gets overly excited while making charges against the political establishment - calmed down a bit.

The questions came from the audience as well as from Babin. The candidates were asked the usual - housing in the park, selling off library assets and the school system.

Some questions stood out. They were asked who they will support in the governor’s race. This was the day after the NY Times refused to endorse Andrew Cuomo.

Sikora and Biviano both said they would support Zephyr Teachout, who is running a long-shot campaign against Cuomo’s $35 million war chest. Sikora is supported by the Working Family Party, who endorsed Cuomo. Simon said she was disappointed with Cuomo, especially in his involvement with the closing of LICH, but declared herself as yet undecided.

Parking permits Prospect Heights lies in the shadow of the Barclay Center, and the question of residential parking permits was brought up. All three candidates are in favor of them. Biviano called the parking problem one of overbuilding made possible by tax giveaways to luxury condo developers. Simon said she spearheaded a study on traffic calming, and Sikora mentioned his endorsement by StreetsPAC. A question about Sheldon Silver was next. Silver is the Democratic leader in the Assembly, and it is said that nothing happens without Shelly’s direct approval. At one time he and Vito Lopez were the leading Democratic power brokers. He fends off conflict of interest and other charges of corruption as easily as Captain America uses his shield. Both Simon and Sikora said they would support a worthy challenger to the speaker.

Simon because of allegations that he covered up Vito Lopez’s improprieties, and Sikora because he has seen corruption first-hand as an Albany lobbiest.

“I’ve been in the belly of the beast,” he said. “It’s gotten worse.” He said that he would seek rules changes that would drop some of the speaker’s power down

The race itself has picked up intensity as the summer winds down and the September 9th Democratic primary date looms. All three candidates spoke separately before a Brooklyn Heights meeting of Citizens Defending Libraries on August 24. The next day they held their first actual debate which was televised on Time Warner News 1. Then, on the 27th they held a lengthier debate at the Duryea Presbyterian Church in a forum sponsored by the Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council.

This debate was moderated by WNYC economics reporter Janet Babin.

This surge of actual campaigning seems to have invigorated the candidates, who were somewhat uncomfortable during on Sunday and Monday. Simon seemed more comfortable, Sikora calmer, and Bi-

Red Hook Star-Revue

Jo Anne Simon, Doug Biviano and Pete Sikora at the Prospect Heights debate.

to committee heads.

BerlinRosen Doug Biviano used this question, as he did with many others, to excoriate the consulting/PR firm BerlinRosen. BerlinRosen is used by many candidates as well as office holders, including Mayor di Blasio. They are advising Sikora in this race. Co-founder Jonathan Rosen’s wife is Silver’s chief of staff. They also represent Sikora supporters Steve Levin and Brad Lander, as well as developers Forest City and Two Trees. Forest City is building the always controversial Atlantic Yards and Two Trees developed Dumbo and is now building at the Domino Sugar Factory on the Williamsburg waterfront.

Biviano claims that this pervasive company presents many conflicts of interest and is instrumental in “taking government away from the people.” He said that he would never support Silver, which was, in fact, a stronger statement than either of the other candidates.

Fundraising The next question had to do with the amount of funds raised by each candidate. Simon claimed $190,000 in donations, but “none from developers with projects in the neighborhood.” Her money was from the people, she said.

Sikora claimed $194,000 in donations

thus far, coming from almost 600 different donors. He claimed not to have taken a cent from real estate developers. Jo Anne piped in that he has “taken advantage of every loophole,” a charge Sikora was not given time to defend.

There is a campaign filing statement due on Friday the 29th. These statements are all available online at the NY State Board of Elections web page.

Doug Biviano announced that he will never take any money from special interests. However, he doesn’t take much money from anyone, claiming a total of $7,000 raised for his grassroots campaign thus far.

As in many political debates, not all questions were answered, as politicians running for office are trained to repeat their talking points at every opportunity, and these candidates were no different.

There will be at least two more debates before the September 9 primary. On September 2, the Brooklyn Heights Blog is hosting a debate at St. Francis College. It begins at 7 pm in Founders Hall, 180 Remsen Street. The StarRevue is providing one of the panelists.

Then on September 3rd, the candidates meet up at the BRIC House, 647 Fulton Street, at 7 pm. This debate is sponsored by the Cobble Hill Association.

Community Telephone Numbers: Red Hook Councilman Carlos Menchaca..............718 439-9012 Red Hook Assemblyman Felix Ortiz.....................718-492-6334 Gowanus Councilman Lander..............................718 499-1090 Park Slope Councilman Levin...............................718 875-5200 CB6 District Manager Hammerman .....................718 643-3027 76th Police Precinct, 191 Union Street Main phone .....................................................718-834-3211 Community Affairs............................................718 834-3207 Traffic Safety.....................................................718 834-3226 Eileen Dugan Senior Center, 380 Court Street........718 596-1956 Miccio Community Center, 110 East 9th Street.......718 243-1528 Red Hook East Dev. Office, 62 Mill St...................718 852-6771 Red Hook West Dev. Office, 55 Dwight St.............718 522-3880

Moderator Janet Babin works for the radio station WNYC. (Fiala photos)

NYCHA Satellite Police Precinct, 80 Dwight Street Main Phone....................................................(718) 265-7300 Community Affairs...........................................(718) 265-7313 Domestic Violence...........................................(718) 265-7310 Youth Officer...................................................(718) 265-7314 Auxiliary/Law Enforcement Coordinator ..........(718) 265-7378 Detective Squad...............................................(718) 265-7327

www.star-revue.com

Early September 2014, Page 5

PRIMARY 2014

A

s New York is pretty much a Democratic town, many of the November races are actually decided in the September Democratic primary. These are scheduled the second Tuesday in September. Some may remember that 9/11/01, the day of Al Queda’s attacks on America, was a primary day. That year the election, which had already started, was stopped and rescheduled for later in the month. That was the race where Michael Bloomberg became mayor.

This year the election is on September 9th. The races include State Senate, State Assembly and Governor. As a public service, the Star-Revue allows each candidate space to tell you why they deserve your vote. These statements are presented below and on the next page and represent the Assembly races in the 51st and 52nd districts.

The 52nd district includes Piers 1-12, much of the Columbia Waterfront District, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope. For the past 17 years the position was held by Joan Millman, who decided not to seek reelection this year. Red Hook and Sunset Park are in the 51st AD. Felix Ortiz has held that seat since 1994, and is seeking re-election. These are two year terms, and unlike the City Council, there are no term limits.

51st Assembly District ASSEMBLY MEMBER FELIX W. ORTIZ

S

erving Red Hook as your Assemblyman is an honor and a profound responsibility and I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved by working together.

We have faced serious issues and had success, but we cannot afford to lose ground as we prepare for the challenges ahead. We have drawn the attention of all levels of government and we must continue to raise our voices and fight until our needs are fully met.

First and foremost, we must recover from Sandy’s devastation. Promised funds must be released to the families and small businesses who are still struggling to return to normal. I have called on Mayor de Blasio to resolve the delay and as a result he is making this a top priority.

I will keep the pressure on until all have received restitution.

In addition, we must continue to raise our voices to add more accessible mass transit services to Red Hook. We are currently working to secure ferry service from Red Hook to Manhattan seven days a week. Securing this service and adding new options will help Red Hook residents access jobs, schools and better connect to the rest of the city.

We must also eliminate the NYCHA repair backlog and hold them accountable for their failure to properly use government funds to meet our needs. Further, we must assure that Red Hook residents have equal and fair access to apartments in the neighborhood by holding NYCHA accountable for the review and assignment of new housing applications.

My number one priority is and has always been the education, safety and well-being of our children. This year, we won the fight to bring Universal pre-Kindergarten to our youngest generation and delivered more funds for our schools, reducing classroom size and bringing in new technology.

I have delivered after school programs and worked to improve healthier students by improving access to nutritious breakfasts and lunches.

It was my law that banned the use of cell phones while driving. This law came as a direct result of deaths that occurred in our community when pedestrians were killed by distracted drivers. We have extended that law to include texting and with the newly formed “Vision Zero” campaign joining my safe streets efforts, we have passed a law lowering the speed limit on city streets.

We have accomplished much by working together and I ask for your support again so that I can continue to work with you. I always put children and families of this community first. This sometimes makes the political bosses and special interests upset, but I don’t work for them. I work for you. And I’m proud to be on your side.

I hope I can count on your vote in the Democratic Primary, Tuesday, September 9, 2014. Thank you and God bless.

Page 6 Red Hook Star-Revue

A

CHALLENGER CEASAR ZUNIGA

s the son of hard working immigrants, Ceasar Zuniga knows what it takes to succeed and raise a family in Brooklyn. Ceasar lives in Sunset Park with his partner and his two young sons. He currently serves as the Director of Research and Evaluation for the Parent-Child Home Program, a national early childhood education program. In this capacity, he has helped bring early childhood education programs to families both nationally and throughout New York City, including Sunset Park. A member of Brooklyn Community Board 7 for the past 5 years, Ceasar is also a member of the Council of the Sunset Park Promise Neighborhood Initiative. With extensive experience on the community board, in the education system, and in the non-profit sector, Ceasar has the knowledge of how to craft evidence-based policy that will work for our community.

Ceasar has chosen to run because he does not feel that the families of the 51st District have a representative that they can count on. With our waterfront crumbling, rents skyrocketing, schools deteriorating, and small businesses being trampled, we need an Assembly Member that will fight for us. Ceasar knows that our neighborhood is changing, but he wants to make sure that these changes work for our community. He wants to re-develop our waterfront and invest in our infrastructure in a way that provides jobs and opportunities to our local families.

Ceasar wants to ensure that these decisions about investment and development are driven by the community and not by investors and politicians.

As an education professional, Ceasar knows there is nothing more important than the opportunities that we provide for our kids. He has raised millions of dollars to expand early childhood education to under-served communities including in Sunset Park. He wants to ensure that universal pre-k and early childhood education is fully funded so that kids are given opportunities at an early age. He wants to open new schools and improve our old ones in order to fix overcrowding, and he wants to raise the bar for our schools so that every child can attend a high preforming school, no matter where they live.

As Ceasar works to improve the standard of living in our neighborhoods, he wants to work to ensure that the families he’s working for aren’t priced out of the neighborhood. Ceasar knows that the cost of living is spiraling out of control across our neighborhoods. He wants to protect the affordable housing that we have — and expand affordable housing in the future. As our Assembly Member, Ceasar will ensure that new development is affordable for people from all walks of life. He will work to expand rent regulations beyond 2015 – without giving in to developers. He will work for tax breaks for small homeowners.

Ceasar is dedicated to our community and to the families that live there. He wants to be a voice for every resident and to fight for our community in the Assembly. Vote Ceasar Zuniga on September 9th.

www.star-revue.com

Early September 2014

52nd Assembly District Jo Anne Simon

Doug Biviano

I

t has been an honor and a privilege to represent the 52nd Assembly District as your Democratic State Committeewoman and District Leader, and to work closely with Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman and my co-leaders over the past 10 years.

When Joan Millman decided to not seek re-election I was honored to earn her support to succeed her in the State Assembly. I’ve also been endorsed

by US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, and NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. You can read the full list of endorsements at www.simonforbrooklyn.com.

My extensive experience working with local neighborhood organizations and individuals, coupled with the support of community leaders for my candidacy, demonstrates the trust people have in me to be their representative in Albany.

I am most proud that my record of achievement (which is spelled out in detail on my website) was as a community volunteer. It wasn’t my job.

All of my community involvement has been dedicated to giving our community a meaningful voice, not for a paycheck. Whether for my current position as Democratic District Leader or as President of the Boerum Hill Association it was for our communities.

Now, with the departure of Joan Millman, I believe I can put my experience to work for us not just here in Brooklyn, but in Albany as well.

There’s a lot of talk about reform. However, I am the only candidate who’s “walked the walk.”

I led the fight to drive the sexual predator Vito Lopez out of the Kings County Democratic Committee and the State Assembly. After his resignation, I ran for Democratic County leader on a platform of party reforms, and while I didn’t win that election, the reforms that I and others pushed for were adopted. That’s a record of achievement unmatched by my opponents. I will bring that same energy and experience to the Assembly to achieve long overdue reforms.

As an educator and attorney, I’ve seen how our schools could be doing so much more for our students. I took action, with such things as helping found Gowanus In Unity Tutoring, working with the ARISE Coalition, and serving as President of Everyone Reading. In the Assembly, I will fight to fund our local schools to realize the promise of the court’s ruling in the Campaign for Fiscal Equality decision and against the overreliance on high stakes testing. I will work to ensure the new Universal Pre-K program is fully funded, while working to shrink class sizes in other grades, starting with elementary school.

Our community faces many challenges ahead, from the future of Brooklyn Bridge Park (where I oppose the housing at Pier 6), to LICH, to opposing the shelter on West 9th Street, to the ongoing Atlantic Yards Project, to our local libraries and schools. The list almost seems endless. But it is a list I am very familiar with, where I have helped achieve real victories, and a list where my experience and skills can make a real difference for the people of the 52nd Assembly District.

Pete Sikora

M

y name is Pete Sikora, and I’m running for State Assembly in the 52nd AD, which includes Red Hook. I’m asking for your vote this September 9th.

I am a lifelong New Yorker running for Assembly to protect our vibrant, diverse, and inclusive communities from the threat of big developers, overcrowding, and the loss of local business. We need to keep our neighborhoods affordable and livable.

As an environmental activist, I spearheaded the coalition that passed the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, fought to strengthen the State’s Superfund program and closed down dirty and dangerous power plants. As an employee advocate, I fought to protect workers’ rights: passing Safe Handling Legislation and winning fair contracts for communications employees. I was proud to be a part of the campaign to fund universal, high-quality pre-K for all 4-year-olds.

I founded Wal-Mart: No Way, a campaign to keep Wal-Mart out of the

Red Hook Star-Revue

neighborhood and out of Brooklyn.

More recently, I co-founded Parents for LICH when reckless developers wanted to replace Long Island College Hospital with luxury condos.

I have a consistent record of working toward reforming Albany and ensuring fair and balanced elections and election funding.

I’ve never taken a dime from for-profit developers and real estate lobbyists.

Livable Streets & Neighborhoods: Reckless development is threatening the character of our neighborhoods. I’m actively fighting to stop building luxury housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park, turning LICH into high-priced condos, and selling off our libraries for development rights.

Too many families and working people are being forced to move out of our community due to skyrocketing housing costs. We cannot allow luxury condos to dominate. Any new development should include a mix of affordable housing and we must also protect rent regulation, which ensures that ten to fifteen thousand apartments remain affordable in the 52nd Assembly District.

M

y opponents for Assembly, Peter Sikora and Jo Anne Simon, are deeply involved in Mayor de Blasio’s campaign deception using LICH Hospital and it makes me worry about our future. That’s why I’m running.

Allow me to explain...

Like you, I am frustrated at the corrupt waste and lack of smart government in Albany that are causing this state to have the highest taxes, pushing the middle class and businesses out of our neighborhoods and causing suffering of the poor. Hospitals have been disappeared throughout NYC for condos for over a decade now. The leadership and professionalism that made New York the economic, cultural and idea capital of the world have gone, replaced by a generation of politicians whose elective office will be the best and only jobs they have.

Breaking campaign promises -- whether it’s LICH, overcrowded schools, condos in Brooklyn Bridge Park or shrinking and closing libraries -- is unfortunately only a symptom of the damage to our neighborhood. The worst thing today’s permanent class of politicians has done to us by controlling the election process is the taking of power of governing away from our community and you the voter to consolidate it for themselves and the permanent government to do as they please.

Control of our neighborhoods has been taken over by a Private Tammany Hall made up of lobbyists-campaign consultants and special interests who are not interested in serving the public but, instead, making money by tearing down our vital institutions that save our lives, educate us and give us enjoyment. Sadly, Red Hook and Carroll Gardens understands this more than any community having already lost a young father of three in an ambulance diversion to a distant hospital after LICH’s closure.

Unfortunately my opponents Peter Sikora (a lobbyist) and Jo Anne Simon are in knee-deep in the deception of LICH. Both were arrested with deBlasio in his campaign stunt to get elected. Now they’re using their arrests to get elected. Both cover-up the fact that de Blasio walked away from LICH and said nothing that he tried to deceive the voters with the level of emergency healthcare protection the proposed Fortis ER would provide in a letter paid for by deBlasio’s Citizen’s Union like PAC. Doctors immediately disputed the letter saying don’t go to the proposed ER for any serious medical emergencies.

Both talk about LICH in the past tense. Sikora praises deBlasio for his efforts.

Interestingly, Sikora’s campaign consultant is the same consultant who sent the LICH Letter. Instead of apologizing to us for using the consultant who sent the letter, Sikora praised his consultant Berlin Rosen in the NY1 debate this week. Jo Anne Simon brags about how she works alongside developers for minor concessions for the communities like she did ushering in Atlantic Yards for some Affordable Housing that’s mostly unaffordable. Ten years later and countless poor people displaced, the housing is nowhere to be found.

But there is hope and light at the end of this tunnel. By exposing the special interests, the elected officials they control and their dangerous schemes, we can save our vital institutions. Our entire campaign is about protecting these great institutions, our neighborhoods and returning the power of governing back to you the voter. Help me in this fight. Tell your friends. Vote Sept. 9.

We must also ensure that the small businesses that we cherish remain strong.

We don’t want our retail spaces to be dominated by big banks and chain pharmacies. Street-level small store front retail should be preserved in all new developments and small store fronts should not be allowed to be combined into large super stores.

Reforming Albany: The State legislature has become mired in a swamp of special interest money, insider lobbying, influence peddling, and corruption.

Fundamental reform is required in order for true change to be made. We must end partisan redistricting, ensure fair elections, eliminate barriers to voting, fight for transparency and reform, and have full-time legislators on our side.

Climate Change: We need a large-scale program of mandatory, aggressive building energy efficiency upgrades expand New York’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), and increase the use of solar, wind, and other renewable energy which can bring enormous cost savings through greater efficiency while reducing global warming and creating tens of thousands of good sustainable jobs.

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Economy: We need to tackle income inequality and generate good, middleclass, family supporting jobs by: 1. Raising the minimum wage; 2. Ending tax cuts for the very wealthy; 3. Investing in education; 4. Building and maintaining vital infrastructure; 5. Mandating high energy efficiency standards; 6. Strengthening unions; and 7. Supporting local businesses.

Campaign Finance & Election Reform: New York State’s campaign finance program needs significant changes in order to become effective. We must lower high contribution limits, close loopholes, strengthen election law enforcement, and create a fair elections program with a small donor match.

Same Day Registration (SDR) and Early Voting would help to increase voter participation.

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Early September 2014

Labor Day 2014

Working Red Hook

Photos and text by Micah B. Rubin Jack Pedowitz Machinery Movers

With the right equipment, the guys at Jack Pedowitz Machinery movers could probably move mountains.

As a moving company specializing in heavy machinery, the Pedowitz teams use a range of tools from crowbars and hydraulic jacks to forklifts and even helicopters to move machinery. At a recent job, a 4-man team navigated one studio apartment sized piece of machinery after another through a narrow labyrinth of equipment with less than half an inch to spare on each side and are proof that moving is an art.

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Early September 2014, Page 9

Working Red Hook Van Brunt Stillhouse

Good things come in small batches at Van Brunt Stillhouse, a Red Hook boutique distillery founded in 2012 by the husband and wife team Daric Schlesselman and Sarah Ludington.

“I was an avid home brewer and distiller and my wife and I decided we wanted to own our own business,” Daric said. The Stillhouse has since expanded their production to whiskey, rum, grappa and moonshine and offers weekend tours of their Bay Street space. “I love the magic of it all,” Derek said. “I love making good things that people appreciate.”

Containerport (facing page)

Chris Guerra’s office has million-dollar New York City views. As a crane operator and member of the International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1814, Chris’s job is to load and unload cargo from the ships docking at the Red Hook Container Terminal. Perched 120-feet above the ground in the crane’s cab, Chris has a birds-eye view of what teamwork and labor created and continues to create in New York City.

O & B Unisex

Beauty came early to Olga Ramirez, owner of O & B Unisex salon on Van Brunt.

“I love seeing people with different looks. When your hair looks nice you feel better too,” she said. Olga started doing hair when she was 10-years old and hasn’t stopped since.

In 2003, Olga started working as a beautician at O & B and a year later bought the salon from her [now] former boss. Olga’s daughters work in the salon with her and ten years in, the salon’s still going strong. “I’m proud that I was able to teach my children to do hair. It’s a family business and I love to work with my children,” she said.

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Early September 2014

LABOR DAY…EVERY DAY

by Tony Speelman, Secretary Treasurer, UFCW Local 1500 n 1894, during a time of severe economic depression and social unrest, President Grover Cleveland established Labor Day as a national holiday in an effort to appease organized labor. President Cleveland’s decision to honor America’s workers came days after he ordered federal troops to crush workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago who were striking for better wages and workplace conditions. One hundred and twenty years after the Pullman Strike, our country is still grappling with economic and social unrest as income inequality persists and the rights of workers to stick together for better workplace conditions continues to be challenged.

Too often, workers are harassed, intimidated and sometimes fired for sticking together to bargain for better wages and benefits. While discriminating against workers who want to organize is against the law, too many employers would rather pay fines under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) than allow for a process that lets workers choose a union freely and fairly. For many employers, these minimal penalties are not a deterrent, but rather the cost of doing business.

That’s why UFCW Local 1500 supports the Employee Empowerment Act (H.R. 5280), new legislation recently introduced by Representatives Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and John Lewis (D-Ga.), which would amend the NLRA to give victims of labor discrimination the same protections available under the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Currently, back pay is the only remedy available to these workers. Passage of this legislation would give victims the right to sue for compensatory and punitive damages in federal court, ensuring employers are held accountable for illegal retaliation and discouraging anti-union activity.

When Hurricane Sandy hit New York, we were all devastated. Our 300 union members working at Fairway Market were all displaced for months with nowhere to work after the supermarket was flooded with over five feet of water.

The difference between a union employer and a non-union employer could not have been displayed more during those trying months. Fairway Market retained all employees and shuttled them to one of Fairway’s other 12 locations throughout the metropolitan area. The difference a union voice on the job has made the quality of life our members and our communities significantly improve. The key to economic prosperity for working people is power in numbers. More union jobs means more workers rights, better benefits and better communities. We all win.

Narrowing the gap between the rich and poor is essential to rebuilding our economy, but that can’t happen if workers lack the power and protection to bargain for better wages and benefits. UFCW Local 1500 urges Congress to truly honor workers this Labor Day and pass the Employee Empowerment Act. Tony Speelman is the Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 1500 representing over 23,000 grocery workers based out of Westbury, NY.

I

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Working Red Hook

Apollo Tech Iron Work Corp

Walk by Apollo Tech Iron Work on any given day and you’re bound to see sparks fly as the workers cut, polish and weld metal. The family-owned business’s been in Red Hook since 2003 and the 25-member crew did a lot of work for the 160 Imlay development. “I love to work hard and get my hands dirty,” said company vice president Nick Kapnisis. Pictured above is Filippos Papalias with Pandelis Moskofilis is drilling on the left.

ILA LOCAL 1814 wishes

The United States A Happy of America

Labor &Day to The Red Hook Star-Revue workinga people HAPPY BIRTHDAY! everywhere Proudly manning the Red Hook Containerport Lou Pernice, President

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Early September 2014

Top Dishes and Chefs Announced for Fifth Annual Pig Island

More chefs have announced the amazing dishes that will be served at this year’s Pig Island, taking place in IKEA’s Erie Basin Park on Saturday, September 6th from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Among the just announced chefs and dishes are: • American BBQ meets French Bistro as Billy Durney of Hometown BBQ and Shane McBride of Balthazar team up for Carribean jerk bao and Cochon au lait bao • Ben Schneider (The Good Fork) and St. John Frizell (Fort Defiance) will team to serve up a pitroasted whole “Merpig” • Shanna Pacifico of the newly opened Pacifico’s Fine Foods • Danny Mena and Ethan Smith of Hecho en Dumbo will serve Volcanes de Chorizo Casero • Chef Joe Dobias returns with Garlic Pork Cemita, garnished with green salsa and queso fresco • Sam Barbieri (Waterfront Ale House and Fuhgeddaboutit BBQ) will offer up whole hog sliders with crisp pork belly and mustard slaw Plus Michael Jenkins (Butter), Paul Neuman (Neuman’s Kitchen), Jimmy’s No. 43, Peter Giannakasof Ovelia, Thomas Perone (Thomas Joseph Catering), Chef Jesse Jones, Matt Deliso (Blue Ribbon Bakery), Christophe Hille (Fleisher’s Meats), William Cooper (Route 66 Smokehouse), Tim Cavaretta and Isabelle Leighton (Bittergreen), Chris Rendell (Flinders Lane), Jon Bratton (NYC Hot Sauce) teaming with Justin Brunwasser (Friedman’s Lunch), Bill Fletcher (Fletcher’s BrooklynBarbecue), Jared Male (Randall’s Barbecue)

Pig Island showcases the best of New York State local farmers, chefs, brewers, cider makers, and vintners all dedicated to bringing home the bacon! This year we are teaming with Flying Pigs Farms to pair NY State hogs with NYC chefs to bring the best pork fest ever.

A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit Added Value Farm and also to Portside. Tickets and additional information can be found at pigisland.com.

Important Gowanus Meeting

There will be a public meeting on Wednesday, September 17 from 6 - 8 pm at the Wyckoff Gardens Community Center, 280 Wyckoff Street.

NYC DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd will give a presentation and answer questions about the placement of two retention tanks.

During some rain events, the wastewater treatment system reaches capacity, and a mixture of rain water and sewage, known as “combined sewage” pours into the canal. In September 2013, the EPA demanded that reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Gowanus Canal must be part of the Superfund remediation.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must decide where to locate two large retention tanks that will reduce CSOs into the canal. The EPA suggested a location under Double D park, which sparked a community outcry. This meeting will discuss alternatives to that location.

Local elected officials and community leaders will be present for a discussion about potential locations for the construction of the CSO retention tanks, an overdue step to comply with federal regulations.

Op Ed: It’s time to join the Climate Justice Movement

O

by Corbin Laedlein

n September 23rd, heads of state are convening in New York City for a United Nations Climate Summit, where they will be expected to make pledges to curb climate change. The UN Secretary General’s goal is to “build political momentum” ahead of the 2015 Climate Change Conference in Paris, France, where member nations will meet to negotiate the first ever legally binding climate treaty. To demonstrate the will of people around the globe for “a world safe from the ravages of climate change,” a coalition of organizations spearheaded by 350.org is planning a massive People’s Climate March. Red Hook, let’s take this opportunity to take our response to Superstorm Sandy to the next level and join the climate justice movement.

Among the many things that Superstorm Sandy washed through our neighborhood’s streets on the night of October 29th, 2012 was the sobering reality of climate change. Over the two years since Superstorm Sandy, I’ve been thoroughly impressed to see my community come together and organize to help one another rebuild our lives, homes, and businesses. In that same spirit of love and concern for Red Hook and its future, I humbly suggest that we take up our responsibility to really engage with the issue of climate change and make ourselves a part of the national and international struggle for climate justice.

Since modern civilization began burning fossil fuels en masse beginning in the early 1800s, greenhouse gases have been accumulating in the atmosphere. However, because the time between the accumulation of greenhouse gases and their effects on the climate are so delayed, we have only begun to see the consequences. 2013 was the 37th consecutive year of above-average global temperatures. 13 of the 14 hottest years on record have occurred in this century.

It might be a bit disingenuous to say that Sandy was solely caused by climate change, but we should consider a few things. According to the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there “has been an increase in the frequency and intensity of the strongest tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic since the 1970s.” Sea levels have already risen due to thermal expansion and melting glaciers, ice caps, and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica. Additionally, increase in average global temperatures in turn raises ocean surface temperatures, which amplifies the amount of moisture the atmosphere can hold. This boost in temperature and moisture in turn increases the rainfall and intensity of storms. There is no doubt that the disruption of the climate is making low-lying coastal areas more risky places to live, in part because of more frequent and intense tropical storms.

Things are expected to get much worse if nothing is done about it. Climate change is real, it is here, and it is going to have some very devastating consequences unless we stop what’s causing it. The globalized industrial capitalist economy runs on fossil fuels, and because of the immense power and wealth wielded by the oil, gas, and coal corporations, many governments are at their beck and call. This is particularly true for the United States; a nation home to 5% of the global population but consumes some 20% of the world’s energy, and where energy companies have immense influence over our lawmaking bodies.

The climate justice movement needs communities like Red Hook just as much as communities like Red Hook need the climate justice movement.

The radical changes that need to happen if we want to avoid catastrophic climate disruption can only happen if there is a mass, dare-I-say revolutionary movement to end the ecocide currently being waged. It’s not about attending one march, as the type of change we need is obviously going to take a lot more than marching. It’s going to take time and energy educating ourselves on the root causes of the crises we face; understanding the connections between climate change, ecological destruction, and systems of oppression; developing our abilities to organize and work with one another across lines of race, class, gender, and orientation; and learning about other people, organizations and front-line communities that are resisting as well as demonstrating and developing solutions.

The People’s Climate March and the NYC Climate Convergence that same weekend will be a great way for Red Hookers to get connected, learn, and join the ongoing struggle for climate justice and a beautiful planet for future generations to inherit.

To contact the folks in organizing the Red Hook contingent of the climate march, email redhookclimate@gmail.com. For more information regarding the People’s Climate March on September 21st, visit www.peoplesclimate. org, and for more information on the NYC Climate Convergence taking place from September 19th through the 21st, visit www.convergeforclimate.org.

Corbin Laedlein lived in Red Hook as a child, and moved back to the neighborhood as a young adult in 2008. He is currently upstate in Spencer, NY, for the growing season, at a farm and tree nursery.

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ENDORSEMENTS:

O

Two Assembly races to judge

n September 9th the polls will open at 6 am. Hopefully everyone will be able to figure out where to go and vote. There is a very handy voting booth locator online. It is at http://nyc. pollsitelocator.com. We just checked and it seems to be correct.

That’s the easy part. A bit harder is making the right choice. Summertime is a tough time to campaign, as half of NY seems to be out of town. However, as the summer winds down, the campaigns are moving into high gear, judging from news coverage, debates and leaflets in the mailbox.

A favored campaign method these days is door knocking, and this has gone on all summer throughout our neighborhoods. We’re finally starting to see signs in store windows - a visual cue that lets us all know there’s an election coming up. If you’re reading this, you’re interested.

We are delighted that all five candidates in the two Assembly races we are covering responded to our request for statements. These are printed on pages six and seven, and all of them are well done and sincere. If you can’t catch a debate, and are not familiar with the candidates, reading through them is probably your best bet to formulate an educated choice of your own.

New York is a Democratic town, and the winners of the September primary generally win in the November general election (Bloomberg being a notable recent exception). All five of the candidates express progressive views and we could live with any of them.

Our endorsements will be more about our guess at the candidate’s effectiveness rather than policy. Of course, ‘guess,’ is the operative word.

The easiest endorsement we have to make is the statewide race for governor.

We have never met Andrew Cuomo, but we have spoken to people who

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

(send yours to editor@redhookstar.com)

Elongated

I read the article on Capt. Justin Lenz of the 76 Pct. While most of the article was positive I found it very offensive that the writer commented on what he though was the Captain’s nose size.

Really? Does your newspaper comment on physical characteristic of every person they interview. Or perhaps your newspaper found it necessary to make a stupid comment because he is a NYPD Police Captain. What description would you make of the Mayor or even the President of the US? Probably none! But a stupid comment like that against a member of the NYPD is OK! If a NYPD member made a comment like that to your staff or a someone on the street I’m sure you would print a a nice article saying that it was offensive.

Typical newspaper police bashing of a different style. - Mr. Cunningham Editors Note: Here is the offending

Page 14 Red Hook Star-Revue

have, and we have no doubt as to his intelligence. In many ways the state has been well governed during his first term.

He does many of the right things. But it is his style of governing that irks us - at least from what we can see tucked away here in Red Hook.

We wish he would make a decision about fracking, we wish he would allow our mayor to raise taxes, we wish he would fund schools the way they are supposed to. We are not crazy about charter schools as he is. We can’t believe that he allowed LICH to close - many believe it was his idea all along. We don’t like the idea that he has formed a Republicans for Cuomo group, and filed a lawsuit and an appeal to knock his opponent, Zephyr Teachout, from the ballot. Luckily, he was unsuccessful with both attempts.

We suspect that his presidential ambitions are preventing NY from having a government more in line with the Democratic ideals we thought we voted for.

So we are joining the growing bandwagon by endorsing Zephyr Teachout.

The 52nd Assembly District has three people running for an open seat, as Joan Millman has chosen to end her long career in the Assembly. This district includes the Columbia Street waterfront, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights and Gowanus.

Millman’s choice in this race is her District Leader and State Committee woman Jo Anne Simon.

Simon is opposed by newcomer Peter Sikora and local gadfly Doug Biviano, who has run against Simon before in a city council race won by Steve Levin We have only been covering politics closely for the past year. We were surprised as many others by the insurgent victory last year of Carlos Menchaca in a race we assumed would be won by the incumbent. This is a way of saying that we do not know the candidates as well

as others who have been around longer.

We have seen the three in action only recently at candidate debates.

We know that Simon has many passionate supporters. She has been active in downtown Brooklyn the longest, dating back to the 1990s when she headed the Boerum Hill Association. It seems that those who love her, support her, and those who don’t are Sikora supporters. Pete has three important local backers - Brad Lander, Stephen Levin and Dan Squadron.

The alliances in this race are all over the place. Our choice, as mentioned above, will be on how we think they would do in the Albany cesspool.

We are tempted to go into the netherworld and support Doug Biviano. Albany is well known as being an unfortunate home of corruption and Biviano wants to look under every stone, find it and root it out. He answers almost every question put to him by saying he wants to give power back to the people, and away from vested interests. He makes sense when he points out the possible conflicts of interest that politicians put themselves into when so many of them use the consulting firm BerlinRosen both to get elected and also to govern.

It would be interesting to see him unleashed in Albany, but in the end his effectiveness might be limited by his inability to form alliances necessary to pass legislation, and direct funding streams to the district - budget negotiating is an important skill for an assembly member.

Perhaps his time is yet to come as he matures into a politician.

Simon and Sikora basically agree on policy. Simon has been groomed to be an elected official, working closely with the political clubs and party pols, serving as District Leader for ten years. She has paid her dues in the community and is a successful lawyer and educator. She has in place all the mechanics to win this race.

However, in some respects she reminds us

of the governor. Her supporters claim that Sikora suffers from an ill temper - we suspect that Simon may suffer from the same ailment. She claims that she can work with anyone but we are not convinced.

Pete Sikora says that he got the bug for political activism by his desire to do good. He is very proud of his work as an environmental activist, with good reason. He has big ideas - many of which seem utopian - meaning that only in a better world they could be possibilities.

As a successful lobbyist, he has developed skills at putting together coalitions to get things done. As a lobbyist, he is well paid to effect action. We are hoping that in the pay of the public he can do the same. So our opinion is to give Pete Sikora a chance.

The 51st Assembly District includes our coverage area of Red Hook, as well as Sunset Park. Felix Ortiz is running for his 11th two year term.

Ceasar Zuniga is providing Ortiz’s first real challenge in many years. He is an educator with a passion for providing others with the opportunities he was given as son of an immigrant. We like what he says about the waterfront and the importance of industry remaining in our neighborhoods. He is obviously friendly with Council member Menchaca, and speaks of working with him to provide a one-two punch for the district.

He claims that ten terms is too much, and says that fresh blood is needed.

In this case, we think that there is plenty of fresh blood left in Felix. He does not take his position for granted, and we have seen him continue to grow in the job. His experience is a valuable asset, as are the alliances he has developed.

His reputation is untarnished. In what Sikora calls the ‘belly of the beast,’ Ortiz remains uncorrupted and independent.

These are the reasons we think that Felix Ortiz merits another two year term.

sentence: Today Lenz still remains in

the physical shape one would expect of a military man. His sharp eyes often fix in an intense gaze past his long nose, almost like a hawk, but his demeanor is more neighborly than intimidating.

Valentino Pier just fine

The fencing is not really the problem, It’s the work they plan to do at the park without reaching out to the community. Everyone I’ve talked to likes the natural paths and adamantly opposes more pavement at Valentino Park.

This is one of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever been able to enjoy. The landscaping is amazing. They’ve chosen plants that would naturally grow near the beach, and there are flowers blooming throughout the entire summer.

Many families picnic and plan birthday parties here. The pier is frequented by the regulars that fish there. Red Hook boaters takes lots of kids out in Kayaks all summer. Dog owners take their dogs in the early morning.

We DON’T want more pavement at Valentino park. We like the natural paths! - Paige Tooker

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Early September 2014

Mark’s

Corner Ready Red Hook a community exercise “Ready Red Hook Day” will take place Saturday September 13th from 10 A.M.- 2 P.M. This is Red Hook’s own Community Disaster Readiness Plan.

Participants are asked to show up at any of the following four locations in any order between 10 A.M and 12 noon.

All are invited.

• Visitation Church, 98 Richards Street • IKEA, 1 Beard Street • Red Hook Initiative, 767 Hicks Street • Good Shepherd Services/Miccio Community Center, 110 West 9th Street Then come to a free after party at PS 15’s playground 71 Sullivan Street with prizes, a community barbeque and live DJ. Food will be available on a first come first serve basis.

Community teams will be on hand at each site from 10 A.M- 12 noon to explain their function and that of each site in the event of a disaster. Participants will receive Ready Red Hook Day passports that will be stamped at each location and fully stamped passports will be eligible to win prizes at the after party.

In the first hours and days after Hurricane Sandy, the community of Red Hook organically came together and managed the initial response. Out of that response came the Community Di-

Sayo Grays win championship

The Sayo Grays organizers of the Red Hook Youth Baseball League, won the National Amateur Baseball Federal World Series Championship in the 16-and-under category.

Team Manager Ian Younge shared the following thoughts on the historic accomplishment. “To see these young people work so hard and battle through the good and bad together was my PERFECT GAME!!! A star can win any game, but a TEAM can win every game!”

Evan Layne was named the World Series Tournament MVP award winner.

Richard Jordan Palacios, Ryan Leo, and Jose Gonzalez were also named to the World Series All-Tournament team for their outstanding play.

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saster Readiness Plan - developed by the community of Red Hook, for the community of Red Hook.

The plan provides residents with a single guide for the critical 72 hours prior to and after a disaster, before formal government assistance is in place.

Ready Red Hook Day is an opportunity for community members to practice their own emergency plan. Information will also be available as to how to receive the Ready Red Hook Community Disaster Plan pamphlet, which contains important information about what to do the 72 hours before and after a disaster.

Ready Red Hook Day is part of Red Hook’s Long Term Community Recovery Plan process, a project of the Red Hook Coalition made possible by generous support provided by the American Red Cross, the Brooklyn Community Foundation’s Brooklyn Recovery Fund and the NYC Housing and Neighborhood Recovery Donor Collaborative [HNRDC].

The Red Hook Coalition thanks emergency management consultants EMMP for their assistance with the creation of this plan, and the Thread Collective, LLC for their design of publicity and community pamphlets materials.

For further information, contact Nahis7@ aol.com or visit www.readyredhook.org The 16U SAYO Grays play their league games in the historic Parade Grounds League of Prospect Park and their home games at the Red Hook Baseball Fields.

The baseball team is part of the Student Athlete Youth Organization (http:// www.sayograys.org/) which has been in existence for 8 years in service to the youth of New York City.

Take your child to school day

BumbleBeesRus, 76 Lorraine Street, is excited about Dad’s Take Your Child to School on Sept 16. This is a campaign to promote father involvement by encouraging fathers, stepfathers, foster fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, godfathers, and other significant male caregivers to take their children to school or Head Start in September and remain involved throughout the year.

Last year over 400 schools and Head Start programs across New York State, and thousands of dads participated in this event. Throughout educational institutions from Niagara Falls to New York City, father involvement is growing around New York. D

BY MARK SHAMES

T

his is the last issue of the Red Hook Star Revue that will come out before the primary elections, so I will briefly discuss my endorsements. In New York City and of late in New York State outside of the State Senate, the Democratic Party primary elections are all that matter. So please vote., if you want to have a voice.

As a member in good standing of the Independent Neighborhood Democrats executive board, I am obligated to support the club’s endorsed candidates. By a not so remarkable coincidence they all happen to be the candidates that I believe are best able to represent us.

ANDREW CUOMO for Governor. The hardest choice for me is continuing my support for Governor Cuomo, but I do recommend a vote for him and his re-election. I believe that he has on balance earned our support.

His ability to command the agenda in Albany is impressive given recent history (even if I don’t agree with his entire agenda). The passage of marriage equality through the legislature, rather than relying on the courts, was a singularly important achievement. Now with the massive shift in public opinion it may seem less impressive but some of that shift in opinion is due to this legislative victory. Despite his initial reluctance, he did sign into law a budget that provides sufficient funding for universal pre-k. Finally on the plus side, through mediation by our Mayor and insistence from the Working Families Party, he did gain assurance from the Independent Democratic Caucus to organize the State Senate with the Democrats should the party win enough seats. This too is a big deal. It will likely bring the passage of the women’s agenda and campaign finance reform. So despite my unabated anger at him over his refusal to keep LICH open, my opposition to casino gambling, his bias toward charter schools, an inadequate proposed redistricting amendment and my wife’s insistence that he is just too conservative, he will have my vote.

PETE SIKORA for Assembly in the 52nd Assembly District. This is the easiest choice for me. Pete has always been both a social and economic progressive. His career choices have led him to be an advocate with the New York Public Interest Research Group and an economist for the Communication Workers of America. His opponent unfathomably demeans Pete’s work as a public interest advocate. If shepherding through a law protecting children from lead poisoning is special interest lobbying, I will take more of that please. He combines youth with experience. He has a wife and a three year old daughter headed for Pre-K and then Public School 29. He knows the terrain up in Albany without being part of the machine. While there are no guarantees, I can see him in a few years as part of a new leadership pushing our re-elected Governor to find his best self. I see no such future for his opponent whose unflattering critiques of others are unending and whose un-borrowed accomplishments are next to non-existent. She will take the correct progressive positions on policy but she lacks the temperament to be a real force in Albany. While I find that Pete has an overly negative view of development, by every other measure he is superior to his opponent.

JESSE HAMILTON III for State Senate in the 20th State Senate District. There is a personal element to this recommendation. I have known Jesse for some time and find him to be one of the warmest and most personable people in politics. Like his opponent he takes all the standard Democratic Party positions, the only difference is that he did not have to flip-flop to get to those positions. Jesse’s election will help to empower the Brooklyn Borough President, whose District this was, and who is supporting Jesse.

Empowering our Borough President empowers all of us in Brooklyn. I don’t like disagreeing with the Mayor, and I only did so once before, but I think it proved out then and it will now.

Please vote. Those of us who work at this on a regular basis know that it does matter even if sometimes it is just at the margin of things.

LICH (continued from page 3)

and Carlos Menchaca expressed concerns over “the deep flaws of the selection process;” the “impartiality of the RFP’s scoring;” a lack of “transparency of the subsequent negotiations between SUNY and the RFP respondents;” and “questions relating to the Othmer fund.”

www.star-revue.com

A follow up letter was sent from the AG’s office on July 30 promising “a full review” by the Charities Bureau of “any proposed sale of the LICH facility.”

On August 15, DiNapoli wrote back that the “stipulation and settlement, along with the associated RFP, will be our guide as we perform an independent review of the contracts for this sale.”

Early September 2014, Page 15

Red Hook Volunteers in a fix

by Diehl Edwards

T

was lots of support from everywhere, and lots of money around. But it was held on to too tightly.” He talked of long lines, lengthy processes, paperwork, and repetitive delays. “The people,” he says, “got tired out.”

nitude of Sandy. All over town, people reflect about the help RHV offered immediately after the storm hit and how much work has been accomplished.

But nearly two years after, the Volunteers are fighting to keep their doors open.

In the immediate aftermath of Sandy, RHV had many skilled laborers donating their time and expertise. Today, however those workers are harder to come by and the jobs are not getting any easier.

Two-year resident, Jovan Burch, has been Executive Director for the last year. He is responsible for making dayto-day decisions and coordinating the projects the volunteers are engaged in.

While there has been a tremendous amount of progress, the initial projects included supplying food to devastated community members and “mucking out” houses of debris.

Work is still being done to offer disaster preparation and prevention, and is crucial to the survival of a neighborhood learning from its most recent disaster. The Volunteers are at the forefront of that battle.

According to Burch, the program funding is significantly down, yet their overhead has remained steady. Utilities and rent are things that people are less willing to donate to.

Dwindling projects

he Red Hook Volunteers (RHV) have played a crucial role in the recovery efforts since Sandy. The group originated as committed individuals who came to Red Hook to help after the storm. They helped coordinate the flood of volunteers who came from all over to help.

RHV initially received funding from the American Red Cross and the Red Hook Coalition. Those monies have been spent, and the organization is struggling to find steady financial support.

“It’s hard to convince New Yorkers about something that’s not right in their face,” Burch said.

Many properties in Red Hook are still under metaphorical water as a result of the storm. From the streets, the neighborhood appears to be mended. But the cracks beneath the surface remain.

“People not affected by the storm have forgotten about the storm. People with their basements still gutted out have not,” Burch continued.

Fighting the same battle for several years with less and less outside help wears on people in the community, and the fight is not just a practical, ground level one.

“People suffer from ‘Sandy Fatigue,’ ” Burch explained.

Mike Elders, co-founder and chairman of the board, described the bureaucratic rigors involved in applying for postSandy aid. “The first ten months, there

These tasks, while crucial, could be ac-

“People not affected have forgotten about the storm.

People with their basements still gutted out have not.”

complished with the help of volunteers without specific skill sets. Now, most of the jobs are licensed and technical, requiring experienced attention. A year ago, they had their hands in 168 simultaneous projects framing, dry walling, carpentry, and more; today they are involved with only eight.

Grant writing is another essential job the Volunteers have been working towards - both for themselves and others - to get through the arduous application process. “A lot of nonprofits have grant writers - we didn’t. We had to write grant proposals while simultaneously helping with the recovery,” Elders said.

Without necessary grant money, RHV is unable to meet the demands for renovations the community still needs.

The Red Hook community understands the residual damage of a storm the mag-

Burch emphasizes that the focus of the nonprofit organization is to continue with recovery efforts and provide “preparedness and mitigation for future storms.” But with their present funding challenges, the success of these goals is uncertain.

Jovan Burch of the Red Hook Volunteers

Raising funds Recently, RHV held a fundraising party to subsidize their rent payment. Their headquarters, 360 Van Brunt, is owned by local contractor, artist, and philanthropist Scott Pfaffman. He offered use of the space after Sandy hit and for the last two years been has a landlord, beneficiary, and involved board member.

Elders said, “Scott’s been a great help from the beginning. He could be renting the space to someone who could pay more faithfully than us.” Elders went on to cite several instances where the rent payment was either late or nonexistent due to delayed grant funds. In Burch’s words, “We couldn’t ask any more from him.”

But with mounting debt and tapering funding, keeping their space - which has become iconic in the community is increasingly threatened. If the trend continues, RHV may only have a few months left. A change of that magnitude is an immense implication for the organization. “Losing our space could kill the Volunteers,” Burch somberly admitted.

While some might say that the bulk of the work has been done to remedy the damage of Sandy, the threat of another eventual super storm could have a greater impact. Without proper preparation and progress, damages throughout the neighborhood could be worse.

Five weeks after Sandy, electricity was restored. People not intimately affected by the storm assumed things had returned to normal, but that was not accurate. Elders said that while “from

the streets it looked fine,” there was substantial damage including mold and ruined wiring.

“The need is everywhere. Part of rebuilding is helping those who have lived here a long time to stay here.” Some families have been in Red Hook for over 100 years, and keeping them here is a central concern of those committed to keeping the community whole.

Mold problems persist RHV is one of only two organizations in all of Brooklyn that perform mold remediation. Two years after the Sandy, people are now starting to report instances of mold infestations. Structures with wooden foundations sat in water for weeks and soaked up so much moisture that it didn’t dry out completely.

Mold remediation - a meticulous, complicated process - involves treating soaked wood with a bleach compound that prevents mold growth. With the potential collapse of the Volunteers in Red Hook, the threat of mold - one that threatens respiratory damage and decreased property value - will persist unchecked.

RHV currently needs carpenters of any skill level. As Burch put it, “We need carpenters by the truckload.”

To donate, volunteer, request help or learn more about the organization, visit their website, www.redhookvolunteers. org, like their FaceBook page, Red Hook Volunteers, or stop by at one of their Friday night musical jams open from 6 pm-9 pm.

The Volunteers held a rent party last month in their headquarters at 360 Van Brunt.

Page 16 Red Hook Star-Revue

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Early September 2014

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Early September 2014, Page 17

Orchard opens on Columbia Street

by Tracey O’Connell

LEEDER LEADS THE WAY ALL VIOLATIONS REMOVED

SALES & SERVICE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND FIRE HOSES

Leeder Fire Protection Co., Inc. Fire Extinguisher Sales and Services In Red Hook since 1949 296 VAN BRUNT STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11231 Office: 718 875-2225 www.leederfireprotection.com Cell: 718.290.7548

JABUS BUILDING CORP. Serving Red Hook for over 25 years

Specializing in Construction and Historic Preservation • New construction • Renovations, additions and extensions • Masonry specialist • Concrete floors/radiant heated • Concrete/bluestone sidewalk repair • Flue linings, chimneys and fireplaces • Demolition and waste removal • Violation removals • Landmark Preservation contractor

Jim & Debbie Buscarello

98 Van Dyke Street, Red Hook (718) 852-5364 www.jabusbuildingcorp.com HIC License #0883902

Fax: (718) 935-1263

jabusbuildingcorp@gmail.com Trade Waste License #1135

I

t’s always so wonderful when a new restaurant opens in the neighborhood.

For me, I anticipate the people and the food are going to be wonderful.

That’s why I was so happy when I came across Orchard located on the Columbia Street Waterfront. I was excited to check it out. When I first walked in I had a wonderful feeling of calm, although I was just going to run in for an iced coffee and get a feel for the place. I looked around and loved being in the space that I ended up staying for breakfast. You could eat at the bar or in the dining area. I sat at the bar. As I looked at the menu there were so many options and they all sounded amazing. I opted for a sunny side egg on top of salad.

When my breakfast came the egg was cooked perfectly and seasoned just enough and the salad had the right amount of dressing. I don’t think it could’ve been more delicious. I ate it a lot faster than I should have and I’ve been back twice since my first visit.

Orchard has been open for about a month, it has a simple, open, beautiful space with lots of natural light coming in the front doors. It’s a place that feeds your body and mind. One of the other main reasons I’m loving Orchard is because they use fresh,seasonal, local, organic foods. They also sell raw, local honey and homemade pickled veggies...yum! Plus, the staff is very friendly and accommodating. In fact, I went back a few days ago to get my “egg fix” and the waitress brought out something different. Granted I was going to eat it because it looked delicious, but, I explained this wasn’t “my breakfast”. The waitress was so sweet, brought it back to the kitchen and came back with my eggs and salad. And I was a happy lady!

Orchard is located at 257 Columbia Street. They are open everyday Mon -Fri 7:30am-11:00pm Sat 9:00am -11:00pm and Sun 9:00am-10:00pm

THE STAR-THEATER JAM HAS MOVED TO ROCKY SULLIVAN’S!

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Page 18 Red Hook Star-Revue

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Early September 2014

Miccio boxing program a real knockout

by Francis Vidal

D

imitri Verteouis was once 330 pounds. At 28, he was pre-diabetic, had a slightly enlarged heart, and even had a temporary pacemaker at one point. His doctor told him if he did not lose 100 pounds in one year, he would need gastric bypass surgery.

His poor health opened Dimitri’s eyes.

He became a participant with The Food Network’s “Fat Chef.” The goal was to lose 25% of his body weight in 4 months.

He lost 82 pounds in 2 months, and 110 pounds throughout the duration of the show. He was one of three contestants who met his goal.

In 2013, he founded a program called Knock Out Obesity (KO) to promote exercise and healthy living in an interactive and exciting way. His test pilot was with the Boys Club of New York (BCNY) for six weeks last summer. His second series brought the program to Red Hook.

KO, an event geared towards kids ages 8-12, took place every Wednesday in August at the Miccio Center. The Good Shepherd Services of Brooklyn (GSS) hosted KO as part of their summer programming.

KO is a boxing program designed to educate kids about nutrition and fitness in a fun and exciting way. Football, basketball, baseball, and even soccer are common recreational activities available to youth; boxing is less common.

Dimitri says, “Boxing is a way to relate to life; life is a fight.” He uses professional boxers and trainers to help teach the kids.

Dimitri’s work with KO also helps keep him motivated to remain healthy. “When you start a healthy lifestyle from a young age, it’s only going to progress from there.”

Dimitri wants his program to target youth in the beginning and later move to training adults. The program is geared more towards strength conditioning and discipline rather than fighting. However, it does teach kids how to defend themselves. It also addresses social and behavioral prob-

lems like bullying. Kids have an outlet and a defense.

A boxer’s regiment targets bullying, nutrition, exercise, and behavioral issues all in one. “If you change one person’s life, to me, that’s big,” he said.

Dimitri’s workshop teamed up with GSS and will be offering the program to kids in at least five different communities this fall through other GSS programs, including Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville. He explains, “Our business is to take care of ourselves and our children, not to be obsessed with celebrities and media.”

The kids were paired up in friendly competition and wore boxing gloves. Two teams competed one-on-one, but the entire team was accountable for the defeat or win building teamwork skills. The kids wore “Mic Jr.” shirts based on the Nickelodeon channel geared towards kids called Nic Jr. Most of the kids in both groups wore the camouflage shirts with orange print.

Gary “Kid” Stark, a coach and trainer with KO, is a professional boxer and a three time New York Golden Glove winner. He has 23 wins and only three losses in his professional boxing career. As an amateur, he ranked 4th in the country.

Gary is currently a personal trainer at Chelsea Piers, and trains at a nonprofit gym with Dimitri on Staten Island. “The key to working with kids is to keep youth off the streets, and boxing is a way out,” says Gary.

The kids were focused, yet had smiling faces while working out. They concentrated and practiced the techniques given to them by the professional trainers with enthusiasm. The training consisted of a combination of techniques.

The classic boxing moves like right and left jabs into a glove facilitated by the trainer; facing each other and jabbing into the glove; sit-ups; and running. Coaches encouraged sportsmanlike behavior for both teams and it worked.

Coaches were patient, but firm with keeping discipline, encouraged and motivated kids. Coach Gary promised 100 pushups if the class did not quiet down; total silence filled the gym.

Class ended with 3 drills that were aerobic, but different from normal exercise: sit-ups with feet in the air; toe-touch, then jump with arms in the air; and airplane vertical jumping jacks, where the kids jumped with their feet moving for-

ward and backward instead of side to side.

The final session ended with kids coming together as one group, a quick pep talk from the coaches, and a final one-for-all, all-for one, hands in the middle cry of “TEAMWORK!!!”

KO is solely funded by donations of $25,000 from Paulie Malignaggi, a proboxer from Bensonhurst. KO is sponsored

by Dimitri’s restaurant, Nature’s Grill.

Jenny belin’s Art

Our friend Jenny, who exhibits locally at the Brooklyn Collective, 212 Columbia Street, sends us this and tells us “The image on the left is a mixed media paper doll that I made of Marlene Dietrich. This piece was inspired by Marlene’s performance in “Blonde Venus,” which was shown at BAM Cinemas, last spring.

The painting on the right is a portait of some flowers that I bought at Trader Joes the other day. It is painted on a piece of recycled paper that I found in a frame at Goodwill. Jenny’s website is www.jennybelin.com

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Early September 2014, Page 19

Page 20 Red Hook Star-Revue

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Early September 2014