Politics

‘Meanwhile Up In QueensBridge’

November 3, 2021 by editor 2 Comments

“Nothing happens. Nobody comes, nobody goes. It’s awful.”
Samuel Beckett, Waiting For Godot

IN between breaking news about restaurant opening’s and musing on the direction of local real estate markets, it’s not unusual that I include a link to a violent crime that recently occurred with the comment “meanwhile up in Queensbridge” if that’s where it took place.

The flippancy of this comment has nothing to do with the lack of gravity over the act, and everything to do with the exasperation of it’s recurrence and inability to change this state of affairs. In reading the headline about the shooting death of a 37-year old man several weeks ago, I was about to cut and paste the link and my usual comment once again1, but the frequency has increased to a level of desperation. The fact is that nothing short of a major overhaul will curtail this violence.

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in the same manner that I imagine the writers of these articles do by now [↩]

Back To Work Long Island City

July 6, 2021 by editor 3 Comments

THE crowds in Gantry Park have dissipated and tomorrow’s the day the porta-potties have to go back to the porta-potty man. Which makes your morning commute/workday a cakewalk, even if your starched blouse/shirt is a little moist upon arrival. I think I spotted Jamie Dimon in the window of a seaplane landing on the East River around 8am, but it could have been James Gorman. Either way you’re expected back in the office, which means it’s time for me to start pontificating about (local) current events in a manner befitting a (minimum) wage worker.

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From One Queens Wonk To Another: Rethink Your NYS Billionaires Tax

February 24, 2021 by editor 4 Comments

I am increasingly in favor of a wealth tax on the ultra-affluent citizens of the U.S. I am totally against a newly proposed wealth tax imposed solely on billionaire’s residing in New York State. It is a horrible idea.

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October Ends, November Begins In LIC And The Nation

October 30, 2020 by editor Leave a Comment

in 81 days will it be the end or the beginning?

THERE will be no packs of runners and fans on Vernon Boulevard this Sunday, nor a Halloween Parade/Haunted House/Fall Fest the day before, on what is traditionally the best weekend of the year in NYC. There will be an election on Tuesday, but I’m not sure that’ll be as enjoyable.

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15 Candidates Have Filed To Run For JVB’s Seat

October 20, 2020 by editor 3 Comments

“ACCORDING to the New York City Campaign Finance Board, 15 candidates have filed so far to run for term-limited City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer’s (D-Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Astoria, Dutch Kills) seat in 2021.”
QueensCountyPolitics.com – Clarissa Sosin

Wow that’s some field, the only thing missing is a celebrity. What has spurred this civic call to action for a relatively minor position, the chance to make an impact? The seat does enjoy some considerable local oversight as well as fund dispersal, but with 51 city council members not much sway outside of one’s district. There’s a bit of prestige, more so here in District 26 than other locations, particularly Manhattan. A touch of hobnobbing, shoulder-rubbing, political clout, and a possible jumping off point for higher office. Oh, and the salary was upped to $148k from $112k a year back in 2016, that’s probably an added incentive for some of the candidates. It also comes with government benefits and a discretionary office budget. All-in-all not a bad gig.

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