The Lo-Down : News from the Lower East Side

Daily News Endorses Saujani

ed — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:58:46 +0000

Reshma Saujani

Yesterday the New York Times endorsed Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who’s running for re-election in the 14th Congressional District. Today the Daily News backs Reshma Saujani, challenging Maloney in the September 14th Democratic Primary:

It has been 18 years since a challenger has defeated an incumbent member of Congress from New York City. So it takes more than a little moxie for an upstart not only to take on a veteran, but to run strong. Reshma Saujani has managed both feats in the district that encompasses Manhattan‘s East Side and part of western Queens. In the process, she has highlighted how badly the city’s Washington delegation needs fresh ideas and energy. A Yale Law School graduate of Indian heritage, whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Uganda as political refugees, Saujani is taking on 18 year officeholder Rep. Carolyn Maloney with the theme that longevity alone is not good enough. She’s right, and the Daily News endorses Saujani in the Sept. 14 Democratic primary.

The News did not directly address concerns about Saujani’s Wall Street ties, which even the candidate acknowledges, are especially pervasive on the Lower East Side. Instead, the editorial argues, more generally, that Saujani’s background is a virtue:

Voters of this presumably left-leaning district should be comfortable with Saujani’s positions while appreciating that she outdoes Maloney on cutting-edge topics like education reform. Her work as a lawyer in the financial sector – the lifeblood of the New York economy – is also a plus. She supports reasonable regulation while ruling out destructive demonization of Wall Street. She urges new tax credits to spur business innovation – and pledges to be a champion on immigration reform, which, based on her life history, she is likely to do with passion.

The News faults Maloney for supporting President Obama’s fiscal policies and failing to fight harder for the victims of 9/11:

Maloney has worthy accomplishments. For example, she sponsored the bill that required banks to reveal ATM fees, as well as a measure last year that strengthened credit card protections. She has also doggedly worked to provide sickened 9/11 rescue and recovery workers with compensation and health coverage. This page has often praised Maloney’s perseverance on the issue. At the same time, she has essentially been a lockstep member of a congressional majority that joined with President Obama in pushing through legislation that has proven fiscally irresponsible. Ill-designed, the $800 million stimulus program bought far too little economic bang for the buck, while health care reform fell a long way from controlling costs. Then, too, it must be said that nine years have passed since 9/11, and the sick still await help. When George W. Bush was President, Maloney and fellow New York Dems criticized him for refusing to uphold the nation’s obligation to the ill. They promised that an Obama presidency would be different. It wasn’t, but Maloney’s critical voice fell silent. Finally, last month, Obama volunteered that he would sign a 9/11 compensation and health bill – not that he would fight for one, and not at Maloney’s urging. Instead, he acted in response to controversy he engendered by commenting on a planned mosque and Islamic community center near Ground Zero. So much for the value of Maloney’s seniority.

The newspaper concludes:

With appreciation for her service, the truth must be told: Maloney has complacently maxed out. The time for new vision and higher energy has arrived. Vote Saujani.

Cab Jumps Curb on First Avenue; Five Injured

ed — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:33:13 +0000

Photo by Stacie Joy

Five people were hurt when a cab, headed uptown on First Avenue, jumped the curb at East 3rd Street late last night and smashed into a coffee shop. A 71-year old man, who was inside “The Bean (49 First Avenue),” was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, with serious injuries to his head, neck and hip. Four others were also taken to Bellevue: two bicyclists who suffered neck and back injuries, as well as the cab driver and his passenger, a 30-year old woman.

The taxi driver had apparently been trying to swerve around a black Jeep Cherokee when the accident happened (about 1:30am), but the two cars collided. The driver of the Cherokee, 19-year old Danny Batista, talked to Channel 2:

“He (the cab driver) was coming up First Avenue, flying up First Avenue. I saw the headlights, I heard a horn. When I heard the horn I got hit… I was coming westbound on 3rd Street, light turned green, started moving, I hear a horn. I look to my left, I see a cab, try to get out of his way, come up first, blasted me, went right through the intersection.”

Several witnesses said the light was not green, and that Batista was at fault, but so far, the NYPD has not filed any charges. Stacie Joy, who took the photo above, told Gothamist:

My friend and I were walking home from a photoshoot tonight (cameras strapped to our bodies)… (a) guy who was hit by the taxi told me his name is Will, he’s 28, and lives on First Street. He was a total trooper, covered in blood and with teeth knocked out but concerned about his friends. I hope he and everyone else who was injured will heal up quickly; the accident was horrible.

EV Grieve reports “The Bean” is back open this morning.

The Times Endorses Maloney

ed — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:28:01 +0000

The New York Times is out with its endorsements in the September 14th Democratic Primary. Rep. Carolyn Maloney gets the nod over challenger Reshma Saujani in the 14th Congressional District (which includes part of the LES):

In this Manhattan and Queens district, Ms. Maloney, who has served nine terms in the House, is facing a challenge from Reshma Saujani, an impressive and energetic young lawyer of Indian descent who argues that New York needs the voice of a new generation and a new slice of the city’s ethnic pie. It is a bitter campaign with unpleasant charges from both sides. The two candidates should do a lot better for voters than snipe at each other.

But when the static has cleared, we see no good reason to discard Ms. Maloney. She has been a stalwart in fighting for women’s rights, financial reform, health care for workers at ground zero and better protections for credit card users. Ms. Saujani agrees with Ms. Maloney on these issues, but Ms. Maloney has already acted on them in Congress, at considerable political risk.

We endorse Carolyn Maloney for re-election in the 14th Congressional District.

Hester Street Fair Saturday Only This Weekend

ed — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:27:00 +0000

The Hester Street Fair will be open for business tomorrow – they’re planning a holiday weekend cookout – but the Fair is taking Sunday off. The green market on Essex Street, however, WILL be operating as usual on Sunday.

Midnight Movie at the Sunshine – 2001: A Space Odyssey

traven — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:26:46 +0000

This week’s midnight movie at the Sunshine Cinema is Stanley Kubrick‘s classic sci-fi film, 2001: A Space Odyssey – and it’s showing all three nights of our long weekend holiday. The film opened to mixed reviews (way back in 1968!) but is now on many “Best Films of All Time” lists. $9.99 // Fri., Sat., Sun. at midnight // 143 East Houston Street.

Silver’s Investments, Rosie’s Nemesis, Rooftop Noise Ruling

ed — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:08:20 +0000

Sheldon Silver owns stock in 30 companies with business before the state (Daily News).

Maloney vs. Saujani: Community Media’s interviews (Villager).

An appeals court finding that noise emanating from a hotel roof deck interfered with the “right (of residents) to use and enjoy their respective apartments” is “sending shivers through New York’s nightclub and restaurant industry.” (WSJ)

The “welcome mat was not extended” for Councilmember Rosie Mendez at the Baruch Houses Family Day (Villager).

Police Seek Help in Finding Shooting Suspect

ed — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:37:22 +0000

Pierre Hecker

Earlier this week we posted an item about a fatal shooting at 46 Madison Street, near the Alfred E. Smith Houses. This morning, the Village Voice has a few more details – and a plea from police for help in finding the suspect. According to the report, the victim was 28-year old Anthony Evans, a resident of the Smith housing development. Investigators now want to question the man pictured above, Pierre Hecker, 29, of 1295 5th Avenue in East Harlem. Hecker is 6’5″ and weighs 180 pounds.

The shooting happened at 2:53am Wednesday. Evans was transported to Beekman Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident has received a good deal of attention because it happened up the street from NYPD’s headquarters. DNA Info spoke with residents about the perception that violence is on the rise in the neighborhood:

“You think this should be a really safe place because One Police Plaza is … there,” neighbor Miriam Colden said… Colden, 51, lives across the courtyard from where the man was shot and said she awoke to the sound of gunshots. “It was a lot of shots,” Colden said. “I can’t even count how many.” Julia Rodriguez, 57, who has lived in the Smith Houses her entire life, said there has been an increase in violent crime over the last two years. “These projects used to be so good and now it’s gotten so bad,” Rodriguez lamented Wednesday morning.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Good Morning!

ed — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:23:31 +0000

At the New Museum, the lobby continues to be adorned with new ribbons detailing your wishes. It’s part of Rivane Neuenschwander’s ongoing exhibition, “I Wish Your Wish,” which we profiled earlier this summer. Look for a high of 80 today, with showers beginning this afternoon. Tomorrow, 77 and windy. Sunday, 75 and sunny. On Monday, Labor Day, sunny and 80 degrees. Have a great holiday weekend, and if you’re headed for the beach, watch out for Hurricane Earl! If you’re going to the airport this afternoon, expect wind-related travel delays.

Weekend Music Picks

traven — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 19:06:36 +0000

Here are musician Ken Beasley’s top music picks on the Lower East Side this weekend:

CAUSE A SCENE, V. 1 w/ BANQUETS, UP FOR NOTHING, THE TATTLE TALES, STEP ASIDE – Friday, Sept. 03 at 7pm

DIY label and music marketing outfit Bright & Barrow Records have just released their download-only punk compilation album, Cause A Scene, Volume 1. Now, they are kicking things off with a proper record release show at the longstanding L.E.S. temple of rock, Arlene’s Grocery. The night will feature sets from Banquets, Up For Nothing, The Tattle Tales, and Step Aside. $10 // Arlene’s Grocery – 95 Stanton Street

THE DUTCHESS AND THE DUKE – Saturday, Sept. 04 at 7:30pm

The Dutchess and The Duke at Mercury Lounge Sat., Sept. 4

Seattle’s The Dutchess and the Duke offer up a strong shot of 60’s nostalgia. The writing and production of their original songs definitely make you forget what decade you’re in, enough that you could find yourself thinking you’re actually listening to some long lost recording of the Animals or early Rolling Stones. $12 // The Mercury Lounge – 17 East Houston Street

LACRYMOSA – Sunday, Sept. 05 at 8pm

Lacrymosa will play at the Living Room this Sundy

The Livingroom

Lacrymosa does not refer to the song from Evanescence’s The Open Door, but rather a young New York songwriter, Caitlin Pasko. Why she chose to call herself that, we might never know – but her music is definitely sweet, atmospheric pop and worth a listen. With a delicate voice and a clear ability on the piano, she starts her month long residency at the Living Room this Sunday. $5 suggested // The Living Room – 154 Ludlow Street

Splitting his time between performing and producing, contributor Ken Beasley primarily plays with his own roots/rock band, Ken Beasley & Co., as well as the power punk outfit Missy Sport, while also curating the Underground at the Abrons music series on the Lower East Side.

Intern for The Lo-Down This Fall

ed — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:48:59 +0000

Are you a journalism student in search of a great internship? The Lo-Down is now accepting applications for the fall semester. Our interns are assigned a specific news beat, and are called on to develop/report/write stories relevant to that subject. Available beats this year include: development issues (gentrification, housing, land use), education, crime and the arts. Gain valuable experience reporting in one of the most fascinating communities in New York City and helping to build a dynamic online news site on the Lower East Side. Resumes should be emailed to: info@thelodownny.com.