Slumlord List

Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio has launched an easy to navigate list of NYC's worst landlords. Click here to check it out. It will surely become an invaluable resource for apartment hunters, as well as those living in deteriorating buildings - tenants can click here to easily report unsafe or unsanitary living conditions. Unfortunately the worst seven buildings on the list are located in the Bronx - grrrrrrrrrrr.

~ErLu

Slackers!

The troublemakers...

Geez, this summer has been a rough one for us (having baby, recovering from having baby, caring for baby, being tortured by baby's 2 1/2 year old big sister, etc.) and thus, the ol' BD has been pretty slow. Thanks for sticking with us as we readjust to life as a family of four.

We promise to make every effort to stop slacking now that the lazy days of summer are coming to a close!

~ErLu

New Roosevelt Initiative At Pedro's Pad

We heard and saw a little hub-bub outside our building (the same building in which Pedro Espada pretends to live). When we went down to investigate we saw a group of New Roosevelt Initiative volunteers and workers, led by Yorman Nunez, prepping for a neighborhood sweep for Gustavo Rivera.

New Roosevelt Iniative Boots on the Ground from Erin Cicalese on Vimeo.

~ErLu

Bedford Park Art-Deco Real Estate Trolley Tour This Saturday

~ErLu

Robo-Call From the Wabbit

Just received a robo-call from Westchester Pete. Nothing too new or shocking in the recorded message, but Mr. Espada claimed that he saved lots of senior centers and schools (which he didn't). He also claimed that "wealthy outsiders" [read: hey, kettle, look over here, it's the pot. I just wanted to let you know that you are really really black] are running a dishonest smear campaign against him. The call ended with the Wascally one giving the perfunctory, "May God bless you."

~ErLu

New and Improved Dog Run Coming to the Williamsbridge Oval

The folks over at Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval have been working hard to ensure that the current construction projects at the park are moving along as quickly as possible. They've even begun hosting "Night Walks," which entail walking around the entirety of the park after dark in order to see which lights may need to be fixed or replaced. There's one this evening at 9pm - meet at the Keeper's Gate entrance if you're interested in helping out!

Below is a detailed update from FOWO identifying the current projects currently underway around the park:

As you may have experienced by now, the Williamsbridge Oval Playground is undergoing a vast amount of construction right now. Because of this construction, almost half of the park is off-limits to the public; the recreation center and its surrounding playgrounds have been dismantled and are being restructured. Unfortunately, completion of the new recreation center (details of its new amenities will be posted on the BD in the coming months) will be Spring 2011. But, the surrounding playgrounds are to be completed this coming Fall (late) 2010. Below is a plan of the playground areas sent to the Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval from the Department of Parks and Recreation:

After completion of Playgrounds 1 and 3, a new, improved dog run is to be constructed near the North entrance of the Oval Park:

The dog run plans were presented to the Friends of the Oval last August. The new dog run will be larger (than the current Oval dog run) with areas for both large dogs and smaller dogs. It will also have picnic tables and benches for people watching their dogs. Because of problems with the water lines in the Park, there will be no “Doggy Water Play” located in the dog run. The Parks’ Department is working very hard to install a dog-friendly water fountain in the Park near the dog run. Completion of this new dog run is scheduled for late Fall 2010.

Because of construction, the recreation center has been experiencing an increase in vandalism. I have seen many young adults break into the construction site, climb on the roof of the recreation center, and then thrown materials down. This is dangerous for the trespassers, wastes tax payers’ money, and prolongs construction. If you see anyone in the construction site (other than construction workers), please call the 52 precinct at (718) 220-5811 (I recommend having the number programed into your cell phones!). An increase in calls regarding any vandalism or the selling of illegal substances (alcohol, food without a permit, and drugs) on park grounds will only help convince the 52 that the Oval needs enforcement.

Also, the Oval Park is a beautiful park that is in need of community residents who will insist that the park be respected, cleaned, and maintained. Simply asking people using the Oval park to pick up after their dogs or to throw away their trash is a small victory in helping the Oval reach its potential. Please join Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=83607129267

You can also contact the Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval via their website:

http://friendsofthewilliamsbridgeoval.yolasite.com/

On Monday, August 23, Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval have organized a “Night Walk” to identify non-working lights in the Park. Please join us at 9 pm. We will meet inside the park near the Keeper’s Gate (the entrance at the north end of the park, across the street from the Keeper’s House, near Reservoir Pl.). Please bring cell phones, flashlights, pen and paper, and, of course, dogs are always welcome. The “Night Walk” should last less than an hour.

Thanks for the update and keep up the great work, FOWO!

~ErLu

Botanical Garden Parking Lot Moving Forward

The space on the corner of Webster Avenue and Bedford Park Boulevard is soon going to (finally) be transformed into what the NYBG is calling its "Intermodal Transportation Facility."

Here are some highlights from an informative email from a Garden staffer:

[...]The New York Botanical Garden’s Intermodal Transportation Facility
(ITF), [is] an open-air pre-cast concrete structure with one basement and
seven floors of parking that will accommodate up to 825 cars.

This new parking facility was designed to accommodate the Garden’s
growing audience, but it will also benefit the community in a number
of direct and indirect ways. By taking advantage of new Garden
membership packages, community residents will be able to park their
cars overnight and commuters may use the garage to “park and ride.”

[...]

Over the last few years, the Garden made substantial progress by
acquiring and clearing the site. We are very pleased to report that
during the last year, we were able to complete the financing, with
assistance from the City, State and private sector partners, and we
are now ready to begin construction. The construction phase will
immediately create 426 jobs. Upon project completion, in approximately
two years, 10-12 permanent Garden operations/maintenance, security,
horticultural, and visitor services jobs will be created to manage and
care for the ITF. As always, NYBG employment opportunities will be
posted on our website, as they become available, at
http://www.nybg.org/employment/.

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep the community informed, this is
what you can expect during the construction phase:

1. Elements of the project also include improvements of the
street and sidewalks on Webster Ave., Bedford Park Blvd., and
Botanical Square area.

2. There may be temporary traffic interruptions on Webster Ave.
and near Botanical Square for brief periods of time at different
points during the construction phase. We will make every effort to
avoid peak traffic times.

3. Working hours at the construction site are Monday – Friday,
7:00am - 3:30pm. Overtime may occasionally be utilized but only as
necessary.

4. Site mobilization will begin the week of August 23rd.

5. First activities will be delivery of construction equipment
and staging.

6. Excavation for foundations will be the first major
construction activity.

7. Once excavation is complete, sheeting and shoring and
preparation for foundations will follow.

8. Foundations will be formed and poured this winter

9. The construction is scheduled to be complete in spring 2012.

~ErLu

Friends of Williamsbridge Oval Meeting Thursday 8/19

The Friends of Williamsbridge Oval will be having a meeting tomorrow (Thursday, Aug. 19) at 7 pm near the bocce ball courts in the park. The group will be discussing the plans for the dog run, organizing a community gathering, identifying possible fund raising opportunities, and planning another night walk to identify non-working lights in the Oval.

A quick rundown of the group's mission is below. They are always looking for more community-minded folks to join their group, so please feel free to stop by Thursday's meeting!

Friends of the Oval is a volunteer-led collection of neighbors who care about and delight in their park. Membership is open to anyone and everyone who wants to preserve and improve the Williamsbridge Oval as a vital community resource for the thousands of adults, children and elderly who enjoy the park each week.

Friends of the Williamsbridge Oval is committed to using people power to assist the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation in properly maintaining and supporting our park. As neighbors who love the Oval and our neighborhood, we work together with community residents, elected officials and neighborhood organizations to identify needs in the park, monitor repairs and renovations and sponsor activities to foster community connectedness.

~ErLu

Espada Steals Fancy Suits

Tom Robbins at the Village Voice has an interesting piece that leads with a story about Westchester Pete stiffing a high end tailor for $7,200 in suits, claiming to have returned the suits, and then wearing the duds in public.

The piece also reveals that Espada's $56K/year professional liar public relations man, Steve Mangione, also made $270K creating radio ads for a landlord lobby called the Rent Stabilization Association. (Just a reminder that Mangione's boss is the chair of the Housing Committee).

~ErLu

We Live in the Bronx, BUT...

An anonymous Bronx resident is all riled up about Bronxites getting the shaft in some aspects of life, and then not having the energy/balls/initiative to get off their asses to do anything about it. From what we can see so far it looks like the latest Bronx blog newcomer, entitled "We live in the Bronx, but..." will post problems and/or gripes, and then steps that Bronxites can take to move toward a solution.

Check out the blog here.

~ErLu

Bronx-Born Regis Philbin Pissed at Pelham Parkway Arborcide

Via Curbed

~ErLu

Free Concert on the Mosh Tomorrow - August 11th

~ErLu

Anybody Looking to Adopt a Bull Mastiff?

~ErLu

Espada's Staff (now with extra Haile Rivera!)

Just received an email listing the public information about Pedro Espada's bloated staff (39 staffers at about $36K/week).

In any case, the full list is below. The most surprising name on this to us is Haile Rivera, a former potential Espada challenger and Obama volunteer (and dining partner) whose tears on election night were chronicled by the Norwood News. I guess he needs to pay his bills too...hold your nose and cash the check, Haile.

Here's the full list sent to us (Rivera is #30):

1. ACEVEDO, JONATHAN SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST $769.24SA

2. BEARDSLEE-RUIZ, PATRICIA M SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY ASSISTANT $7.25TE

3. CALHOUN, SANDRA C SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY OFFICE MANAGER $1,807.70RA

4. CALLAHAN, WILLIAM J SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BUFFALO SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE UPSTATE DIR $442.31SA

5. CARELA, AIDA J SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX OUTREACH SPECIALIST $19.00TE

6. DE PENA, JOSHUA SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST $1,346.16SA

7. DEJESUS, JUAN G SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST $1,346.16RA

8. DENNIS, DENISHA S SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX RECEPTIONIST $1,153.85SA

9. DIAZ, ALEX SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX CHIEF OF STAFF $3,653.85RA

10. DRAZAN, EMILY C SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY SPECIAL ASSISTANT FOR FISCAL POLICY $1,846.16RA

11. ELLIOTT, ELISON J SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX SPECIAL ADVISOR $4,538.47RA

12. FRIDAY, LEONARD M SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX CONSTITUENT LIAISON $11.00TE

13. GARY, MICHAEL V SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX COMMUNITY ORGANIZER $346.16SA

14. GONZALEZ, SIGFREDO SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICER $1,153.85SA

15. HARRIS, MARZETTA L SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH $2,500.00RA

16. HARRIS-COLEMAN, MONICA A SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX EDUCATION LIAISON $1,923.08RA

17. JOHNSON, LUIS M SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX OUTREACH COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIAL $1,153.85RA

18. LABOY, FRANCK SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS $1,730.77RA

19. LANDAUER, JANET A SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY ASSISTANT $7.25TE

20. Lawrence, Mortimer A, Majority Staff, Albany, Special Counsel to the Majority Leader, $6798

21. LEDER, DARLENE A SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO CHIEF OF STAFF $1,923.08RA

22. MANGIONE, STEPHEN J SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR $2,153.85SA

23. MANSFIELD, THOMAS C SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY CHIEF STAFF FOR LEG & STRATEGIC AFF $3,846.16RA

24. MARTIN, NATHANIEL M SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX DIR OF ADV OPERATIONS & OUTREACH SP $1,730.77RA

25. ORTIZ, YADIRA SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT $1,769.24RA

26. Pegano, Daniel L, Maj Counsel/Program/Committee Staff, Bronx, General Counsel $1923.08

27. PFAFF, DAVID B SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BUFFALO DIR UPSTATE RELATIONS FOR MAJ LDR $2,692.31RA

28. PIGEON, G STEVEN SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY COUNSEL TO THE MAJORITY LEADER $5,769.24RA

29. REYES, NORREIDA I SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR ALBANY DIRECTOR OF MULTI MEDIA $3,076.93RA

30. RIVERA, HAILE M SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX SP AST ECONO DR. FOR THE VP URB PLA $1,615.39SA

31. RODRIGUEZ, MARIA A SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH $1,923.08RA

32. ROSEBURGH, SHAWN W SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX SEN OUTREACH COMMU REL SPECIALIST $1,730.77SA

33. SANTANA, RIQUEVIL SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX OUTREACH COMMUNITY RELATIONS SPECIAL $1,653.85RA

34. ST PAUL, RICHARD E SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX COUNSEL $3,288.47SA

35. TORRES, JEANETTE SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX OFC RESCE MGR CHARITY OUTRCH COORD $3,269.24RA

36. TUCKER, CURTIS J SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR NEW YORK DIR. OF LEGIS POLICY MAJ. LEADER $5,000.00RA

37. WALSH, CHRISTOPHER P SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BUFFALO SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE UPSTATE DIR $1,000.00SA

38. WANGLIEN, DANIELLE M SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR NEW YORK COUNSEL TO THE MAJORITY LEADER $3,653.85RA

39. WILLIAMS, JOEY SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA, JR BRONX ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT $1,923.08RA

~ErLu