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THE VINES: Out to lunch; will be back soon.
To the many peeps who have contacted or tried to contact me, enquiring as to why I haven't written a column here for the past seven weeks: I'll be back real soon.<.......> I had to take a lil hiatus in order to clear my head a bit. I also had to consider a couple runs for public office. I went to Trinidad for a brief visit (as a pre-requisite to possibly participating in the election campaign down there later this year) and for a little R&R. <....>
Today, I decided not to run for Congress in 2008 (it's too late to start this/ especially as it relates to fundraising), but I am considering a run for the City Council in 2009; I will finalize that decision next year. There are talks afoot to do a wide ranging challenge of various district-leaderships (Dems.) in many boroughs during next year's presidential excitement; so far these ideas are inchoate. There are many people who are rather disenchanted with the leadership of New's York's democrats and want to mix it up a bit. If those conversations mature then who knows what I'll do next year; but I am definitely not running for Congress (11th) then, unless I hit the LOTTO soon/ lol. <....>
I am working on a story that will probably "piss-off" Vito Lopez- the Dem leader of King's county (Brooklyn), and I am also trying to get up to date on the impending Kendall Stewart vs. Kevin Parker fight. It's going to be bloody folks. I am also looking at Nick Perry's Brooklyn Boro Prez candidacy (word is that he isn't "punking out" this tme), given that Charles "Slappy" Barron is trying hard to make that race also. The "Vines" are a saying that two blacks in the race is tantamount to "political suicide". <....> Also, there are a lot of angry troopers since Yvette Clarke won the 11th Congressional; lots of her former employees and solid supporters are rather angry at her and her mother (Una). They say that the Clarkes are "ungrateful, selfish and treacherous" (and I am putting that mildly folks). <....>
Another thing: Mitch is bitching (again). Everyone knows the irrepressible election attorney Mitch Alter; he is one of the best election lawyers in the state. Well it seems that Mitch is angry these days, because of all the shenanigans around the upcoming surrogate race this year. He is also poised to run a bunch of candidates for the many vacant judgeships in Brooklyn (more on that later folks). I will probably endorse Diana Johnson for surrogate judge; last time she ran against Margarita Lopez-Torres, I was in the Margarita's camp; what a difference two years in politics make. <....>
As of yesterday there were two challengers for Junior Boyland next year- and no, Stan Kinnard isn't one (as yet), nor is Reggie Bowman. What is Chris Owens going to do next year? Also, what is Gerry Hopkins going to do next year? Ditto for Terry Hinds and Michelle Adolphe. Word is that Kevin Parker treathened Nick Perry that he will run a candidate against him if the Stewart challenge comes to fruition; sounds plausibe? In East New York, Ken Evans and Carlos Bristol seem set on forging an alliance in order to deal with future races in the district. Bristol-who managed some of NYC councilmember Charles Barron's past campaigns- is intent on replacing Barron in 2009. Evans- who did Barron's petitons in 2001- is still looking towards replacing Diane Gordon as the assemblymember for the 40th AD (real soon/ given Gordon's legal problems). <....>
Anyway, let me finish lunch folks; and then I will be back sometime next week or so. Till then: stay tuned-in. <....>
PS: No "out to lunch" jokes; please/lol. That would be so predictable. <....> BTW: NYC Mayor Mike Bloomgberg has one chance of becoming US president in 2008: NONE.
THE VINES: Out to lunch;
Rock : You blogged about various challenges to the democratic leadership but did not mention anything in South Brooklyn. Areas like Coney island, Brighton Beach, Gravesend where the incumbent leadership of Recchia & Nelson are so quid pro quo. Just look at their item member ( monies) list. They have bought off almost every group. Pay to Play is endemic here. Why doesn't someone step up to the plate & challenge these guys? The TJ Club with Bernie Catcher,( who by the way doesn't live in his District but lives in Brighton Beach) the Hi-Way Club with Mike Geller have just too much power and control all the "Milk." as I once heard Geller say at a Club meeting. You say you are writing something about Vito, dig deeper & I'm sure you will come up with something to connect the dots on all of these guys. I'll be reading your reply.
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So it sounds like Chris Owens is running for either BEEP or PA. Carl Andrews might be running for Yassky's city council seat. Yassky might be running for PA or D.A. or something else. Rock's not running for the 11th either. So does that leave Yvette Clarke unopposed next year? Does she get no serious opposition during the one re-election when she will probably be most vulnerable?  I usually write about the areas where I am directly involved in community groups/organizations, political activism and such. Thus you may find that in my blogging here I hardly ever touch on certain areas of Brooklyn and the larger city. This is an occurance that happens much to the chagrin of many of my white readers/ supporters. My contacts (though far and wide) are usually black and/or Hispanic, moreso than white and/or Asian. I do most of my community activism/ political work in minority areas primarily because I see a greater need there. I am very open to info from places I hardly ever go; once the info is credible and/ or verifiable. I do have many white friends and a few Asian political contacts, but I do defer to them and indigenous people on the ground (residents) to write about the happenings there/ in those areas of the city. I often wished that I had more contacts in the white areas, but this is just the way it is right now. Hopefully that will change one day. Usually the local newspapers fill the void of political news/events/happenings in many of these areas (especially in Queens).
To those who were hoping that I tackle the congressional race next year, let me just say that it is rather difficult to mount such a challenge (seriously) without institutional support. Once you don't get unions,community organizations/groups and elected officials behind you, you will need lots of money to get your message out, and also for the campaign's execution of all the elements needed for victory. Running a protest candidacy next year-albeit appealing somewhat- is something that I am not feeling right now (especially for myself/ since I have run twice before/ 1998 & 2000), maybe if I was a newcomer I would have done that to raise my political profile; I don't need to do this. You have to start raising funds way in advance of any real run for public office; you may only be able to get away with a district leader challenge without loads of money (maybe). The harsh reality is that money has changed the nature of contemporary politics and elections; this is so unfortunate.
Rock: I don't know if you read the article in the New York Times this past Tuesday. It was written by Charles Bagli. It was about the development of Coney Island and the developer Joe Sitt of Thor Equities. There are many African Americans that still call Coney Island home. Mr. Sitt in his own words said the following... "Hotels would offer black residents jobs..the Russian immigrants who enjoy a quality of life & activities by the water would flock to the hotels & nightclubs...Jewish & Italian-Americans would get the quality retail,bookstores & entertainment venues that they want." Rock don't you think this is very divisive & profiling of an entire neighborhood? As a resident of Coney Island I am appalled by this statement of Mr. Sitt. Our Councilman Domenic Recchia who by the way is very friendly to the Sitts ( he & the whole Sephardic Community has donated many thousands to Mr. Recchia's campaigns) has not even denounced what he said. I called his district office. NO call back. And there won't be . It takes a man like you to bring this to the forefront, no matter what communities you do cover. We don't have anybody except Recchia's puppets in Coney Island to speak out. And believe me, they only follow his edicts. Both Mr. Sitt & Councilman Recchia are birds of a feather. They stick together. Is this what a Council member suppose to be?
Fifty-three years after the landmark Brown v. Board of Ed. Supreme Court decision, we live in a city (NY) that is quite segregated in housing, education, employment, etc. etc. I know the answers aren't simple to come by, but truth be told (and from where I come/ intellectually): white denial of racism plays the major role in why we are like this. This doesn't mean that blacks are exonerated from looking for solutions to all this, but fact is, power is in the hands of white males who seem to care less about changing things. About Coney Island and also the "Times" article (which I haven't seen), all I can say is that those remarks unfortuneately reflect the harsh reality of where we are today as a society. We can only hope that people of goodwill intends to keep working on changing the status-quo.
Rock: It's very hard to change the system. Not that I'm giving up. For instance in Community Board 13,( Coney Island, Gravesend) Councilman Recchia through his member items (monies given to various groups) is buying the vote of the CB member. In one instance CB Member Sheryl Robertson gets over $ 60,000 for her group South Brooklyn Youth (just look at the published NYC Finance Reports) from Mr. Recchia. She's black & who is she going to be loyal too? Any vote that comes before the CB she will vote with the Councilman & has done so. Anyone who opposes his policies is fired ( excuse me not-reappointed) to the CB. There are many others on the CB boards not only in CB 13 but throughout the city with the same old , same old. There should be a rule in the City Charter that anyone who is on the CB CANNOT get monies form the city. It's a conflict of Interest. But how do you get this done with the old boys network. Everybody talks of reform but nothing really happens. The powers that be just circle around you & you are isolated or labeled a loose cannon. Any suggestions Rock?
The community boards are all controlled by the electeds and those in various power positions. Free-thinkers need not apply for membership. I agree that it is a conflict of interest to fill CBs with people feeding off the public trough and connected totally to council members, their allies and their political interests/connections, but I am certain that those in control will disagree (naturally). Your idea about amending the city charter is a fine one; I suggest you write Mayor Bloomberg, since the mayor controls the charter revision strings. I can only sympathize with "the loose-cannon" label: been there, been called that (if you catch my drift). The fight is hard and long for those of us who battle the status-quo. That's just the nature of these things I guess. Sometimes I do get frustrated as (I am assuming) you are.
Hey asshole: I was trying to hide out in the sewers but your mother owns them all; lately she has been living there/lol.
Rock's just mad because the Down Low Brothers Local Chapter 40 won't let him march with them in the parade.
Although I frequently disagree with you, I missed your astute commentary during this prolonged absence. How about bringing us up to date on all the Brooklyn races in the near future? Some of the Boards may be controlled by the Councilmembers and the BP, not but Board 14 which covers Flatbush and Midwood. It may be because 3 Council districts are within the board and the board has a strong chairperson and a tough district manager.
You hit the nail on the head. CB 13 has a very weak District Manager & a weaker Chair. Chuck Reichenthal is just a puppet of Councilman Recchia & Marion Cleaver the so-called chair is a marionette, so to speak for Councilman Recchia. By the way Recchia would love to replace Chuck with Marion as District Manager so he can call all the shots. Watch your back Chuck, everyone knows Recchia is a back stabber. Good luck to you at CB14 it really makes me want to relocate to Midwood-Flatbush where your voice can be heard.
You are a real asshole for talking about someone's mom. No one mentioned your jackass mom.
I think the real assholes are all of you who read my blog despite your rabid hate for me and my views. If you don't read my columns then you won't have to write your insipid insulting remarks (some of which border on the inane) that lead me to want to go down the gutter-road to respond. You know what: I am actually starting to enjoy this. Keep insulting me and I will keep returning the favor.
OK, our pleasure. You're an entertaining blogger with valuable insights into Central & North Brooklyn politics, and I bet you're basically a good person whom it'd be fun to shoot the breeze with. But you're also a narrow-minded reactionary bigot when it comes to the rights of gay and lesbian people -- basically, you're a bargain-basement Errol Louis. Stick to writing, because once you start running, the LGBT community will mobilize against you in force, if necessary picking your strongest pro-marriage-equality opponent and running your political career right off the road, whether it's with money, volunteers, or a blizzard of p.r. pain that will make your bid for office die a death by a thousand cuts. There, how's that, Rock?
Am I supposed to be scared. Look, running for office isn't all my life is about. My views come from long hard in-depth analysis, not fo from being politically-correct. SORRY CHARLIE.
Hey Rock, are you scared to run against Yvette? Does Una scare you? How are things going to get better if people like you just talk the talk. Are you one of those in brooklyn who fear the Clarkes or are you scared Mike Roberts might look for a fight with you.
It's not about fear my friend; on the contrary. It has to do with the objective conditions not being there to support even a chance for a victory at the present time. And once the objective conditions aren't there, any attempt at running will be only an exercise in romanticism (and futility). I don't need to run to get my feet wet; been there, done that. To tackle a congressional seat generally takes years of preparation, unless you are coming in with big bucks and big endorsements. I refuse to be impetuous and run just because a few people want me to fight their battles. I suggest that you run then; I will probably support you once I ascertain that what you bring top the table shows more integrity than your opponent.
Hey Rock, if that is the case then who in brooklyn is strong enough to give Yvette a challenge. Please do not tell me that we are stuck with that idiot for several years.
I think Chris Owens will be the best challenger for Yvette Clarke at the present time. In fact I honestly think he can win this time around. HONESTLY. I hope he runs.
krigia declaratory expostulatingly iliadize floscular celadonite onomatopoetically smote krigia declaratory expostulatingly iliadize floscular celadonite onomatopoetically smote krigia declaratory expostulatingly iliadize floscular celadonite onomatopoetically smote krigia declaratory expostulatingly iliadize floscular celadonite onomatopoetically smote If Chuck Reichenthal were a puppet of Councilman Recchia, then someone had better define the term. They are in complete disagreement over the Coney Island plan, and Chuck is an obvious enemy of Joe Sitt and his crew. The Councilman staged a tirade, in front of a lot of people, against Chuck after Recchia and Kruger had disrupted a scoping meeting, for the public, on the Coney plan. Today, it is my knowledge that the Councilman does not even talk to Chuck though they had been friends. But, although they often agreed on issues and enjoyed each other's company, such an arrangement never stopped from disagreements... and now they seemingly do not talk much. Chuck has little to fear - he is admired more by the community than the Councilmember.
If anything in CB 13, it was a mess of inter-Board feuding when Chuck Reichenthal came in some 17 years ago, following long stints as editor of Courier-Life newspapers, and co-founder of the Brooklyn Arts Council. He was, and is, his own man... which means that he logically looks at the whole picture. As a result, he was back-stabbed at BACA, the arts council, and at other sites. When he assumer the D.M. role at CB 13, his disagreements were immediate with the then-Councilmember and the then-Chair. They tried to oust him immediately, but the Board members wouldn't have it. If Cleaver wants the job, and she seems to indicate that, she is not getting support from the residents of Coney Island and Brighton Beach, centers of CB 13. They admire Chuck, and sometimes he is at loggerheads with the Councilmember though they have a solid relationshop, even with the disagreements. When he leaves, it will be on his own accord.
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