John Catsimatidis Reminds Us that Treyger is Owned
Councilman Mark Treyger loves to post selfies and updates on social media so it was ironic that he didn’t mention that he was going on Catsimatidis radio show this weekend (no mention on Treyger’s twitter or Facebook page).
The Cats Round Table radio show is on 970 AM and their page provided a small blurb about Treyger and the Coney Island’s boardwalk :
“The Brooklyn lawmaker is pressing the city to landmark Coney Island’s iconic boardwalk in an effort to stop parts of it from being converted into concrete and fake wood.”
But neither Treyger or Catsimatidis mention the boardwalk!
There was no discussion about wood planks, preserving the boardwalk or even the boardwalk’s birthday which happened the day of the interview! Ohhh something is not right here Brooklyn.
Catsimatidis started off the talk by mentioning the upcoming holiday, Memorial Day in Coney Island and then straight out told Treyger that he wants to build high-rises in Coney Island. Catsimatidis actually said, “I think you know of my interest in Coney Island.”
Was Catsimatidis baiting Treyger to see if he would step up to the billionaire and speak up for the people of Coney Island? WE THINK SO! Because most people don’t know the full story.
Here’s what most people don’t know: On May 2nd, Mark Treyger played politics with his community and held a rally crying out that the people in Coney Island needed a community center in a foreclosed property on Surf Avenue (here’s Treyger’s index finger up in the area posing for us). Tryeger implied at the rally and to the media that the city should purchase the property. Treyger knew who owned the building and he knew city would have made a deal with them before a foreclosure sale. Anyone who knows what a foreclosure sale is like, knows the developer’s worker are ready to attack the property like wolves.
The City could never compete with the developers money. Treyger knew this was a done deal.
That week John Catsimatidis bought the property for 7.7 million. On May 12th, this story appeared in the paper. The paper states that Cats may build. What that tells us is that he may be an intermediate guy. There are several types of players in the property game in NYC. The developers who purchase property and want to build usually have the plans already built and are ready to knock over the builder the next week. Those who plan to flip the property for more money say something towards the effect of, “We aren’t sure what we are going to build.”
The other reason that developers wait to build is that some want to qualify for 421A. Don’t worry Mr. Catsimatidis, Marty Golden is working on that now (he mentioned it several times when he was suppose to be discussing mayoral control of NYC schools). Under 421A, developers get huge tax breaks for including a few low income housing units in the building.
Neither Treyger or Catsimatidis mentioned this property purchase in the radio show conversation.
Treyger responded with some info about Coney Island that sounded rehearsed and then he gave a speech about FEMA’s delay in giving out money. Treyger used the radio time to promote himself.
Catsimatidis was mildly interested and asked if Treyger’s voice is what got the money from FEMA. Treyger didn’t credit anyone else with working to get the FEMA money . Here’s a picture of some of the people who worked on getting the FEMA Money to Coney Island (pretty impressive group of people to leave out from a public thank you).
Catsimatidis was bored with Treyger so he said, “For a person like me who wants to invest in Coney Island and put up housing, what kind of housing should I put up?” STRAIGHT OUT BOLD.
Treyger didn’t respond to Cats question. At this point, Treyger could have said to the billionaire, “Hey Mr. Catsimatidis – be the hero in Brooklyn and make the John Cats Community Center in Coney Island on the first floor of your high- rise. Or hey John, how about making the John Catsimatidis School on the first three floors of your new high-rise? The paper stated that Treyger was going to reach out and talk with Cats his plans. Here’s my problem with Treyger. He’s not honest to the people who are listening to that show – SAY THE TRUTH.
Treyger was silent on the discussion of Cats being an investor in Coney Island even though Catsimatidis made it clear to the audience that Treyger knew of the real estate mogul’s plans.
I don’t know Mr. Catsimatidis, but I get the feeling that he would love to have a school named after him. Although he may have purchased the property to increase his bank account, Treyger could have put the idea out there.
This past Winter, I wrote to Councilman Mark Treyger about supporting a business owner in his area who the city was attempting to seize property using eminent domain. Treyger told me that his residents needed a clothing store, senior housing and year round anchors to attract retail shops (those are his words exactly). Yet Treyger couldn’t say even one of those things to John Catsimatidis this weekend.
Coney Island, you have the wrong person representing you. Get someone who has lived there all their life and loves the area. That person will have the passion to work for you and not just take pictures that makes it look like they are working. And they will be honest with you.
Catsimatidis knew what group gave Treyger the money to get Treyger into City Council. REBNY has been clear about investing their money to influence the NYC Council.
Treyger took the safe road and attacked the City of New York by saying that Coney Island needs more trains and buses. Treyger even goes on to complain about Deblasio who “shut out Coney Island” of the ferry plan. REALLY? Did he actually insult DeBlasio who has supported Coney Island?
If a ferry was important to Treyger and the community, why did Councilman Treyger have his community fighting for a community center that he knew would never happen? I’m not a fortune teller, but even I predicted that was a DONE DEAL. Surely, Mark Treyger knew that too.
The radio show ended with Catsimatidis giving Treyger the bum rush off the show. LOL.
The only truthful part of Councilman Treyger’s radio show appearance was when he mentioned that the people in Coney Island were strong. They will need to be strong as the developers take over their community.
Ironically last week, Catsimatidis was interested in talking about plastic bags with Vinnie Gentile. Treyger also voted against the plastic bag fee, but Catsimatidis never discussed the topic with Treyger. Catsimatidis’ tone with Gentile was a lot different than the way he spoke with Treyger. Catsimatidis even joked with Gentile about the plastic bags being needed for dog poop. He ended the chat by commending Gentile for his stance against the plastic bag fee.
Hugs,
marlene
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