Why Do I Watch The Republicans in Bay Ridge….
While I wasn’t watching the Republicans, Marty Golden introduced this stupid bill in the Senate and Nicole Malliotakis voted in favor of it. The bill gave billions in tax breaks to Manhattan developers. After that bill our property taxes soared.
BAY RIDGE REPUBLICANS WERE SILENT. Many didn’t know…..but some did.
Jerry Kassar was silent.
One person left a comment here and at another blog asking why I watch Republicans so I thought I would answer that one person here. I cut this post so click below if you care to read the whole thing – most people don’t….Why? Because it’s March and we are getting ready for St. Patty’s Day.
If it bothers you that I write about what they do wrong – tell them to do the right thing. I write about when pols do good, but it didn’t seem to come often unless it was for a photo op.
Why aren’t you questioning why party leaders keeps running people related to the real estate industry or who are accepting money from developers? We know why they are stepping up. I think it’s a matter of District Leaders not understanding that they need to get a viable candidate or step down from the position of district leader, so someone else can! There are plenty of Republicans who have connections – get out of the way so they can have the position.
In the November election, I spoke with Republican home owners in Bay Ridge. I appreciated Marty Golden marking the homes with signs. I imagine a few told him as I talked to almost 200 homeowners. My neighbors loved petting my Jack Russell puppy, as we talked with them about the Golden’s tax breaks for developers and Bay Ridge’s property taxes. My new dog is very political and kept getting the leash to go out. My husband chose different blocks each evening, so the dog could make more friends. Residents didn’t understand how Ted Ghorra could support Golden after I showed them all the things Marty had done and wasn’t doing. Needless to say all were shocked to hear that Saperstein received money from developers.
Golden wrote a bill for a Manhattan building because no one was watching. Nicole Malliotakis was SILENT about her vote. Her twitter and Facebook had n0 posts. When I tweeted Nicole about her vote, she blocked me. (This year she unblocked me).
I began writing on here years ago because I was angry. Not just angry at the politicians who were scamming the city, but —> How did WE allow this to happen? We weren’t watching. I was busy painting and decorating my home and I didn’t pay attention. Now I pay attention.
There are many residents in Bay Ridge, like us who don’t feel attached to a political party, but rather just want the best for our neighborhood and our neighbors. Some call it hyperlocal….I don’t care what you call it. If you are pol and don’t want people to write about you – don’t do things that MAKE people write about you.
I speak out against things that are wrong because it’s our job to make sure this community is good for everyone. My parents generation did it, but adults today don’t seem to realize it’s their job to do certain things. Speaking up when something is wrong isn’t optional. When I was a kid, adults were always speaking out, running the community and doing things like block parties all the time. When people say Brooklyn is different, it’s different because everyone isn’t doing their part.
I know my students live in a world that I wouldn’t wish on a child. I was raised in the Brooklyn Bubble where my days were spent loafing around the streets and parks, listening to music, eating Italian ices and not being troubled by anything political. The murder of Yusuf Hawkins was the first time in life that I understood that hate and racism existed. At that time in my life, no one talked to me about racism, but rather they discussed safety. Life in a bubble was very different back then. Children today don’t have that bubble. They have to live in the hateful comments and feel rejected because of what religion or ethnicity they were born int0. What’s up with that Brooklyn?
You won’t see me writing about the president or personal details of any local politicians lives. I can’t keep up with who Ted Ghorra or Jerry Kassar are friends with and who they aren’t friends with because it changes all the time. I watched the two of them endorse politicians who accepted money from developers and continued to push those candidates, even after the whole neighborhood knew Steve Saperstein admitted to taking money from developers at the Xaverian debate. Neither Ted or Jerry are reliable sources for candidates as far as many people are concerned.
I don’t just watch Republicans…I watch Conservatives too.
I watched Jerry Kassar try to control our election like Iran does, lie about it and Mike Long threw him under the bus for it because Long didn’t want to be blamed. Jerry and the Golden pushed John Quaglione, who received REBNY backing. Who would be thinking of running Quagliomne as a district leader after that? (See article) Seriously?! He didn’t have his community’s interest in mind when he did that. We don’t need pawned candidates here.
I watch Democrats as well. I’ve wrote extensively on Pam Harris. I wrote a lot about Mark Treyger on the topic of being owned as well. I write about Eric Adams and how he pretends to respond to hate in Brooklyn. Why do we accept so little from him…..if he goes for mayor the city is in trouble. Eric Adams and the former head of the Brooklyn Chamber hailed AirBnB from the start….that’s what made rents skyrocket. I don’t think either man understand business well and realized that their actions really had a terrible effect on this city.
I am thrilled to have Mathylde Frontus, Justin Brannan and Andrew Gounardes representing us. I don’t know of any of these politicians in person even though Republicans think I do. I find them responsive to people. If they become corrupt, I won’t ignore it. One thing…I think they are just good people.
In 2016, when Vinnie Gentile was Councilman, I went to see where he put his money. I was ready for the political nonsense….but when I saw he put $800,000 towards the Martini home, I cried. Vinnie was (and is) just a good man who did the right thing for people. Honestly, I wouldn’t have thought to do that….he’s a better person than I am. That’s how I consider Mathylde Frontus, Justin Brannan and Andrew Gounardes. Gentile is still one of my favorite politicians.
When you read this blog and see I am outraged….I really am outraged. For political people, a lot of this is just normal happening and it doesn’t bother them. When I share the info with my neighbors, they are equally upset. I post links so they can find the information themselves and decide for themselves.
Although I read other blogs, I rarely comment. If I have a comment, I share it here and then link to someone else’s blog. Why would I be part of the peanut gallery on someone else’s blog, when I have my own place to write? I also write on Twitter, so I can’t be commenting everywhere.
While some pols just jumped on the scene, I’ve been writing this blog over a decade ago – before I lived in this neighborhood. Many years ago, we campaigned against David Yassky so hard….more in Downtown Brooklyn streets and bars than online. I blogged then because NYC threatened eminent domain on my family’s business property in Downtown Brooklyn. (Meaning: the city intended to obtain my family’s property at less than half the value). Strangely, former Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz’ staffer went on to work for the business that was building on the block. My family was told about the eminent domain meeting through a sign posted on their business door with tape – no letters were sent. Neighbors who fought against the city, held on to their property – which is rare in eminent domain cases in America. David Yassky stood by and let it happen. Leticia James stood with my family (in the rain) and their neighbors. We vigorously helped kick David Yassky out of office even though we didn’t live or vote in that district (residents there were upset to hear that he voted against us).
From that, I learned that pols are temporary unless they have real connections to the community – some wreck your neighborhood, get thrown out of office (eventually) and the residents are still standing with the wreck. It’s pers0nal for us…..which many pols can’t understand.
Over the years, I’ve seen local papers delete information about politicians near the elections. I share screenshots, so I can record and remember. Some posts look extensive because they have been written for years – it takes just a minute to add to an entry. I don’t blog for more than 10 minutes a day. We have elderly family members who need assistance and I don’t have time….except when I am in the waiting room at doctor’s offices. Then I type and share a lot of events people have sent me because I have time.
I’ve made lists long before the web existed. Most Bay Ridge people like my (sic) lists here, here, here.
It’s 1:05 am, my ten minutes are up. Thanks to all who have read my early morning rant. It’s long because I use voice recording…..typos too because it’s raw and I don’t mind. If you do, don’t read it. But seriously, anyone who has read this far – thanks for caring about Bay Ridge (or me…. my uncle checks here every day and writes to me about my typos…..thanks for loving me JS XOXO).
Hugs,
marlene
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