Dear Chuck Otey – Regarding the BID
Chuck Otey wrote a heart-felt article in the local paper this week. I’m not going to link to it because it didn’t provide enough information for Bay Ridge residents. In the article, Otey talks about why a 3rd Avenue BID is necessary, but doesn’t seem to understand the burden of this new tax of the BID for business owners.
We have questions for Chuck Otey. We know Otey is a casual reader of this blog, as he left me two comments to let me know I am not a writer. (LOL) When he stumbles on these questions, maybe he will take a few minutes to answer them.
1) Was there funding for the 3rd Avenue Summer Stroll under one of the former senator’s projects? The Shore Road Parks Conservancy group disbanded after the election. Could some people have been given a stipend from that money or another fund? We believe there is a correlation between some wanting the BID and the expiration of the old regime. A FOIL request could provide the answer, but neighbors can share info as well.
2) The BID wasn’t as badly wanted by merchants as the community was made to believe. Last July, the voting starting and the BID still doesn’t have the votes. The Merchants have asked for a year to work together. Why can’t they be given a year?
3) For the storefronts that don’t participate in the Stroll, their area is rented out. Why isn’t there a form online for people to fill out, pay the fee and rent a spot? I know because this blog has been asked about how to sign up for a table many times.
4) New business owners have moved onto Third Avenue and no one told them about the 3rd Avenue Merchants Group. I’ve asked several if they were invited to join and they told me no one asked them.
5) Why doesn’t the Merchants group have a paypal or venmo account to accept monthly dues. A man walking from store to store may have worked years ago, but that isn’t happening any more.
6) Iraqi House Restaurant was rated highly by the New York Times. It also shows the hardship of being a new business owner in this time. Have you gone in to welcome Mohammed and enjoy his food?
7) Fifth Avenue has a BID and it isn’t doing better than Third Avenue. RadioFree Bay Ridge reported that the 5th Avenue BID executive director stole money from the BID in 2016. Why didn’t you report about this in the local paper?
We don’t want businesses nickeled and dimed by the government any more than they already are. Residents here want these businesses to stay open and thrive.
Hugs,
marlene
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