District Leader Keen Berger got our endorsement. She was looking good at the V.I.D. Holiday Party!
V.I.D. for…Bernillary? It figured to be a close vote when the Village Independent Democrats gathered on Dec. 10 to endorse in the Democratic presidential primary. In the first round of voting, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton were knotted at 12 apiece, there were 7 for no endorsement and Martin O’Malley got 0. The top two vote-getters then moved on to the second round, where Sanders got 12 while Clinton and no endorsement both got 10. Since no one won an absolute majority — more than 50 percent of total votes cast — the club went “captain’s choice,” meaning members can gather ballot petition signatures for the candidate of their choosing, and V.I.D. is not endorsing a particular candidate. Before the club members weighed in, Tony Hoffmann and Kathy Slowinski spoke for Sanders, while Annette Zaner and Cormac Flynn advocated for Clinton. Keen Berger was the first to suggest no endorsement, and was seconded by Jim Fouratt and Ann Heaney. Although O’Malley didn’t get a single vote, “it was a very strong zero,” stressed Jonathan Geballe. He and Hoffmann both said many V.I.D.’ers generally like O’Malley’s stance on the issues. District Leader Berger explained to us that the club “can and almost definitely will endorse before the April primary. One of my hopes,” she said, “is widespread participation in the political process, as well as strong defeat of the Republicans. I didn’t want V.I.D. to tilt too soon, or worse, to split on this. The reason we didn’t endorse is that all of us — including the people who spoke passionately for Bernie and those who spoke passionately for Hillary — are laser-focused on defeating the Republicans. We are appalled at some of the statements of their candidates, especially at statements that cast suspicion on all Muslims. We are solidly pro-tolerance, pro-American, pro-immigration. The debate was about how best to express our values and how best to defeat the G.O.P. People disagreed, with powerful and cogent statements for both candidates; so the club voted no endorsement at this time. It allows the debate to continue.”
Political party: Speaking of V.I.D., club members and local Democratic politicians enjoyed Frieda Bradlow’s annual holiday party on Charlton St. once again. Along with all the pols, of course, Jonathan Geballe’s famous raisin bread was also in the house. The irrepressible Bradlow was looking good after a physical-rehab stint at VillageCare. In other V.I.D. news, Nadine Hoffmann was re-elected club president. She said she has been having a great time working with club members on issues like passing the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, fighting against fracking and for the closure of the Indian Point nuke plant, and keeping tabs on Mrs. Green’s.
A room with a view: At last month’s Community Board 2 meeting, Tom Connor, a senior advocate board member, raised an issue that we had noticed, too. Namely, that, according to designs for the new St. John’s Partners project, slated for the St. John’s Building site across from Pier 40 at West Houston St., it doesn’t appear that the project’s senior affordable apartments will have river views. On the other hand, most, if not all, the market-rate units and apparently many of the affordable apartments for families will have river views. The seniors will be in their own building, with its entrance on Washington St., which their apartments will overlook. “All of the other apartments have views of the river. The seniors face the street,” Connor complained. A spokesperson for the developers said it’s possible that a few apartments at the top northern and southern edges of the senior building might possibly offer a neck-craning glimpse of the Hudson. But he said the senior building, in fact, was designed with its entrance on Washington St. on purpose, for the seniors’ benefit, since it’s closer to the subway for them than if the entrance was on West St., like the front door of the 100 percent market-rate building that will be on the same block. Some might cynically call it looking a gift horse in the mouth to complain about an affordable apartment’s views; but if a senior can walk from Washington St. to Varick St. to catch the 1 train, he or she can surely just as easily walk an extra block to West St. — plus, having that breathtaking million-dollar view at home definitely would put an extra spring into anyone’s step!
They finally bag Mendez: After resisting the idea for more than a year, Councilmember Rosie Mendez recently quietly signed on, joining 20 of her colleagues, as a sponsor of a bill to assess a 10-cent surcharge on shoppers for single-use paper and plastic bags at convenience stores, supermarkets and delis. Mendez had been concerned about the burden the extra cost could pose for the poor and senior citizens on fixed incomes, as well as those who must separate their food for religious reasons. She also feared dog walkers might lose incentive to pick up after their dogs if forced to pay a dime per plastic bag. A year ago, Mendez spokesperson John Blasco told us, “Unless there are further amendments to the proposed legislation, she is unable to sign her name as a co-sponsor.” However, Saleen Shah of the Citizens Committee recently called to tell us the news. “It’s the first time when a city councilmember who was opposed has flipped after we did a bag giveaway in the district,” he noted. The group gave away reusable cloth tote bags a year ago outside an East Village supermarket to encourage people to stop using the wasteful plastic and paper bags.
Meaty donation: After all the matches were added in, the community Thanksgiving dinner at Le Souk, on LaGuardia Place, raised $3,200 for Visiting Neighbors. Contributions at the meal totaled $750, which was matched by Le Souk, Falucka Lounge and BAMRA (Bleecker Area Merchants’ and Residents’ Association). Plus, some other folks chipped in a few larger-than-usual donations. Thanks to super-Thanksgiving volunteer Terri Cude for the report!
Corrections: Last week’s article on the restoration of Grace Church’s ancient Roman urn incorrectly stated that Center Art Studio charged $25,000 for the job. In fact, Center Art only charged $12,000. The rest of the $25,000 was paid to the riggers. … Last week’s Scoopy’s item about Eden Brower and R. Crumb incorrectly referred to John Heneghan as her boyfriend. They got married two years ago after dating for 20. Belated congrats!
