Boardwalking

Friday, November 30, 2012

New York City Enclaves, Long Gated, Seek Help

New York City Enclaves, Long Gated, Seek to Let In Storm Aid - NYTimes.com

(Excerpt)
Once the gilded retreat of the Vanderbilt family, Sea Gate, like other gated communities in New York, preserved its exclusivity with the promise that the residents would assume the costs of community upkeep, maintaining their own streets, parks and sewer systems and even fielding the distinct Sea Gate Police Department.

The special status endured, through occasional controversy and political efforts to open the streets to the public, because of the community’s self-sufficiency.

But the damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy to Sea Gate, in Brooklyn, and another gated community, Breezy Point, in Queens, was so monumental that residents who are already struggling to figure out how they will pay to rebuild their homes say they cannot afford to pay the additional cost of repairing communal infrastructure. So neighborhoods that have long held the rest of the city at arm’s length now seek the financial embrace of the city, state and federal governments.''

Hurricane Sandy victims scream at Councilman Recchia at CB meeting

Read entire article====>Hurricane Sandy victims scream at Councilman Recchia during sewer project discussion • The Brooklyn Paper

(Excerpt)

Residents have been demanding the city update the neighborhood’s infrastructure for years, claiming that sewers constantly overflow during big storms.

“If we get a hard rain, a tough rain, we’re going to get that water again. And it’s not good,” said CB13 member Ronald Stewart.

When Hurricane Sandy hit, sewer backups washed out most of the neighborhood’s residential streets, say residents, who claim the People’s Playground wouldn’t survive another major storm if it didn’t get the upgrade the city promised.

“We can’t survive to 2016 if we get another Sandy!” resident Kenny Jones said. “Why is Coney Island taking so long?”

Recchia (D–Coney Island) asked the more than 20 community members attending the meeting to be patient, claiming that the city wants to complete the project as soon as possible.

But Recchia’s pleas fell on deaf ears — ears deafened by audience members shouting at the council’s Finance Committee chairman.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Mayor Bloomberg Announces Property Tax Relief Initiatives for Homeowners Impacted by Sandy

Mayor Bloomberg Announces Property Tax Relief Initiatives for Homeowners Impacted by Hurricane Sandy | BrooklyNews.com | Brooklyn NY News

Brooklynites outraged that President Obama doesn’t visit

Hundreds of Coney Island residents wait in line
for help after the storm

Brooklynites outraged that President Obama doesn’t visit Sandy-scarred neighborhoods • Brooklyn Daily

(Excerpt from above article)
President Obama skipped Brooklyn in his tour of Hurricane Sandy-slammed neighborhoods on Thursday, outraging residents in the borough that cast more votes for the commander in chief than any other part of the city.

“He should’ve made one stop, just to get out and say something, let people know ‘hey, we’re here,’ give them some reassurance,” said Coney Island resident Alberto Rodriguez, an avid Obama supporter who has been cleaning out Sandy-flooded businesses along Surf Avenue. “When people see a big figure, it means a lot for them.”

Brooklynites in other storm-battered neighborhoods were similarly miffed at the President’s decision to fly over Coney Island and Rockaway as he made his way to Staten Island.

“We really don’t know why he didn’t stop by Red Hook,” said Frances Medina, a coordinator with the not-for-profit Red Hook Initiative, which has handled much of the recovery effort in the washed-out neighborhood. “People are saying that we’re okay, but there are still buildings without power and heat. The situation is not done.”

Nathan’s Famous Won't Reopen Till Spring 2013 Because of Damage

Select===>Nathan’s Famous to Reopen in Spring 2013 after Hurricane Sandy • The Brooklyn Paper

Hold the mustard!

Nathan’s Famous won’t reopen its Hurricane Sandy-battered Coney Island eatery until next spring, this paper has learned.

The super storm that ravaged the People’s Playground last month forced the iconic frankfurter emporium to close for the first time in its 96-year history, company officials say.

“Nathan’s has begun the process of rebuilding and anticipates reopening this spring, before the summer season,” vowed a spokesman for the nationwide company, which began with a small hot dog stand at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues.

Nathan’s grilled dogs — and much of its equipment — ended up under water when the Oct. 29 hurricane hit the Boardwalk. The company wouldn’t comment on the extent of the damage, but did say its losses were comparable to other Surf Avenue mainstays, which had fluid from the sewers bubble up into their businesses and destroy their interiors.

“Hurricane Sandy caused significant damage to the Nathan’s facility as it did to many other residences and businesses in Coney Island,” the spokesman said.

But those who like to celebrate the anniversary of their nation’s birth with the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Championship needn’t panic: the restaurant reported that its beloved battle of gluttonous gladiators is still on the menu for next summer — which contest organizer and promoter George Shea said was a hopeful sign that the beloved restaurant — and the storm slammed amusement area — will reopen soon. “The truth of the matter is that the hurricane was devastating to everyone, and there are many other Nathan’s locations where you can get the same food, but the one in Coney Island is the one people come to every summer, and right now they are rebuilding,” said Shea.

Reach reporter Will Bredderman at (718) 260–4507 or e-mail him at wbredderman@cnglocal.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/WillBredderman
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