Last week WPU came out in force to an EDC farce hearing on an environmental assessment that has as much validity as all of the state ed tests that proved beyond a reason doubt that our NYC school system was in the middle of some kind of Bloomberg educational miracle. In other words, the EDC EA isn't worth the paper it's printed on, and if our legal watchdogs in the state weren't so busy picking low hanging fruit-or prototypical villains from Wall Street-the EDC consultants over at AKRF would be answering subpoenas.
Instead we are given a charade that has been inappropriately sponsored by SDOT, whose commissioner doesn't need instructions to know where to find the bathroom down at EDC headquarters on William Street. Here's WPU's Mike Gerrard's response to the Flushing Times last week: "Michael Gerrard, a lawyer for Willets Point United, a group of Willets Point property owners and business owners, said Tuesday the organization planned to present arguments at the hearing. “We believe that the environmental assessment completely misrepresents the impact that the ramps would have and we’re going to urge the state and federal transportation departments to prepare an independent environmental impact statement,” Gerrard said."
EDC for its part remains confident that its political muscle can overcome any absence of technical accuracy and credibility: "The city remains confident despite the efforts of opponents to block one of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s largest economic development initiatives. “Recently, we overcame several procedural hurdles allowing us to proceed on this overwhelmingly supported and job-creating project,” an EDC spokeswoman said in a statement. “The city remains committed to Willets Point becoming a center of economic growth and the site of substantial environmental cleanup.”
This destroy the village in order to save it mentality demonstrates that there is nothing more dangerous in this town than a bureaucrat with an eminent domain gun. Willets Point is going to be "cleaned up" so that it can eventually thoroughly clog local roads and highways with traffic. Makes sense, doesn't it?
But in order to first do this, it has to fudge all of the numbers and find a willing muñeca who will cover up the, well, coverup. SDOT Commissioner McDonald cheerily assumes the role of See No Evil and Hear No Evil. But it is Mike Bloomberg and the city that bears ultimate responsibility for this outrage-keeping the tradition alive of speaking out of both sides of the mouth when it comes to carbon footprint reduction.
Now, it the city had planned to turn Willets Point into a park or recreation center. We got carried away with the thought. If it went in that direction than the mayor couldn't do what he has done best for the past ten years-turn over economic development to his real estate cronies-happily screwing small businesses every step of the way.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Ramp Hearing Today: WPU Press Release
Press Release
Willets Point United, Local Civic groups, Workers and Elected Officials to Speak Out At Press Conference before Hearing on the Van Wyck/Willets Point Ramps
Where: Flushing Public Library; 41-17 Main Street
Flushing, NY 11355
When: Today
Time: 3:30
Today the NYC EDC will be holding a hearing on an Environmental Assessment (EA) for ramps that it wants to build off of the Van Wyck in order to accommodate the 80,000 daily car and truck trips that will be generated by the massive Willets Point development project. The EA has been prepared by EDC’s own consultants and has not been the subject of any independent review-something that local civic groups and the Natural Resources Defense Fund have been requesting for over a year.
The delay over the approval of these ramps has been caused by the intervention of Willets Point United and its consultant Brian Ketcham who reviewed the original ramp report and convinced state regulators that it was either deficient or simply fraudulent. The first EDC sponsored assessment had flatly contradicted the study that EDC had submitted to the city council when the Willets Point project had gone thorough land use review.
As Ketcham, a traffic engineer with over 40 years of experience will tell the hearing today, the EDC assessment of the traffic impacts of the proposed ramps remains deficient and, because it does, should not be approved by state regulators at the Department of Transportation. Instead State DOT needs to conduct an independent review of the ramp proposal in order to accurately gauge the traffic impacts-and remove the review process from an EDC that has little interest in accurately gauging these impacts.
As Jerry Antonacci of WPU says, “EDC has cooked the books for too long. The citizens of Queens need an impartial and independent review of the traffic impact of this development and the ramps that are supposed to mitigate the huge number of vehicles that are going to be clogging local roads and highways."
In addition, WPU is calling on the State Department of Investigation to remove Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald from any role in the ramp review process. Until just a few years ago McDonald was an executive at EDC and her presence in the process lends credence to the suspicion that the review will not be impartial.
The ramp approval process had been characterized by EDC’s dishonesty from its inception. But no matter how you slice it, there is no way that 80,000 daily car and truck trips can be mitigated by two ramps-or even by a multiple of ramps. Local roads will be massively gridlocked and the Van Wyck will be brought to a grinding halt. As a result, SDOT must turn down EDC’s ramp proposal and force the city to revisit the entire Willets Point project.
For a Bloomberg administration that purports to be for lowing NYC’s carbon footprint, the auto-dependent Willets Point development stands as a monument to the mayor’s hypocrisy. In addition, at a time when the mayor is laying off teachers and proposing to close firehouses, the massive use of public money for the Willets Point boondoggle represents a perfect symbol of the mayor’s disordered priorities.
Contact: Jerry Antonacci: 917-335-5427
Willets Point United, Local Civic groups, Workers and Elected Officials to Speak Out At Press Conference before Hearing on the Van Wyck/Willets Point Ramps
Where: Flushing Public Library; 41-17 Main Street
Flushing, NY 11355
When: Today
Time: 3:30
Today the NYC EDC will be holding a hearing on an Environmental Assessment (EA) for ramps that it wants to build off of the Van Wyck in order to accommodate the 80,000 daily car and truck trips that will be generated by the massive Willets Point development project. The EA has been prepared by EDC’s own consultants and has not been the subject of any independent review-something that local civic groups and the Natural Resources Defense Fund have been requesting for over a year.
The delay over the approval of these ramps has been caused by the intervention of Willets Point United and its consultant Brian Ketcham who reviewed the original ramp report and convinced state regulators that it was either deficient or simply fraudulent. The first EDC sponsored assessment had flatly contradicted the study that EDC had submitted to the city council when the Willets Point project had gone thorough land use review.
As Ketcham, a traffic engineer with over 40 years of experience will tell the hearing today, the EDC assessment of the traffic impacts of the proposed ramps remains deficient and, because it does, should not be approved by state regulators at the Department of Transportation. Instead State DOT needs to conduct an independent review of the ramp proposal in order to accurately gauge the traffic impacts-and remove the review process from an EDC that has little interest in accurately gauging these impacts.
As Jerry Antonacci of WPU says, “EDC has cooked the books for too long. The citizens of Queens need an impartial and independent review of the traffic impact of this development and the ramps that are supposed to mitigate the huge number of vehicles that are going to be clogging local roads and highways."
In addition, WPU is calling on the State Department of Investigation to remove Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald from any role in the ramp review process. Until just a few years ago McDonald was an executive at EDC and her presence in the process lends credence to the suspicion that the review will not be impartial.
The ramp approval process had been characterized by EDC’s dishonesty from its inception. But no matter how you slice it, there is no way that 80,000 daily car and truck trips can be mitigated by two ramps-or even by a multiple of ramps. Local roads will be massively gridlocked and the Van Wyck will be brought to a grinding halt. As a result, SDOT must turn down EDC’s ramp proposal and force the city to revisit the entire Willets Point project.
For a Bloomberg administration that purports to be for lowing NYC’s carbon footprint, the auto-dependent Willets Point development stands as a monument to the mayor’s hypocrisy. In addition, at a time when the mayor is laying off teachers and proposing to close firehouses, the massive use of public money for the Willets Point boondoggle represents a perfect symbol of the mayor’s disordered priorities.
Contact: Jerry Antonacci: 917-335-5427
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
EDC:Ramp Tramps
EDC's hearing on its proposed ramps off of the Van Wyck is scheduled for tomorrow at the Flushing Library at 4 in the afternoon. There's a little bit of surrealism involved in this because it is another example of the lack of genuine transparency-disguised as an opportunity for public participation. Make no mistake about it, however, the audience for tomorrow's event will not be the fraudsters at EDC-but those in the regulatory authorities that may be tempted to collude with the deception that the city has been perpetuating since this whole process began over a year amd a half ago.
The NY Daily News has the hearing story:
"The city will unveil design plans this week for traffic ramps off the Van Wyck Expressway, a key cog in the city's bid to revamp Willets Point.
A public hearing to discuss the ramps and other environmental concerns is slated for Wednesday at the Flushing branch of the Queens Library. It's the latest step in the city's process to take over "Phase 1" - a 20-acre plot of land in the gritty industrial zone."
Well, not exactly. The ramp hearing is part of a process that-as will be seen next month when the issue is brought before Judge Madden-should have been allowed to be completed before any condemnation proceedings were initiated-just another example of the lying that has come to define this administration.
EDC believes it is above the law-or, at least it believes that WPU doesn't have the resources to stop it from taking illegal actions. The question that remains unresolved, is whether these proposed ramps can alleviate the massive traffic from the Bloomberg/Willets Point boondoggle. The corollary to that question is, just how mendacious is the EDC traffic report?
What is typical for this administration-and more and more New Yorkers are becoming aware of this fact-is just how callous it is when it comes to the concerns of small business people: "Marco Neira, 53, a plaintiff on the suit and a business owner in Phase 1, said the city is turning his American dream into a nightmare. "I feel bad that this is what it has come to, but we have been discriminated [against]. We want just compensation," he said."
The last word in all of this fiasco belongs to WPU's Jerry Antonacci-someone who believes in the constitutional right to his property, as anachronistic as this concept is to the billionaire mayor when it comes to the city's peons: "Jerry Antonacci, president of Willets Point United, said he's glad he can finally make his case in a court of law. "Willets Point United will never back down from protecting what's ours and will respond vigorously to defend everyone at Willets Point against this unnecessary suffering caused by the City of New York and the [Economic Development Corp.]," he said."
The NY Daily News has the hearing story:
"The city will unveil design plans this week for traffic ramps off the Van Wyck Expressway, a key cog in the city's bid to revamp Willets Point.
A public hearing to discuss the ramps and other environmental concerns is slated for Wednesday at the Flushing branch of the Queens Library. It's the latest step in the city's process to take over "Phase 1" - a 20-acre plot of land in the gritty industrial zone."
Well, not exactly. The ramp hearing is part of a process that-as will be seen next month when the issue is brought before Judge Madden-should have been allowed to be completed before any condemnation proceedings were initiated-just another example of the lying that has come to define this administration.
EDC believes it is above the law-or, at least it believes that WPU doesn't have the resources to stop it from taking illegal actions. The question that remains unresolved, is whether these proposed ramps can alleviate the massive traffic from the Bloomberg/Willets Point boondoggle. The corollary to that question is, just how mendacious is the EDC traffic report?
What is typical for this administration-and more and more New Yorkers are becoming aware of this fact-is just how callous it is when it comes to the concerns of small business people: "Marco Neira, 53, a plaintiff on the suit and a business owner in Phase 1, said the city is turning his American dream into a nightmare. "I feel bad that this is what it has come to, but we have been discriminated [against]. We want just compensation," he said."
The last word in all of this fiasco belongs to WPU's Jerry Antonacci-someone who believes in the constitutional right to his property, as anachronistic as this concept is to the billionaire mayor when it comes to the city's peons: "Jerry Antonacci, president of Willets Point United, said he's glad he can finally make his case in a court of law. "Willets Point United will never back down from protecting what's ours and will respond vigorously to defend everyone at Willets Point against this unnecessary suffering caused by the City of New York and the [Economic Development Corp.]," he said."
Friday, June 3, 2011
AG AWOL?
In yesterday's NY Post, the paper's editorial board took a shot at AG Eric Schneiderman for his support of our friends at the NRDC on hydrofracking-and claimed that the AG was enthralled to special interests. Well, we're not experts on fracking but we do know that Schneiderman has a perfect opportunity on Willets Point to demonstrate that his portfolio is not limited to the standard liberal policies-but the clock is ticking.
As we have pointed out before, the AG's investigation of the entire EDC/Claire Shulman illegal lobbying scheme is languishing while Bloomberg's lackeys run out the clock on the issues that the AG's office is supposed to be examining. We are approaching the two year anniversary of the launch of the inquiry and with an EDC hearing on the ramps scheduled for next week, and a court hearing the following month, it would be an opportune moment for Schneiderman's investigators to finally weigh in.
But it isn't only the Shulman imbroglio that is on the menu for the AG. His office has been made aware of other improprieties that go to the heart of the faux hearing that EDC is holding next week. Staying silent now is to become an accomplice to the fraud and deception that EDC is trying to perpetuate on the citizens of NYC. When considered on top of the illegal lobbying scheme, it is hard to see how the AG can continue to maintain his aloof silence while all the stuff is hitting the fan.
We will say once again to our intrepid friends: Justice delayed, is justice denied!
As we have pointed out before, the AG's investigation of the entire EDC/Claire Shulman illegal lobbying scheme is languishing while Bloomberg's lackeys run out the clock on the issues that the AG's office is supposed to be examining. We are approaching the two year anniversary of the launch of the inquiry and with an EDC hearing on the ramps scheduled for next week, and a court hearing the following month, it would be an opportune moment for Schneiderman's investigators to finally weigh in.
But it isn't only the Shulman imbroglio that is on the menu for the AG. His office has been made aware of other improprieties that go to the heart of the faux hearing that EDC is holding next week. Staying silent now is to become an accomplice to the fraud and deception that EDC is trying to perpetuate on the citizens of NYC. When considered on top of the illegal lobbying scheme, it is hard to see how the AG can continue to maintain his aloof silence while all the stuff is hitting the fan.
We will say once again to our intrepid friends: Justice delayed, is justice denied!
The Flaws of a Character
We have been following the travails of Congressman Anthony Weiner with just a wee bit of schadenfreude-after all it was the combative Mr. Weiner who met with WPU last year and promised us that, "if it looks as if the regulatory process is unfair, come back to me and I will intercede." Well we did-time and time again, but it now appears as if Weiner was engrossed in other more pressing matters than helping protect the property rights of Queens business people.
For us it comes down to a question of honesty and integrity, and in both issues-WPU's and the Twittergate scandal-the Congressman has come up in his shorts. The WSJ points this out:
"Costas Panagopoulos, assistant professor of political science at Fordham University, said, "The congressman has created the impression that there's the possibility he wasn't as forthright about this situation as possible. That has the potential to fuel voter speculation about his honesty, a characteristic that is very important to voters," he said."
And because he has fallen short in the honesty department his mayoral ambitions may have been severely penalized: "Bill Cunningham, a former communications director for Mayor Michael Bloomberg who was also an aide to New York Govs. Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo, said the incident "calls into question his judgment." And that, he said, will have an impact on Mr. Weiner's dream of becoming mayor."
Well, if that's the case we can't say that we're all broken up. But there's another point that Weiner's blatant disregard of our property rights underscores. He has been so busy posturing as a left wing icon that he has forgotten his roots in the neighborhood-and the old Tony Weiner would be standing up for the small property owner; and to the mayor as well.
So it's just as well he has taken himself out of the running. And the city awaits someone who will reverse the disastrous anti-small business, anti-neighborhood policies of Billionaire Bloomberg. Clearly that someone isn't Anthony Weiner. Don't feel bad, however, he shafted himself.
For us it comes down to a question of honesty and integrity, and in both issues-WPU's and the Twittergate scandal-the Congressman has come up in his shorts. The WSJ points this out:
"Costas Panagopoulos, assistant professor of political science at Fordham University, said, "The congressman has created the impression that there's the possibility he wasn't as forthright about this situation as possible. That has the potential to fuel voter speculation about his honesty, a characteristic that is very important to voters," he said."
And because he has fallen short in the honesty department his mayoral ambitions may have been severely penalized: "Bill Cunningham, a former communications director for Mayor Michael Bloomberg who was also an aide to New York Govs. Hugh Carey and Mario Cuomo, said the incident "calls into question his judgment." And that, he said, will have an impact on Mr. Weiner's dream of becoming mayor."
Well, if that's the case we can't say that we're all broken up. But there's another point that Weiner's blatant disregard of our property rights underscores. He has been so busy posturing as a left wing icon that he has forgotten his roots in the neighborhood-and the old Tony Weiner would be standing up for the small property owner; and to the mayor as well.
So it's just as well he has taken himself out of the running. And the city awaits someone who will reverse the disastrous anti-small business, anti-neighborhood policies of Billionaire Bloomberg. Clearly that someone isn't Anthony Weiner. Don't feel bad, however, he shafted himself.
Statement of Michael Rikon, Counsel to Willets Point United, Inc. on Lawsuit Filed
Queens, New York, June 2, 2011, Lawsuit Filed
Property owners and commercial tenants in the twenty (20) acre parcel, designated phase 1, in the Willets Point Development plan, filed a lawsuit pursuant to the Eminent Domain Procedure Law to annul a “Determination and Findings” adopted by the City of New York to take their property by use of eminent domain. The lawsuit was filed in the Appellate Division, Second Department in Brooklyn.
The Petition seeks to set aside the authorization to condemn because of violation of the United States and New York Constitutions. The Petition also alleges substantial violations of Federal and State Law.
No Public Use
Among the many challenges made to the decision to condemn is the fact that “there is no specific development plans.” This is a case of “condemn first, decide what to do with the property later.” Both the United States and New York State Constitutions provide that private property cannot be taken by the exercise of eminent domain absent a public use.
It is extremely doubtful whether any developer will come forward willing to undertake the development of such a large area of property. This is especially true when considering the potential need for environment remediation, the need for sanitary and storm sewers, and the need to fill seven feet or more to prevent flooding.
City Denied Spanish-Speaking Business People Due Process
The City knew that there are over 150 Spanish-speaking businesses in Phase 1. The City failed to provide Notice of the Public hearing or advise of the consequences of the hearing in Spanish.
It held a public hearing without providing a Spanish interpreter. The Spanish-speaking members of the public and property owners were not able to comprehend what was being said. Nor was the “hearing officer” able to understand what the Spanish-speaking individuals said. For these individuals, it was as if no hearing was conducted at all.
The City has deliberately misrepresented the rights of commercial tenants to obtain just compensation for their trade fixtures. It has told the small businesses that the limit of their entitlement upon condemnation is $4,000 for moving expenses which is absolutely untrue.
The City Violated the Environmental Conservation Law
The City has failed to take the necessary “hard look” at the environment impacts of the proposed condemnation.
The City proposes to condemn without first having obtained approvals for new ramps off the Van Wyck Expressway. The City has acknowledged that the proposed ramps were an “integral” and “key” part of the development plan.
The City is also violating the E.C.L. by segmenting the Willets Point Development project into segments.
The City’s Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS) specifically rejected a phase development approach.
In order to proceed forward with a phase condemnation – without Van Wyck access ramps, the City must first complete a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
The City has failed account for the terrible and unmitigable traffic impacts the development will cause.
Failure of Equal Protection Of the Law
New York’s Eminent Domain Procedure Law requires that all condemnees, real property owners and commercial tenants receive a written offer of 100% of the highest approved appraised value for their property. This was not done in Willets Point for a single condemnee. Instead, the City made “sweetheart” deals with select prominent owners that garnered political opposition to the project’s approval. Once the “sweetheart” deals were made, City Council members formerly opposing the project, then approved it.
This selective treatment is clearly a violation of the statute and a violation of equal protection of the law.
The approval of the project was also the result of the illegal lobbying funded by the Mayor utilizing former Borough President, Claire Shulman, an unregistered lobbyist who was otherwise precluded from such activity because she was an officer of a non-profit organization which itself is barred from lobbying. The New York State Attorney General is conducting an investigation regarding the blatant violation of Law which corrupted the Legislative Process.
The environmental issues were drafted by Michael B. Gerrard, Esq., a partner in Arnold and Porter, LLP
Michael Rikon is a partner in Goldstein, Rikon & Rikon, P.C. 212-422-4000 ext. 23
Property owners and commercial tenants in the twenty (20) acre parcel, designated phase 1, in the Willets Point Development plan, filed a lawsuit pursuant to the Eminent Domain Procedure Law to annul a “Determination and Findings” adopted by the City of New York to take their property by use of eminent domain. The lawsuit was filed in the Appellate Division, Second Department in Brooklyn.
The Petition seeks to set aside the authorization to condemn because of violation of the United States and New York Constitutions. The Petition also alleges substantial violations of Federal and State Law.
No Public Use
Among the many challenges made to the decision to condemn is the fact that “there is no specific development plans.” This is a case of “condemn first, decide what to do with the property later.” Both the United States and New York State Constitutions provide that private property cannot be taken by the exercise of eminent domain absent a public use.
It is extremely doubtful whether any developer will come forward willing to undertake the development of such a large area of property. This is especially true when considering the potential need for environment remediation, the need for sanitary and storm sewers, and the need to fill seven feet or more to prevent flooding.
City Denied Spanish-Speaking Business People Due Process
The City knew that there are over 150 Spanish-speaking businesses in Phase 1. The City failed to provide Notice of the Public hearing or advise of the consequences of the hearing in Spanish.
It held a public hearing without providing a Spanish interpreter. The Spanish-speaking members of the public and property owners were not able to comprehend what was being said. Nor was the “hearing officer” able to understand what the Spanish-speaking individuals said. For these individuals, it was as if no hearing was conducted at all.
The City has deliberately misrepresented the rights of commercial tenants to obtain just compensation for their trade fixtures. It has told the small businesses that the limit of their entitlement upon condemnation is $4,000 for moving expenses which is absolutely untrue.
The City Violated the Environmental Conservation Law
The City has failed to take the necessary “hard look” at the environment impacts of the proposed condemnation.
The City proposes to condemn without first having obtained approvals for new ramps off the Van Wyck Expressway. The City has acknowledged that the proposed ramps were an “integral” and “key” part of the development plan.
The City is also violating the E.C.L. by segmenting the Willets Point Development project into segments.
The City’s Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS) specifically rejected a phase development approach.
In order to proceed forward with a phase condemnation – without Van Wyck access ramps, the City must first complete a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
The City has failed account for the terrible and unmitigable traffic impacts the development will cause.
Failure of Equal Protection Of the Law
New York’s Eminent Domain Procedure Law requires that all condemnees, real property owners and commercial tenants receive a written offer of 100% of the highest approved appraised value for their property. This was not done in Willets Point for a single condemnee. Instead, the City made “sweetheart” deals with select prominent owners that garnered political opposition to the project’s approval. Once the “sweetheart” deals were made, City Council members formerly opposing the project, then approved it.
This selective treatment is clearly a violation of the statute and a violation of equal protection of the law.
The approval of the project was also the result of the illegal lobbying funded by the Mayor utilizing former Borough President, Claire Shulman, an unregistered lobbyist who was otherwise precluded from such activity because she was an officer of a non-profit organization which itself is barred from lobbying. The New York State Attorney General is conducting an investigation regarding the blatant violation of Law which corrupted the Legislative Process.
The environmental issues were drafted by Michael B. Gerrard, Esq., a partner in Arnold and Porter, LLP
Michael Rikon is a partner in Goldstein, Rikon & Rikon, P.C. 212-422-4000 ext. 23
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Hypocrite in Chief: Or the Boy from Ipanema
We have been absolutely thrilled to learn that Mike Bloomberg is down in Brazil to attend a climate change conference. According to his own website, Kermit the Mayor gave a speech about the environmental responsibility of cities. Here's a fascinating excerpt:
"That’s especially true in meeting all the ominous challenges arising from global climate change. Our actions – our policies and practices – are pivotally important. Steps that we’ve already taken are making our cities, healthier, more energy-efficient, and more environmentally responsible. Mayor Kassab’s strong leadership has put São Paulo in the front ranks in this worldwide urban sustainability movement. And around the globe, the people of our cities are already reaping the benefits of cleaner air, lower energy costs, and longer and healthier lives."
Ho, ho, ho! Meanwhile, back in the real world, Bloomberg is busy despoiling the environment of not only Queens County, but the entire city. This comes as a result of his comprehensive five borough economic development plan to make the city safe for more and more auto dependent malls-brought to us by his billionaire buddy Steve Ross.
This is rampant hypocrisy that a somnolent press corps can't keep its eyes open long enough to see. Here we are preparing for an EDC hearing next week that will examine how the agency is going to divert 80,000 daily car and truck trips from Willets Point off into urban sustainability universe-and are fudging the numbers in order to minimize the damage it is doing.
Where you might ask is the League of Conservation Voters on all this? Well LCV is protecting its own bottom line that is dependent on the mayor's generosity. The League joins with Bloomberg, Commissioner Tricycle-Khan, and the entire Queens political structure in playing hide the traffic afikomen.
All of this rank hypocrisy is summed up today by the NY Post's Michael Goodwin who rightfully describes our great leader in this way: "Mayor Moneybags, having solved all of New York's problems, is off in Rio, lecturing on climate change. I assume he traveled on his carbon-spewing private jet, the standard ride for a Gulfstream Liberal."
"That’s especially true in meeting all the ominous challenges arising from global climate change. Our actions – our policies and practices – are pivotally important. Steps that we’ve already taken are making our cities, healthier, more energy-efficient, and more environmentally responsible. Mayor Kassab’s strong leadership has put São Paulo in the front ranks in this worldwide urban sustainability movement. And around the globe, the people of our cities are already reaping the benefits of cleaner air, lower energy costs, and longer and healthier lives."
Ho, ho, ho! Meanwhile, back in the real world, Bloomberg is busy despoiling the environment of not only Queens County, but the entire city. This comes as a result of his comprehensive five borough economic development plan to make the city safe for more and more auto dependent malls-brought to us by his billionaire buddy Steve Ross.
This is rampant hypocrisy that a somnolent press corps can't keep its eyes open long enough to see. Here we are preparing for an EDC hearing next week that will examine how the agency is going to divert 80,000 daily car and truck trips from Willets Point off into urban sustainability universe-and are fudging the numbers in order to minimize the damage it is doing.
Where you might ask is the League of Conservation Voters on all this? Well LCV is protecting its own bottom line that is dependent on the mayor's generosity. The League joins with Bloomberg, Commissioner Tricycle-Khan, and the entire Queens political structure in playing hide the traffic afikomen.
All of this rank hypocrisy is summed up today by the NY Post's Michael Goodwin who rightfully describes our great leader in this way: "Mayor Moneybags, having solved all of New York's problems, is off in Rio, lecturing on climate change. I assume he traveled on his carbon-spewing private jet, the standard ride for a Gulfstream Liberal."
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