LIC community groups fight for improved bicycle lanes on Vernon Blvd
Bike Lane at Queenswest
After installing new bike racks on Jackson Ave, it seems bicyclists in LIC and western Queens in general, still have a few hurdles to overcome in improving the bike lane situation. Streetsblog reports:
“Last month, DOT striped buffered bike lanes on Vernon Blvd, part of a package of safety improvements for the north-south corridor that parallels the western Queens waterfront PDF. Bike facilities are scarce in this part of the city, and the addition of the new lanes, which eliminated a lane of parking along parts of the route, has not come without opposition from the local community boards, CB1 and CB2.
When Streetsblog last checked in, CB2 had tabled discussion of the plan following the land use committee’s unanimous vote in favor of it. Long before the proposal came to CB2 — in early 2007 — the Transportation Alternatives Queens Committee wrote up a letter to DOT supporting the bike lanes. Thirteen local groups signed on, including residents of Queensbridge Houses, who live next to the route, as well as several park organizations. In May of this year, a letter backing DOT’s final project proposal came from City Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. DOT took members of CB1 and CB2 on tours of the route and distributed brochures explaining the project to local businesses.”
True, there should be some serious ticketing for blocking bike lanes. Instead, I get ticketed for biking on the sidewalk when there are no pedestrians and the roadway is unsafe.
Obviously, putting a line of paint in a busy road isn’t sufficient. The bike lanes throughout the city should be separated from traffic by a low median. Whatever. This city hasn’t conceived of or implemented a progressive public transit idea in decades. The place is done.
Is there a bike lane to the Queensborough Bridge? I haven’t biked over it yet. I know there is access on the other side.
Yes, the painted bike lanes are a mere token to cyclists in the city. They accomplish little, although I will definitely admit to see a lot more cyclists in LIC over the past few weeks since they painted the lanes in.
What the community *really* needs is (as mentioned before) physically separate bike lanes. One that links the Queensboro Bridge with Gantry Park then over to the Pulaski Bridge would do wonders for the Queens waterfront. A physically separate lane is also vitally important for Manhattan- one to link the Queensboro Bridge and East River waterfront with Central Park is DESPERATELY needed. And one linking Central Park to the Hudson River Greenway is a no-brainer as well.
I’m an experienced cyclist and have been involved in several collisions with cars over the past couple years while en route from my home in LIC to Central Park. I can’t imagine how intimidating it must be for less experienced cyclists to navigate NYC traffic. The city is building a nice network of greenways in Manhattan- it’s time Queens and Brooklyn got the same, and it’s time for the city to link them together with physically separate lanes…
#4, Yes, there is a bike lane along the north side of the Qboro Bridge. It is a shared path with pedestrians, but striped for separate lanes if I recall.
Why on earth would the community boards in LIC be against bike lanes? These cranks really are losing their bearings. I detect a bias against young people on the boards: no beer with dinner, no dorms, and now no bicycles. I say sweep out the old codgers out and bring in some youth, vitality, and fresh thinking.
#7 because unfortunately LIC politics has been ling dominated by the likes of A-holes like Eric Gioia, old cranks, and the selective few idiots from CityLights that unfortunately have earned the entire building its reputation as the biggest assholes on the eastern seaboard. These are the same dumbasses that tried to screw blend out if its liquor licenses, didn’t supervise the toxic waste cleanup at QueensWest and messed up countless other things in the neighborhood.
Times are changing. Its time to get these idiots out.
CB2 and the community of Hunters Point in general are not against bike routes.
They are strongly urging DOT to divert the route to 11th St. from this side of the bridge which is a much wider and safer path to the Pulaski Bridge.
The stretch of Vernon Blvd. from 44th Drive traveling south is a narrow,congested, truck laden and a very commercial route along with businesses depending on daily deliveries for their livlihood. Current plans call for the route to go through the commercial strip and divert to the Pulaski Bridge at 50th Ave. which would create a hazardous situation for both bikers and motorists.
It is not up to CB2 to “supervise” toxic clean up. It is up to them to report to the proper authorities when there are complaints about an unsafe situation which they did in a very prompt manner.
Bike lanes take up parking spots.
#8 I don’t think city lights residents would work against a vernon liquor license. It’s the people living on VERNON who are the cranks, and cronies with the board. they don’t want to see it become Bedford St, though that’s what it needs to be. Though I think they’re also the same people that make a stink about every development, and toxic clean ups.
Too bad there isn’t good communication with CB2 and the media. And I think CB2 should take responsibility for that. Because it’s really not unreasonable to suggest 11th st as an alternative bike route for that stretch of Vernon. It is kind of a mess towards Jackson, and not safe for bikers. 11th st is usually quite empty and has an extra lane. Hardly ever do you see traffic taking up two lanes unless there is construction. But CB2 needs to get the word out better. Horrible communication with their own community. Horrible.
We need a community board protecting the community, but who are you guys? Do you know who we are? Can there be some more transparency? I thought you said LIQCITY there was going to be a forum to discuss community concerns and questions. When is that happening? I was disturbed with the Blend thing, and personally I don’t have much need for bike lanes, but seems like they have a lot of say in a lot of things that go on around here. And we seem to have little voice within them. I bought here. I didn’t realize how much control they have. Do they?
PS. so no one jumps down my throat, I don’t need bike lanes, but I support them being there. It’s good if people bike around instead of drive cars. But it’s scary. My really good friend got killed biking in Manhattan. It really is quite dangerous, which is why I won’t bike in this city.
#14, totally.
I also find it funny that all these new buildings have parking garages. This is a city, people. Dump the cars.
To # 13; If you want to know more about Community Board 2, what they do and don’t do, who’s on the board, any everything else about them, then go to their public meetings every month, and put your name on their mailing list. If you think you have little voice with them; well you do have little voice with them, if you don’t get involved. You don’t know who they are, because they don’t know you exist. Don’t criticize those who do get involved, if you’re not going to put the effort in, to even find out about what community government and organizations there are, and what they do.
Too many people want everything to come to them, without their ever having to lift a finger, other than to rant on a message/discussion board. They vent their own crap, argue, bitch, point fingers, act like a child, and call people and groups of people derogatory names, have no idea what they are talking about, and never once stop to look in the mirror, to see who the cause of their problems really are, like poster # 8.
Charlie.
I’m grateful for the safety afforded by the Vernon Boulevard bike lane. I feel more confident in biking to dinner, to my volunteer work at Hallets Cove and, come autumn, I hope Two Coves Garden again. As our waterfront grows, it will be great to feel at home in my neighborhood of 12 years, on my bike, while learning of the new opportunities growth might bring.
Since the introduction of the automobile, cyclists have faced enormous dangers as a routine. Some might argue that as the horse was rendered obsolete as transportation, so was the bicycle. Our loud, dirty, hazardous, congested, and crumbling streets and bridges evidence that to the contrary, we are now slowly correcting a costly (in terms of lives, health, maintenance expenses, and productivity losses), decades-long error. Urban density calls for superior mass transit, walking, and cycling. As an archipelago, add water craft, from rowing and paddling to ferries and barges.
Joe Conley continues to be a problem for this neighborhood. Fresh off the Blend incident (where he claimed that LIC has enough resturants ) he follows up with this.
Long before the proposal came to CB2 the DOT took members of CB1 and CB2 on tours of the route and distributed brochures explaining the project to local businesses. Residents also organized to voice support for the project. Thirteen local groups supported it, including residents of Queensbridge Houses, who live next to the route, as well as several park organizations. In May of this year, a letter backing DOT’s final project proposal came from City Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr.
What does Joe do? CB2 tabled discussion of the plan following the land use committee’s unanimous vote in favor of it.
Damn. LIC is going to go to the dogs.
This Election Day, everyone on this board should remember to vote out every single do-nothing, job-for-life, backhander-mooching, Queens Democratic Party hack up for re-election. That includes the state senator, assemblyman, city councilor, and other weasel scroungers who have been like a malignant cancer on LIC for ages. It’s time for Conley, Onorato, Nolan, and INSERT NAME HERE to find a new line of work off the public dime. They’ve bleed us for far too long.
Hey, #’s 18 & 20, What do you know about Joe Conley, and what he has and hasn’t done for Hunters Point, over the past 20+ years? What do you know about Cathy Nolan (same point in mind)?
Charlie.
I love how people, like #3, claim that the city is “done” and @$$ backwards because we don’t have “sufficient” bike lanes. Newsflash - there are plenty of other areas which require a higher prioritization than bike lanes, financially speaking and in just blatant necessity. For what it’s worth, NYC is one of, if not, the most densely populated place in America. Unfortunately, bike accidents will happen (with the sure sheer numbers of cars). The streets are only so wide and all that happens when a bike lane is implemented is that the street itself shrinks and more accidents occur . If people want to ride their bikes, goto a park. Every borough has ample parks where biking is safe and way more enjoyable.
#22 biking is not mere recreation. It’s how people commute to work, and get around nyc in daily life. That’s like saying, ‘there’s some nice highways on Long Island, go drive your car there’.
I do agree that bike lanes the way they create them are not any safer than biking without them, but the city NEEDS to create physically separate bike lanes. Instead of implementing things like congestion charges (or in conjunction) why not foster the bicycling community and actually make it safe for us to get around. I also know someone killed while biking, and many injured in the city, so I don’t bicycle either. But I would if it were safer. Plenty of cities in other countries have safe biking… it’s not rocket science. It’s just a matter of intention.
22, This is 3. I was just saying that recent (i.e., in the last 50 years) plodding city “efforts” in public transit are a disgrace. The negative reaction from the CBs to bike lanes is emblematic of a much broader pattern: declining subsidies to the subway; decaying infrastructure; increasing ridership and less service; bureaucratic waste, corruption and delays anytime an imaginative public transit project is conceived (e.e., Second Avenue subway, 42nd Street light rail, Fulton Transit hub, you name it). The city is in danger of becoming a third-class place to live and do business unless the people running the place wake up and provide the kind of progressive transit options that will be in demand as the price of energy skyrockets.
It blows my mind how disrespectful NYC residents are to cycling. It’s a cheap and environmentally-friendly way that doesn’t take away from anyone’s life (i.e. not taking your parking, not taking your spot on the train, saving on fuel costs, etc) yet people are openly hostile to bikers in this town. I just don’t get it!!!! I’ve lived in four other cities and cyclists were practically nominated for sainthood. Here- they’re villified like they punch babies and shoot kittens. Biking is a win-win situation for EVERYONE!
Can anyone explain the hostility?
Charlie, this is 20 here (also 3 and 24), apart from getting their photos taken in every single issue of the Gazette, flooding my mailbox every election cycle with taxpayer-subsidized newsletters glorifying their “accomplishments,” collecting a hefty wage for a part-time job, ingratiating themselves to lobbyists and other wannabes in Albany and NYC, and riding the coattails of the Silver-Bruno Axis of Evil for more than 23 years each, I couldn’t tell you a single thing those losers have done for the neighborhood that couldn’t be done by any other empty-suit machine politician.
You can’t be suggesting that those three lumps are the best we can do for Hunters Point, are you?
25, I think many people perceive bicyclists as holier than thou lefties challenging accepted norms of other people’s lifestyles. NYC has always been a deeply tribal place. It doesn’t have a cohesive, community-spirited vision of what it wants to be like other smaller cities.
I’m the Chair of the Transportation Alternatives Queens Committee and we worked very hard to get that bike lane in place along Vernon Blvd and other places. We don’t have some sort of extra power or authority, we did it the old fashion way. We met with other community groups and got them to support our cause. We presented our case to the DoT and the City. We followed up. We followed up again. Once the proposal became public we attended CB meetings in both 1 and 2 and spoke in support of the plan. We met with our elected officials and urged them to support the plan (Peter Vallone Jr did send a letter of support). We’ve gotten letters of support from other organizations like the NY League of Conservation Voters and have mailed countless letters supporting the bike lanes. And that doesn’t even go back to the last 30 years of work TA has put in citywide. It’s not like we called 311 or complained on a blog somewhere and poof something happened. Myself and other volunteers on the committee used our free time after our day jobs, or sometimes took a day off, to make sure we got the word out. We worked to get this lane. And I agree, it would be better as a Class 1 bike lane, we are pushing for the next step to fill in that painted buffer with a physical buffer.
If you look at a bike map you will see that 11th St is also marked to get a bike lane IN ADDITION TO the Vernon Blvd bike lane. But Vernon runs along the river for recreational riders or riders looking to go to the park and Vernon is the most direct route to the Pulaski Bride from Main St to Pulaski. 11th St is stopped by the Queensboro Bridge, that’s why it’s a quiet street. It’s neither practical nor fair to expect cyclists, who are using their bikes to commute, to take an out of the way route. We all pay for the public streets, we all deserve our portion of safe space.
Thanks to LIQCity for running this story.
Bravo #18
This guy Charlie sounds like he is one of those A-holes from Queenswest that gave City Lights its bad reputation
Conoley is an idiot and your post proves it. As for people arguing that 11th street is safer for bikers than Vernon. They couldn’t be more full of it. Absolutely untrue as anyone knows who has tried to cross 11th street near Pulaski bridge vs. Vernon.
Come up with another reason to try to full us. We are not buying it.
Does anyone here recognize the cost of implementing those “seperate barrier” lanes all throughout Manhattan? And MOST people do not use cycling as a means of getting to and from work. Not that people shouldn’t be able to, but they are by far the minority. So essentially, we should cut the width of the streets down substantially, eliminate parking spots (which are already a rare commodity), and spend a lot of money for the select few who cycle. Should we also make a running lane on sidewalks? I’m all for accomodating people in many ways, but comparing one of the largest cities (given it’s population and size) to a foreign country, and saying how they have them and that we should too as a result, is ludicrous. We have things which should be a higher priority than bike lanes; the education system, better roads (so less accidents happen to bikers and cars), better traffic signs/lights (so less accidents happen to bikers and cars) etc. While in an ideal world, a biking lane would be fantastic, it should not be at the top of anyone’s list right now - otherwise, your priorities are out of whack. With municipalities losing revenue by the millions, I’m sure a bike lane is not going to be a pivotal point of anyones budget.
How about they fix the potholes in the street which make LIC UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE IN, that way bikers and car drivers and even pedestrians walking aren’t injured. That would be a good step. A bike lane isn’t doing much, if you can’t maneuver on it. No?
#30 - you can add me to the list of people who personally knows someone who has been killed while biking in nyc. and for that reason i am also afraid of biking in the city. the barriers will make biking safer and therefor encourage more people to ride rather than commute by train or car.
and i would disagree with you and say that encouraging alternate forms of transportation are just as important as schools and better roads. i know London is in a foreign country, but i was amazed at how many people use bikes in separate lanes there to commute.
The reason that people don’t bike is because there are not facilities that make biking easy in this city. In the other cities I’ve lived in, there have been safe lanes, covered bike parking and other incentives to bike. And even though I had a car while living in the other cities, I biked to work.
In NYC/LIC- I don’t have a car but I also don’t bike to work. I miss it desperately! But it’s a mess to bike around here because there is little to no respect for cyclists. Even if I could get to my office in Manhattan alive- where the hell would I put my bike?
I work in education and I give my money to cycling.
#21, I don’t care what they did 20 years ago. What have they done lately? That’s the problem - they are stuck in the past. LIC has changed, they need to evolve and adapt to the new population or they will be out on their asses.
Tell us #21 Charlie, what have they done?
#6 what should we do with you when you are old ?
# the people on VERNON are the ones that have to put up with the noise so they should have some say.
Cathy has done a lot for LIC and our little local school.
#36 go to the blend threads. If people who live on vernon can’t deal with noise, they should move out of the hood to the jersey woods somewhere. How do you think people in the villages, or anywhere else in Manhattan live with restaurants next to them? They just do it. Love it or leave it baby. And from the looks of what they tried to do to Blend, it’d be better if they did leave.
i heard the new bike lane got a beer and wine license. is that true?
37, Cathy Nolan was elected when Ronald Reagan was still serving his first term as president. If that’s all you can come up with (and I really doubt how instrumental she was in your example) for the many years she’s held onto that job, then it just proves my point. She and all the other in-office-for-life Queens Dems need to be shown the door.
I ride on the sidewalk. I would never ride in the street. I don’t care what the law says.
No. 30, I bet you are against biking so much because you have a really large ass. Am I right?
Do you have any idea of how many packages and meals are delivered by bike in the city each day? Forget communting to work, many people work on bikes.
#41 They’ll just harass and probably ticket you. I also ride on the sidewalk sometimes, and I take care not to hit anyone. By the way, we’re not yuppie hating assholes just because we ride a bike. Some of us came from places were biking was a safe and easy way to get around. Like I did.
44, don’t worry. When gas is $10, $15 a gallon and the MTA starts charging $4 to ride the subway, bicycling will lose its loony fringe image.
#45, I predict we’ll be there in 5 years.
#45 is right. I can’t wait. If that is what it takes, I’ll deal. I want to ride my bike to work, errands, etc. but NYC doesn’t make it easy and LIC is a part of the problem.
That article doesn’t give our group any credit for the sign on letter we circulated in 2007 that prompted the change from on street markings to a buffered bike lane and it doesn’t give credit to the unanimous vote that CB2’s Land Use committee passed in favor of the DoT’s plan. CB2 must have forgotten that folks turned out not only at the Land Use Committee meeting (14 of us crammed into the little room they use) but also to the next two board meetings to support the bike lane on Vernon Blvd. we did the same for Cb1, although they never held a discussion about Vernon at the general board meeting.
But hey, somebody started an online petition made out to the former DoT Commish and the former Queens DoT Commish and Councilmember Tony Avella who represents Bayside Queens, so that sounds like credible news.
Wow.
Hey # 3, 20, 24 & 26; we all know what politicians do, say, and act like. That’s not news. Unless you know what any given representative has and has not done, before you speak, even in general terms, then you are showing others that you are no better than those you accuse. You are simply speaking before thinking. It’s not my job to list what they have or haven’t done. It’s your job as a voter to be as informed as possible. If you vote for someone else to replace them, what will you use as the basis for your decision? Will it be their their verbal and written campaign rhetoric? Their promises? Their looks or their age? I can tell from the wording in your posts, that you are simply looking to place blame, and that you will not do anything to positively change things. In fact, your next post will be to try do knock and discredit me, and maybe even call me and others, nasty names. So, go and post what you desparately need to post, and feed your little ego and get your thrills, by making other people look and sound bad.
This leads me to #29. Here is your previous post:
“Bravo #18
This guy Charlie sounds like he is one of those A-holes from Queenswest that gave City Lights its bad reputation
Conoley is an idiot and your post proves it. As for people arguing that 11th street is safer for bikers than Vernon. They couldn’t be more full of it. Absolutely untrue as anyone knows who has tried to cross 11th street near Pulaski bridge vs. Vernon.
Come up with another reason to try to full us. We are not buying it.”
Now, You don’t know me or what I’ve done, so back off, fool. Again, you are another who speaks/writes without thinking. That is exactly what a fool does. In addition, your writing makes absolutely no sense. You can’t seem to express yourself in a manner which is understandable, and it is indicative of someone who might be on their way to failing sixth grade English. What you have written is totally moronic and like some other posters, you find it necessary to belittle others. So go ahead and throw another little hissy fit if you must, and show the world (or at least LIC), the little things which you must do to amuse yourself. After all, little things amuse little minds.
These anonymous posters put the kind of asinine comments, which you will see on discussion and message boards from time to time, because they don’t have to be held accountable for what they say. If these two guys (or anyone one else like them) try come back at me, they will just be ignored. That’s the way to handle the bruised little egos of children. I suggest that those of you with some common sense, do the same, and just post around them.
Oh, #39, The bike lane alcohol license is only in effect from Friday afternoon, through Monday morning. I love your posts, keep up the good work.
Charlie.
thanks Charlie. I enjoy your posts as well (although yours are much longer than mine…)
what I don’t enjoy are people who make comments like “love it or leave it”. why enter a public debate if that is your opinion?
Anything that acts as a disincentive to car ownership and usage is fine by me.
#41 real nice - I have a friend who has had 5 surgeries because she was hit by a bike while walking on the sidewalk. She now walks with a a limp thanks to those bike riders who do don’t ride in the street.
Love it or Leave it — that’s they way to come together!
Long time reader but this is my first Liqcity post. Its a great site. A few points:
- Whoever this Charlie guy is from #51 he sould grow up. I agree with many of the previous posters. He really sounds like an idiot and an old crank.
- I also agree with the other posters that Gioa and Joe Connely are buffoons. Worse than being worthless, these guys are actually problems for the neighborhood and like their handling of the Blend liquor license, the article quoting Connely is appauling. I don’t know how this guy is in office or who he thinks that he represents. He needs to be voted out. I haven’t been someone who has been active in elections, but if anyone can tell me when and where to vote, I will make it a point to vote these guys out as much as it may dissapoint their good ‘ol boy Charlie. As for Cathy Nolan, my experience on the other hand has been quite positive and I have to give her staff points for being responsive when I have raised issues and problems in the neighborhood to them unlike the previous people’s staffs who didn’t even respond but put me on their mailing lists.
-As for Heffron, all I can say is unbelievable job and keep up the fight. We don’t need more cars on Vernon. We need less. As for the logic of posts like #30 about people not using cycling as a means of transportation to / from work, if there are no bike lanes how is anyone given a choice.
- I have to say that I never considered myself a liberal or a tree hugger. However, the crap that I read in this blog is appauling. It is from a bunch of people driving gas guzzling SUVs, who are unwilling to make any personal sacrifices for the greater good of the environment. They are the same type of people who bitch and moan about the economy, the price of oil, and the war in Iraq but don’t consider themselves as part of the problem. Bike lanes on Vernon aren’t going to solve those problems but they are a place to start and if people in this country can’t get together on something as simple as that, how the hell are we going to adress the bigger issues.
- Grow up people, it is time to be more open to change.
#54 - Sorry to hear about your friend. I agree that people shouldn’t be riding on the sidewalk. I mean no disrespect in saying this but I also have I have a sister who was hit by car as she was crossing the street and know people who have been killed by drunk drivers. Reality is that there are far more fatalities due to automobiles than bikes, but I get the feeling that people are trying to paint a picture that bike riders are evil here.
56, people in the US are never asked to make sacrifices for anything. How did a country that defeated Nazi Germany and imperial Japan, rebuild Europe, outlast the USSR, and come out on top of the world become a nation of lazy, frightened, overfed, overmedicated, and overstimulated bunch of babies? I’d love to see Bloomberg or whoever the next mayor take the initiative and show the rest of the country that riding a bike to work and not living like a selfish pig is just plain smart, practical, and patriotic.
#57 There is a lot of support for biking riding on this thread actually. Except for bike blogs, usually it’s ALL bike bashing. This is pretty mixed. I think reinforcing that bicyclists are not evil, nor against the cars is important. We just want a safe piece of the road, and we’re helping ease congestion, and pollution. I liked #58’s suggestion about Bloomberg… would love to see that man try to navigate Manhattan on a bike.
Anyone remember the transit stike a couple years ago? They blocked off full avenue lanes for bicyclists only and it was like a dream come true. Our own separated lane. For three days. It was beautiful.
#59 - i’m also surprised at the number of comments on this blog in favor of biking especially when considering how this same topic goes over on other blogs. people have so much venom towards people who ride bikes that it blows my mind. is it possible that the high gas prices are causing a sea change or is LIC more bike-friendly than other hoods? or maybe all the people who hate bikes are in the hamptons for the summer and can’t be bothered to come in from the pool?
It appears that in # 56, we have yet another person who writes without thinking, and must insult others to obtain satisfaction. Growing up is about emotional stability and maturity. From your post, you show everyone, that this is obviously something you don’t possess. I’ve talked the talk, but I’ve also walked the walk. What have you done?
You talk of voting people out, when you know nothing of their record. You want to vote new people in, and you will not know anything of their record either. That’s a fool’s errand. You say that you haven’t been active in elections, yet you complain. What a good citizen you are.
It’s obvious that you need to be led by the hand to do anything, by your own admission, as in (a quote from your post)………….. ” I haven’t been someone who has been active in elections, but if anyone can tell me when and where to vote, I will make it a point to vote these guys out as much as it may dissapoint their good ‘ol boy Charlie.”……………. Why should anyone have to do the work for you? If you can’t raise a finger to find out where and when to vote, then you obviously do not care enough to vote at all, and all your words are meaningless banter. Also, where have you been, if you don’t know that Election Day is the Tuesday which follows the first Monday in November, and that Primary dates are publicly announced? You are complaining just for the sake of complaing, and to see your own writing on a public discussion board. You don’t even have the guts to post your name, as you attack others. You sound exactly like the others, I’ve referred to. Of course, there’s those self satisfying insults of yours.
So, you to can go ahead and get your jollies too, just like posters #26 & 29. In fact, you may very well be one of them, and trying to justify your moronic posts, by hiding behind yet another “anonymous”.
Charlie.
#60, Yeah, isn’t it totally weird that NYC is apparently full of a bunch of car-loving people with a suburban mindset? Jeezis, if any place would embrace transit and bikes and walking and realize how unnecessary and harmful cars are, you’d think NYC would.
When you leave NYC, or any big city, People will hop in their cars to go four or five blocks, just to buy one or a few items.
Bicycling is the most energy efficient form of ground transportantion I know of, other that walking.
Charlie.
Charlie, the only thing missing from your (lengthy) rants is an image of you standing on your milk crate on a street corner fulminating at passersby. Why not just let people have their say and let us judge how moronic they are? This isn’t QueensWest.com and you’re no Jake!
Some of the posts re: charlie are treading on the dangerous ground of “personal attacks”. He is basically correct in what he has to say - he just uses more words to express his beliefs. I would think that those who are attacking Joe Conley would at least be familiar enough with him to know how to spell his last name –apparantly not!
Alas - I think curbed commenters keep creeping in.
I don’t always agree with Charlie. In this instance I disagree with him, as I think a lot of these guys are career politicians who have gotten comfortable or are not accountable to the changing population here. Neverthess, I respect his opinion. He always is respectful which is more than I can say for others.
#58 is right. America has gone soft.
66, State Sen. George Onorato, in particular, is probably most out of step with LIC’s changing population. The man received a 100% rating from the Christian Coalition, primarily for his staunch anti-abortion positions. He has been in office for more than 25 years by playing by Albany’s rules and flying under the radar.
For those of you who seem to have no knowledge of how Community Boards are set up, let me enlighten you:
1. Community Board members are selected not elected. If you want to join your local Community Board you apply through the board then go through a selection process which is finalized with appointment conducted by the Borough President.
2. The Chairman is voted in by members of the board.
Any one of you who is on here moaning and groaning can start attending board meetings, start particiopating in community affairs and apply for membership to the board. When you do all of that, then perhaps people will start taking you seriously — until then you are just a bunch of clueless clowns!
68, you just highlighted just how absurd and undemocratic the CBs are. It’s not practical for many people to attend meetings held in time for the earlybird diner special in Sunnyside. So that’s it, we’re out of luck? We have no other avenues to influence decision making?
In a representative system like we have, the chairperson and others on the board should have their fingers on the pulse of the neighborhood. They could even read liqcity for a taste of the views out there. Rather than just suck up to their political cronies and the party elders, which has long been the practice in Queens, they should respect the will of their constituents — even those who didn’t schlep to their meetings.
It is not just CB2 - this is the procedure for all boards. The meetings begin at 7PM and usually last until about 10PM. It is only one night a month. If you are truly interested, I think you could make an effort to attend.
They do respond to emails, phone calls etc presented by community members even when you cannot attend –You can also take your complaints to members of the community such as Hunters Point Community Development Corp. who will see to it that your issues are addressed. liqcity took the initiative to address the toxic dust issue directly and got a very quick response. I am sure they read all blogs and neighborhood boards within their district which by the way covers more than just Hunters Point. Like Charlie says, no sense complaining if you don’t get off your butt and do something!
Thank you to #’s 65,66 & 70. Sometimes I do use a lot of words, but that is to ensure that I’m understood. I’ve said so many times, on so many threads, on various discussion boards, to listen to what I am saying, not what you think I am saying. I appears that there are some who just can’t comprehend what they are reading, no matter how clear the writting is.
I’ts great to disagree, especially on these discussion boards. It makes for great exchanges of ideas and opinions. Otherwise, things could get quite boring, quite quickly. I actually agree with #66, concerning many lifelong politicians. Way too many are “stuck in the mud” and too set in party ways, pandering to those with big bucks, to be effective at dealing with the major problems we face today. My point was that some people mouth off, get disrespectful, act like morons, just for their own satisfaction; all the while knowing absolutely nothing of what or who they’re criticizing, and name calling. They hear what others may say, who are spewing verbal crap, think it’s cool, and follow suit. Those are the ones who are easily lead, Sort of like the moronic, leading the stupid.
#64 fits into the category with the other children (at least emotionally and mentally). See how the first words he writes, is a stupid, asinine swipe at me. Yet another, who doesn’t think before they speak, and really has nothing of substance to say.
Finally, if someone disrespectfully mouths off at me, I’ll throw the verbal book at them. They deserve the tongue lashing they get.
Kudos to liQcity, for taking initiative.
Charlie.
Well, charlie 65 plus 70 equals = me. You can probably guess who “me”is. I too agree with #66 about life long politicians, but I do not think that CB2 should be lumped in with the elected officials who have been pandering to the system for years. In our district we have one elected official who has fought long and hard for both individuals in Hunters Point and overall betterment of this community - and that is Cathy Nolan. It is grossly unfair to place her in the “do nothing “category. The same goes for CB2 - They are very quick to respond to our needs and weigh issues in a very fair and just manner. Opinions are one thing, but slandering people without actually knowing their track record is another and that is the kind of stupidity in some of these responses that is driving me craaaazy!
#72, I agree with most of what you wrote, but to me the benchmark should not just be past performance. There has been a number of misteps in the past few months that I can not just gloss past. You are only as good as your last mistake.
Yes I do, # 72. As so many bought and sold legislators and representatives, who can’t see past themselves, their party and corporate America, vastly overshadow those who actually do some work; it creates the air that ALL politicians are do-nothings, sellouts, and virtual traitors. No one is perfect, and the ones who try to good, themselves have to fight with their own peers. Cathy Nolan is a good person, and while trying to do all the right things for her constituents, if she sees an chance at a photo op, she will take it. Why not? If anyone on this board found themselves with a camera handy and were next to a celebrity, the chances are damn good that they would jump at the chance for a photo op too. Cathy Nolan also has some top notch people working for her. In addition, Joe Conley has to be kept separate, and judged separately, from politicians. He is not part of the political machine, although he has to often maneuver the political obstacle course, to get what the community(ies) need(s).
Yep, and all the crap that these few juveniles post, litters the board and just gets in the way of productive discussion and debate. You may be right about the “Curbed” crowd migrating this way. Kinda sounds like them. Egads !!!
Charlie.
Yes I do, # 72. As so many bought and sold legislators and representatives, who can’t see past themselves, their party and corporate America, vastly overshadow those who actually do some work; it creates the air that ALL politicians are do-nothings, sellouts, and virtual traitors. No one is perfect, and the ones who try to good, themselves have to fight with their own peers. Cathy Nolan is a good person, and while trying to do all the right things for her constituents, if she sees an chance at a photo op, she will take it. Why not? If anyone on this board found themselves with a camera handy and were next to a celebrity, the chances are damn good that they would jump at the chance for a photo op too. Cathy Nolan also has some top notch people working for her. In addition, Joe Conley has to be kept separate, and judged separately, from politicians. He is not part of the political machine, although he has to often maneuver the political obstacle course, to get what the community(ies) need(s).
Yep, and all the crap that these few juveniles post, litters the board and just gets in the way of productive discussion and debate. You may be right about the “Curbed” crowd migrating this way. Kinda sounds like them. Egads !!!
Charlie.
Go away. You all are so incredibly annoying.
Charlie.
The original #77 post was another one of those ridiculous remarks. So, in my next post, I said to go away, and guess what?…………….It disappeared! The discussion board gods were smiling down on us.
Charlie.
If the discussion board gods were smiling they would delete all of your posts - Talk about annoying.
So #’s 79 & 80, See if you can explain why my posts are annoying, without throwing a fit and resorting to attacking and to name calling. I’d like to hear it.
Charlie.
i wouldn’t hold your breath charlie, you might be waiting a while.
Charlie, you are just plain wrong when you say Joe Conley “is not part of the political machine.” The man owes his life to the Queens Democratic party bosses. He has voted against the interests of many people in LIC recently to satisfy a vocal minority — consider his standing in the way of the bikeway and voting down a license for a restaurant to serve beer to its patrons. Both of these issues are likely supported by a large majority of people in Hunters Point. We have every right to be steamed with this guy, even if we may not be able to quote his position on every single item that has crossed his desk since he took office.
I agree, # 83.
Hi # 84. I’ve done a lot of community work over the years with Joe Conley; though like you, I can’t quote his complete record. He’s done so much over the years, I’m not even sure that he could. I guess we both would have to go look it up.
I still think Joe Conley would have made a better city councilman than Eric Gioia, but Gioia vastly outspent him in campaign dollars, as he is quite well to do, financially.
The peole who contacted Community Board 2 concerning the Blend liquor license, did so believing that the noise from potentially inebriated customers in their backyard patio area, would be overbearing when coupled with the noise from Lounge 47. At least that’s some of what I recall from the meetings. Also, I believe there was a legal problem, stemming from having too many on-premise liquor licenses packed to closely together.
I don’t believe that I am wrong, but opinions concerning things political are highly subjective, and our personal views really don’t always hit the mark. What bothers me is when people resort to childish tactics like insults and curse words, and speak with thinking. Then when someone posts something they don’t like, they attack the poster.
Just one question: How do you justify the statement which you used, that he owes his life to the Queens Democratic Party bosses? What information could you present to back up that claim. I’m not trying to be sarcastic here, but do you have information which we should all know? Take no personal offense here, but the stronger, or more damning a claim is, the greater the proof must be, that’s required to back it up.
Charlie.
1. Joe Conley did not vote against a beer and wine license for Blend. CB2 voted for approval. 2. He is not against the bike path. He has asked DOT to consider a safer route that would go to 11th St. rather than traveling the narrow truck and car laden portion of Vernon Blvd which also has trucks making daily deliveries to the various businesses along the commercial strip(that portion being 44th Drive to Borden Ave).
#86 - Please. You make work for Joe Conley but let’s be serious. Anyone who has crossed 11th Street at the Pulaski bridge knows that Vernon is far more safe than 11ths street for bicycles. What a load of crap.
As for Joe Conley now being all for the liquor license at Blend, isn’t he the same guy who wrote that letter a while back. I’m sorry but his record speaks for itself. You can’t change things as things go along.
As for Charlie, what is he, the Jake of Liqcity all of a sudden? No thanks
You certainly do upt your own spin on your replies.
1. I do not work for Joe Conley
2. He never said in that letter that he was going to deny them a beer and wine license. He was referring to the first meeting when their lawyer did not do a good job in representing them which led to the initial denial.
3The 11th St alternate was suggested to him by community members who are very familiar with 11th St by way of a petition. He acted on that petition to ask the DOT to study 11th St as a possibility.
Actually I don’t know why I even bother to respond to someone who seems to only want to spout venom.
I’m not a fan of Connolly or Gioia, but I would not vote them out because of the Blend issue. That is just crazy. I certainly hope all of you who are still crying over it are supporting Blend with your cash
#88 you are dead wrong. The fact that he changed his mind under the pressure of the community changes nothing
FACT: With the hands of several community board members still in the air, Conley decided to table the proposal because “parking is an issue still in Hunters Point.” And with no vote, he unilaterally ended discussion and requested that DOT come back with a revised plan. This despite the earlier unanimous vote by the Land Use Committee supporting the proposal and the fact that over a dozen community groups supported it.
FACT: Opponent of congestion pricing. “We’ll be bearing the price for congestion charging. It will force more traffic into our neighborhood streets.” This initiative could have raised money deparately needed for mass transit and improved parking as it would have instituted resident parking passes which would have forced the 100s of cars that decend on LIC for free street parking to go elsewhere.
FACT: Dormitory housing in itself is transient housing at its best and offers no stability to the community. We believe that it is a detriment to the growth of Hunters Point,” said Board 2 Chairman Joseph Conley in a letter to the BSA.
FACT: There’s a saturation of bars and restaurants” in Long Island City, said Community Board 2 Chairman Joe Conley. “People are saying enough is enough.” In a 2006 letter to Cullen Partners, Conley wrote: “Please be advised we have already spoken in a loud and unambiguous voice on this issue and are unlikely to reconsider the decision” in regard to a new license.
Hey # 87 and all the other #’s you post as, like #29; the reason you keep mentioning Jake and Queenswest is that you were banned from the website for attacking others. There’s serious stuff here to discuss, not your BS. Like a child, you’re just trying to strike back. So, cut the crap and give it a break already.
Charlie.
As far as Joe changing his mind under pressure of the community; that is one thing, as that is what he should do. The people of the community are his business. Now, if he changed his mind under pressures from outside organizations looking to make a fast buck at the expense of the community residents, or from outside political influences, then that’s another thing. #91, Has it been established as to what the basis was, for the original decision, if not community desires? The “fact ” (as you state) that he changed his mind, actually changes everything. For one thing, is it displays his ability to listen to the community members, and to not stubbornly stick to a decison which the people did not agree with.
There really should a community vote on certain items. A mail-in campaign could be conducted, so it is on record, showing what the majority of the community thinks.
I hope CB2 did some research, on how newly introduced dormitory housing has affected both neighborhoods with neutral population growth, and those with explosive growth, similar to Hunters Point.
Charlie.
What is everypost on this thread from this site from this guy Charlie? Liqcity can you ban him already. Instead of being respectful of other people’s opinions all this pompous ass tries to do is drown them out with his drivel and call posters childish while he goes on and on with nothing but the same. He is ruining this site and we had enough of this garbage on Curbed.
As for Gioia and Conley, their records speak for themselves and I for one am not impressed and have personally found them and their staffs useless in responding to situations in the neighborhood not to mention the fiascos mentioned above. It is actually funny trying to hear people putting a positive spin on their handling of the Blend and Bike lane fiascos. Sort of like giving George Bush credit for doing a great job in Iraq guys. Nobody is buying what you are selling.
Yep #94, You’re another one. You have no idea of what anyone’s record is, to make an intelligent comment. When people attack others and get involved in childish name calling, those like you say nothing. You must enjoy reading that crap, so go back to curbed already. I present good, thought out posts. It’s the morons like yourself ,who have no idea of what they are talking about, and get in the way. By the way, if you give me crap, I’ll let you know about it.
You’re all anonymous cowards.
Charlie.
There was a community vote on the final Blend decision. Both the community and CB2 agreed that Blend should be awarded a beer & wine license.
As for the one who spouts venom - he seems to be totally unaware that there was a second meeting re: bike paths. It was at that meeting that the petition to use 11th St. was presented to the board who in turn passed it on to DOT for further study.
And -yes - there was another meeting re: CUNY dorms which was passed by CB2 with the stipulation that further study should be conducted re: the request to change upland zoning regulations for bldng. heighth in an area that is zoned for 6 stories.
Hi # 96. So as to get this straight for the few venom spouters (or the one), During the second meeting, someone or some group/organization presented a petition to CB2, concerning the relationship between traffic congestion and biker safety. This then,was not a petition which originated from anyone on the board. It was this petition that presented the idea that the bike lane below 44th, be re-routed along 11th, instead of down Vernon, to CB2. Is all of this correct? In other words, it was not an original idea from anyone on the board, but from other community people? So, Joe Conley chose not to vote on it, until it was reviewed by the DOT. Is this also correct? If it is, then it sounds like he made a responsible decision, by waiting until those with the expertise to properly analyze the idea, could do so, and then make their recommendations back to the board.
Charlie.
#94 - I couldn’t agree more. Charlie should get his own website instead of ruining this one. In fact, whether he realized it or not, he proved your very point in his response:
“I present good, thought out posts. It’s the morons like yourself ,who have no idea of what they are talking about, and get in the way. ”
Now there is a contradiction if there ever was one. Liqcity get rid of him.
#99, I’m right and there is no contradiction.
Charlie.
That’s what I’ll do. I just ignore him (or them), and move on. He/they will eventually stop after they’re ignored for a while.
Charlie.
93, 91 here. Politicians need to get it right the first time. We put them in place to spend time analyze the issues get the view from boths sides and then to make an informed decision. We do not elect them to run around half cocked making quick decisions which are wrong, that will get the community in an uproar and then fold under pressure. You almost seem to imply that we should applaud him for for screwing it up the first time. In each of these instances there is a pattern of taking an audience with some group that has a narrow agenda forming an position based on that, pissing off the community at large and then reversing course. How is that helpful?
Hey #103(91). Politicians rarely ever get anything “right” the first time. What’s “right” can be incredibly subjective. Just look at the two parties butting heads all the time over who’s “right”, and ultimately it’s the citizens who get the short end of the stick. If anyone is to give in to any pressure, it should at least be pressure by the people he/she represents. In addition, it’s a Community Board. It’s a decision by a vote of the board, not by an elected official such as a President, Governor, Mayor, or Borough President. Joe Conley’s word per se, is not the final word. Although he can choose as to whether something is ready to be voted on, or not, his voice is just one voice. The decision is still a majority vote.
I don’t know all of the powers that a Community Board has. I’m not sure if their vote is always the final word. I believe that many times, their decisions are not much more than recommendations to yet a higher authority, on any given matter.
Although many politicians run around half cocked, and make quick decisions based on party preferences, or from pressure by big business, I don’t see Joe Conley as that sort of person. I’ve known him for 15 years, and have worked with him on projects before. There’s no person who will ever make all of the right decisions for everyone. It’s an unaccomplishable task. We just have to try to elect/get appointed, those who roll up their sleeves, do some real work, and who will make their decisions based on all available information, and/or with the will of the majority of the people. That’s the best that can be done.
Lastly, I would never applaud a politician for screwing up. Most of them are way to busy doing that to themselves, and with a straight face, I might add.
I hope this clears things up, concerning what I had written.
Charlie.
This is from #70: “You can also take your complaints to members of the community such as Hunters Point Community Development Corp. who will see to it that your issues are addressed”
Has HPCDC thought about getting your web site up and running? Or is the only way to contact HPCDC by dropping in the army navy store? Doesn’t seem at all appropriate.
So is the HPCDC active again? I thought I read on the Blend thread that the group had temporarily decided to disband. Can someone please update us on what is going on with HPCDC? What is the group’s position on the bikeway? Did they comment to CB2 on the matter? What are they doing right now?
“I am right. Iam right. I am right. Every one who disagrees with me is an idiot. My posts are well thought out. Joe Conely and Eric Gioia have done more for the world than Mother Theresa. They fought long and hard for Blend to get its liquor license and to get LIC Bike lanes. Who ever challenges them is a nitwit ”
Holy crap Charlie. Grow up and stop emabarassing yourself.
HPCDC has not disbanded.
You can call or fax them at 718-786-9245
HPCDC attended the Blend community meeting and voted for them to get their license.
HPCDC is pro bikeway but not in favor of it going through the narrow commercial strip from 44th Drive to Borden Ave. They did indeed express their concerns at the CB2 meeting regarding the issue. You may agree or disagree with them on this issue, but that is your perogative. Isn’t that why we are a democracy? People should be able to express their views on issues in a civilized manner withiut being considered pariahs when their view is different from yours.
Thanks # 107. When speaking on community issues, as on these threads, correct information is important, so misunderstandings are kept to a minimum, and issues can be properly discussed and debated.
With more and more people in the area, along with more businesses, the traffic congestion on Vernon, Jackson, and Borden, will only keep increasing. I’m not sure that the city would allow a dedicated bike lane, with or without a physical barrier on Vernon, no matter what the people may want, and/or what CB2 says. Hey, anything’s possible though. It’s going to be interesting to see how it all turns out.
Charlie.
#106 - well said. This thread has gotten pretty ridiculous with the pro-Conley/Gioia crowd (if not their offices themselves) calling for facts and democracy and then calling anyone who disagrees with them an idiot, nitwit or moron and changing the facts as to Gioia/Conely’s stance and records as they go along. Thats not how a democracy works fellas and not what we need in polititcians who represent the neighborhood.
I have never said anything negative about someone who disagrees with me. Get it straight, before you open your mouths. Go back an read all of my posts. Now you know why I say what I say. You constantly speak before you think. If you insist on not knowing what the hell you’re talking about, and speaking like a buffoon, then you will be treated as such.
Charlie.
Hi #109 - What I said applies to both the “pros” and the “antis”. Much of what has been said here would never have been allowed when I was captain of my college debating team - but - alas - that was many years ago when the world was much more civilized - or was it? Now - there is a subject for debate!
106 &109 need to be burped and changed
“I have never said anything negative about someone who disagrees with me. Get it straight, before you open your mouths. Go back an read all of my posts.” - Charlie
Uh yeah Charlie. You should reread your posts yourself. The ones below sure make you sound like quite the gentleman and diplomat and you sure are right that you are open to other points of view.
Liqcity can you ban this guy already for his personal attacks and briging down the level of discussion on this board.
The problem with LIC politics today is that the Charlie’s mindset is reflective of the same politicians that he supports. All of them think that they know it all and are rude and abusive of anyone who has a different point of view.
Charlie’s Quotes:
———————
“You must enjoy reading that crap, so go back to curbed already”
“It’s the morons like yourself ,who have no idea of what they are talking about”
“See if you can explain why my posts are annoying, without throwing a fit and resorting to attacking and to name calling. I’d like to hear it.”
“Yep, and all the crap that these few juveniles post, litters the board”
“They vent their own crap, argue, bitch, point fingers, act like a child, and call people and groups of people derogatory names, have no idea what they are talking about, and never once stop to look in the mirror, to see who the cause of their problems really are, like poster # 8.”
“You are simply speaking before thinking. … So, go and post what you desparately need to post, and feed your little ego and get your thrills, by making other people look and sound bad. ”
“Again, you are another who speaks/writes without thinking. That is exactly what a fool does. In addition, your writing makes absolutely no sense. You can’t seem to express yourself in a manner which is understandable, and it is indicative of someone who might be on their way to failing sixth grade English. What you have written is totally moronic and like some other posters, you find it necessary to belittle others. So go ahead and throw another little hissy fit if you must, and show the world (or at least LIC), the little things which you must do to amuse yourself. After all, little things amuse little minds.”
“These anonymous posters put the kind of asinine comments, which you will see on discussion and message boards from time to time, because they don’t have to be held accountable for what they say”
“If you insist on not knowing what the hell you’re talking about, and speaking like a buffoon, then you will be treated as such.”
Charlie, I think you actually have some good things to say. however you are losing people when you constantly insult us if we disagree with you. Please stop calling us derogatory names. Just let us disagree. Or offer countering info without personally attacking. Though there have always been some jerky comments, by and large this blog has been friendly debate. Please let’s keep it as such. We’re mostly neighborhood people who have differing opinions. We’re not buffoons.
#114 - I couldn’t agree more
114, agreed. I’ve checked out of this thread because of Charlie’s hectoring tone and fawning affection for the Sunnyside-Woodside Democratic club. He’s obfuscated the core issue that started out the thread: the CBs representing our neighborhood seem to have a bias in favor of a small subset of the community and do not make decisions informed by a respect for the views of the changing population, which is now a rapidly growing number of people.
We need advocates on the CBs for ideas and proposals supported by the majority of people in Hunters Point — they shouldn’t have to be dragged to our side of the table. That’s a poor model for community leadership if you ask me.
As I have explained many times, the only way to get advocates on the board who have your point of view as opposed to the point of view with which you disagree is to start taking part in community affairs, start attending CB2 meetings and then apply for membership to the board. Even if you choose not to become a member - start attending meetings. Speak up and your voice will be heard. Our CB is run in the same way as all CB’s are run throughout the city and the boroughs. The CB can recommend or deny, but they have to answer to a higher authority when it comes to final decisions.
I suspect that #114 is liQ herself, but regardless, that’s a very diplomatic and accurate statement. Charlie, we get that you support CB2 and Conley, Nolan etc. I have myself noticed that a lot of people complain about them without knowing their track records, but that’s just how people are. I know a lot of what’s gone on with CB2, having been close to the activity for many years, and there is tons of cronie-ism that goes on. However, there is tons of good stuff as well. They have definitely protected
Doesn’t really matter - people park in the bike lanes, they park in the bus lanes - the drivers (especially taxi) just simply don’t care.
What am I supposed to do, get off my bike when I am blocked and yell at the driver?