The presumptive frontrunner is Brad Hoylman, who has been enthusiastically endorsed by Duane as well as U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and a slew of other local politicians. Hoylman, an attorney, recently stepped down from his position as the chair of Community Board 2, a position he held three times.

He’s been active in the community for years, a fact he touts as having given him the experience needed for the senator post, but his opponents say it’s an indication that he’s not the right choice.

“I think I have a strong and long record, and I think that’s why I’ve been fortunate in earning the endorsements,” said Hoylman.

Tom Greco, owner of The Ritz bar in Hell’s Kitchen and director of fundraising for the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, said that the reason he jumped into the race was that he didn’t like the idea that Duane and other Democratic leaders were calling for the party to get behind Hoylman.

“I didn’t appreciate the fact that this was going to be the first Senate primary in this district in decades and they just planned to avoid the whole democratic process,” Greco said.

Greco, who has raised $16,875 for his campaign, also touts his advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community in his campaign, something he said that should count for more with voters than the fact that Hoylman is gay and would be the only openly gay state senator in New York.

Greco also said that Hoylman’s ties to the Partnership for New York City, his former employer, a pro-business group that has taken positions contrary to those of the local community on issues like the expansion of NYU, make him too much of an industry insider.

Hoylman has tried to distinguish his work in the community and distance himself from the Partnership, citing his community board record of opposition to the university’s recently approved expansion plans. He vows to continue fighting the plan at the state level.

“It has the potential to dramatically alter the character of the central Village, and NYU has proven that it’s not a good steward of privately owned public space, so I’m very concerned with the approvals that have been granted to them,” Hoylman said.

The other candidate running, Tanika Inlaw, is a teacher with little experience in the political realm, but she said that she was inspired to run because she feels she can connect with constituents at every socioeconomic level, having come from a difficult background herself.
“I have a lot of experience with the public—I was a district leader. When I was in high school, I worked for [former Manhattan Borough President] Virginia Fields,” Inlaw said. “My knee-jerk reaction is, how do I help people?”

Inlaw’s main concerns are preserving affordable housing, education and gun control, she said (she lost her brother to gun violence at a young age). While her campaign account contains a mere $603 and she’s had trouble getting the support she had hoped for, she said that she’s still happy to be in the race.

“It’s an uphill battle for me, but I’m not deterred by that, I knew it would be. Nothing in my life has been a gravy train,” said Inlaw.
Hoylman, who has $209,410 in his campaign account, has been able to put forth the most detailed and specific plans for issues on which all three candidates generally agree. While he remains the clear frontrunner, he acknowledged that this oddly scheduled primary—on Thursday, Sept. 13—will be as much about getting people out to vote as anything else.

According to court filings, Rahman was walking in front of the AK Houses at East 128th Street and Lexington Avenue at 1:30 a.m. when he fired a shot that hit a parked car near Shaw. When he tried to flee, Shaw was struck in the back by a second bullet and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Rahman is also charged with firing another shot into a crowd as he was being chased by a group of people.
Hoylman’s Plan for Peter Cooper & Stuy
Brad Hoylman, the presumptive frontrunner in the campaign for Tom Duane’s soon-to-be-vacated seat in the state Senate, released a detailed plan for how he would address the long-term concerns of residents of Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village. The two complexes have long been home to middle-class residents of the city, but the future of that purpose has been in jeopardy since a failed financial takeover in 2006 by Tishman Speyer left the residents in limbo. Issues with maintenance, tenant and rent regulations, and quality of life have been chief concerns of residents in the past several years as they look for financial partnerships. The ST/PCV Tenants’ Association has been working on finding solutions to these problems and searching for reputable partners that would allow residents to either purchase their homes at reasonable prices or remain as rent-stabilized renters if they choose. Hoylman, with the backing of Dan Garodnick, a resident as well as the area’s City Council member, said that he would follow through on several points at the state level to protect residents if he is elected.

Hoylman has vowed that he would work to repeal the Urstadt Law, which prohibits the city from imposing more restrictive rent laws than the state, in order to let the City Council carve out appropriate rules for the unique ST/PCV community. He also pledged to work on many of the tenant protection law that are hallmark issues of downstate Democratic legislators, like repealing vacancy decontrol laws that give landlords incentives to evict tenants and boost rents out of regulation limits. While the goals are certainly lofty—legislators have been duking it out over rent guidelines every year for decades—Hoylman has also promised some concrete steps his office would take immediately without having to battle upstate Republicans.

He said he would appoint a dedicated staffer to ST/PCV issues as well as work with the management to persuade them against contracting with universities to rent out whole blocks of apartments to students and to maintain the historic layout and grounds of the properties.
“Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village tenants deserve a secure future in the homes they have lived in for so long,” said Hoylman.

East Side Boat Ride
On Wednesday, Aug. 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Open House New York is hosting an East River boat cruise with journalists Sharon Seitz and Stuart Miller, co-authors of The Other Islands of New York City: A History and Guide.

The guided river jaunt will start at Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport, where seafarers will board the Circle Line’s Zephyr cruise boat. It will then sail north, passing Roosevelt and Rikers islands as well as other little-known spots such as U Thant Island, the smallest one on the river; Mill Rock, the result of underwater detonations in 1885 that were intended to clear shipping lanes; and North Brother, a protected sanctuary where birds have made their homes among the long-abandoned hospital buildings.

Tickets are $36 per person in advance at ohnyotherislandstour.eventbrite.com or $40 cash at the door. The funds raised from the event go toward the OHNY weekend in October, when dozens of unique and historic buildings are open to the public.

Plan for safer 5th and 6th aves
The advocacy group Transportation Alternatives is launching a new campaign to improve bike and pedestrian safety on Fifth and Sixth avenues, which the Department of Transportation has identified as two of the busiest streets south of 59th Street.

“With community demand for safer, more livable Fifth and Sixth avenues reaching a fever pitch, the community will surely win improvements similar to those ushered in by New Yorkers in other neighborhoods,” said executive director Paul Steely White.

In keeping with the tradition of New York City firefighters saluting the fallen, attendees heard the bell ring in four sets of five rings. The historic St Paul’s Chapel, part of the Parish of Trinity Wall Street, is directly across the World Trade Center site.

Manhattan Borough President Endorses Hoylman
After State Sen. Tom Duane announced his retirement in early June, many have been speculating about who will replace him. If you don’t have a clue, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer does.
Last Tuesday, Stringer announced his full endorsement and support for Greenwich Village-based candidate Brad Hoylman.

Hoylman was previously the chair of Community Board 2. In addition, he is serving his fourth term as the District Leader of the 66th Assembly District. Hoylman also works as a trustee of the Community Services Society of New York, an anti-poverty organization.

“We have worked together to preserve Lower Manhattan’s open spaces and schools,” said Stringer of Hoylman’s time on CB2. “Brad has been involved in the fights to preserve the historic nature of Greenwich Village and the surrounding neighborhoods for his entire professional life. I am confident he is the right choice to represent our neighborhoods in Albany.”

“It is great to see that this campaign is receiving overwhelming support from elected officials from across the city and especially that of our borough president,” said Hoylman.

Motorcycle Theft Ring Busted After 17-Month Investigation
Those who have had their bike stolen or worry for their motorcycles stationed on New York City streets can ease up just a little, as police have caught the people responsible for more than half of the motorcycle thefts in the city last year.

The daring bike theft ring would steal motorcycles in areas around Lower Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn during the night, place the bikes in stolen vans, take them apart and ship the parts in boxes labeled “household goods” to countries in the Caribbean and Africa.

The 17-month investigation led by the NYPD and the Manhattan district attorney’s office began after a Yamaha motorcycle was stolen from Tribeca last spring. Investigators say they soon realized a large organized group of criminals were behind the theft.

According to Deputy Inspector Edward Winski, Lower Manhattan was primarily targeted mainly due to the abundance of bridges and tunnels that serve as good escape routes. Some of the robbers also sold guns and a few bikes to undercover cops. Additionally, they bought pricey electronics with stolen credit cards.

Three People Rescued from Capsized Boat Near Liberty Island
A sailboat flipped over near Liberty Island last Tuesday morning while three people were inside it.
According to the NYPD and witnesses, the boat flipped at 11:50 a.m. The cause is unknown. The passenger swam out of the boat and were rescued by emergency crews from the National Park Service; reportedly, none of them suffered any sever injuries.

Local Soccer Games for Charity Held in Lower Manhattan
There’s no need to wait for the London Olympics to see a soccer game when residents of the Lower East Side can take a front row seat at a local one in the neighborhood.

Street Soccer USA, an organization that aims to keep the homeless off the streets in 20 cities, held a charity soccer game in the Lower East Side’s Sara D. Roosevelt Park last Thursday afternoon.
Compiled by Adel Manoukian

It’s impossible to fully summarize Tom Duane’s political career, which has spanned over 23 years, but we’ve identified some of the most notable moments along the way.

1989- After working as a Wall Street broker, among other professions, Tom Duane starts to volunteer for his local community board and eventually starts working for City Comptroller Elizabeth Holtzman. Duane runs against incumbent candidate Carol Greitzer for City Council but is defeated; Greitzer secures the Democratic line.

1991- Duane runs again for the City Council. On Aug. 7, Duane announces he is HIV positive. He goes on to beat Liz Abzug and Victor Del Mastro, becoming the nation’s first openly HIV-positive person elected to office. He and Antonio Pagan become the first two openly gay New York City council members.

1993- Local Law 44, co-sponsored by Duane, becomes law. The legislation prohibits landlords from discriminating against tenants and applicants receiving Section 8 aid or other government-funded housing assistance.

Photo Courtesy of Tom Duane's office.

1994- Duane challenges Rep. Jerrold Nadler in the Democratic congressional primary, but Nadler wins re-election.

1997- The City Council unanimously passes the Chelsea 197-A plan, a community-initiated land use plan, which Duane had worked on for over a decade.

1998- Duane wins election to the New York state senate, becoming its first openly gay and HIV-positive member.

1999- Duane and City Council Member Christine Quinn, his former chief of staff, get arrested after leading a gay contingent trying to join the St. Patrick’s Day parade. They were demonstrating against an Irish-American group that banned a gay Irish contingent from participating in the parade.

2001- Duane first proposes the Marriage Equality Act in the New York state Senate. Sen. David A. Paterson co-sponsors it. Eighteen Democrats sign on as co-sponsors in 2007. It was voted down that same year.

2002- Duane helps lead the successful passage of the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, known as SONDA.

2006- Duane helps lead the successful passage of Timothy’s Law, which includes the addition of mental health parity by insurance companies for all patients.

Duane at an Anti-Graffiti Rally in August 2009. Photo Courtesy of Tom Duane's office.

2009- Duane once again introduces the Marriage Equality Act to the Senate after it passes the Assembly, but the bill is defeated 38 to 24 that same year.

2011- After a decade of fighting for same sex marriage, the Marriage Equality Act was signed into law June 24, taking effect a month  later. “What this bill will do is say that we are family in a way that no other word can. And that word is marriage,” Duane reportedly said at the time.

2012- On June 4, Duane announces his retirement from the state senate. His last day in office will be Dec. 31.

Tom Duane in 1988 during his first City Council run.

Supported tenant’s rights, LGBT issues for more than 20 years

New York State Sen. Tom Duane surprised both political insiders and constituents alike last month when he announced he would not be running for re-election after representing a district that stretched from the Upper West Side to Greenwich Village to the East Village for the past 14 years.

Duane, first elected to the Senate in 1998 after serving in the City Council for seven years, said in a statement that he needed to embark on a “new chapter” in his life. He did not disclose exactly what that new chapter would entail, but instead said he would address the issue when his term in office ends Dec. 31 of this year.

As the Senate’s first openly gay and HIV-positive legislator, Duane championed causes that resonated with the LGBT community, including the Marriage Equality Act, the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, the Dignity for All Students Act, comprehensive hate crime legislation and prison reform. He has also been a staunch supporter of tenant’s rights, affordable housing and campaign finance reform.

Our Town Downtown caught up with Duane recently as he discussed some of the highlights of his seven terms in Albany as well as the road that lies ahead.

What did you do before getting into politics?
I’ve done a bunch of different jobs over the years, even before I got into politics—everything from being a high school teacher to advertising and working as a public relations person for the Department of Health, then working as a stock broker for a small Wall Street company.

What effect, as a member of the LGBT community, do you think you had on the Senate?
I think that because of the entire 14 years I served in the Senate, I was the only openly gay person—and of course I had been open about my HIV status, even prior to my election to the City Council in 1991—I think that the New York State Senate needed me desperately so that the state could make progress on LGBT issues, HIV/AIDS policy and help stop the criminalization of HIV through the law. I believe my presence also helped reduce, but certainly not eliminate, the stigma of the disease in New York City and throughout the state.

An early photo of Tom Duane with his former chief of staff, Christine Quinn. "When I was about 24-25, I was running Tom Duane's campaign for City Council. I hadn't come out at the time, but at some point I told Tom I really needed to talk to him. His initial reaction was, 'Oh my God, you're not quitting are you?' And when I said no, he immediately responded with, 'Oh, do you want to tell me you're gay?' "-City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Did you ever experience any discrimination or were you made to feel uncomfortable as an openly gay senator?
I had been told that there was some trepidation about my arrival in the Senate; my colleagues knew that I had been a member of Act-Up [a gay rights advocacy group]. If there was any covert discrimination directed towards me, I either wasn’t aware of it or I simply ignored that it was happening. I threw myself into the work and that’s how my colleagues on both sides of the aisle got to know me. Further, I believe that my presence helped educate my colleagues on the ways that HIV was and wasn’t spread. I think that I was likely the first to talk about oral and anal intercourse on the Senate floor. I helped to prevent laws that might have been otherwise rooted in misconceptions from being passed, further isolating and discriminating against people with HIV.

Can you talk about some accomplishments you’re most proud of?
Virtually every piece of legislation I passed in both the City Council and the Senate helped a segment of people who may have not been helped as quickly if I hadn’t been as active and perseverant as I was. Tenant issues, HIV issues and LGBT issues—even before I was elected to office, these were important issues to me.

We forced then-Mayor Giuliani to put in place domestic partnerships in New York City—at the time that was historic. Also of great importance to me has been getting the city’s Department of Health to institute the best protocols in prisons regarding the treatment of Hepatitis C and HIV. I’m also proud of my work to allow victims of human trafficking to get their records expunged. In addition, I got Sen. Joe Bruno to come around on the issue of same-sex civil marriage.

You endorsed Brad Hoylman as your successor. What kind of senator do you think he would make?
I’ve known Brad since 2001; he’s my friend and he’s also been asked to chair Community Board 2 several times—for the Village, that’s almost unheard of. I think Brad will make a terrific elected official. I know his conscience and his core beliefs and I would be very proud to have him represent me. He’s always been a partner in things I’ve fought for in the Senate and in New York City and he’s also partnered in many other causes and beliefs I feel strongly on.

What will you miss about office when you leave in December?
I’ll be saddened to leave many of the great people I’ve worked with over the years. In various ways, I will miss staff on both sides of the aisle. I’ve loved all my constituents in the various neighborhoods I’ve represented and I will miss them greatly. Also, the people from the Upper West Side down to Chinatown and the Village all came together, especially around the Sept. 11 attacks. It was inspiring the way everyone pulled together. I will really miss my colleagues in government, such as Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Council Member Rosie Mendez and many others.

In general, I love New York City neighborhoods and I love New York City and that’s one of the main reasons I’m coming home: because I miss my neighborhood. I missed being home in a city I love, neighborhoods that I love. I represent the most wonderful people in the world.

Are there things about being in Albany that you will not miss?
Packing on Sunday nights. It was difficult for every emotional reason you could imagine a person has when they leave home to go on a business trip—and I did this for every weekend, six months out of every year. The majority of the years it was January through June. I will not miss the packing on Sunday nights! The groceries are cheaper in Albany, but I’m willing to pay more for food to stay in New York City.

The bottom line is that I spent too much time on the New York State Thruway!

Do you feel you left anything undone in the Capitol?
More needs to be done with our criminal justice system so that it’s more about rehabilitation than punishment, and there are also still some loose ends surrounding the marriage equality bill. We also need to put a stop to hydrofracking around New York State—not just around the watershed.

Any ideas on what’s next?
I have ideas, but can’t share them until Jan. 1. That’s just my nature. It will be something that will help people, because that’s my calling.

It’s been nearly two months since State Sen. Tom Duane announced that he will not seek re-election this fall, and the race for his seat in the 27th District is taking shape.

Brad Hoylman, the solidly backed chair of Community Board 2, who before Duane’s announcement was seeking Christine Quinn’s City Council seat, will run opposed by two relative unknowns: Tom Greco, owner of the Ritz Bar and Lounge in the Times Square area, and Tanika Inlaw, a self-described educator, community outreach worker and mother of two who lives on the Upper West Side.
Earlier this year, Duane revealed that he would not seek an eighth term in the state Senate, a post he was first elected to in 1998. Duane reported that he would instead be embarking on a “new chapter” in his life.

As a politician, Duane was best known for helping “those who never before had a voice in the halls of government.” An openly gay, HIV-positive legislator, Duane championed causes close to the LGBT community, including the Marriage Equality Act, the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, the Dignity for All Students Act, comprehensive hate crime legislation and the Family Health Care Decisions Act.

For his part, Hoylman, who is also out and is the parent of an 18-month-old girl, plans to continue Duane’s trademark LGBT activism by supporting, among other legislation, the Gender Equality Non-Discrimination Act.

“It’s incredible that even today, transgender people can be fired from jobs or kicked out of their houses or even denied service in a restaurant,” Hoylman said. He called gender equality one of the “last horizons of the LGBT community.”

Hoylman added that if elected, he would be the only LGBT person in the state Legislature.

“I don’t shy away from discussing being gay and I don’t mind if reporters mention it. It’s who I am,” he said in an interview.
Among other issues of concern to Hoylman are campaign finance reform, reducing class sizes and “changing the dynamic that currently exists where teachers are demonized in Albany.”

In a recent email to supporters, Hoylman touted his record of progressive results.

“I have helped secure two new public schools; won concessions from developers to scale back and mitigate inappropriate proposals; advanced landmarking and rezoning efforts that preserved historic buildings and neighborhoods; created an innovative legal defense fund for rent-stabilized tenants; and brokered a deal that allowed for the long-stalled renovation of Washington Square Park,” Hoylman wrote to supporters last month.

Amid the Democratic establishment, Hoylman’s support is very strong and includes, most notably, Duane’s endorsement, along with Reps. Jerrold Nadler, Nydia Velazquez and Carolyn Maloney.

Greco, while not a household name, believes he has much to offer the people of the 27th District as a state senator.

Starting with affordable housing, Greco pointed out successful housing programs that should be revisited in the city.

“I would like to bring a new program to New York State modeled after the Mitchell-Lama program, which to this day stands as one of the most successful housing programs ever established here,” Greco said. “In a similar model, we can work with developers to make it fiscally advantageous for them to build new affordable housing, while strictly regulating that they do so through tax incentives and legislation.”

Regarding the always vexing health care issue, Greco believes a true public option is needed to better care for city residents. “While I am a supporter of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, I do not think it goes nearly far enough in addressing the country’s health care concerns and out-of-control costs,” he said. “It is my goal to bring a public option to New York similar to the successful program that has been instituted in San Francisco.”

Greco added that he, too, is concerned and involved with LGBT issues that affect the district.

Greco founded the Ritz bar and lounge in September of 2006, after working for several years at POSH, another LGBT establishment owned by his family. “It has allowed me to use my name, resources and time to help the LGBT community,” he explained. “Through the years I have had the privilege of using my business as a vehicle to help with LGBT causes, such as Heritage of Pride, AIDS Walk and Blades Against AIDS.”

Public school teacher Inlaw is an Upper West Sider who was born and raised in the city and previously worked in broadcast journalism on ABC’s daytime talk show The View, as well as for ABC News Radio.

Inlaw is also a former president of the Yonkers chapter of the NAACP, where she advocated to decrease overcrowded schools, increase home ownership opportunities, stabilize rents and increase the minimum wage.

Discussing her difficult decision to run for state Senate, Inlaw wrote, “The lack of resources would deter most potential candidates from running against him [Holylman] due to his backing from deep pockets and well-established political roots, but I believe I was called to serve the people and conserve our community’s right to a fair democracy.”

Issues that concern Inlaw include animal rights, affordable housing, affordable health care and marriage equality.

“What sets me apart from the other candidates is my intuitive ability to relate to peoples’ personal experiences. I am personally invested in our fight,” Inlaw wrote in a statement.

Landmarking in downtown neighborhoods has surprising opposition from local churches

The city’s preservationists marched downtown last Tuesday to make their voices heard at a Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) hearing on the proposal to create an East Village and Lower East Side Historic District. Landowners, locals and political representatives flooded the ninth floor of City Hall almost to its limits to discuss and argue the LPC’s efforts to preserve the “rich cultural history” of these downtown Manhattan neighborhoods.

The initial plan includes 330 buildings, though 17 more might be added in a revised edition. If designated as an historic district, these buildings, mostly row houses and tenements, would become landmarked and would avoid destruction and alteration, purportedly preserving the area’s cultural significance. This designation, however, would also mean that renovation costs to these particular properties would increase as well.

Among the buildings are the historic Congregation Meseritz Synagogue on East 6th Street, the Max D. Raskin Center on East 6th Street, the Duo Multicultural Center on East 4th Street and the longest continuously running alehouse in New York City, McSorley’s, on East 7th Street.

The majority of those attending the hearing were in support of the plan.

The neighborhood “helps tell the story of immigrant life in 19th- and 20th-century Manhattan,” members of the LPC reported to slight applause from the large group of activists wearing bright “Preserve the East Village Landmark Now” stickers.

“These types of buildings, in the past, have sometimes been less appreciated than high-style architecture,” said one fervent supporter of the move. “However, they are equally as deserving of designation—especially in blocks like East 6th and East 7th Street, which remain meticulous and largely unaltered. We are also pleased to the see the wide variety of…cultural-related architecture.”

Among the supporters were the offices of State Sens. Tom Duane and Dan Squadron, Councilwoman Rosie Mendez and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and local committees like the Cooper Square Committee, the Lower East Side Preservation Initiative, the Historic Districts Council, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation and the East Village Community Coalition.

The plan is a “complement to the January designation of the East 10th Street historic district, the first East Village historic district established since the 1969 designation of the St. Mark’s historic district” said the first speaker, a representative for Rosie Mendez. “All three districts have fundamental preservation in common and will work in alliance to preserve the proud legacy of generations of immigrant families.”

Landmarking efforts began earlier this year when, on Jan. 12, the LPC approved a block-long designation on the south side of East 10th Street.

As expected, local clergy were the opposition’s loudest voices, saying their groups would be put under extreme financial strains if their buildings were landmarked.

“There are many examples of financial duress caused by landmark designation, including the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Brooklyn,” a parish council member of the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection on East 2nd Street claimed.

“This designated landmark suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial loss during a protracted appeal process to replace their copper roof as a result of time wasted and a sudden increase in commodity costs…Landmark designation against the congregation’s will may represent the death knell of a historic congregation that has served the vulnerable.”

The religiously affiliated speakers cited the LPC as being unreasonable for treating nonprofit parishes the same as profitable establishments, and claimed that the designation transfers authority of cathedrals to civil authority, meaning civil government would dictate religious freedom, violating the First Amendment.

One member of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral went as far as calling the designation “a sin which you’ll be held accountable for.”
Many religious organizations requested that if the proposal is indeed passed, their respective cathedral be excluded from the designation.
The LPC declined to comment on the hearing and the effects it may have had on their deliberations, saying that they don’t usually comment during the process.

According to the LPC’s press office, an additional public hearing will be held on the designation, although the date of the hearing hasn’t been finalized.

By Nick Gallinelli

“A bus shelter is critical to this demographic, who cannot stand for long periods of time to wait for their bus. I know that the community will be pleased that the shelter will finally be restored,” said Rosenthal.

Duane thanked the DOT as well as the intrepid local resident who persisted in getting the shelter back. “I also appreciate the efforts of Ed Bartosik, executive director of the Council Senior Center, which is located across the street from the bus stop, for bringing attention to this issue,” he said.

The delay resulted from the fact that the DOT had to obtain—and was inexplicably denied—permission from the owners of the property at 214 W. 72nd St. to install a shelter in front of the building. Their creative solution will place the shelter 30 feet from the actual bus stop marker (most are only 5 to 10 feet away)—still an improvement over the big lot of nothing that’s been there.

Free Lunchtime Tunes Al Fresco
The Lincoln Square outdoor concert series returns on Wednesday, July 4 with lunchtime performances by The Yaz Band and William B. Johnson’s Drumadics for the “American Soundscape” themed afternoon from 12-2 p.m. Concerts will be held every Wednesday through Aug. 29 in Richard Tucker Square, on West 66th Street between Columbus Avenue and Broadway. Music lovers are encouraged to bring their lunch and will also be able to work out mid-day kinks with free stretching sessions by Yoga Works between music sets. Visit lincolnsquarebid.org for the full listing of musical acts.

Catch the Fireworks
Macy’s will continue its Independence Day tradition of lighting up the Hudson River with fireworks this year—if you’re planning on seeing them, a game plan is mandatory. Thousands of people will flock to the West Side’s designated viewing areas to get prime spots. Macy’s recommends that patriotic attendees head over to 12th Avenue below 59th Street at access points every few blocks along 11th Avenue. Parking will be severely limited. There will be no access at the Hudson River piers or the Hudson River Park promenade or bike path between 59th and West Houston Street. DeWitt Clinton Park is reserved for people with disabilities.

Plan to arrive at any of the viewing spots by 5 p.m., and don’t try to bring lawn chairs or large objects with you. The 25-minute show of 40,000 synchronized fireworks begins around 9 p.m. and will be set to performances by Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney.

Free History for Kids
The New-York Historical Society and DiMenna Children’s History Museum are offering free admission to history buffs under 18 on Wednesday, July 4. Kids can learn about what life was like in revolutionary times and how New Yorkers of yore contributed to the War of Independence. Storytellers will share the tale of how the Hudson River played an integral role in winning the war and freeing the country. There will be a presidential scavenger hunt for kids ages 4 and up and patriotic-themed arts and crafts projects for everyone. For of-age chaperones, the Empire Brewing Company will be holding beer tastings at 2 and 4 p.m. in the beer hall adjacent to the museum. Tickets for the tasting and museum admission are $35, $20 for members. Regular adult admission is $15. The museum is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 170 Central Park West at 77th Street.

Duane Endorses Hoylman for Senate
As several candidates have emerged to run for State Sen. Tom Duane’s seat, the senator has officially endorsed his longtime friend Brad Hoylman to replace him in January. Duane announced that he will be retiring at the end of this term, finishing a 14-year legislative career that will be remembered for its track record of support for LGBT rights and access to health care. Hoylman, who just stepped down as the chair of Community Board 2 to focus on the campaign, is expected to pick up the torch where Duane left it on many issues.

“I am certain that Brad will provide strong leadership on not only preserving but also strengthening New York’s rent regulation and tenant protection laws, as well as increasing the creation of affordable housing for all New Yorkers,” Duane said in a statement. “He will also be a powerful voice for the LGBT community in Albany—whether it’s carrying on the battle for GENDA or standing up for people with HIV/AIDS struggling to make ends meet.”

Duane mentioned that he has witnessed Hoylman’s success in negotiating tough local issues, which would help him in Albany.
Hoylman has been endorsed by five state Assembly members and labor leaders. He will face several challengers, however. Politicker reports that Tommy Greco, owner of The Ritz bar in Hell’s Kitchen, fundraising chair of the Jim Owles Democartic Club and executive vice president of the McManus Midtown Democratic Club, is strongly considering a run. Martha Speranza has registered a campaign committee, and Tanika Inlaw has announced her intention to run as well.

Preservationists listen in on the hearing. Photo by James Kelleher.

Proposed preservation of the East Village meets a vocal audience

The city’s preservationists came together in City Hall Tuesday when they made their voices heard at a Landmark Preservation Commission public hearing regarding proposed preservation designation for parts of the East Village.

The proposal includes many historical, albeit dated, buildings like the Congregation Meseritz Synagogue and Max D. Raskin Center, both on East 6th, Duo Multicultural Center on East 4th, and the popular ale house on East 7th, McSorley’s.

In all, the proposal covers protects 330 buildings, the NY Times says.

Alongside many of the neighborhood’s foreign residents, who cite the area’s “contextual architecture” and storied past, representatives from the offices of State Senator Tom Duane, State Senator Daniel Squadron, and Councilman Rosie Mendez strongly supported the LPC’s effort.

As expected, local clergy were the opposition’s loudest voices, saying their groups would be put under extreme financial strains if their buildings were landmarked.

One member of the parish went as far as labeling the landmarking a sin.

The meeting was another stop in the LPC’s “extensive correspondence” with local voices, and there is no ETA for the committee’s decision.

Rudy Giuliani. Photo courtesy of Wiki Commons.

U.S. Senate

Wendy Long and Bob Turner got into a spat over a robocall Rudy Giuliani recorded for Turner.

Brooklyn

Fearing the potential election of Charles Barron, a flood of national campaign cash in flowing in for Hakeem Jeffries.

Nydia Velazquez and her challengers debated on NY1.

Manhattan

Tom Duane officially endorsed Brad Hoylman.

Queens

Grace Meng loaned her campaign $60,000.

Staten Island

Despite ample fodder, Mark Murphy is largely keeping things positive in his battle with Michael Grimm.

State Senate

Sen. Steve Saland lost the Conservative line over his gay marriage vote.

Elsewhere

Sunday was a frenzied day of campaigning in New York’s congressional primaries.

Ex-Gov. George Pataki recorded a robocall blasting Sean Patrick Maloney.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he isn’t weighing in on the NY-18 primary.

Cuomo did endorse Velazquez, Jeffries and Charlie Rangel.

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