Retrofit Revisited

Recently I posted a blog challenging all TOTS readers, especially the regular contributor, to get behind the issues facing Retrofit regarding what appears to be differential treatment and unanswered support from BID. You can pull it up from the archives.

I wanted to see how many readers or bloggers would get behind an issue which has all the ingredients of being in the mainstream of the issue base of posters. We have a local guy, with a large segment of members from the community, an organization which apparently is being treated differently from major corporations external to New Rochelle such as CVS and Planet Fitness. In fact, the manager is a poster as I understand it, on TOTS.

I wanted to see if criticism of the Administration, with or without merit, would extend to postive assertive action in favor of some organization who contributes to our tax base, who supports a number of small businesses in the vicinity of the health club.

With one exception, not a peep. I spoke to Mario and the only person to speak to him was a member of the Bramson administration who is a gym member who simply suggested he contact the apprpriate individual in City Hall. Mario indicated that this has not gotten him very far up to this point.

My friend at Sutton Florist, Bobby, whose family has been running this shop for many years, is facing a signage issue and Kaffeine is likely to close because of the exhorbitant lease renewal rates presented to them.

I am saying this not to criticize TOTS nor criticize the posters, but damn it, if things are going to be different, now and then you have to be for something and not against everything.

I read the recent posting on bramson campaign contributions. I hope someday to read a listing of contributions sent to all local politicians.

the Maple Avenue situation is particularly interesting because as someone just pointed out, an advisor for Ilyse Spertus had the skill and sense to enrich the deal. Perhaps we should chip in and send her a few bucks.

I am not as concerned about campaign contributions as most of you are. I have sent close to the amount cited over the past few years. I have not asked or received any consideration; my expectations were for good government. Perhaps that will improve in the near future.

Just heard that Khaddafy is dead. Hilary Clinton dropped into Libya 48 hours ago. Obama is running a desperate campaign. Do you think that Khaddafy was held captive until she came and gave the word to kill him as it would be against the interest of all parties to have him stand trial? And, 40 or so animals were tragically slaughtered after the nut job owner let em loose. Wonder why nobody put some strong knockout drops into chunks of food and fed them to the poor helpless animals. Again, maybe Obama wanted to kill bears to make a point aganst the bear market or more likely, against gun control.

Things can get a little out of control as you can infer from the above.

Here is what I am interested in— fair play for Retrofit, common sense in managing the business district, open disclosure on all campaign contributions and the occasional mention of some affirmative action expressed as ideas, from bloggers. This blog is a powerful medium and we are fotunate to have it and it grows in usefulness and importance when there are diverse views and constructive comments.

I heard the debates. Cannot see how Rice’s opponent stacked up to him in any way. His popularity based on his huge majority at the last election speaks volumes for him. Spertus is outstanding and should bury Mr. Bicycle Path. Trangucci is light years ahead of his opponent in all ways. Haven’t made up my mind yet on Barret vs the Gallery art dealer (whose name I forget but is a smart guy). I like the GOP guy running in the northern district as he has courage except for spinning the recent outside committee on redistricting more than he should.

That is it…. take your shots as again, Noam is preferred to Richard, but he needs to understand how to run a business, prioritize and most important, recognize that there are a hell of a lot of good people down these parts and he can profit from their life experiences and ideas.