• Grillin On The Bay - March 27, 2010

Parking Prophet Challenges Nelson for City Council Seat


by Ned Berke on Jul 28th, 2009

Simon Belsky, Candidate for City Council in Sheepshead Bay

Ms. Rosenthal sat next to Simon Belsky. She leaned over him, nodding, as he read. He spoke as if he was citing Chaucer or Whitman, or even Holy Gospel. All the while, his gruff voice booming, Mrs. Belsky buzzed about, serving drinks and assuring the comfort of her guests. Eventually she came to rest, sitting on the floor. And seeing this scene – a righteous man preaching, an elderly woman revering, and a wife adoring – I realized that I was not going to be writing your usual political profile.

All of that, of course, is absolute literary hyperbole; a writer’s mind twisting a perfectly normal scene. But that doesn’t negate the fact that Belsky is hardly your usual politician. He is, to say the least, rough around the edges. He has taken on causes that most politicians would call esoteric at best. He eschews the conventional political process. And his language… well, he’s more sailor than politician.

The 63-year-old retiree has become a bit of a prophet to the parking dispossessed. Take Rosenthal, for example. Just days before, Rosenthal – a Midwood resident with handicap privileges – had received a ticket for parking without paying a meter. The only problem is, she was nowhere near the address listed on the ticket, and there was no meter at her actual location. Angry at the fine, but like many other victims of incompetent parking regulators, she had little knowledge of how to fight it.

Belsky, though, had just been profiled in the NY Daily News – where Rosenthal got his number – for coming out victorious in a 2 ½ year battle versus the city. Outraged about a ticket he received for parking near a hydrant where there was none, he took the fight to the New York State Supreme Court, where the justices ruled the fines be dismissed and the city pay his court fees. The document he read to Rosenthal was the ruling in his case by Judge Michael Ambrosio – and he read it with fire in his voice.

Most people, his wife included, would have just paid the fine and avoided the hassle. But Belsky is a glutton for bureaucratic heckling. With one victory behind him, he’s stepping into the ring yet again, this time as a contender in the Democratic primaries against incumbent Councilman Michael C. Nelson, who represents the 48th District (Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach).

Like many folk frustrated with contemporary governance, Belsky has little love for the city’s politicians. In his narrative of New York politics, Bloomberg is a thief, the City Council his cronies, and almost every agent of governance an incompetent fraud, ridden with corruption and idiocy.

“This isn’t a government for the people,” he told Sheepshead Bites. “It’s a government that rapes the people.”

As his platform, Belsky speaks to that anger and disillusionment in all of us. He rails against corruption and mismanagement. He pleads for transparency. And he so cries for common sense that those talking to him – or at least I did – take a step back lest he swings his fist in frustration. This part, I promise, is no literary hyperbole.

Among the issues he focuses on are, of course, parking. As councilman he plans to work with the city’s prominent law schools to enlist students in a battle against abusive ticketing practices. The pro-bono organization will organize victims into a potential class-action lawsuit against the city, filing appeal after appeal until administrators act on the need for reform. He also plans to open the books of the city’s financial black holes – like the MTA and the School Construction Authority – and broadcast those agencies’ catastrophic financial bungling to the world.

“I will have the biggest voice you’ll ever see to address mismanagement, corruption and quality-of-life issues in this city,” he said.

In Sheepshead Bay, Belsky hopes to rekindle the fight for down-zoning and increased parking. He has already latched onto issues such as the Cherry Hill – Lundy’s debate, in which he skewers the likes of Councilman Nelson, CB 15 Chair Theresa Scavo and State Senator Carl Kruger, for opposing a business that has poured millions into a decrepit building. And he has singled out the fishing fleet as a valuable Brooklyn industry that needs to be promoted by city authorities.

But does he have a chance? Can a foul-mouthed, hot-tempered retiree, with no political experience win an election against a two-term incumbent? That’s up to the electorate – and if his fundraising is any indication, they’re reacting to his message. Belsky has already raised more than $13,000, primarily in small contributions from a spattering of housewives, retirees, small business owners and the self-employed. Not bad for a guy who says he “will not give funds to political groups to buy votes,” or pander to local political parties and interest groups for campaign funds.

But in the presence of Belsky, I had the feeling winning is a secondary objective. His real aim seems to be to leave a mark in the consciousness of the electorate; to inspire others to fight the Kafka-esque obsolescence of an idiotic political machine.

“Whether I win or lose doesn’t matter,” he said. “If I lose, my wife and I will go on a cruise. But I guarantee this, you’ll never see anything like me again.”

As for Ms. Rosenthal, she followed Belsky’s advice. Her ticket was dismissed a few days later.

(If you’ve been wrongly accused of a parking violation, you can contact Simon Belsky at 718-769-7406 or 917-335-2609, or by e-mailing him.)

Related posts

Tags: , , , , , ,

  • Print This Print This
  • Comments
  • News & Features
  • Simon L. Belsky
    FYI
    When asked how he doled out his $80,000 in member items, Canarsie Councilmember Lew Fidler said he did not feel comfortable giving all of the details because community groups that did not receive funds may feel left out.

    And Flushing Councilmember John Liu even rejected the idea that member items really exist, arguing that the council arrives at a budget as a body.

    "I don't have anything that's called a member item," said Liu. "There are local initiatives that are suggested strongly by a council member."

    Where is the transparency?
  • Simon L. Belsky
    Lisanne: The individual that did my petitioning was a set-up from the get-go. A mannequin with a sign can do better than 230 out of 2,597. The majority of signatures were fraudulently written and is now being investigated. Where the investigation is going I cannot discuss further at this time. It the near future it will become enlightening. I did learn a valuable lesson. I will still be a vioce for the people if you allow me until possibly the next election which I feel comfortable we can win. Now is the time to support Gene in his battle against Lew Fidler who spent his time in court this morning to knock people off the ballot.
  • I've been doing a lot of thinking about what should be done and who should be doing it.

    I'm not very sure of how much of a infrastructure exists in the Liberal Party these days. In the distant past they were capable of organizing petition drives. As they don't appear to be involved in that many races they could be helpful. Having alternatives as candidates guarantees them more attention than merely giving voters a different column in which they may cast a vote for the Democratic or Republican selections.

    Thusly, they have something to gain by helping Simon to get listed on the ballot in their column.

    It's been a long time since I've been involved in petition gathering for a candidate. If I recall correctly back then you wanted to get at least twice as many signatures as was needed. It was also a good idea to ask voters where they lived before having them sign. Some voters have no idea what district they in, or who represents them. And a number of "registered" voters turn out not to be registered at all. The trick in getting signatures is to ask quick questions because you are often engaging people who are in rush to get somewhere.

    Needless to say the insiders have expert petition gatherers who achieve better results than those of us who are less experienced. The last time I did a petition drive was almost 30 years ago. I expect it was a bit easier then as there was a higher percentage of active registered voters. These days, people are kept on registration lists long after they cast their last vote. In the interim they may have moved, but as their recorded residence has nor changed their petition is invalid. In the past one needed to vote in a general election at least once in a specified period of time to remain registered.

    So one might need to gather four times as many signatures as required in order to gather the necessary number of valid ones.

    Lise
  • Did you just link to a video on your desktop?
    Maybe you should upload it to Youtube first?
  • clare
    can ya do something about this?/Users/clare/Desktop/Jan 23 2007 - VID00025.AVI
  • I've always been interested. I hated waiting to 18 to vote, the voting age should be lowered to 16 and interest in the voting process needs to be encouraged as early as Kindergarten.

    While I was trying to be humorous earlier, I actually do, as a matter of fact, strongly support the legalization (with restrictions similar to alcohol) and taxation of marijuana. It's pretty sad that the Oil Lobby managed to so thoroughly vilify hemp and marijuana in the 30's. It's been near 40 years, you'd think all the hippies of the 70's would have voted for it! oy!
  • Ain't it the truth, Arthur B.! That's not even counting the bigger mess of turning that patronage mill that we call the Board of Elections into a transparent governmental entity!

    While I can't endorse your apparent stance on certain recreational drug use, I am glad that you're motivated to get involved. Tell a friend to get involved, too... even if it's just by picking up a newspaper and learning about issues that interest them or casting their vote in this year's election.

    If there was ever a time to shake off the apathy and pay attention to who is going to making decisions for all of us in the future, now's the time!
  • For that we need to elect people that use logic and sound decision making in office instead of people who have some "agenda" to fill.

    Hrm. What's the age requirement, maybe I'll run for council in a few years myself! There's a Marijuana Party in New York right? :-D
  • How did I get dragged into this convo? :-)

    In all seriousness, thank you Lisanne and Simon for those nice compliments. I greatly appreciate the support.

    In getting to know Simon - even back a few years when our family's season seats were near each other at Brooklyn Cyclones game! - I've found him to be very knowledgeable, honest and a man of principle who doggedly fights the good fight. I wish him well in his present and future pursuits... something tells me that we all haven't heard the last of him!

    I hope "Kreskin" will forgive me, but the entire electoral process in New York needs an overhaul. The current system is fraught with procedural pitfalls and obstacles to get on the ballot that it is now not only obselete, but undemocratic. Let's scrap the process entirely. No one should be kept off of the ballot for mis-numbered a cover sheet, or - heavens forbid! - contains a typo. Let's create a modern system where the rules are clear and easy to follow that promotes participation in the electoral process, not discourages it.

    The election process shouldn't be rocket science. NYC needs to catch up with the times!
  • Simon L. Belsky
    Arthur B: Thank you!
    Sincerely,
    Simon Belsky
  • Well if your name doesn't at least appear on the Liberal ballot I'll write it in, especially if there is no other alternative to Nelson.
  • Simon L. Belsky
    Lisanne: Though I have been endorsed by the Liberal Party no petitioning has ever been done and I believe 2,700 signatures would be required. I am exploring the matter. The most important part of thr Liberal Party's endorsement is their reason for endorsing me which follows:

    Liberal Party Nominates Manhattan District Attorney
    and Council Candidates in Brooklyn and Queens
    as it enters the 2009 Elections

    The Liberal Party has taken a small but determined step back as it enters the 2009 election campaign cycle. A significantly larger step is expected shortly.

    Jack Olchin, State Chairman, has announced that the Liberal Party has nominated candidates for Manhattan District Attorney and City Council districts in Brooklyn and Queens.

    He said that the nominees are Greg Camp, a Republican and a candidate for the District Attorney of Manhattan, Thomas D. White, a Democrat seeking reelection in the 28th District of Queens and Simon L. Belsky, a Democratic candidate for the 48th Council District in Brooklyn.

    Mr. Camp, a former member of Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau's prosecutorial staff and presently a Wall St. attorney, is considered a tough but fair-minded expert in criminal justice who, according to Olchin "… combines the policies and ideals of such former Liberal Party stalwarts as NY Mayors LaGuardia and John Lindsay and US Senator Jack Javits in a 21st Century model. He's going to be a great District Attorney."

    Camp is committed to the idea that the death penalty is wrong and too often results in mistakes that take the lives of innocent people. He is concerned that the DA's office - which remains the chief arbiter of white-collar and violent crime as it has the power to arrest, indict and convict - must do its job smartly and fairly. He believes that Morgenthau's record is an example of just that kind of DA's office.

    He and two of the three Democrats running in a primary for that party's selection, are all members or former members of Morgenthau's staff.

    Olchin said that Thomas White was nominated for reelection as a Councilman in the 28th District in Southeast Queens having already served as Councilman for ten years from 1992-2002. Olchin said that White had to relinquish the position because of term limits. He became the first Councilman to be reelected after term limits five years later in 2005.

    Queens County Liberal Party leader Louis Dvorkin said that Mr. White has long had the Liberal Party's support because of his extraordinary familiarity with the design and administration of social service programs in alcohol and substance abuse, the prevention of teenage pregnancy and youth crime, HIV-AIDS, and senior citizen programs. Dvorkin said that White had brought tens of millions of program dollars into the district as well as construction and park rehabilitation monies. "He is a fine Councilman and his community knows it and supports him", said Dvorkin.

    The Liberal Party has nominated Simon L. Belsky as Councilman in Brooklyn's 48th Council District in Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach and surrounding area.

    Mr. Belsky is a 25 year resident of the community. This is his first attempt at elective office after having spent 40 years as a successful businessman in electronics, construction and building maintenance.

    Mr. Olchin said that Belsky had become an advocate for a "watchdog role on the City Council concentrating on the tens of millions of dollars wasted every year because of poor oversight and management of NYC service and building contracts. "We believe that Simon Belsky knows what to look for, where to look and how to make changes that will save the city millions. He belongs on the City Council."

    The New York newspapers have reported on the Liberal Party's conversations with the two leading candidates for Mayor of New York: present Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who received the party's nomination three years ago, and present city comptroller William Thompson.

    An announcement on the party's position in that race is expected shortly.

    Martin Hassner,
    Executive Director
    Web Site Editor

    Lisanne: Not to solicit your vote in a future election, but by your posts, I have the utmost respect for your integrity and dedication to community and would like to discuss with you directly as to ways I can better support the community. Thank you!
  • Simon L. Belsky
    Arthur B: Petitioning for the Democrat Party was from June 9th thru July 13th. It is past the time to obtain additional signatures. In fact my challenge of Nelsons petition was not mailed per the deadline by the same individual that was handling the petitioning even though there was ample time. The people reviewing Nelsons petition brought his count down to 637 but would have entailed battling in the least the Supreme and possibly the Appeals Courts. If I had the opportunity to be on the ballot I would have pursued that option. I was clearly blind-sided by I believe the political machine. As promised I will update this story as other details unfold. Thank you very much for your interest and support. You can contact me directly at 718-769-7406, if you desire.
    Again, if you will still allow me to voice my opinion at your meetings, I promise to continue fighting for the people.
  • Oops, correct error. I meant Liberals with a capital L.

    Lise!
  • I'm a bit confused, Simon. Since the liberals have endorsed you your name will appear on their line. This only means that you'll have to campaign a bit harder. There is a feeling that the City Council violated trust when they voted to temporarily suspend term limits. Give the voters a choice.

    I despise dirty politics. The percentage of invalid signatures is much higher than expected. This smells badly.

    Of course there will be denials all around. The guilty parties "never would even think"of doing such a thing. Sure, and they tried to sell me a bridge with a view last week.

    You're still a candidate. Time to give 'em hell, as Harry Truman used to say.
  • Mr Belsky

    Is there a deadline by which you must have those signatures? Has it passed? If it hasn't You shouldn't give up! Is 900 what you need?
  • Simon L. Belsky
    Lisanne:
    1. I 100% agree and would support down zoning as I have lived in Sheepshead Bay for 21 years and understand the situation
    2. I would make every effort to insure the survival of our fishing fleet where I have been a customer for fifty years
    3. Parking issues must be resolved.
    4. I believe Community Boards should be elected by the community and answerable to the community, not the politicians.
    There are many more issues that I discussed and wrote in handouts at meetings. The only campaign promise that I have made to the people was that I would live by what I say and write and I would be the loudest voice in the media supported by the community to hopefully effect change. I alone cannot change what exists today but the people in mass can.

    Unfortunately I will no longer be a candidate for City Council as Kreskin has eluded to with knowledge from a bird who had knowledge that was not public. Is it possible that Kreskin or his bird are one of your elected officdials?

    My petitioning was contracted to an individual and his people that was recommended by an incumbent City Council Member. Of 2,597 signatures only 230 were valid. The 230 valid were the efforts of my wife Gloria and another lady. As you can see by the numbers something is seriously wrong. I cannot comment any further at this time but in the near future there will be transparency into what transpired. If you will still allow me to voice my opinion at your meetings, I promise to continue fighting for the people. More to follow!
  • For that record, if it's not clear already, Mr. Belsky, I'd like to see Mike Nelson limited to the eight years that he was supposed to serve. Actually close to ten, as he won a special election in '99 when Tony Weiner vacated his council seat. He's done enough damage already.

    The so-called reformers of the Democratic party of the 60s and 70s either became the machine or dropped out of party politics. They were corrupted by winning. And they discovered that the only way to continue winning was to make compromises with the very people they believed were the bane of our society. Eventually, they became those people. Power does corrupt.

    I've known a few of them over the years and watched them change. And I have come to believe that some of them actually believe their own spin. Not Mike Nelson though. I got a very strong sense that he's too much the cynic to think he's some knight in shining armor.

    He's also so cocksure that one will never see him in the comments section of this blog. Oh no, he doesn't believe that blogs are very important.

    I don't think that we should be merely one group of people with another group of people merely for the sake of change. While the group in the current City Council is no matter of pride for us, I'd hope we'd have a better group than that.

    A better group would be a City Council which decides that we need a new plan for future development that brings industry back to the city. That recognizes that the unique quality of many of our neighborhoods (including Sheepshead Bay) needs to be restored as much as possible at this late date.

    How many people do you think this community can sustain without overburdening its infrastructure? 50 years this was the backwaters of Western Brooklyn, with a population one sixth of what it is today. I believe that the next census will show our population almost double what it was in 2000. Sheepshead Bay was never meant to be an urban community. If you believe in responsible government then you will make a firm commitment to downzoning.

    I will not vote for Mike Nelson but I'd like to be assured that there is a real alternative.

    Lise!
  • Mr Belsky: But the "little birdie" he's referring to is a person. He was just trying to be witty with common vernacular. Besides, the person he was referring to was just quoting the law to him, whomever they may be that doesn't make them sleezy.

    Thanks for taking my comment seriously. Though I don't see the point in discussing it in private.

    Speaking of which, do you NEED more signatures? Will you be out and about getting them? If so when? I'll try to stop by to add my signature.
  • Simon L. Belsky
    Mr. Borko: I fully understand the point and agree with your comments. Please understand that in this specific instance I was referring to a bird not an individual. If you would please contact me at my Email address parodneydee@gmail.com for clarification I would sincerely appreciate it. Thank you!
    Simon L. Belsky
blog comments powered by Disqus