SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

Well unlike some people we know, I recognize ingenuity.

I think we need to start looking into the street lamp situation. Seriously. I've noticed that in some places bulbs are replaced when requested and two weeks later they go out again.

Which brings me to my real gripe of the week: 311.

When 311 started it was used as a conduit for citizens who needed to speak with people from the various agencies about problems and didn't know how to circumnavigate the bureaucratic maze. 311 operators would get you into the system. Nowadays, they often merely take down information and you don't get a change to talk to someone who can explain, or ask for clarifying information.

We talk about transparency these days. But it seems that in the cause of "efficiency" we are getting disconnected more and more from the people who actually solve the problems.

Thanks Lisanne for being the only one to try and make me feel better. The rest of you - reading this and not commenting - are a bunch of jerks.

Regarding 311, I think it exists more as a psychological salve than a useful venue for getting stuff done. It kinda reminds me of the "F U" line many of the more graphic radio talk shows have: people call in and yell and scream and vent their complaints to some supposed humanized proxy for the city's bureaucracy. Then they hang up and feel like they've done something.

I think 311 has been helpful to me at some moments. Last winter, I called 311 several different times on my neighbors who didn't shovel their sidewalk, which is on a corner. Each time, by the time I got home from work, a walkway had been cleared. There have been other instances where I feel they have helped. Recently, I did put in a request for a litter bin on my corner, so there is a convenient place to dispose of dog waste and other garbage which litters my block. They say it takes 10 days for the bin to be placed there. I guess I will find out.

Oh Ned, you really think calling people jerks is going to bring them into the fold?

That said, you are excused for being grumpy on a post-holiday Monday. Post-holiday means we all get double the "Mondays suck" points to spend on (excused) grunting at our coworkers, screaming at our kids and generally glowering while on public transportation.

My comment: PS 52. My kids go to school there, it's a great school, and a real asset to this community. No complaints for the day, just a mention of a Sheepshead Bay positive.

Here's a thread that should get people going...fundraising is going on to start an Arabic school right next to PS 52. I'm excited about it and happy to see it happening...but I'm betting not everyone shares my feelings. Or maybe I'm wrong. Anybody heard anything further about this?

Lisa: It got you to comment, didn't it? ;)

Though you are correct. I'm doubly grumpy today.

Forget about caling us "jerks", what about being called a "no one"? If I remember right, last week's Open Thread on Taxes got four comments and this jerk feels none too happy about being ignored.

Exactly. Four was an all time low! Our first open thread had 30+. Slackers.

Not for nothing, but, umm...if you replace the first sound in your last name with a "j", you know what you get, right?

F you kids don't behave I'm turning this car right around!
As for an Arabic School in Sheepshead that gets a big fat NO from me. No more arabic schools no more Muslim, Jewish, Catholic schools or anythingnof the sort! The only thing I'll support is secular charter/private schools or techinical schools! No more schools that cater to a particulate ethnic or religious group!

School is the time we need to ignore the things that make us different, not reenforce those cultural differences.

I've got nothing to say, but it's OK

ray that was funny

Ned, Ned, Ned, Ned, Ned.
Thank you Ray, I also am a no-one and a jerk.
Oh, wait is it still Monday.
Hold my comment until Tuesday.
Apology accepted.

Arthur I like the technical school idea.