SHEEPSHEAD BAY'S ONLY INDEPENDENT NEWS BLOG

State Senator John Sampson (center) (Source: nysenate.gov)

The troubles for State Senator John Sampson keep mounting. Sampson, who has been accused of accepting bribes and threatening witnesses who might testify against him, now has state officials wondering where more than $39,000 in taxpayer money earmarked for a Brooklyn charity has gone.

Times Union is reporting that Sampson, who represents parts of Sheepshead Bay, funneled $39,560 to a charity that was supposed to train inner city youths the inner workings of a digital radio station. The radio station, “One Caribbean Radio,” is owned by Edmon Braithwaite and broadcasts to the more than three million Caribbean New Yorkers.

When One Caribbean Radio received the grant, they failed in documenting the spending of the money in question. Officials are accusing Sampson and Braithwaite of investing the money in a Bedford-Stuyvesant liquor store named Good Wine and Spirits.

In his defense, Sampson said he had relinquished his ownership stake in the liquor store earlier in the year and that law enforcement officials weren’t interested in the matter.

Despite this, the State Liquor Authority refused to issue details on the liquor store, telling Times Union that, “disclosure of the information and documents requested would interfere with an ongoing investigation.”

Source: aresauburn via flickr

While it seems that every major American city has its own brand of political corruption, New York’s scandal plagued politicians are marked by the high cost their misdeeds inflict on taxpayers. The New York Post is reporting that the accumulated cost of all the illegal and unethical actions of dirty politicians have cost taxpayers at least $49,710,630.64 since 2006.

The rogues gallery is led by former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi, who cost the state $36 million in pension-fund management fees after taking nearly $1 million in illegal gifts; ex-state Sen. Pedro Espada, who funneled $7 million to himself and family members through a Medicare-funded nonprofit; and Assemblyman Vito Lopez, who cost taxpayers $103,000 in secret settlements after staffers accused him of sexual harassment.

The huge sum of money does not include the $440,000 in bribes that have recently put State Senator John Sampson in hot water. It also doesn’t include money promised by politicians that was never distributed, including $80,000 in discretionary funds given to a dummy company by Councilman Dan Halloran in exchange for a bribe.

The list of crooked pols also includes former State Senator Carl Kruger, who was bribed into funneling $900,000 to certain nonprofits. Kruger is currently serving a prison sentence on federal corruption charges.

Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority Patrick Cashin

As the $60 billion Sandy aid package finally gets doled out, it is interesting to see how that mountain of money actually gets spent. A New York Post editorial highlights how Governor Andrew Cuomo intends to spend $6 billion worth of the pie on water-proofing the city’s subway system.

On top of the $6 billion set aside to figure out a way to somehow make sure the subway doesn’t get flooded again, the MTA is also receiving $4.8 billion in federal funds for general Sandy repairs. The Post editorial takes aim at Cuomo and the MTA for trumping up the damage estimates to ensure the biggest federal payout possible.

For example, when accessing the damage to the A train tracks in the Rockaways, the MTA guessed that they would need $650 million. Construction on that line is nearly finished and will open at the end of the month. In Cuomo’s actual budget released at the end of March, the cost so far has only amounted to $17.9 million. According to the Post, something isn’t adding up:

From photo op to photo op, there’s no reconciliation between huge initial numbers and later smaller ones. But this seeming opposite of a massive cost overrun isn’t that surprising — and it’s more Cuomo’s fault than the MTA’s.

Last year, the MTA was under huge pressure to announce huge numbers, fast — or watch the state lose out on federal aid. And now that the state has secured that cash, no one much cares what happens to it. After all, the money was free.

The cost overruns are creating questions as to where the money earmarked for the ‘water-proofing’ plan is going and how exactly it will be spent. While officials have solutions on how to protect above ground subways from storm surges by building protective walls, they have less of a clear picture on how to protect the underground portion of the system.

At a recent press conference, MTA chief Tom Prendergast admitted that he has no idea how to prevent flooding in places like Lower Manhattan, which has over 500 flood entry points alone.

The Post noted that many ideas floated to protect the underground subway are practical and low on cost, like installing deployable watertight grates across vents and stairways and placing inflatable bladders in key locations. Despite this, the Post is guessing that Cuomo and the MTA will likely favor a more expensive and futuristic idea that makes full use of the billions headed their way.

Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge

The MTA has announced scheduled overnight closures of the pedestrian walkway at Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.

The walkway will be closed each night between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24. Workers will be replacing 2,500-square-feet of protective overlay along the walkway.

Runners on Ocean Parkway during the 2012 half marathon. Photo by Allan Shweky.

The Brooklyn Half Marathon takes place this Saturday, and the event is expected to be bigger than ever. Over 20,000 runners have already registered and the 13.1-mile run is expected to feature heavy security and closed streets. Here is a list of what is closed, according to the NYC Department of Transportation. Please note the last three, which are all local streets, and which we’ve added emphasis.

The following streets will be closed Saturday from 7 am to 10:30 am for the Brooklyn Half Marathon event as permitted by the Mayor’ Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO).

Route:

• Washington Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Empire Boulevard
• Empire Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Flatbush Avenue
• Flatbush Avenue between Empire Boulevard and Grand Army Plaza
• Grand Army Plaza (Entire Circle)
• Ocean Avenue between Flatbush Avenue and Parkside Avenue
• Parkside Avenue between Ocean Avenue and Park Circle

Route: (In Prospect Park)

• West Lake Drive between East Drive and South Lake Drive
• South Lake Drive between West Lake Drive and East Lake Drive
• East Lake Drive between South Lake Drive and East Drive
• West Drive between East Drive and West Lake Drive
• Park Circle between South Lake Drive and Ocean Parkway Entrance Ramp
• Ocean Parkway between Ocean Parkway Entrance Ramp and Surf Avenue
• Surf Avenue between Ocean Parkway and West 12th Street
• Boardwalk between West 10th Street and Stillwell Avenue

Also note that there will be several bus detours because of this. Make sure to check the MTA website if you plan to take a bus that crosses Ocean Parkway this Saturday.

Here is hoping that the event gets good weather and that everybody has fun and stays safe. For more information on the run, you can visit the New York Road Runner’s website by clicking here.

Source: hollywoodsigngenerator.com

Are you an outgoing Sheepshead Bay lady looking to get yourself in front of a camera? Well, we received this message from local filmmaker Gennady F. on an interesting new project he is working on. Here is the relevant information:

Photo By Erica Sherman

Bayfest, Brooklyn’s largest waterfront celebration, is coming to Emmons Avenue this Sunday, May 19. This incarnation of Bayfest marks its 22nd year in existence as eight blocks of Sheepshead Bay’s waterfront will be filled with music, fun, and vendor-free booths giving out a slew of samples and product information.

This year’s Bayfest will include the usual mix of musical performers, raffles and kid friendly activities, but will also feature a big selection of Sandy-related recovery organizations looking to help rebuild the community.

You can also say hello to your friends at Sheepshead Bites as we’ll have our own booth and be giving away a few goodies.

Here are all the relevant details from the organizers:

SANDY RECOVERY INFO
We admit we got a very late start preparing for BAYFEST because we were so involved with post-Sandy efforts.  At the same time, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to support the community’s long-term recovery from the disaster, and the event has come together beautifully. We’re grateful and pleased about the number and variety of Sandy recovery organizations that will be on hand, and their eagerness to meet with and assist residents still suffering from the disaster.

At this writing, two dozen organizations will participate in Investors Bank BAYFEST (with more signing on), making it the largest event of its kind in Brooklyn to date.  We were able to put this list together with the cooperation of the Brooklyn Long-Term Recovery Group, which brings together organizations that focus on coordinating to address the various unmet needs of Brooklyn’s Sandy survivors.

Here is the list so far of the two dozen organizations that will attend Investors Bank BAYFEST, with brief descriptions of the types of assistance they offer:

• Alzheimer’s Association – scholarships for Medic Alert bracelets/necklaces (part of the Safe Return program)
• Arab-American Family Support Center * – case management
• American Red Cross * – case management including housing assistance, appliances, financial aid, referrals
• Asian Americans for Equality – loans and grants
• Bridge Street Development – temporary housing
• Brighton Neighborhood Association – mold remediation and other assistance
• Brooklyn Jubilee – pro bono legal assistance
• Brooklyn Long-Term Recovery Group – referrals
• Catholic Charities * – case management and a variety of resources and services
• Coney Island Hospital medical van – free checkup with a doctor, blood pressure screening
• Department of Financial Services
• Diabetes Education and Resource Center – healthcare
• Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol – emergency preparedness
• Lutheran Social Services – case management and a variety of resources and services
• Met Council – case management and a variety of resources and services
• Neighborhood Housing Services – loans; referrals
• Neighborhood Revitalization – professional mold remediation
• New York Cares – muck-outs, mold remediation, repairs, tax advice, volunteers
•  NIA Community Network Services – financial counseling, debt management and reduction
• NYS Energy Audits – free insulation, appliances, weatherization
• NY Mortgage Coalition – foreclosure prevention, mortgage assistance, legal support
• Operation HOPE – insurance counseling, financial management guidance and support
• Project HOPE – counseling, and emotional and psychological support
• YaDestiny Treasure Chest – children’s clothing

Eligibility for services offered by some of these organizations is income-based. Some may require a FEMA number; others work with undocumented residents.

The organizations with an asterisk (*) do case management, meaning a trained, compassionate case manager works one-on-one with you to:

• Answer your questions about recovery
• Develop a plan to address your needs
• Connect you with appropriate community resources
• Determine what financial assistance may be available to you
• Advocate on your behalf with service and benefit providers

All of the case management organizations are 501(c)3 non-profits and participate in CAN.org (Coordinated Assistance Network), the American Red Cross’ membership database that works to prevent duplication of services.  It may not be accessed by the government for any reason.

MUSIC
ReverbNation.com supported us again this year in our search for bands.  Over 1,600 bands from as far away as Japan applied through their platform to play Investors Bank BAYFEST.  We narrowed the list down to 300 bands within 25 miles of Sheepshead Bay that were family friendly and that sounded good in videos of live performances.  We listened to all of them–twice.  There’s a lot of good music out there!  But we had to choose.  In total, Investors Bank BayFest will offer 23 performances on two stages and eight blocks of Emmons Avenue.

Main Stage
On the Main Stage The Voice will meet American Idol, as Brooklyn’s own Adriana Louise(The Voice, Season 3) and Good Day New York’s Michael “Big Mike” Lynche (American Idol, Season 9) share the stage, backed up by the pro outfit East Coast Band.  We’re bringing back two BAYFEST favorites: Stout, with their traditional songs of the sea, and rock ‘n’ roll fire-fighting bagpipers The Shots.  New will be feisty, bluesy Amy Lynn & The Gunshow and Vinny Jett, who will give his rap song “Sandy The Homewrecker” a Brooklyn twist.  Early in the day we give the DSNY a Lifetime Achievement Award and at 3:15pm the FDNY fireboat will do a display in the Bay.

Mobile stage
Indie sensation Darnaa is donating her performance and will perform on her mobile stage, which she is allowing other bands to use.  Defying categorization, Band Droidz will warm up the stage for her, while top flight jazz artist Onaje Allen Gumbs and his band New Vintage, as well as soaring arena-rock band Face The King, will open the day.

Pier performances
Pier bands will include:

• Inner Situation
• January Jane 
• Jose Polo
• SpinBox
• SanzEnd
• Two Cent Sam
• Annika Vitolo
• Giant Flying Turtles
• Michelle Ferreira
• Ghosts of Eden
• Nando Griffiths & Pure Fyah
• Daddy Rocker

KIDS FUN

• Arts & Crafts with A2Z Party and ScribbleShop (Tucker Park)
• Strolling cartoon characters
• Giant Bounce
• FDNY Smokehouse
• Face Painting
• Brooklyn Public Library storyteller (at their table)
• Harborlore “Fish Tales” storyteller (2pm, pier 4)
• NY Aquarium

RAFFLES & GIVEAWAYS

• 50/50
• Brooklyn Brewery gift certificate
• Circle Line tickets
• Intrepid tickets
• GNC men & women’s vitamin packs ($50 value each)
• Wheeler’s gift certificate
• JoMart Chocolates gift certificates
• More coming in…

The All Community Arts event will be taking place simultaneously east of BayFest on Emmons Avenue.

Blue387 via Wikimedia Commons

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is joining the effort to junk the new digitized voting machines in favor of bringing back the older and supposedly more reliable lever machines. NY1 reports that Bloomberg said during a press conference that bringing back the old machines might prevent a voting disaster in the upcoming 2014 elections.

We’ve previously reported State Senator Marty Golden and Councilman David Greenfield’s efforts to bring back the old machines, with Golden successfully leading the passage of a bill to bring them back in the senate. The bill then went to the Assembly, which has been lukewarm on it.

“We are not prepared in the Assembly at this point to bring back the lever machines. We think it would be a step backwards,” State Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh told NY1. “We are prepared to work with the city and the city Board Of Elections to change some of the rules that may allow them to run the runoff more quickly and more smoothly.”

Mayor Bloomberg’s voice adds to the growing groundswell of support to the return to the old machines. The decision would be costly as the new digitized voting equipment, mandated by federal law, cost taxpayers $60 million.

The Board of Elections has warned that it is unprepared for the upcoming mayoral elections, citing that votes cast with the new electronic machines cannot be certified fast enough to account for a potential runoff after the primary.

While the new voting equipment wouldn’t be ditched forever, an exception could be made just once for a local election.

Bloomberg urged that returning to the old machines could prevent a voting catastrophe.

“If we don’t do that, we are running a real risk of not knowing who the mayor is for months,” Bloomberg said at the press conference.

I’m Convinced.

Are we alone? Are the aliens visiting Southern Brooklyn? Here at Sheepshead Bites we have informed you on cases of mysteriously missing UFO hunters and the launching of a specialized UFO hotline but never an actual sighting.

Well, it looks like extra-terrestrial activity is indeed buzzing about our area. A reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, sent us the following e-mail concerning a UFO her grandmother was convinced she saw hovering over Manhattan Beach this weekend.

Good Morning Ned and Sheepshead Bites,

Ok before you send this e-mail over to trash bin, hear me out. I’m not one of those UFO believers who wear tin foil on their head walking around with a transistor radio.

But yesterday night, around 9 pm, my grandmother, who lives in Brighton beach (Brighton 13th) with windows facing Sheepshead/Manhattan Beach area, drove me nuts last night, telling me that there was something cigar shaped, red/pale red in color hanging over one of the buildings towards the Manhattan beach area.

She had somehow convinced my mother that there was something there as well, she lives in the same building as me, with windows facing the same way. I did not see anything.

Today, when grandma figured out how to e-mail pictures, she sent me the picture attached – Apparently whatever the blue rectangle is with some light around it, is what she claims was glowing red and not something she had seen before.

Anyways, was there any one else reporting something amiss in the neighborhood(s)?

Sorry for the grainy image, granny’s phone is not the newest model.

Also, please don’t use my name if you add this to the blog or facebook,( i feel ridiculous e-mailing this as is) You can use the picture tho.

Thank You.

Shaniesha Forbes. (Source: Facebook)

An arrest was made regarding the murder of Shaniesha Forbes, the teenager found naked and burned on the shores of Gerritsen Beach. The New York Daily News is reporting that the suspect in question had thought Forbes was pregnant with his child.

The 14-year-old Forbes had disappeared from her Flatlands home last January after saying she was going to school. Her body was found a few days later, badly burned, on Gerritsen Beach.

City medical examiners found that Forbes had been asphyxiated before being burned on her arms, hands and legs in an apparent attempt to disappear her body.

The man arrested, identified as 20-year-old Christian Ferdinand, is said to be from Maine. Police sources told the Daily News that he killed Forbes after fearing she had become pregnant with his child. Medical reports later indicated that Forbes was not pregnant.

The arrest is the first step in the long road to justice being sought by Forbes’ devastated family. Forbes’ mother, Sandra Price, had spoken at a January press conference and expressed frustration at the NYPD’s failure to make headway in the case.

Ferdinand was charged with second-degree murder.