BENSONHURST'S PREMIER NEWS BLOG

Photo by Susan Armitage

When John Sandano learned in September that the owners of Maple Lanes were in contract to sell the property the bowling alley sits on to a developer, he mourned the loss of his “home away from home,” where he’s been a regular bowler for more than 25 years.

“A lot of people are going to miss this place,” said Sandano, 67, of Bensonhurst.

But in his loss, others in the community may find new homes of their own. Plans to replace Maple Lanes with a 112-unit residential development is likely to advance to the next frame.

On December 19, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on the zoning change requested by the developer, Fairmont Lanes, LLC. Maple Lanes, at 1570 60th Street, near the Borough Park-Bensonhurst border, is in an area currently zoned for manufacturing, not residential use.

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Source: Andy C via Wikimedia Commons

Councilman David Greenfield wants the city to change a law that allows cars to park 15 feet away from fire hydrants in no-standing zones while a driver is in the car from sunrise to sunset only. He wants the law revamped to extend to a 24-hour time allowed for parking.

“It seems like one of these archaic laws that’s been on the books for many, many years, back before there were lights and sirens,” said Greenfield to the New York Post.

Greenfield introduced the bill yesterday. He states that his constituents have complained to him regarding receiving parking tickets when parking near hydrants after sunset. The tickets are as high as $115.00.

“One hundred years ago, when you had fire vehicles without lights and sirens, they probably didn’t want you parking at a hydrant at night because you couldn’t see them, but I would imagine in the year 2012 . . . you could hear these guys coming from a mile away.”

Greenfield is no stranger to parking woes. He’s been introducing bills related to hydrant parking since his election into office. Last year, he introduced a bill that would have required the curb in front of a hydrant be painted red to mark the illegal zone. Another bill was meant to shorten the 15 feet no-parking zone to just 10. Neither of his bills have been passed, but it doesn’t seem like Greenfield will stop trying to change what he deems to be New York’s antiquated parking laws.

Councilman Greenfield surveying damage at at 50th Street between 17th and 18th Avenues. Source: Councilman Greenfield’s offices

Councilman David Greenfield opened his district office in order to help residents deal with the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. He urges anyone who needs help to call 311 and submit a complaint, write down the reference number and then call his office at  (718) 853-2704, so that he and his staff can follow the progress of any services needed.

Issues homeowners and residents may face include downed power lines, fallen trees, power outages, flooding or others.

“My number one priority as an elected official is to be there for people when they need me most. I am very proud that whatever gets thrown at us, whether it was the blizzard of 2010, Hurricane Irene last year, or this super-storm, my office is always open to help residents. This is especially important and critical today in the aftermath of the dangerous and destructive storm we witnessed last night. That’s why I made sure that my office was open and available to help constituents, both as the storm approached the city yesterday and since first thing this morning. Please call me if there is any way I can be of assistance as we work together to clean up from this terrible event,” said Greenfield in a press release.

Councilman Greenfield’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Otherwise, residents can submit information via Twitter at @NYCGreenfield or to a specially created e-mail address: BKsandyissues@gmail.com.

Source: Google Maps

A man was found stabbed to death in front of 1360 40th Street in Borough Park over the weekend.

Police responded to a distress call on Friday evening shorty after 11:30 p.m. and found the victim with a stab wound to the stomach when they arrived, according to CBS New York.

The man was dead when the cops arrived.

Police are investigating the crime and have no further details to release at this time.

Source: Jelson25 via Wikimedia Commons

Last month during the second day of celebration for Rosh Hashanah, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) towed vehicles after posting a note the day before, a time when operating a vehicle is not permitted.

Councilman David Greenfield has noticed a rise in the occurrence of similar events during the holidays and wants utility companies and city agencies to remember the Jewish holidays before performing any routine work.

He sent a letter to the agencies to make them more aware of the issue in the hopes of preventing these types of disruptions, according to the Yeshiva World News.

In the letter, Greenfield asks that for non-emergency work Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Shavuos, and the first two and last two days of Sukkot and Passover be noted in agency planning calendars.

He says, “I was dismayed to find the city towing cars from in front of a shul while the community was observing Rosh Hashanah. These types of situations can easily be avoided with better communication and planning by our city agencies and utility companies. This is a simple request on behalf of local families while they are observing major religious holidays.”

Aron (Source: Facebook)

Levi Aron, the man who abducted, drugged, killed and chopped into pieces 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky in July 2011 has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

On July 11, Aron kidnapped Kletzky on 18th Avenue in Borough Park as the boy walked home from day camp. The community organized a large-scale search for Keltzky, and using video surveillance authorities eventually tracked down Aron.

They found portions of the boy’s dismembered body in Aron’s refrigerator in his Kensington apartment, as well as in a dumpster in Park Slope.

Aron was charged with murder after confessing to the crime. There was initially concern about whether Aron was fit to stand trial, but a judge gave prosecutors the green light after a review from a court psychiatrist. After further attempts by his lawyers to show mental instability - including that he is the victim of inbreeding - Aron eventually pleaded guilty.

Source: Nigel Cox via Wikimedia Commons

From the offices of Councilman David Greenfield:

Councilman David G. Greenfield is working closely with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) to make sure that a number of street resurfacing projects underway across the district are completed in a timely manner with as few disruptions to the community as possible. This is part of Greenfield’s focus on ensuring that the 44^th Council district, which includes Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst, receives the government funding, services and resources its residents deserve.

Repaving work is being completed this week along 46^th Street between 8^th Avenue and 18^th Avenue in Boro Park, where crews have been working to resurface this important stretch of road – one of the bumpiest in the entire neighborhood. In addition, work has been completed or is planned for along 43^rd Street from 14^th Avenue to McDonald Avenue, 56^th Street from 16^th Avenue to Dahill Road, 58^th Street from 18^th Avenue to the dead end abutting Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School and 59^th Street from 16^th Avenue to 23^rd Avenue. The end result will be smooth, newly-resurfaced streets that are safer and easier to navigate for all residents, especially drivers, cyclists, and bus riders.  As work progresses, signs will be posted alerting residents of any temporary parking restrictions on their block. Anyone who does receive a ticket after their vehicle has been relocated by DOT crews to another block should contact Greenfield’s office for help fighting it.

“I am proud to have worked with the DOT to identify our worst streets and schedule them for summer repair in order to minimize the impact it has on residents and businesses. It is important that the city continues to invest in our infrastructure including local streets to protect our quality of life and make sure the neighborhood is well maintained,” said Greenfield.

The New York City budget includes $125.2 million for street repaving in Fiscal Year 2013, which began on June 30. In addition, the Brooklyn Borough President contributed $2.2 million for street repaving in Fiscal Year 2013, an increase of about $600,000 from the prior year. As co-chair of the Council’s Brooklyn Delegation, Greenfield worked closely with Borough President Marty Markowitz to make sure that street resurfacing was adequately funded in the budget, and that streets in poor condition in Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst are included in the repaving schedule for the upcoming year.

The current projects come on the heels of the completion of two major local resurfacings: 50^th Street, which was long known as the worst stretch of road in Boro Park, and Avenue P, which had been the source of many complaints from Midwood residents. These two important projects were included in the DOT’s spring resurfacing program earlier this year after Greenfield personally questioned DOT officials about the condition of streets in his district and urged them to be fixed immediately. While there is generally a backlog of streets around the city that are awaiting repairs, Greenfield encourages any resident with suggestions for road repairs to contact his office at (718) 853-2704, especially if the poor street conditions are creating a safety hazard.

“It is an ongoing battle to keep our streets smooth and safe, and I will continue to fight so that we receive our share of city resources. My thanks to the DOT for its hard work, both this summer and throughout the year. We are making real progress on our goal of improving the condition of our local streets,” added Greenfield.

Aron with defense attorneys. Source: ctv.ca

From the offices of Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes:

DEFENDANT ADMITTED HE KIDNAPPED AND MURDERED THE BOY AND WILL BE SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON

Brooklyn, August 9, 2012 – Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes today announced the guilty plea of Levi Aron, 36, to Murder in the Second Degree and Kidnapping in the Second degree.  He will receive a sentence of 40 years to life in prison when he is sentenced on August 29, 2012.

“With this guilty plea, I hope the process of healing and hopefully closure can begin for the Kletzky family and community,” said District Attorney Hynes.  “No one should ever forget what happened to Leiby Kletzky but we can all take solace that Levi Aron will never, ever be able to hurt anyone again.”

On July 11, 2011, Aron abducted Kletzky from the vicinity of 18th Avenue and Dahill Road, in Brooklyn. Aron then took the child to Aron’s apartment, at 466 East 2nd St., also in Brooklyn, where Aron killed him.

The case is being handled by Counsel to the Homicide Bureau Julie Rendelman and Unit Chief in the Sex Crimes/Crimes Against Children Division Linda Weinman. Kenneth Taub is Chief of the Homicide Bureau. Rhonnie Jaus is Chief of the Sex Crimes/Crimes Against Children Division.

Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures

“Forbidden Fruit,” a Feature, to be filmed on Saturday, August 12  mostly in Borough Park.

There is no film currently in production titled “Forbidden Fruit” on IMDB. There is an older film directed by Cecil B. DeMille of the same name. It was, however, a silent film made in 1921. Sounds like an implausible remake, but then again there was “The Artist.”

DeMille was best known for “The Ten Commandments.”

The filming schedule and locations are below. Either avoid due to possible traffic or go and gawk at the forbidden fruit.

Shoe Store

5121 16 AVENUE between 52 STREET and 51 STREET, Brooklyn (Exterior)

Description: Two girls chat outside of a shoe store while a garbage man throws trash into the back of his truck. Boy and girl talk in moving garbage truck as it drives with normal traffic flow from this location to Location #2.
VTU Request: No
Request:
08/12/2012 06:00 AM
08/12/2012 10:00 AM

PARKING REQUEST
16 AVENUE between 52 STREET and 51 STREET
Street Side: East
Street Control: 1/4 Street

42nd St. Truck

42 STREET between 16 AVENUE and 17 AVENUE, Brooklyn (Exterior)

Description: Boy and girl talk inside parked garbage truck. They get out and stand on back of truck as it pulls out of parking spot.

VTU Request: NoRequest
08/12/2012 09:00 AM
08/12/2012 01:00 PM

PARKING REQUEST
42 STREET between 16 AVENUE and 17 AVENUE
Street Side: North
Street Control: 2 Truck Length

Dahill at Park

DAHILL ROAD between 38 STREET and 37 STREET, Brooklyn (Exterior)

Description: Boy and girl sit in parked garbage truck, get out and talk on sidewalk near truck.
VTU Request: No
08/12/2012 12:00 PM
08/12/2012 04:00 PM

PARKING REQUEST
DAHILL ROAD between 38 STREET and 37 STREET
Street Side: West
Street Control: 2 Truck Length

Image courtesy of the offices of Assemblyman Dov Hikind

No new information has been released regarding the vandals responsible for the wave of anti-Semitic graffiti in Borough Park. The acts of hate have prompted many community leaders to publicly condemn the perpetrators.

Congressman Jerrold Nadler has announced his desire to join the local leaders and work with law enforcement, elected officials and community leaders to keep the neighborhood free from symbols of hate.

 “I stand with the Borough Park community in condemning these ugly acts of hate directed at the Jewish community.  Swastikas, which are abhorrent and unacceptable symbols of hatred and violence, placed at the core of Brooklyn’s Jewish community unfortunately demonstrate that anti-Semitism is alive and well.  The perpetrator must be caught and prosecuted, and we must stand together to say that we will not tolerate such cowardly displays of bigotry,” he said.