Daily Archives: March 3, 2016

Market raters doubt they’d qualify due to income limits

Sisters Annie and Catherine Sullivan didn’t think they’d be eligible for the housing lottery, but both said they were happy for others who are. (Photo by Sabina Mollot)

Sisters Annie and Catherine Sullivan didn’t think they’d be eligible for the housing lottery, but both said they were happy for others who are. (Photo by Sabina Mollot)

By Sabina Mollot

On the opening day of the affordable apartment lottery, several market rate residents who spoke with Town & Village seemed doubtful they’d be impacted personally, due to being above the income limits, but nonetheless said they were happy for others who might have a chance at getting picked. And as for the city’s decision to not give insider preference, residents we spoke with seemed equally nonchalant, saying it made sense to give all applicants an equal chance.

While strolling through Peter Cooper Village with her toddler daughter on Tuesday, Jordan Halladay, a resident of two years, said, “It doesn’t affect us. I wish it did. The requirements are decently high but I wish it was true middle class.” But, she added, “It’s great if it will bring in some families that need a nice apartment.” She added that she was glad current stabilized tenants would be able to stay under the preservation deal. “I know some neighbors who live on some kind of pension, and would have to move (if rents were at market rate), but in this situation they can stay.”

Another market rater however, said he might give the lottery a shot. Jazz musician Dimi Ditrow, who also teaches and has a company that produces music videos, said he thought he and his photographer wife would be able to meet the income guidelines.

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Letters to the Editor: Mar. 3

Cartoon by Jim Meadows

Cartoon by Jim Meadows

Trump and Pope Francis

Donald Trump began his campaign for the presidency by descending from his escalator at Trump Tower (where else?) and began with his attack on Mexicans. Then he was critical of Sen. McCann because he only likes “winners.”

His continuing mantra was and is “to make America great again,” but lacking any substance. But, he is winning most of the base of the Republican Party – as he uses his unreality show street smarts and taps into the collective conscious, unconscious and subconscious of many of the low information segments of the electorate: often ignorant, racist and who depend on the reptilian aspects of their brains.

He has continually lied and attacked anyone who has gotten close to him. And, as in Love Story – he never had to say that he was sorry.

Last week, he attacked Pope Francis who is not only beloved by his flock, but by many non-Catholics – even many who have no faith.

Trump assures us that he is a Christian but doesn’t realize that the essence of the faith is not group membership – but rather involves emulating the teachings of Christ in behavior.

Trump and Cruz laud the religion but their behaviors are not consistent – for all they want is power. To be concise: they are part of the garden variety of populist fascists who emerge every once in a while – as they are destroy our always fragile democratic republic.

David Chowes, PCV

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Police Watch: ‘Perv’ arrested in Union Square, ‘Fake gun’ in NYCHA building

‘PERV’ BUSTED AT UNION SQUARE
Police arrested 33-year-old Alex Bernardez for sexual abuse and impersonation last Monday at 7:50 p.m. inside the Union Square subway station. Police said that Bernardez was rubbing and grinding his erect penis on a woman’s buttocks while on a moving downtown 4 train. Police said that Bernardez and the victim didn’t know each other. When police arrested him, Bernardez allegedly gave a false name at first.

THREE ARRESTED FOR ‘FAKE’ GUN IN NYCHA BUILDING
Police arrested three people in the stairwell of the 25th floor inside 344 East 28th Street while they were filming a video with an alleged imitation pistol last Thursday at 11:25 p.m. Police said that Aaron Beam, 38, fired the imitation pistol inside the stairwell of the NYCHA building and Rahman Soto, 30, and Jarod Nabors, 34, were allegedly filming him without a permit. Beam was charged with weapons possession, reckless endangerment and disorderly conducted. Soto and Nabors were charged with reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. The toy gun was recovered from the scene.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ‘PUSHING’ COP
Police arrested 22-year-old Matthew Jacoby at East 19th Street and First Avenue last Sunday at 1:14 a.m. Police said that while attempting to disperse a large crowd, an officer asked Jacoby to step out of the roadway for his safety. He then allegedly used his body weight to push into the officer, causing him to go off balance. While attempting to handcuff the suspect, Jacoby allegedly tucked his arms into his chest and refused to be handcuffed. Police said that Jacoby suffered a small cut to his left eyebrow when he was taken into custody and when EMS responded, the suspect refused medical assistance. No further information was available about why the crowd was at the intersection.

OFFICER INJURED WHILE CHASING TJ MAXX THIEF
Police arrested 53-year-old Thomas Abraham for assault last Monday at 8 a.m. at the 13th Precinct for a previous shoplifting incident inside the TJ Maxx at 620 Sixth Avenue. Police said that Abraham had put items from the store in a booster bag. After security called 911 and police arrived, Abraham allegedly managed to elude arrest. Police said that he fled the location and officers chased him. He allegedly ran down the escalator and an officer fell while attempting to arrest him, breaking his left upper femur. Abraham was also charged with petit larceny, resisting arrest and a public administration misdemeanor. The New York State Unified Court System said that Abraham pled guilty to the petit larceny charge last Saturday and was sentenced to intermittent imprisonment for 10 days.

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