Latest news with #HelayneSeidman
New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Judge grants reprieve for anti-Israel Queens community garden after city pulls license
An anti-Israel community garden in Queens that forced incoming members to pledge 'solidarity with the oppressed and marginalized people' of Palestine has been given a reprieve as the city tries to shut it down. Judge Hasa Kingo on Wednesday blocked the city's efforts to revoke the group's license to run a community garden at the site, allowing it to keep operating — for now, court records show. The former Sunset Community Garden's leadership had alienated several Jewish Ridgewood residents with 10 'community agreements' — which included a commitment to interrupt 'violent behavior or rhetoric that expresses all forms of hate' — and a special section of the green space it labeled 'Poppies for Palestine.' 4 The city revoked the group's license to operate a community garden at the site. Helayne Seidman The pledge list breached Parks Department guidelines, the city said when revoking the group's license on May 5. Garden leadership had been given until June 6 to vacate the land on Onderdonk and Willoughby avenues in Ridgewood. 4 The memorial to Cecilia Gentili, who lived just blocks from the garden. poppies4palestine/ Insatgram Ridgewood resident Sara Schraeter-Mowers called Kingo 'ludicrous' for even entertaining the group's request to keep the garden up and running. The garden has since been renamed Jardin de Santa Cecilia, in honor of Latina trans advocate Cecilia Gentili, the group said in a news release calling the judge's decision 'a crucial legal victory' and 'a lifeline for our community.' 4 Jewish neighbors were put off by the Poppies 4 Palestine. Instagram @sunsetgardenridgewood The group accused the city of trying to 'erase a tribute' it erected last year to Gentili and 'punish our righteous solidarity with Palestinians facing genocide, and all oppressed peoples.' 'Pride is a riot they can't silence and this garden is a home they can't take away from us,' the group said in its statement. The case will be back before a judge next month. 'We hope to see the judge make this ruling permanent, preserving the garden as a sanctuary for queer, transgender, black, indigenous, and people of color communities,' the garden leadership said in a statement. 4 The group vowed to fight the city's move to shut them down. Helayne Seidman It 'is unfortunate that this garden group continues to disregard the same rules upheld by every GreenThumb community garden, despite our repeated efforts to work with them,' the Parks Department said in a statement. 'Our goal has always been to ensure that GreenThumb community gardens are managed responsibly and remain open and welcoming for everyone, regardless of their background.'
New York Post
25-05-2025
- New York Post
NYC residents blast plans to build mission for addicts, homeless
West Villagers are up in arms over a church's plan to build a new $11 million mission at a historic NYC street corner, arguing it would lure even more junkies and vagrants to the already besieged area. The Church of St. Luke in the Field's plans to erect a 4,400-square-foot building on the iconic corner of Christopher and Hudson streets — on the same block as a swanky school — complete with Narcan kits and free meals, to serve up to 300 hobos and drug addicts. Residents were not feeling charitable towards the scheme, which still needs to go in front of Manhattan's community board, who'll issue a recommendation to the city whether to green-light construction. 4 Homelessness and drug use has shot up in the peaceful neighborhood since the pandemic. Helayne Seidman Some fear the mission will devolve into a shooting gallery for junkies in broad daylight. 'There is absolutely no way to justify a safe injection site within blocks of three schools,' raged West Village resident Kathleen Walters. Not only is there a school on the church's grounds — St Luke's elementary and middle school — but there are two other schools around the corner — PS3 Charrette school across the street on Hudson and the West Village Community School one block away. 4 The Church of Saint Luke is on Hudson Street in the West Village, near the corner of Christopher Street. J.C. Rice And that's got parents fuming. 'What's been frustrating is that multiple parent groups and neighbors have tried to open a dialogue with the church about safety, scale, and transparency — especially given the proximity to several schools —and those efforts have been met with silence,' said Cameron Neilson. Neilson called a petition, which has garnered more than 500 signatures, a 'last resort to get heard' given the church's silence. Crime in the West Village skyrocketed 80% in 2022, continuing to climb through 2024, when major felonies surged to 1,789, up 16% from 2019. Residents have since begged for more cops from the 6th Precinct to patrol the streets. 4 There is a school on the church grounds for children in pre-K to 8th grade. J.C. Rice The church plans to have Narcan — used to reverse opioid overdoses — readily available for potential overdoses, train staff on dealing with addicts and give out free lunches. It currently serves about 40 people a week, most of them vagrants and junkies. 'It would greatly enhance our service to these weekday guests if there was a dedicated outreach space with a direct street-level entrance and space to wait beyond the stoop,' rector Mother Caroline Stacey said in a letter to parishioners 4 People have been smoking crack and shooting up in broad daylight in the neighborhood, residents say. Helayne Seidman 'Could this statement serve as an invitation to 'weekday guests,' when schools are in session, to shoot up near St. Luke in the Fields because along with Narcan, the church states elsewhere in the letter that it also provides 'a sandwich, two snacks, bottled water along with some food for later and often individualized clothing …?' ' concerned neighbors said in the petition. The planned space could potentially hold up to 300 people. Vanessa Warren, president of the Washington Place Block Association, said the mission helps create an environment that 'welcomes addicts.' 'To help addicts, you don't provide an abundance of resources that make it easy for them to continue using. However, the point of St. Luke's new mission is exactly that.' She continued: 'The village is going to become an enclave of enablers if we don't stop confusing compassion with enabling. Anyone who has real experience with friends or family in active drug addiction knows that this is the absolute opposite way to behave, it is alien to common sense.' The church did not respond to The Post's request for comment.
New York Post
24-05-2025
- New York Post
Elite Stuyvesant HS restricts boys' restroom use in ‘cover-up' of anti-Jew graffiti
Elite Stuyvesant High School perpetrated a 'cover up' this week after hateful graffiti referencing the Holocaust was discovered in a restroom — by not telling parents about the 'blatant antisemitism' scrawled on a toilet stall, sources told The Post. The top-ranked school put students and families on notice that starting Tuesday, it will guard the boys' bathrooms and take other steps to secure the spaces. 'Due to ongoing vandalism and graffiti, we will be locking the boy's bathrooms and assigning a staff member to the 2nd and 7th floor – the only bathrooms that will be accessible to students wishing to use the boy's bathroom,' says the email sent Friday by Dina Ingram, business manager and director of family engagement at the downtown Manhattan school. Advertisement 3 Stuyvesant HS emailed students and families about 'graffiti, vandalism, and destruction of property' in restrooms, but failed to mention the antisemitic drawings on a toilet stall. Helayne Seidman 'Until further notice, students will be required to sign in prior to using the facilities.' Ingram also warned, 'Vandalism and intentional destruction of school property will not be tolerated at Stuyvesant High School. Disciplinary action will be taken against any individual who engages in this type of behavior.' Advertisement The missive failed to address the graffiti's chilling content. The crude drawing in black marker depicts a person behind a counter with a text bubble above their head reading, '6 mil pizzas? We can only do 271K,' and a bespectacled, bearded man in a black hat saying: 'Oy vey, stop noticing!' Karen Feldman, a city middle-school teacher and Holocaust educator, said '6 mil' clearly refers to the six million Jews killed by Nazi Germany and its allies, and '271K' is a number used by Holocaust deniers to minimize the murders. 3 Crude drawings on a boys' restroom stall at Stuyvesant HS mock the '6 mil' Jews murdered in World War II with reference to '271K', the number used by Holocaust deniers. Obtained by NY Post Advertisement 'Using the 271,000 figure to deny the Holocaust dangerously distorts history and fuels antisemitism. Seeing this referenced in graffiti at Stuyvesant is shocking—and a clear sign that our education system is failing,' Feldman told The Post. 'It's deeply disturbing to see Stuyvesant — one of the top public schools in the country—— failing to address antisemitism.' A Jewish senior at the elite school who asked to remain anonymous blasted the school's response. Advertisement 'I am disappointed that the school administration decries the destruction of school property but fails to address the blatant antisemitism depicted,' he said. 'They have more sympathy for the bathroom wall than for their Jewish student population.' It's not the first time antisemitism has reared its head at Stuyvesant. Last year, students told The Post that hatred has plagued the school's Jewish families for years. The downtown Manhattan school is one of the city's largest, with 3,254 students, including 72% Asian-American, 17% white, 4% Hispanic, and 2% black. A breakdown by religion is not available. Feldman, who contributed to a damning report on the handling of antisemitic incidents in NYC public schools, said officials 'are not following DOE protocols on discrimination when it comes to Jewish students.' 'Administrators should promptly investigate and thoroughly document all reports of discrimination or harassment,' Feldman said. The school should also notify the DOE's coordinator of compliance with New York State's 'Dignity for All Students Act,' support affected students, and report possible criminal offenses to law enforcement as well as discipline student offenders. 'Incidents motivated by Jew-hatred cannot simply be dismissed as 'vandalism,'' said Michelle Ahdoot, a director of the Jewish civil rights group End Jew Hatred. 3 Stuyvesant HS in downtown Manhattan is among several top city schools plagued by antisemitism, students say. Helayne Seidman Advertisement 'Covering up and ignoring the warning signs of systemic Jew-hatred can no doubt lead to more attacks like the horrific act of antisemitic terror in DC,' she added in reference to the murders this week of Israeli embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky and Sara Milgrim. A Stuyvesant parent also faulted school officials for restricting restroom use instead of addressing antisemitism on campus, telling The Post: 'This would have been the perfect opportunity for the school to speak out against the rise in Jew hatred at the school and in NYC.' Advertisement Stuyvesant Principal Seung Yu did not immediately return a request for comment. The DOE could not explain why the email to parents did not mention the antisemitic graffiti. 'We are investigating this matter and, should there be any evidence of antisemitism or other hateful rhetoric, we will take appropriate action,' a spokeswoman said. 'Hate has no home in New York City Public Schools.'
New York Post
24-05-2025
- New York Post
Subway security guard axed after Post story on gate creepers
A private security guard hired by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and snapped by The Post holding the emergency gate open for farebeaters is out of a job. Romuald Zampou said he was let go by MTA-contracted Allied Universal Security Services Monday — a day after The Post outed him for lending scofflaws a hand. 'They said they'd call me in the future if they had any work for me,' said Zampou, 52, who insisted his hands were tied. Advertisement 'We can't stop them, we are not the police,' he said. 3 Romuald Zampou was fired a day after the Post's report. Helayne Seidman 'There were too many problems at that gate. Every day, people would talk s–t to me.' Advertisement Zampou was spotted by The Post on two separate occasions inside the Herald Square station holding the emergency doors open for a stream of scofflaws. Private guards have been stationed throughout the subway system as part of the MTA's contract with Allied, the world's largest private security service provider. 3 Fare beaters were still sneaking through the emergency gates in the Herald Square station this week. Helayne Seidman Their chief responsibility is to serve as deterrents to would-be turnstile hoppers. Advertisement A spokesperson for the MTA inspector general said their office was 'aware of the New York Post article and are of course concerned by the allegations' in it. 'Vendors who contract with the MTA are expected to fully comply with the terms of those agreements,' the spokesperson added. 3 NYPD officers were on hand this week to crack down on offenders. Helayne Seidman The Post went back underground this week, where patrolling NYPD officers were spotted cracking down on suspected farebeaters, busting at least two on Wednesday at the Herald Square station. Advertisement The MTA has struggled to collect billions in fares, and has authorized rescue programs — such as fare hikes and congestion pricing — to balance its books. The guards have helped reduce fare evasion, said MTA spokesman Tim Minton. 'Fare evasion has been reduced 30% overall and 36% when guards are present, as the MTA uses multiple enforcement and education tools to fight it,' according to Minton. Allied, confirmed that Zampou has been removed from his post, pending its own investigation. 'We are in constant pursuit of ways to best serve our clients and meet their unique needs,' the company said.
New York Post
24-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Thousands of rent-stabilized NYC apartments face foreclosure
Thousands of rent-stabilized apartments in NYC are under threat of foreclosure as an increasing number of landlords stop paying their mortgages — making the coveted units even more scarce, insiders told The Post. Buildings with a cumulative 176 rent-stabilized units have been foreclosed upon since 2022 – a figure that's been doubling every year on average — with another 2,093 stabilized units have been put on notice by banks in April that landlords are defaulting on their mortgages, according to an analysis by PropertyShark data. 'It's a bloodbath,' said Sarah Saltzberg, co-owner of Bohemia Realty Group, who rents pre-war units in upper Manhattan. Advertisement 6 Sarah Salzberg says many rent-controlled property owners are losing money – not making it. Bohemia Realty Group Owners lose money on stabilized units, so they leave them empty and skip the listing – or walk away entirely, leading to foreclosures, Saltzberg said. 'The owners are under water – that's why in the past year it keeps happening over and over,' she said. Advertisement Many of the pre-1974 buildings — the year NYC established the rent stabilization system — desperately need repairs, but owners have stopped investing due to 2019 laws capping rent hikes after improvements at 2% and banning landlords from raising rents by up to 20% upon vacancy – changes that cut property values. Rising interest rates over the past three years also slowed renovations to a crawl. Tenant advocacy groups and Democratic state legislators lobbied hard for these changes, considered the biggest overhaul of New York's rent laws in a generation – arguing they were necessary to protect tenants against rent hikes and evictions. And they succeeded. 6 Coco Portofe's landlord has bailed on mortgage payments since January 2024, but she still has to pay rent every month. Helayne Seidman Advertisement But NYC tenants could end up paying the price. 'A lot of us might end up displaced — a new owner can come in and kick us all out,' said Coco Portofe, 34, whose East Village rent-stabilized building is the subject of ongoing court proceedings. If a landlord defaults, a new owner has to keep rent-stabilized units stabilized and keep rent the same. But the issue is when no one wants to buy the foreclosed property because the rent-stabilized units make it so financially unattractive, insiders told The Post. In that case, the building's residents could face eviction. Advertisement 'There are situations where given the rent-stabilized nature of the tenancy, any purchase price over $1 would be ludicrous,' said foreclosure attorney Alexander Paykin. 6 A foreclosure notice has been put on the door at 510 and 514 East 12th Street, which both have the same owner. Helayne Seidman Experts point to a recent case in March, when mortgage lender Santander Bank refused to even take the keys of a foreclosed rent-stabilized building in Harlem, as indicative of what could come. Some fear a repeat of the 1970s, when New York landlords simply walked away from decaying buildings that were no longer profitable to rent out. Portofe's landlord – private equity firm Madison Capital Realty – is accused by its lender, the Community Preservation Corp., of not making mortgage payments on her building since January 2024, court records show. 'I have to pay rent on time, and they are not upholding their part of the bargain,' said Portofe, who pays $2,200 a month for a rent-stabilized one bedroom on East 12th Street. Market rate for one bedroom in her nabe rent for an average of $3,800, according to StreetEasy. 6 Adam Tantleff, Brian Shatz and Josh Zegen are the managing principals of Madison Realty — Portofe's landlord. Madison Realty Capital A total of 209 rent-stabilized apartments across 15 East Village buildings are part of the lawsuit. residential portfolio acquired by Madison acquired those units in 2021 as part of a residential portfolio for $153 million – a small part of the real estate investment firm's $22 billion assets under management. Madison Capital is accused of 'intentional misconduct' and 'gross negligence for 'wrongfully' collecting rent and failing to turn over that money to its lender – to whom it's said to owe more than $76 million in mortgage payments, interest and late fees. Advertisement Madison Realty Capital didn't respond to The Post's request for comment. 6 Madison Realty bailed on mortgage payments on a set of 15 rent-stabilized buildings in the East Village, according to court documents. Helayne Seidman According to data from the Rent Guidelines Board – 10% of the 643,140 pre-1974 rent-stabilized apartments in New York City – an estimated 64,314 units – are losing money, a figured that's doubled since 2019 and is only expected to grow. Before the rental laws were overhauled, rent-stabilized buildings were a lot more profitable. Advertisement 6 Willis is with NYU'S Furman Center, who works to advance knowledge and debate on housing in the city. NYU Furman Center 'The extent of this rent shortfall will grow over time, risking the long-term sustainability of these key segments of the city's affordable housing stock,' said Mark A. Willis, a senior policy fellow at NYU's Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. And about to make matters even worse is a tax-lien sale the city Department of Finance is planning to hold on June 3 – the first since the pandemic – to sell the debt of landlords who've been delaying property tax, water or sewer payments to try to stay afloat. Whoever buys up that debt could foreclose on the properties to collect what's owed. Additional reporting by Helayne Seidman
