Mike Bloomberg Trial? by Suzannah B. Troy

Mike Bloomberg trial?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcpAoSSTEwM   Was it some moron or a paid troll by Mike Bloomberg's corrupt staff harassing me this afternoon on my YouTube slamming Joyce Purnick?

The troll thinks I am jealous of Joyce Purnick and Mike Bloomberg.  No, they are part of an exclusive corrupt club bent on keeping the truth from being told.   His comment reminded me  that if there is a trial down the road where Mike Bloomberg finally has to spill the beans than perhaps Joyce Purnick will be forced to testify.  If you read her phony piece of garbage posing as a bio on Mike Bloomberg she -- oops forgets to mention Steve Rattner was perhaps forced to step down from his job at The White House as Car Czar...he said and she wrote to spend more time with his family but we all believe because of the pay to play pension fund scandals that had splished splashed all the way to The White House so Steve Rattner had to go.

Is Mike Bloomberg considered "family" because Rattner spends an enormous amount of time with Bloomberg here in NYC and Bloomberg stands by his man even now despite Steve Rattner having to plead the 5th so many times that The NY Post listed him under their "Losers" list -- ouch!  But that won't hurt Steve as much as the SEC actually banning him.   Unlike Dave Patterson walking away when he should be preparing a defense for intimidating a victim of spousal abuse in to silence -- Rattner may not be able to walk away and...if he is banned than once again Mike Bloomberg is going to have to shift that darn 5 billion he uses for charity or to buy votes and favor -- as 3 million was exposed by The New York Times the other day.

So let us say because of conflicts of interest and Mike Bloomberg holding the purse strings to the DA's office -- that the Haggerty trial had to moved -- kicked out and up to a higher court or Haggerty exposing something that even Bloomberg and friends like the other guys Steve Rattner money manages that happen to own major newspapers can't cover up or silence or simply not report -- than Bloomberg may no longer be Teflon Mike anymore....

It would be so wonderful to see Purnick forced to testify in court -- did she know that Rattner was being investigated and if so why did she not mention that in her puff piece posing as a book and her good pals, Mike's good pal and Steve Rattner best friend Arthur Sulzberger Jr./The New York Times helped plug Joyce's book -- she did point out one very important piece of evidence if their is a trial -- STEVE RATTNER URGED MIKE BLOOMBERG to run for a third term!




I am angry and disgusted I called it before anyone that the mayoral election may come with some big surprise and I was so right on - Bloomberg barely won and the media had to go off script and report the truth finally -- I was laughing watching them bumble it -- they were way ahead of themselves rushing to go to Bloomberg's campaign head quarters to celebrate and oops they had to go off script and finally report the truth and what I had reporting on YouTube all along!!!!!!

Watch this YouTube and look at the date -- way before the election and the media refused to cover my art work -- the work I did postering communities -- 


I tell you do not believe the story the press are telling you -- the people of New York are incredibly angry....watch and that is one of many YouTubes I made!  By the way all my YouTubes 334 at the time were all removed from YouTube a month and half before the election.  My theory -- a paid troll hired by Bloomberg to harass and cyber stalk the anti-Bloomberg resistance on YouTube and the internet was also responsible for my hard work being removed....my entire body of work. 




http://www.youtube.com/user/Suzannahartist#p/f/12/F3OLAgH1MJg
Look at the title of My YouTube - I called it predicted it and to date have gotten zero acknowledgement for this and my brilliant art poster lampooning Bloomberg.  Jealous of an elite club of corrupt people that played dirty no way.... just very angry!

Don't believe the news, New Yorkers are angry & will not vote for BLOOMBERG!

From: Suzannahartist | May 04, 2009  | 242 views

House of Mike Bloomberg is a tumbling down...Steve Rattner pleads the 5th amendment over and over

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3vgkZYZM0

From True News for change...

Is Haggerty the E. Howard Hunt of the Bloomberg Operation? Frank Morano wants the Board of Elections to investigate the Indy Party.

Naomi Campbell perjury? You are not in NYC Blood Diamonds by Suzannah B. Troy

The global world owes Naomi Campbell a great thank you for bringing awareness to the Charles Taylor, an ex-Dictator, oops I meant to say ex-President of Liberia , and alleged war criminal.   It takes a super model to do this even if it is for the wrong reasons and that is an understatement!  If it was not for Charles Taylor sending her a bag of "blood diamonds" most people would not know his name or even be aware of his monstrous acts.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_diamond.  I recommend you take a look at his Wikipedia page but it won't give you enough information on the "blood" aspect of these diamonds but informs you of the Hague taking the amorous Charles Taylor to court for crimes against humanity.  Naomi Campbell never imagined she would be a player in the actual trials and resisted testifying but unlike NYC, USA she couldn't wiggle her way out of this trial.  To see video footage of Campbell testifying click on this link.

Leave it to NPR to get right to the heart of the war crimes where almost every article and Wiki page sounds light.   If you have gotten this far and not read the NPR interview -- brilliant reporting you need to stop and read it.   Below where it says super model you see a photo op which includes Taylor and Mandela -- can someone please explain that photo op to me.

Not that a super model would let crimes against humanity get between her and diamonds and by the way after bragging to anyone who would listen, Naomi was very disappointed at the lack of size and beauty of these baubles but that is not her biggest problem.

Naomi Campbell's biggest problem is that she may have allegedly lied under oath about the diamonds and there may be testimony by her former agent as well as Mia Farrow, a very talented actress and humanitarian.     The link I give you to Mia Farrow is testimony that contradicts Naomi Campbell's.  Please read.

If it is proven Campbell perjured herself she is in BIG, BIG trouble, bigger than the Hope Diamond.   Naomi Campbell is not in NYC anymore where the rich and connected can get away with almost everything and walk away...Yeah, I have to repeat this sentence because it just galls me.

Even driven by vanity and stupidity, Naomi Campbell has done good because if you were not aware of the monstrous Charles Taylor you are now and hopefully the Naomi Campbell name will make more people around the world aware of what his actual crimes against humanity are.

Campbell was not motivated to bring attention to the horrific abuses to African people by the ex-warlord Charles Taylor who is also said to have  help fund Al Qaeda but she did so she is owed a thank you in a way but she may find herself in the first really deep hole she might not be able to climb out of.

There are better ways to bring attention to the crimes against humanity in Africa and also help make a difference.   

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt flying to Nimba for Angelina to give birth to the beautiful Shiloh was a front line act.  Angelina Jolie said to People Magazine....  "We want to tell the world how magnificent this country and the people are."   Angelina Jolie also said, "We love this part of the world."

Sounds like Naomi Campbell if she gets lucky will have a long term community service position to help Africa or she may be heading to jail for perjury.  Are super models allowed to go to jail?

Lady Gaga was that you? by Suzannah B. Troy

I was walking down the street here in NYC and I heard someone yell out, "Hey, Lady Gaga!" and it did look like her.   Who knows...only Lady Gaga knows.   TMZ has a racy video of her body surfacing with fans and their hands moving her like Niagara Falls...the movements rough, rapid and full of life.

I got the new Vanity Fair Issue to read the piece on disgraced money manger to king Mike Bloomberg but of course I read the cover story on Lada Gaga.

Here is the Vanity Fair Photo Cover shoot of Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga is the star of The Vanity Fair cover, the name of another posting on VF.

Lady Gaga on Sex, Fame, Drugs and Her Fans....

For Lady Gaga fans the issue of Vanity Fair is a must have.  For those waiting for more corruption to be exposed at City Hall reading the Steve Rattner article is a must not only for what is reported but mostly what is not reported including Rattner and Bloomberg shifting some of Bloomberg's money to the Cayman Islands.   If Steve Rattner gets banned by the SEC for three years than it will mean a third shift for king Mike Bloomberg's 5 billion Steve Rattner is suppose to be money managing.  You see the first shift was out of Quadrangle because denial is Steve Rattner's cocaine, along with every corrupt politico and Rattner thought Quadrangle would take the fall not him.  Wrong.  So denial still in play, Rattner shifts Mike's 5 billion to a new created company.  If and when Steve Rattner gets banned by the SEC the money will have to be shifted yet again or Rattner can sell the company yet again like he did Quadrangle but will Mike Bloomberg still be able to stand by his man?  Ditto for the owners of The New York Times and The New York Daily news both very good friends and I believe both have had their money managed by Rattner.   The Vanity Fair title "The Smartest Guy in The Room" but truly if you look at the big picture, perhaps the dumbest.  From Albany to City Hall denial is the new crack cocaine.  How ironic under Mike Bloomberg heroin is cheaper to buy and sell than cigarettes but denial is the new crack cocaine -- because it's free... most used and abused by politicians, rich people and celebrities in trouble with the law or those lucky so far to avoid getting busted.

Anyway, if you just want to think happy thoughts than stick to the Lady Gaga article and enjoy.  Vanity Fair even smells delicious.  For depressed people you might want to read Christopher Hitchens piece on his battle with cancer.  There is a photo of him and it is shocking.

Lady Gaga may be the way to go.  Her meteoric success is something I think she is still trying to absorb but one thing is very clear loves her fans and deeply appreciates.  Gaga stops and spends time with them...there are peeks"peaks" in to this love affair in the fun piece.  This issue of Vanity Fair has something for almost everybody.

Mayor Bloomberg Adrian Benepe violating Artists' rights by Suzannah B. Troy

First thanks for tuning in to New York Focus Blog.  (Zennie came up with the name and I love it!)  If you do not live here than you might be unaware of the shocking injustices that are going on. There are many to tell but for today I am only talking about Artists' 1st Amendment rights being violated in Union Square and many places in NYC where artists are in theory allowed to be vendors but the city and at Union Square the Parks department is putting on the heat with the goal to drive artists out of Union Square.  It seems king Mike Bloomberg wants to make the unemployment rates much higher than they are.  They are high for the country and NYC and of course unemployment rates are under reported and for many earning a living many say they are not earning a living wage including the NYPD who often work two jobs just to survive and support their families.

I make reference to my blog which focuses on corruption in NYC politics. What is very disturbing is king Mike Bloomberg and his "ruling party class", (I say party -- because their emphasis is on partying and there are no "stop and frisk", metal detectors and drug sniffing dogs for the rich party class and most of all they want to feel they are above the law. In NYC more and more it is about two laws. One for the poor/middle class and one for the rich; actually mostly the rich are above the law.  The goal seems to displace, drive out as many New Yorkers as possible from eminent domain abuse to simply ticketing New Yorkers up to their eyeballs.  On my blog I show you how rich people are never ticketed and it is more than confusing when poor and middle class people are ticketed so unjustly.  A working class man that sells water for a dollar and has a vendor's license was given a $1,000 ticket by an NYPD officer because the officer said water is food.  This poor guy has a family to support.  Back to the artists....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDSw7kT8eHk


Special note to my loyal blog readers:  In the interview with Miriam I ask her to tell me about one of her unique art works with clocks in it.  She responds the title of the work is "Time Discovers Truth" the quote by Seneca.

This was very significant for me.   I have more news and I am not posting on the blog.  A "special" email went out and phone calls were made.   Time does discover truth and the key is patience.   Anyone following my blog knows the theme and perhaps the context...

Miriam and Tony explain to these young men about why they are here in the park protesting.  I am so glad they stopped to talk with Tony and Miriam.  They seemed to genuinely care.

Trapped By Fear -- Art by Miriam West

Tony and Miriam worked on the small Gandhi necklace together.  Their visual is very beautiful.  They have one more Gandhi left and I am buying it!  I am so grossed out by rich people trying to get my work for as little as possible I happily pay fellow artists for their work.

If you click on this photo you can see Gandhi - the sculpture in the park.   I had to walk around many trucks and tents to get to Gandhi and no artists were obscuring the Gandhi sculpture at all as Adrian Benepe thought and as far as the fountain -- the fountain area and the entire park is crowded so why single out artists and violate their 1st Amendment rights king Mike Bloomberg and Adrian Benepe?

We have no problem with the Farmers Market but please don't blame the artists for obscuring any thing to do with Gandhi with my photos give you just a hint of trucks and tents obscuring the sculpture,  not artists!!

Activist Louis Flores further exposes Stephen Goldsmith post by Suzannah B. Troy

Today activist Louis Flores made a call to NY1 and spoke to the news reporter Michael Scotto who asked the deputy mayor a question on gay rights at the Crains' breakfast we attended.  Michael Scotto asked Goldsmith - actually read what Louis wrote below!

Louis wrote me this....and when I get his newest blog posting -- I will post it...  I have it now....
click here!

With help of two reporters Michael Scotto and Erik Engquist --- attached is the article about Stephen Goldsmith’s record on the subject of Gay Pride.

(Folks check back latter for link to Louis' website to see article plus all you need to do is watch YouTubes by Louis -- his series and one by me!)

While he was mayor of Indianapolis, Stephen Goldsmith stopped the practice of signing a ‘’proclamation declaring a gay pride day for the city.’’

Here is the video I made, which is the Deputy Mayor’s response to questions about why he ended the practice of issuing proclamations while he was mayor ofIndianapolis, and what his thoughts were on the subject of same sex marriage.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdMmTFbsD2A  

By the time I started my hand-held camera, I missed the questions, and they are not included in the video on the above link.

These questions were posed to the Deputy Mayor by Michael Scotto, a reporter for NY1.  These video links are of a July 20, 2010 breakfast meeting, where the new Deputy Mayor of New York City gave a speech and answered questions about his vision for New York City.  Suzannah B. Troy made the conclusion that the way that the Deputy Mayor kept making non-answers, avoided his record, and would not answer what his thoughts were on gay marriage in the video on the above link meant that he was anti-gay, and as well as anti-gay marriage.

Look at his record :  while he was mayor of Indianapolis, he didn’t want to recognize or acknowledge a gay pride day.  In response to questions from NY1, the Deputy Mayor said he could not ‘’recollect’’ his anti-gay record, and he would not answer questions regarding marriage equality.

I will be updating the description of my YouTube video and my blogs, and I am sharing this information with you, in hopes that you can help me spread the word :  Mayor Bloomberg has hired a conservative Republican to run our city, layoff firefighters, and bring his Republican worldview to us.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfsEBqFiClc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U83X5kEg0os

In 2009, when a very slim majority of New Yorkers voted for an ‘’Independent’’ to take a th3rd t3rm as mayor, did anybody expect that he would be recruiting an anti-gay deputy for his administration ?

-- Louis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdLQNanbNhU

NYC Gov DOT Summer Streets check it out!!! post by Suzannah B. Troy

Suzannah B. Troy is a member of Notify NYC so she gets all the news....here are joyful tidings...

Notification issued on 8/6/10 at 5:50 PM. Due to the Summer Streets program, Centre St, Lafayette St, 4th Ave, and Park Ave between the Brooklyn Bridge and East 72nd St in Manhattan will be closed to vehicular traffic from 7 AM to 1 PM for the next three Saturdays: 8/7, 8/14, and 8/21. For specific closures and additional information, visithttp://www.nyc.gov/summerstreets

Go to NYC Gov and DOT's summer streets website to learn more -- here is some info I copied from their website.  Enjoy, peace and love, Suzannah

New York Road Runners Kick-off Fun Run Join NYRR for a 4.5-mile "fun run" on Saturday August 7 to kick off the 2010 DOT Summer Streets program. Pre-registration is required by 11:59 pm on Friday August 6 and limited to 500 people. Register here Join Joy Ride Joy Ride is a a group bike ride set to music. All the world’s a stage and you are on a bike to watch it. Motion, music and mingling will transform the way you see the city. Its as easy as...well, it’s as easy as riding a bike. Joyride is a musical group bike ride and picnic created by theatre artist, Liz Sherman with a soundtrack designed by Grammy-award nominee Duncan Bridgeman. At it’s heart Joyride is about the freedom we feel riding a bike, the deep ways that music affects us and the power of that shared experience. Joyride takes place on August 7th, 14th, & 21st. The ride begins each of the three Saturdays at 11:00 am at Foley Square, follows the Summer Streets route and ends with a picnic in Central Park. Participants must ride with speakers or use only one ear bud as required by law. Space is limited so sign up today at www.joyrideo.com.

Vanity Fair Articles Cuomo regretted Rattner immunization by Suzannah B. Troy

The New York Post just came out with this article.  Click the link below....

NY state pension Pay to Play scandal heads toward spring trial

I posted this comment....

Suzannah B. Troy

08/05/2010 5:21 PM

If you read the Vanity Fair piece on Rattner (Lady Gaga on the cover) you learn that Cuomo regretted making a deal with Rattner giving him immunization from prosecution in exchange for information. Cuomo felt Rattner was with holding info. If Cuomo had not made the deal I believe Rattner would heading to jail and even he and Mike Bloomberg could not continue to deny, deny deny... Denial is the new crack cocaine from The White House were they made Rattner Car Czar to Albany to City Hall. Rangel, Rattner, Bloomberg, Espada, Monserrate, Christine Quinn, Seabrook, Arroyo family just to name a few deny deny deny because denial is the new crack cocaine for politicos.

Watch my new Tube from Yesterday: House of Bloomberg a tumblin down....Rattner pleads the 5th, rumor is Rattner pleaded the 5th amendment over and over and this was with the Security Exchange Commission who Rattner is hoping will not ban him for 3 years.

Of course Mike Bloomberg continues to stand by his man, Steve Rattner and they are both in denial.  The Vanity Fair article barely touches on King Mike but they have an entire section of 

Denial to describe Steve Rattner! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw3vgkZYZM0.

Oh and by the way, here is the link to the Vanity Fair article on Steve Rattner.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg sympathetic to Guiliani by Suzannah B. Troy

Does mayor Bloomberg have any sympathy for the people that he has helped developers like Columbia University and Bruce Rattner to mass displace? Thanks to Caroline for wearing an NYU shirt which conveyed the message to me that NYU has been stealing up our communities where ever NYU occupies property from Stuy Town that was meant to be affordable housing to the East Village which NYU mega dormed to death to the West Village, to South St. Seaport to Brooklyn.  Mike has not been exposed for pulling a Rudy in terms of having an affair with a subordinate at City Hall and giving his than mistress raises including a huge one when he dumped for his judi, far less attractive than Donna but both Rudy and Mike have robbed the tax payers of New York big time.

The NY Post exposed the mayor's administrative assistants "double dipping" a must read if you haven't read that article giving these gals over 200,000 each plus the post estimates Mike is costing or robbing tax payers 2 million for his campaign staff so I am sure he is sympathetic to everyone but the people who truly deserve it -- the people of NYC!  At least the city was in better shape under Rudy; now it's falling a part and looks like a bad xerox of Dubai.  When Cooper Union tried their shady unethical real estate deals under Rudy his city planner not a socialite like Amanda the peoples' Burden said no to Cooper Union, supersizing - busting through zoning and leasing for 99 years is a shell game.  For these guys and I am including Steve Rattner, Charlie Rangel, denial is the new crack cocaine.  Impeach Bloomberg and his mini-me Christine Quinn.

Oh and look at this  comment not by me -- I guess Bloomberg is trying to figure out more ways to make people unemployed like ticketing vendors and almost every body possible that is not rich!

sceeyoo

08/05/2010 3:45 PM

Does Bloomberg have any Sympathy for the 2.2 Million People Unemployed in New York City...Just something 2 Think about

Thanks again to Caroline Giuliani for wearing an NYU shirt.

You see, NYU is the Bernie Maddoff of real estate.  NYU made off with our neighborhoods!

Artists wanted for protest Union Square post by Suzannah B. Troy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0eZcfrrc8Y

Dear Blog Readers:  I got this YouTube and a message from a dynamic artist Miriam.  This is her YouTube and you can visit her channel to see more and learn more about her struggle.  She is part of an artist movement fighting for the basic right to display their art.  Their 1st Amendment right is being violated.  Please if you can come out Saturday morning to protest in any way shape or form please do.  The artist that sent me has been ticketed up to here eye balls like so many New Yorkers that are struggling to survive.  In her case she wrote the Commissioner of The Parks Dept. and the excessive tickets and what I would call "wrong ticketing" will be dismissed.   I can't urge New Yorkers enough to fight the tickets.  I know part of the strategy is to eat up our time but if you can find the time and energy to fight wrong ticketing the odds are in your favor to get the tickets thrown out.   Please show up if you feel you can.  If you can't please spread the word.

Note from a brave artist, Miriam West and the YouTube channel and tube posted above is hers!


"A few of us artists are trying to get people to come out to union square park on wednesdays and saturdays with a display only stand or just a sign to let people know what's going on. here's a link to a video i took today of my display only stand. please feel free to put the link out there - we need all the help and bodies we can get!"

Please listen to YouTube and if you can show up anytime Saturday starting at 10AM thank you.

Please spread the word.

Activist climbs tree City Hall for community gardens by Suzannah B. Troy

Reminder "TREES" that lived their entire lives in Washington Square Park were ripped out and taken away for NYU and Mike Bloomberg's unwanted "improvements".

The New York Times covered activist protesting at City Hall demanding Mike Bloomberg promise to save all community gardens.






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvJI76uYIBo

Here is the link for the YouTube above -- I do not know why it won't work directly from the blog but the link will work!


I am next.   I am climbing up the same tree and I am not coming down until Mike Bloomberg fires his campaign staff and reimburses the City of New York, Christine Quinn and her staff tell us the people how much tax payer money has been spent on their defense attorneys and democracy is returned to NYC....


FYI:  Best Tree Activist book -- completely inspire you and will make your heart grow!!! Read, embrace the book, hug a tree!!!!!!!  Love and hugs, Suzannah

George Bliss Hudson Bicycles W. Village by Suzannah B. Troy

Today in The New York Post -- Page 6 I saw a beautiful photo of Kate Winslet with a hottie male model jogging along side her as she road her tric made by George Bliss.  Her beautiful child was along for the ride.  Apparently these bikes are all the rage with glamourous Moms here in NYC.

George and me reunited -- George and Orvis (I was in love with Orvis now in doggie Heaven) lived across the street from my windows on 12th Street over 20 something years ago!  Go to my blog engine and YouTube and type George Bliss or Hub Station to see more postings!

Joanie Schwarz a beautiful talented photographer checks out Hudson Urban Bicycles formally known as Hub Station!   Here photos are beautiful.  Click on the link and see the photo of the baby!   Oh,  I want the baby and a custom George Bliss tric to bicycle with the kids!!!!!

Hudson Urban Bicycles formally known as Hub Station Soho is back!  For George Bliss admirers check my past postings and YouTubes on him!!!!!!

He has amazing bicycles and unique customs from Denmark and other countries across that big Ocean or he could build you a custom!

You can get repairs, you can rent, you can store your bicycle there, your can urbanize and accessorize your bike!

Come to Charles and Washington Street --- actually 139 Charles Street ---

212-965-9334  http://hudsonurbanbicycles.com/

Ben Shaoul inside poop on Penthouse post by Suzannah B. Troy

Dear Blog Readers:  Click on this link and read the article by David Seifman of  The New York Post Article on Ben Shaoul and the penthouse.

Note: Since posting The New York Times has come out with a piece and a stand out quote by housing activist lawyer!   If only we could remove more zone busters....and force developers to un-do their dirty work.

A soource says the article is sh/t! 

For the inside poop and scoop please read below!!!!!
I got this email from a source who knows.....


The Post article is shit.  Apparently, they thought it sufficient to speak with Marvin Mitzner, high powered real estate/zoning attorney for the owners of the buildings, the Shaouls, without quoting any tenants.  We thought the Times would write something this time but...

Here is the real story.  Yes, it is a partial symbolic victory that the seventh floors (so-called penthouses) must be removed but the BSA has acted irresponsibly by allowing the variance after initially ruling in 2008 that the vertical enlargements contravene strict enforcement of Multiple Dwelling Law fire and safety requirements.  Briefly, MDL 211 allows tenements to add a 6th floor or go to 75 ft. so long as the fire and safety provisions (found in Articles 3 and 5 of MDL) are met, that is, provided the non-fireproof building is fire-proofed.  When the tenants of 515 E. 5th St. and 514-516 E. 6th St. brought their appeal to the BSA (Board) opposing the DOB's allowance of the construction of two extra floors the Board agreed and issued a unanimous ruling revoking all permits.  The owners then appealed to Supreme Court.  That Judge tabled her decision and told the owner's they had not exhausted their administrative remedies, i.e. they could seek their own variance at the BSA.  The owners then went back to the BSA to do so but only on 514-516 E. 6th Street leaving the 5th St. building in limbo.  In fact, the Supreme Court judge should not have heard the cases together since the BSA had issued two separate rulings for the 5th and 6th St. buildings.

Corporation Counsel then gave the Board (BSA) a loophole through a strained interpretation of MDL 310 which discusses the BSA's legal authority to issue MDL variances.  Tenants argued that according to MDL 310(c) the BSA lacks legal authority to issue MDL variances because the building has been altered pursuant to plans filed after 1961.  But Corporation Counsel and the Board agreed with the owners that 310(a) pertained allowing the Board to issue variances because the building was in existence in 1948 (regardless of the fact that it was thereafter altered).  In other words, who cares about the alteration so long as the building existed before that.  Of course, an alteration presumes the existence of a building.  Otherwise, what would be altered.  This means that the plain language of the law should not have allowed the variance at all.

The facts of the case are also at issue.  The owners claimed to have provided "alternative" fire and safety provisions equal to or better than those required by the MDL but these claims have not been vetted in any way.  The Board simply accepted the owner's claims at face value.  The MDL explicity requires a 3 hr. fire rated enclosed central stairwell.  This should have necessitated the removal of all highly flammable wood studding and plaster lathing from the interior stair walls, the installation of four layers of fire-proof gypsum board drywall, two on each side of the stair walls (apt. and stair sides), the removal of wood studding from floors, a stairwell at least 3 ft. wide in all places, etc.  That's why these vertical enlargements have not been tried all over the city.  To strictly comply would be impossible in an occupied building because it most certainly would require a complete gutting of the building interior and total reconfiguration of apts.  The BSA has now ruled that simply by saying you have fire-proofed a building and adding a sprinkler system owners may circumvent these MDL restrictions, in place since 1929.

This is a terrible precedent.  Many other buildings may now go through the same ordeal perhaps not in this immediate area due to the reduced FAR under the new zoning but wherever possible owners will be looking at opportunities to add a sixth floor on their tenements simply by adding a sprinkler system, MDL be damned.

The tenants' point of view is that the owners should not be rewarded for making a bad investment based upon a plan which involved needed displacement of long-time rent regulated tenants.  They should not have spent exhorbitant amounts of money on these properties thinking that they could add luxury apt. square footage on top, behind, and below (at least in the case of 515 E. 5th), then use the conditions caused by construction to drive out long-time rent regulated tenants so that noone would be left to oppose their plans.  Ultimately, they then lease these new units to young NYU students, long term tourists, or Wall Street traders who make noise 24/7 and could care less about the aggrieved original tenants.

So, first the DOB ignored its mandate by allowing the projects and issuing permits and now the Board has reversed itself and given a green light to similar projects despite any claims they make make to the contrary.

But, they could not ignore all the MDL provisions, for instance those prohibiting the addition of a seventh floor without putting in an elevator.   That is why they have said remove the seventh floor (penthouses).  Other than that, they have given these owners and all developers seeking to do the same thing the rest of the pie.  They said you may now add an additional story to all your old law tenements simply by adding a sprinkler system.  This is not a responsible exercise of their duties.

According the the Post article the owners shall now seek a similar variance re 515 E. 5th Street requiring more legal battles from beleaguered tenants.   Any community would be greatly appreciated.

P.S.  It should also be said that the tenants at 515 E. 5th St. won a previous case before the BSA regarding the "Sliver Law" (Zoning Resolution 23-692) barring vertical enlargements beyond 60 ft where the Resolution applies.  Yet, even though neither BSA ruling affecting that building has been reversed the DOB has consistently ignored tenant entreaties to enforce the resolutions.  The sixth and seventh floors have been continuously occupied since Sep. 2007 despite the BSA rulings and despite the owner's failure to obtain the Certificate of Occupancy now required by the major alteration.  There are open DOB violations to this effect but the DOB refuses to issue vacate orders.   Three other apts. in the building are constructed contrary to approved DOB plans (3+ bdrms. instead of the approved 1 bdrm.) leading to overcrowding and persistent noise problems.  The DOB has also issued violations for these including administrative violations for falsely claiming correction (these carry a criminal penalty).  These latter violations were dismissed when the owners' representative swore under oath and submitted questionable documents at an Environmental Control Board hearing in Sept. 2009.  They asserted that it was not they but their tenants who constructed the additional full walls in one of these apts. and that this happened not once, but twice.  All efforts to get the DOB and ECB to do something have been ignored.  The District Attorney's office seems uninterested in pursuing a clear case of misrepresentation of the facts (tenants have full hearing transcripts from the ECB through a FOIL request).

http://m.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/shorter_stories_8s2enFm6cEDpeXnGcC7laN

Ben Shaoul is rumored to be shady and less than ethical -- just google his name and also try other spellings like Ben Shaul  -- there may be even other spellings.....

plenty should pop up....