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P.S. 8 School Report Card: Take a Look for Yourself

By on September 17, 2008 9:17 am in Brooklyn Heights, News, schools

The 2007-2008 NYC DOE’s Progress “Report Card” for P.S. 8 can be found here. Notice the chasm of difference between PS 8′s performance relative to City-wide schools and Peer-wide schools, particularly in the School Performance section. Whereas it is an “F” school compared to it’s “peers”, it looks like around a B or a B+ school compared to the city as a whole.

I should also note that the list of schools considered “peers” to PS 8 has changed from last year, with some added and some placed in other “peer” groups. If the peer groups change from year to year, and one doesn’t find out until the report is published, this seems to be like a moving target for a school. What if the next year they consider your “peer” to be the elementary school equivalent of Harvard?

Another difference between the 2008 report and the 2007 report is that in 2007 Student Performance counted for 30% of the grade and Student Progress counted for 55% — in 2008, Student Performance counted for 25% and Student Progress counted for 60%. So, the importance placed on performance from year to year has gained even more undue influence on the grade.

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Hotel Bossert To Become Dorm Bossert

By on September 9, 2008 6:24 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Commercial Real Estate, News, Real Estate, Watchtower

A tipster alerted us to this news item on The Real Deal blog about the imminent sale of Hotel Bossert:

R.A.L. Companies & Affiliates is expected to buy the former Hotel Bossert at 98 Montague Street for $92 million and turn it into student housing, according to Robert Levine, president and CEO of R.A.L. Companies & Affiliates.
“It’s pretty much a done deal,” he said, adding that he expects to close on the sale by the end of the month.

The hotel, once known as the Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn, will now suffer the same fate as its cousin, the St. George.

Robert Levine made this amusing statement about the deal:

“It is truly a beautiful landmark building,” Levine said. He said his company intends to renovate the interior of the 140,000-square-foot building and turn it into student housing. R.A.L. would then sell or lease the building to a university.

I’m trying to picture the Waldorf-Astoria draped in purple and white. Seriously, can you see this lobby as a dorm hall?

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Democratic Primaries TOMORROW

By on September 8, 2008 5:01 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Election08, Events, Government, News

For all you registered Democrats (and Republicans!) , a reminder: Tomorrow is Primary Day. Polling places open at 6am and close at 9pm. Don’t know where to vote? The NYC Board of Elections has a handy Polling Site Locator (hint: it’s probably your nearest public school). Don’t know how to vote? The Board of Elections gives you step-by-step instructions.

The most competitive primary race for Brooklyn Heights will be the Democratic primary for the 25th NY state senate district seat between 30-year incumbent senator Martin “Marty” Connor and Daniel “Kid” Squadron.

You can read more about the race by browsing through the Brooklyn Heights Blog Election ’08 archives. And Homer Fink interviewed both candidates, listen here: Martin Connor, Daniel Squadron.

The other race to watch is the Democratic primary for the 10th Congressional District, where incumbent Ed Towns faces former Real World star Kevin Powell. We here at BHB haven’t devoted much time to this race, but you can read more about it on the Gotham Gazette website. Also, let me add that Ed Towns is insane.

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Muppets Take Brooklyn Heights

By on September 8, 2008 2:32 pm in Arts and Entertainment, Brooklyn Heights, Fun, Photos

Peter of FlashlightWorthy Books sent us these photos of the Muppets movie filming on Joralemon Street.

More photos… Continue Reading →

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Martin Connor’s 1990s’ Apartment Purchases: Too Good Of A Deal?

By on September 6, 2008 12:57 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Election08, Government, News, Real Estate

The Daily News reports NY State Senator Martin Connor bought two apartments for what appears to be less than their worth: one in 1994 for $12,500 and one in 1997 for $50,000:

Connor, in a telephone interview, rejected Squadron’s allegations as “nonsense,” insisting he received no special treatment in the purchases. BPC, he insisted, only manages the property and was not involved in the sale of the units.

Connor said he moved to the Brooklyn Heights building in 1977, taking a four-room, rent-stabilized apartment. Years later, he said, the building’s owners decided to convert it to a co-op.

Connor said he didn’t originally want to buy the apartment, but changed his mind a few years after the co-op market collapsed and prices came down. Three years later, he bought the second apartment.

Coincidentally, they were managed by BPC Management, a company with close ties to Martin Connor. How close? Well:

Connor said Doug Rosenberg, who runs BPC, is a friend and lets his campaign use a desk “in the corner” of one of his offices. The space is listed as an “in-kind” contribution on Connor’s financial disclosure statement.

A property management company could possibly be involved in the sale of a property if they were sponsored units. So the question is: Did Martin Connor really get that sweet of a deal for that time period? Can any long-time Brooklyn Heights residents out there speak to this?

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Mystery Sign On Cranberry Street: Road To Be Closed Next Wednesday

By on September 5, 2008 12:02 pm in Brooklyn Heights, News

Cranberry St. Closed Wednesday 9-10

A tipster sent us this photo of a sign posted at the corner of Cranberry Street and Hicks Street. There doesn’t appear any attribution on it, and the tipster noted with sarcasm that it’s “professional looking”.
So, be warned: Cranberry Street will be closed next Wednesday from 9am to 3pm, for unknown reasons.

Any readers out there know what this is about?

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Squadron-Connor Debate Liveblogging 2

By on September 3, 2008 8:27 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Election08, News

8:26pm: Connor to Squadron: Trustafarian!

8:29pm: moderator bitchslaps connor for getting too personal. and I mean, really too personal. the audience started booing and hissing.

8:29pm: Connor to Squadron: Open your books! Who’s funding your existence?

8:32pm: Squadron not getting personal with Connor, won’t ask him about his Jeep Grand Cherokee paid for by campaign funds.

8:35pm: Connor supporters getting cranky, want Squadron off their lawn

8:37pm: Connor: I’m a maverick

8:38pm: Connor doesn’t kowtow to the tobacco industry. he wants everyone to know that.

8:40pm: Audience questions!
clearly, the audience is mostly Squadron supporters now. Connor supporters went home to watch rudy giuliani speak at the republican convention.

8:44pm: uh oh. someone asked squadron about eminent domain in atlantic yards. He doesn’t think it was used appropriately.

8:46pm: Connor looks tired. I think all that venom spewing earlier on really tuckered him out

8:49pm: whenever Squadron speaks, an old person starts to leak….sounds like hissing…

8:50pm: congestion pricing again…connor shows letter from april thanking him for supporting it yet no postmark,,,hmmm

8:54pm: Squadron: I am for congestion pricing, I was always for congestion pricing, and I always will be for congestion pricing

8:57pm: both Squadron and Connor love gay and lesbian people

8:59pm: Closing statements! finally…
Squadron: Change! Change! Change!
Connor: Experience! Experience! Experience! Can I go to the bathroom now?

9:05pm: Connor really, really hates Schumer.

9:07pm: Its over! wow, that was long

Update: Brookyn Paper recap of debate

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Liveblogging The Squadron-Connor Debate

By on September 3, 2008 6:51 pm in Brooklyn Heights, News

BHB is here at the St. Francis College Auditorium, awaiting what is sure to be a most riveting display of oratorical prowess.

So far, the auditorium is PACKED…with empty seats. Come on down!

6:59pm: auditorium filling up nicely. Note to St. Francis College: Free your WiFi, Free Your Mind

7:05pm: and the debate is on! your moderator, Dick Dady.

7:09pm: there will be audience participation! You can ask a question, but you must write it on a piece a paper, presumably in crayon.

7:14pm: Connor’s opening remarks. Trip down “memory lane”. Joe Franklin nowhere in sight. Blaming his record on Republican domination of the senate.

7:18pm: Squadron’s opening remarks. He’s young! He’s motivated! He sounds a bit like Kermit!

7:33pm: Connor brought his people tonight. Audience seems to be in favor of him. One Connor supporter is knitting her way through the issues.

Connor talking about what he knows best: election law and ballot access

7:35pm: Squadron just gave connor some chin music

7:37pm: Connor: I am shocked, SHOCKED you would think I kicked anyone off the ballot as an election lawyer

7:42pm: Wow, Connor on the defensive. Getting angry over voting against the smoking ban. Breathe, connor, breathe.
and he’s completely ignoring the question about voting against commuter tax.

7:47pm: Connor blaming commuter tax demise on Giuliani

7:52pm: Squadron defending his brooklyn bridge park position. Doesn’t want to stop the park, just the condos. And the crowd goes wild!

7:56pm: Connor: I got the funds for the park, me, me,me! And the crowd goes wild!

7:51pm: knitting lady update: she’s almost done. I think its a scarf.

8:05pm: talking about education. Really, these guys are on the same side. Connor taking shots at Squadron.

8:09pm: Oh, this is rich…Connor accusing Squadron of using too many posters and leaving around too much trash

Connor to Squadron: get off my lawn!

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Martin Connor Used Campaign Funds For A Brand New Car, Parking?

By on September 3, 2008 9:05 am in Brooklyn Heights, Election08, Government, News

This may be old news, but it was news to me: According to a 2006 Report compiled by the nonprofit Common Cause organization on NY State campaign funds misuse, State Senator Martin Connor spent over $70,000 on “other” expenses, including a brand new car (a Jeep Grand Cherokee) and a parking space in Brooklyn Heights, during a time when he faced no opposition (2003-2004).

The report, which investigates the muddy world of New York State campaign financing, highlighted Senator Martin Connor for stretching “the definition of ‘campaign expense’ beyond any reasonable limit”:

The single largest expense was the car itself, purchased for $34,582.08. The Senator also spent a total of $11,966 to park his car at a garage located over two miles from his district office in Manhattan but just one block from his Brooklyn residence. The third largest expense was car insurance from Allstate, costing a total of $11,763. Connor also spent $8,558 on repairs and maintenance, including a $5,422 repair in July 2004, just one year from the purchase date. Rounding out the carrelated expense list was $2,773 for miscellaneous “car expense” reimbursements made directly to the Senator; $1,999 spent on gasoline reimbursements; $150 to register the car; and $45 for a AAA membership.

This represented 35% of his campaign expenses during a time period where he had no opponents in the primary or the general election.

Mr. Connor is no stranger to such “creative accounting” it seems: In the late 80s he was under investigation for payroll abuses, including “no-show” jobs and using employees for full-time campaign work.

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Last Week On The Homer Fink Radio Show…

By on August 13, 2008 8:45 am in Brooklyn Heights, crime, Fun, History

Just in case anyone missed it: Brooklyn Heights resident, news photographer, BHB contributor, and all around good egg, Marc “weegee” Hermann was on last Friday’s Homer Fink Radio Show, chatting about crime scenes, news photography, and, naturally, Weegee. There’s also a brief interview with the Fruit Dude on Henry Street:

Tune in to the Homer Fink Radio Show this Friday, August 15th, at 4pm, when Homer’s guest will be state senator Martin Connor.

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The Continuing Saga Of Mike’s Kosher Steakhouse

By on August 6, 2008 6:00 pm in Brooklyn Heights

In a previous post, we parenthetically asked whatever happened to the whole Mike’s Kosher Steakhouse story. Well, It’s been over a year since Mike’s Kosher Steakhouse was shut down under a cloud of allegations — co-owner Mikel Domgjoni was arrested for attempting to molest an 18 year old waitress, and co-owner Nasser “Nando” Ghorchian accused Mikel of owing him tens of thousands of dollars. Since then, it appears that the criminal charges against Domgjoni failed to materialize, and Ghorchian owes Domgjoni, with their latest court appearance scheduled for tomorrow to conclude the arbitration.

A tipster informed us that a criminal case against Domgjoni doesn’t appear within the NYS criminal court database, but there is a civil case, Domgjoni v. Ghorchian, index number 001356/2007, filed on 1/29/2007. A court appearance is scheduled for 8/7/2008 for a motion by the plaintiff to “Vacate Stay”, (concluding the arbitration, see update below).

So what’s going on? We haven’t been able to reach anyone involved with the case yet, but I’m sure we’ll be receiving an update soon enough.

UPDATE: After speaking with Domgjoni’s attorney, the case went into arbitration a while ago, with Domgjoni being awarded an undisclosed amount of money. So consider Mikel Domgjoni vindicated.

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Death On Hicks Street

By on August 5, 2008 6:31 pm in Brooklyn Heights, crime, News

The Brooklyn Eagle is reporting that a 42 year old man was found dead in his apartment at 166 Hicks Street between Clark and Pierrepont.  Reportedly stabbed to death in his bathtub see update 2 below.  We’ve received reports that Hicks Street around Clark Street has been cordoned off by the police as they investigate the crime.

Update: NYPD is on the scene.  Current word is that authorities have not determined if the death was a murder or suicide.

Update 2 from BHB’s Weegee: The police have identified the victim as Graham Barnett, 42, of 166 Hicks Street. He was pronounced dead by EMS at 4:15 p.m., and was found to have multiple stab wounds to the torso. Cops recovered knives at the scene, and do not suspect criminality. Barnett’s wife was being questioned at the 84th Precinct.

Update 3: The NY Sun is the first paper with a blurb, reiterating weegee’s report that the police do not suspect criminality:

Mr. Barnett was married with two young twin girls, according to a neighbor who has lived in the community for the past 30 years.


BHB Photo by Marc Hermann

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Marty Playing Dirty? Push Polling In Brooklyn Heights?

By on August 5, 2008 11:28 am in Brooklyn Heights, Election08, Government

Brooklyn Heights Blog regular “nabeguy” asked this question in our Martin Connor Gives Bonus For Himself post:

Did anyone else receive a “non-partisan” canvassing call from his office this weekend? They wouldn’t identify themselves as such, but when I mentioned in response to a question that no one from the Squadron campaign had knocked on my door, the woman stated “they’ve been doing a lot of that recently”.

This smells like Push Polling, when a political campaign or an organization supporting a political campaign, conducts a “poll” under the guise of legitimate research to influence the voters’ opinion. Has anyone else received this type of phone call?

Update: We asked Allie Nigolian, spokesperson for GOP candidate John Chromczak, if this was the work of their campaign.  She responds via email: “No, our campaign is not conducting push polls. If in fact “The Institution” himself, Martin Connor, is having to conduct such polls it is a sure sign of desperation, maybe he is realizing what we all know is true – his time is up.” (HF)

Update 2: We’ve contacted both Connor and Squadron camps, neither have responded as of Wednesday (8/6) morning. (HF)

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Corner of Cranberry: What’s Next?

By on July 30, 2008 3:10 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Commercial Real Estate, Food, News

UPDATE: Sadly, it appears now that the Wine Bar at 50 Henry Street, the best by far of the lot, has closed, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.

With news that three four of the four “Corner of Cranberry” businesses have been shuttered (looks like the liquor license for the 60 Henry businesses expires tomorrow), we’re wondering what’s next for the seemingly accursed location. What will Ghorchian and Young, Brooklyn Heights’ very own wannabe Drew Nieporents and once rulers of what Gothamist called an “Empire of Feh”,  launch next? A Cigar Bar? Bring back Food Maestro? We’re hoping the Wine Bar remains, since it is really a lovely place.

It’s worth noting that trouble seems to follow Mr. Ghorchian and Mr. Young’s ventures like a bad smell. In addition to the various “Corner of Cranberry” debacles, Mr. Ghorchian was involved with Mike’s Kosher Steakhouse, which closed shortly after Mikel Domgjoni was arrested for allegedly forcing himself on an 18-year-old waitress (whatever happened to that story?). They were both involved with failed enterprises at 111 Court Street before it was Busy Chef (Cafe 111, liquor license) and at 311Henry Street before it was Tazza (Cafe del Mar, liquor license). And Mr. Young was involved in a botched, complicated scheme to open casinos on land in upstate New York supposedly held by a Native American tribe not recognized by the federal government (Young was cleared of all charges).

We applaud their tenacity, but maybe it’s time to allow some new blood in the Heights food scene.

Note: According to the Alcohol, Beverage, and Control Laws, Article 8, Section 106:

Provisions   governing   licensees   to   sell  at  retail  for consumption on the  premises.  1.  No  retail  license  for  on-premises consumption  shall  be  granted  for  any premises, unless the applicant shall be the owner thereof, or shall be in possession of  said  premises under  a  lease, in writing, for a term not less than the license period except, however, that such license may thereafter be renewed without the requirement of a lease as herein provided.

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Dime Savings Bank Coming To Montague

By on July 23, 2008 3:11 pm in Brooklyn Heights, Commercial Real Estate, Development, News

Responding to a desperate need in the neighborhood, Dime Savings Bank will be opening a branch at 188 Montague Street by the end of the year. The new branch was mentioned in the bank’s financial second quarter report:

In April 2008, Dime opened its 22nd branch in the Borough Park community of Brooklyn, New York, and anticipates opening its 23rd branch by the end of 2008, located on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights. At June 30, 2008, the Borough Park branch had $56.6 million of deposits at an average cost of 3.85%.

And according to the Dime Savings Bank website, the new branch will be located at 188 Montague Street.

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