No local television stations were on hand, so BHB is the only place you’ll be able to see the full press conference and Sen. Schumer and Levin’s remarks on health care, the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Sotamayor and more.

In a statement to the press today, challenger and Brooklyn Heights resident Doug Biviano accuses Schumer of “popping Albany pills”, adding:

The reason Levin continues to pile up these farce endorsements is because he is politically connected through his name (his father is the cousin of Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich) and his position as Vito Lopez’s chief henchman. Because of who he knows, and the smoke-filled backrooms he has access to, he’s been able to skate along as a presumed frontrunner in this race despite a complete lack of accountability in the media. The people of the 33rd District deserve better. They deserve a City Councilor that will openly and honestly stand up for their interests – someone who doesn’t see the City Council as fodder for his resume, but will instead fight tooth and nail to protect our communities and our families.

We caught up with Levin after the press conference.  He addresses some of these issues in this exclusive video:

Brooklyn Bugle Media’s the New Homer Fink Show will be broadcasting live tomorrow at 11am from Biviano HQ at 89 Montague Street.  The public (that’s you!) is welcome to attend and to ask questions. Detail here.

You won’t see “frontrunner” Steve Levin in the BIT piece on the race for the Democratic nomination in the 33rd City Council District.  You will, however, see Brooklyn Heights’ Doug Biviano.

Tomorrow, the New Homer Fink Show will broadcast live from Biviano HQ on Montague Street.  He’ll be taking our questions but more importantly yours as the event is open to the public.  Show starts at 11AM.  Full details here.

We hope that Mr. Levin overcomes his bashfulness soon, as we intend to have all the candidates stop by the show in the coming weeks.

The Brooklyn Paper reports that Senator Chuck Schumer will be announcing his support for 33rd City Council district candidate Steve “the Machine” Levin this Friday at Borough Hall.

“This is a very big deal,” said Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Bushwick), who is not only the Brooklyn Democratic Party chairman, but also employs Levin has his chief of staff.

That relationship has encouraged Levin’s rivals to paint him as the “machine candidate,” but Lopez called The Brooklyn Paper on Thursday to challenge that.

“He’s his own man, which, I know, coming from me, on a call like this, doesn’t sound, you know…,” Lopez said. “But if you look at his endorsements, there are a lot of groups and people on his list that don’t like me.”

Brooklyn Heights resident and long-shot candidate Doug Biviano  has characterized  opponents including Levin and former Yassky staffer Evan Thies as members of the “Democratic machine”.

Join us this Saturday at 11am at Biviano campaign HQ for a live podcast of the New Homer Fink Show.   The public is invited to watch and to ask questions.  Details here.

The New Homer Fink Show hits the road this Saturday (8/8) as we podcast live from 33rd District City Council candidate Doug Biviano’s campaign HQ on Montague Street.

The Brooklyn Heights resident is one of the “Herd for the 33rd” and recently made headlines when he accused his opponents of being part of the “Democratic machine.”

Is this guy nuts? Does this hometown boy stand a chance? What’s his deal? Find out Saturday.

You’re invited to attend – the show starts at 11am at Biviano Headquarters 89 Montague Street.   “Biv” is digging deep and providing free bagels and coffee.

The New Homer Fink Show with Doug Biviano, candidate for City Council, 33rd District.

Saturday August 8 at 11am.

89 Montague Street [GMAP]

The Herd for the 33rd City Council District met last night, minus a couple of sheep, for a debate in Williamsburg.  The Brooklyn Paper’s Ben “The Other Guy” Muessig was on the scene and reports that our homegrown candidate, Doug Biviano was quite animated to say the least:

Brooklyn Paper: The vociferous upstart and Brooklyn Heights resident Doug Biviano attacked front-running candidates Jo Anne Simon, Evan Thies, and Steve Levin — who was not even at the debate, his fourth such absence during the campaign — for being “machine politicians” who were complicit in the controversial 2005 rezoning of Williamsburg and Greenpoint that has not resulted in long-promised parkland and affordable housing.

“They were there at the table with the city — they were cutting deals,” said Biviano, who went straight at his rivals in response to the first question. “They are part of the Democratic machine. They never stood up.

Democratic NYC Council candidate (D33)/ Brooklyn Heights resident Doug Biviano  announced today that he is starting a petition to provide a temporary playground for P.S 8 kids.  They’ll be losing their current school yard due to an expansion project announced earlier this year.
And as election year attention getting ploys go, this one doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.  In an email sent out today, Biviano writes:

The children at PS 8 in Brooklyn Heights are set to lose their school yard to construction this coming fall for two years, while nearby Squibb Park remains unused. As a PS 8 parent, I know this is unacceptable, so I drafted a petition asking the city to make Squibb Park safe and available for PS 8 students to use as an interim school yard for outdoor recess and phys. ed. space.

Biviano has posted a petition on his website and is asking anyone supporting his idea to sign it.

Council candidate and Heights resident Doug Biviano, along with a bevy of helpers, spent yesterday afternoon in front of his soon-to-becampaign headquarters in the former Red Blue Rose space at Montague and Hicks streets, collecting signatures for his petition to be put on the ballot for the 33rd Council District. The colorful, hand-painted seashells on the table, bearing the message “Biv for Brooklyn”, were given to supporters.

There’s more about Biviano here.

(BHB/Sarah Portlock)

The seven candidates for City Councilman David Yassky’s 33rd district council seat went head to head on Tuesday night, and the winner? Democracy. There were also a few good laughs, though solely at candidates’ expense.

“Let’s do this every Tuesday night,” said candidate Evan Thies, with only a slight glimmer of sarcasm.

The New Kings Democrats hosted the event in Williamsburg, and taped the event to post on its Web site.

Moderators Aaron Short, a reporter and blogger, and Sabrina Gates, a Kings County Democratic County committee member, kept the 90-minute debate snappy and quick and cut the candidates off politely, but forcefully, at their time limit. Whew!

First up, here are highlights from their closing statements, and how they answered the first question, Why are you running?:

Isaac Abraham, the Hasidic businessman from Williamsburg: “What I’ve seen in the last 35 years is that our city council has neglected the important issues, and I can see some there still outstanding.” In closing, he said, “I’ve had my ears to the ground and my hand in my heart for 35 years. I have been there, and all I ask is that you give me the title, ‘City Councilman.’”

Ken Baer, an accountant and environmental advocate: “I think I can do an exceptional job. I have the unique perspective of being an accountant and lifelong environmentalist.” In closing, “Brooklyn needs a fighter. I’m not beholden to anyone, and I don’t owe anyone anything. I have no hesitation of taking on power when I know I am fighting for a worthy cause.”

Newcomer Doug Biviano, an engineer and nine-year Heights resident, had the best line of the night in his closing statement: “I believe in the power of politics, and we don’t use our government as much as we can. Now is the time, and we need a leader who is going to stand up and fight for us. We need a leader who is fearless. I’ve sailed across the ocean on a 27-foot boat. Support me.” (He said the boat line with such conviction, and without missing a beat!)

Ken Diamondstone, a longtime LGBT activist and community organizer: “I’ve been working on social issues my whole life, and I want to be in a position to set the agenda. I’m a good listener, and I think outside the box.” In closing, “The city will never be the same after the last six months, and in order to survive we must diversify its base. We don’t need more housing, and we need to support what we have.”

Steve Levin is currently chief of staff for Vito Lopez, the chairman of the Kings County Democratic Party, and appeared in his first debate tonight: “From my community organizing experience, I’ve learned that city government has the ability and responsibility to serve the people in this city who need it.” And, “We’re facing a very challenging time in this city, and we need a city councilman that stands up for the rights of New Yorkers right now. It’s a very diverse district, but we all want a safe and affordable district to live and raise our kids.”

Jo Anne Simon, a civil rights attorney and community leader: “I care about the issues that you care about — I want a seat at the table for your concerns and issues.” And, “I bring passion, experience, and skills to the city council.”

Evan Thies, a community organizer and former five-year Yassky staffer: “Obama may have brought change to Washington, but change has not made it to Brooklyn. There are still powerful forces and inertia that need to be restrained, and we need to work against them to change. I’ve worked in City Hall for five years, and I’m going to take that energy and continue to work on what I’ve done.” And, “It’s a historic opportunity to have the progressives running the city, not the status quo.”

The next question was about the city’s alleged failures to build much-promised affordable housing and open spaces as part of rezoning Downtown Brooklyn and in Williamsburg/Greenpoint, and how the candidates would hold the city accountable for those promises. Thies pointed to his “360 Planning” idea, which revamps the public review process and holds more parties accountable. Simon said she wants to incorporate transportation-related issues into the rezoning process. Levin said he “doesn’t have such a pessimistic view” and will work to keep in check “overzealous rezoning without concern for infrastructure taxation.” Biviano pointed to his urban engineering background and repeated his message to give community boards more veto power early in the process. The others railed against the city’s inefficiencies.

And what do you plan to do with your much-ballyhooed discretionary funds? Baer said, “large cultural organizations [will be] cut back,” and to “disperse the money to people who are struggling.” Biviano said “we need baseball diamonds for kids,” and he’d put the spending records online for transparency. Diamondstone, Levin, Abraham, and Simon said to send money to senior citizens, and some children’s organizations. Thies wants to have a full shake-up: “I know it’s not sexy, but reforming the budget is the most powerful thing we can do. [These funds] are how you get your constituents the help it needs as quickly as possible.”

When Levin, Simon, and Thies were asked how they differentiate themselves from the elected officials (Lopez, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, City Councilman Yassky, respectively) with whom they have been associated, each noted that they have at times had differing opinions from their bosses. Diamondstone, Baer, Abraham, and Biviano were then asked how voters could trust their lack of experience, to which each mentioned his extensive community organizing experience.

How will you keep small businesses afloat? Each candidate resoundingly said rent stabilization, provide low-interest loans, shop locally, and waxed poetic on the importance of Main Streets.

And then it was time for the lightning round, which was entertaining to the audience and maddening for reporters trying to quickly write down each candidates’ one-word answers. But, here goes:

What are you reading right now?
Abraham: “After tonight, my biography”
Baer: New York Times, local papers, newsletters
Biviano: local papers, DemocracyNow!
Diamondstone: “The Nation”
Levin: “A People’s History of the United States,” by Howard Zinn
Simon: “The Great Bridge,” by David McCullough
Thies: Essays by Kurt Vonnegut

What’s your favorite restaurant?
Abraham: “Peter Luger’s”
Baer: “Vegetarian Palate”
Biviano: “Pacifico, for its key lime pie”
Diamondstone: “any diner food”
Levin: “Grimaldi’s”
Simon: “Downtown Atlantic”
Thies: “Five Leaves”

What’s currently playing on your mp3 player? (Or, what is your favorite song?)
Abraham: “For tonight, it’s, ‘Anything you can do, I can do better’”
Baer: “Springsteen, ‘Born in the USA’”
Biviano: “I’m a U2 guy, too, but if I’m singing karaoke it’s Frank Sinatra, ‘New York, New York’”
Diamondstone: “I’ve been listening to Pete Seeger, after his 90th birthday”
Levin: “Bruce Springsteen, Brahms”
Simon: “What’s an mp3 player?” and, then, “Oh, Patsy Cline”
Thies: “I have 30,000 songs on my iPod. But, I’m listening to the new U2 album and it’s a huge disappointment”

Do you support East River tolls?
Abraham: “no”
Baer: “most definitely”
Biviano: “not yet”
Diamondstone: “definitely”
Levin: “only if the price is correlated to the cost of the subway”
Simon: “yes”
Thies: “yes”

Do you support putting condoms in public high schools? All yes, but for Abraham who said, “Let the parents decide.”

Do you support including ROTC in schools?
Abraham, Thies: yes
Baer, Diamondstone, Levin, Simon: no
Biviano: “condoms”

Do you support allowing cellphones in public schools?
Abraham: “condoms”
Baer: “yes”
Biviano: “not sure”
Diamondstone: “not sure”
Levin: “for emergencies”
Simon: “yes”
Thies: “in school, not class”

And, to end on a warm-fuzzy note, each candidate was asked to describe the candidate to his/her left with one nice adjective:
Abraham to Baer: “Entertaining.”
Baer to Biviano: “Nice, a good person, handsome.”
Biviano to Diamondstone: “A lot of heart.”
Diamondstone to Levin: “Perhaps he’s veto-proof.” (“Vito proof.” Ha!)
Levin to Simon: “Very intelligent, exceptionally intelligent.”
Simon to Thies: “Careful.”
Thies to Abraham: “Determined.”

Aaand, scene.

(BHB/Sarah Portlock)

It’s a big week for local government!

First and foremost, the New Kings Democrats will host its debate for the 33rd district city council race in Williamsburg tonight at 7 pm, at Harry Van Arsdale High School Auditorium (257 North 6th St. at Havemeyer Street). All seven candidates have promised to show up, and North Brooklyn reporter/blogger Aaron Short is asking the tough questions to keep things lively.

On Thursday, the City Council will hold its public hearing for Dock Street at 10 am at City Hall. Here’s a link to the full agenda.

But back to tonight: it’s also Community Board 2’s transportation meeting, at 6 pm at St. Francis College (180 Remsen St., between Clinton and Court streets).

And the 84th precinct is hosting its monthly community council meeting, at 7 pm tonight at the Baptist Temple in Boerum Hill (360 Schermerhorn St., at Third Avenue) Commanding officer Mark DiPaolo will present the precinct’s crime report and action results.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, city officials will celebrate the landmarking of the BellTel Lofts in Downtown, at 9 am in the building’s lobby (365 Bridge St., at Willoughby Street). The building is now condos, but was landmarked in 2004 and a plaque was recently installed to its façade. The full Landmarks Preservation Council report is here [pdf]. To RSVP, email belltellofts AT austerevents.com.

Also tomorrow night is the CB2 land use committee, at 6 pm at Polytech’s Dibner Library (5 Metrotech Center, Room LC400).

Steve Levin, candidate for David Yassky’s 33rd District City Council seat, vows that he’ll attend next week’s debate sponsored by the New Kings Democrats.  Levin works for Democratic jefe Vito Lopez;  pundits ponder if that connection is a negative or a positive for the candidate.

Brooklyn Paper: So far in the race to succeed Councilman David Yassky and represent the 33rd District — which stretches through Greenpoint, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Park Slope — candidate Steve Levin has missed three such campaign forums in the Brownstone Brooklyn portion of the district, sparking concerns that the 27-year-old candidate doesn’t think he needs to campaign in those neighborhoods to win.

Levin, after all, is chief of staff to the county Democratic Party chairman, Assembly Vito Lopez, a fact that contributed to his recent endorsement by the labor union 32BJ and a campaign war chest that puts him at the top of the seven-person race.

Oy vey!  We have such a headache from trying to remember all the candidates for David Yassky’s New York City Council seat representing the 33rd District.  Perhaps we should give them nicknames?  Nah, too early and just too easy to go the “Snow White” route.  Anywho,  the Herd for the 33rd meet for another debate next week sponsored by the New Kings Democrats.  Based on some reports, the last one can be best described as an Ambien-alternative.

All things considered, who says it’s too early for a poll?  Vote after the jump.

(BHB/Sarah Portlock)

Monday night’s debate between six (of the seven) candidates running for City Councilman David Yassky’s seat (which may or may not be vacated) was, to be blunt, long and routine. To their credit, moderators Kenn Lowy and Lucy Koteen kept things rapid-fire, pushing the candidates to answer questions in two minutes, then one, and then 30 seconds.

The Brooklyn Paper‘s Politicrasher has a snarky take on the night, and news blogger Aaron Short, who focuses on the northern stretches of the district, has his own breezy version.

The Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and the Independent Neighborhood Democrats hosted the evening at St. Francis College. On Thursday night, CBID will hold its endorsement meeting for the 33rd District seat.

But since there were actual topics discussed here and only about 100 people came out in the pouring rain, BHB will dissect how the night played out:

The candidates:
First things first, Steve Levin didn’t show up, owing to two important “coffee klatches” in the neighborhood.

The candidates spent much of their allotted time admitting vocally that they all agreed with each other to lessen out-of-scale development, allow same-sex marriage (except Isaac Abraham), and create more affordable housing. They also share an affinity for newcomer State Senator Daniel Squadron.

Isaac Abraham, the Hasidic businessman from Williamsburg, explained that his “entire life” has been devoted to helping communities, and, “If I had to put in one word why I was running, it’s because I’ve been here, done that.” (Um?) But, “If you don’t know me, just give me a little time and you will get to know me,” he appealed to voters.

Ken Baer, an accountant and environmental advocate, outlined three of his four goals, including having more community control over developers, improving public schools, and protecting the city’s water supply. (The fourth was lost when the timer ran out.) “Brooklyn needs a fighter, not a yes man,” he said, practically quaking. “I don’t owe anyone anything, and what matters to me is the health of our communities.”

Newcomer Doug Biviano — a Heights resident since 2000 — talked about how pro-“livable communities” he is, going so far as to say community boards should have “binding veto power” for the decisions it makes. And, he is running to protect our institutions and local businesses.

Ken Diamondstone, a longtime LGBT activist, outlined his vision for changing the city: “If there’s anything we’ve learned from the economic collapse, it’s that the city must diversify its base and economy.” To that end, Diamondstone wants to see an end to out-of-scale developers and more green developers and biotech industries.

Jo Anne Simon, a civil rights attorney and community leader, emphatically said, “I’m running for city council not because I need the job — but because there’s a job to do.” That job involves fixing up education, working together, and creating sustainable neighborhoods.

And Evan Thies, a former Yassky staffer, rhapsodized about the “personal rewards” of the hard work of a councilman, and pointed to the wonky policy changes he hopes to see in the Council to spend money “smarter.” “Now is the time for effective government, for the people who know how to solve these problems,” he said.

Q&A
During the question-and-answer section, it was a sweet series of nice fights. Each candidate thanked the other for his/her answers, agreed with what he or she said, and tried desperately to add something new. Some highlights:

On the topic of same-sex marriage, each candidate — barring Abraham — said it was a civil right and discrimination to not allow it. Abraham conceded that he’s all for allowing equal rights to gay couples.

Thies, on the topic of over-development, said the city has had a “ready, aim, fire” approach and it hasn’t sufficiently taken into account its effects in the community. Everyone agreed.

Rent-stabilized housing? Bring control back to the city level! Repeal the Urstadt Law! Bring in real affordable housing, not systems where earning $80,000 per year is the threshold, they said.

Mayoral control? The mayor already has too much control! Give parents more accountability. Simon suggested scaling down the Education Department’s accountability office and returning the workforce to teaching. And there aren’t any well-rounded curricula anymore, Diamondstone said. Everything is taught to the test.

Housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park? No, no, no, no, no and no. There’s no precedent for housing in a park, and let’s not start here. Also, Squadron’s plan is a big hit.

Dock Street project, to include a public middle school in the 18-story residential tower near the Brooklyn Bridge? Absolutely against it, et al. Don’t put your building in my view corridor. Diamondstone did get a bit saucy, saying, “It’s disturbing to see developers dividing a community by providing something we need, and using power to play by a different set of rules.”

So that was the night. Stay tuned for how CBID and IND vote.