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Community Views

Your Forum for Ideas, Comments, Information, and General Gripes.



Moving Forward or Backward?

There has been many chance in the community in the last several years. From the loss of the Fortway Movie Theater, potential loss of the Alpine Movie Theater, and the confirmed loss in the upcoming months of Mark Lanes something I fought valiantly for.

There has also been in change in not just our use of recreation, but the quality of stores many of the Mom and Pop stores cannot afford to stay in the community, and many big stores have come in because they either can afford it, or see a way to gain new customers. In the process jacking up the prices for any mom and pop.

Overcrowding is more rampant than ever 86th street at times is very much like any street in Midtown Manhattan with people walking around not just from the community but surrounding neighborhoods, borough's, and some just visiting family.

The middle class seem to be decreasing by the minute in New York none the less, with the increase in rents, houses, condo's and everything in between. The divide just between the middle and upper has increased in the last several years.

I would be cynical to sit here and give you a solution to every problem I have listed. Heck most communities have these issue's it's New York 2006, but the problem is all our elected officals need to pay attention closely to this not just around election time, but 365 days a year.

To think a place like Bay Ridge which once was the place for the working class, seniors, and people to get a start in life is now becoming a stop on the totem pole.

From a high school with over 5000 people, no place for all the youth to go, rent's that are getting out of hand, constant overcrowding, bus service which has become worse and worse. And less of a community togetherness.

For me Bay Ridge used to be a place to make friends, hang out, have a good time, walk to the shore, think about life, relax not worry about the trouble's of life.

Now I am writing about those trouble's because they are in our face more than ever, You be the Judge? Walk outside sometime, and see what is out there.

Posted by: Tom Brice



Mark Lanes

I have been very outspoken against Century 21's proposal of knocking down Mark Lanes. I believe this is a larger issue here: Century 21 is a monopoly bascially to bay ridge. They don't care about anyone in the community; if they did we would have other business competing against Century. Ever notice the amount of vacant stores around 86th street lately? Or the meaningless light in the middle of 86th street?

Mark Lanes has been in this community since 1959. They serve Fort Hamilton high school, almost all the elementary schools, and the guild for exceptional children, which probably is the alley's biggest supporter. Bowling gives so many people a great time, a place to go, fun, friends, and meeting people of all walks of life. I have bowled there since I was 11 years old (I am 21 now). Mark Lanes every Saturday for 10 years has been the place I look forward to going to. It gives me somewhere I belong, and thousands others. If we let Century take this over, we should let them tear down our houses, and parks as well -- maybe they will say it is in the best interest of the community.

Now I understand the need for parking, but last I checked Bay Ridge wasn't built for the handling of thousands of cars, that's why there is transportation. Why sarcifice the last place to have a good time, for parking? This is treason on our community.

And, by the way, just look at what's going on with the Alpine theater, whose lease runs out in the summer. Well I have a few things you can do to stop this go to www.petitiononline.com/rush06 where you can sign my petition to stop the closing of mark lanes, email our community board at communitybd10@nyc.rr.com, contact congressman Fosella, and Senator Golden, who by the way no where to be found on this issue. Also of note there is a public hearing at our lady of angels church this Thursday at 7 pm on public safety. Let's let em know that this parking lot is a public safety issue, and I kid you not that bowling alley keeps a lot of kids off the streets. If they wanna build a parking lot, why not choose where the old Eckerd's and 99 cent store used to be on 87th st and 4th av, which would be more convient for century? But I guess we are all just in their way!

Posted by: Tom Brice



Progress?

Century Department Stores, we all know how large they have become wants to destroy one of the last recreational facilities in Bay Ridge -- Mark Lanes Bowling Alley.
Why? So a 280 car parking lot can be created.
Granted, a parking lot is needed on the 86th shopping stretch of Bay Ridge -- but at what price?
I believe that a compromise can and should be worked out -- allow the department store to have a multi-level parking garage OVER the bowling alley.
Thank you,



Posted by: Marion Cleaver














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Moving Forward or Backward?
(Apr 23, 2006)

Mark Lanes
(Mar 06, 2006)

Progress?
(Feb 21, 2006)

Taxation without representation
(Sep 09, 2003)

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