The Uptown Current

Keith Wright Denies Gerrymandering Allegations

2012-02-10T12:14:38Z

70th District Assemblyman and New York County democratic leader Keith Wright is one of the most powerful Democrats in New York State. One would assume that this is a man who has more than enough influence and power to get the boundaries of his own assembly district drawn as he wishes. Yet perhaps conveniently, or perhaps as an oversight, the new district boundaries have been shifted eleven blocks south leaving Democratic District Leader Marisol Alcantara outside the district she was elected to.

The release of the 70th Assembly District map (PDF) by The New York State Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) has caused a large controversy and has placed Assemblyman Wright at the center of accusations that he is gerrymandering his district to favor a female district leader he can't control, nor has shown an interest in working with. Marisol Alcantara, whose grassroots campaign in 2011 ousted 18-year incumbent April Tyler, will no longer be able to retain her seat under the proposed map, which suspiciously leaves her out by one block.

To retain the seat of district leader one must reside in their assembly district. Alcantara lives on 141st Street and the new map skirts down to 140th Street for one avenue block. Her block. Almost as if someone had literally carved her out. The rumors suggest Assemblyman Wright was wielding the knife.

In an email to The Perez Notes, which reported on the rumors of Assemblyman Wright's gerrymandering this week, Mr. Wright said, "[this] is not true." Assemblyman Wright continued by telling The Perez Notes, "I spoke with Assemblyman Jack McEneny, the head of LATFOR, and told him of the issue and urged him to draw Ms. Alcantara back into the district." Mr. Wright's reaction to the proposed district's shaping is puzzling given his leverage in state politics. This response came only as a reaction to charges that he had a role in forcing Ms. Alcantara out of the district. Prior to The Perez Notes article he had not made his concerns about Ms. Alcantara's district leader seat public.

At the center of the rumors is Keith Wright's alleged behind the scenes influence to gerrymander the district intentionally so that April Tyler, the incumbent Marisol Alcantara replaced, could easily regain her seat. Keith Wright has long had an ally in April Tyler, and New York County Chair Wright's power during this highly politicized process may have been enough to ensure Ms. Tyler success in 2013, should he have been behind any gerrymandering.

Assemblyman Wright denies that gerrymandering was something he was involved in, and scolded The Perez Notes for reporting his alleged role in shoving out Ms. Alcantara, "Next time you decide to pursue a story about my perceived actions, I would hope to have the pleasure of at least speaking with you before they are published."

Mr. Wright is claiming that he is pushing for Ms. Alcantara's inclusion in the district she was elected to, yet his public comments on this issue have so far have been limited to a denial that he had a role in gerrymandering, and don't acknowledge his political influence, ability and power to get something this simple fixed in his home district.

UPDATE: (4/2/12)

The Uptown Current has been informed that Marisol Alcantara will retain her District Leader seat.

The lines have been drawn so that she will retain her District Leader seat without having to move. The lines were, apparently, redrawn due to the overwhelming pressure and outcry from Alcantara's constituents over the clearly gerrymandered maps.

Subway Wedding

2012-02-01T20:53:06Z

Congratulations to UP Theater on their "Subway Wedding" last night. I had a chance to attend and grab some video of the ceremony.

Also many thanks to Coogan's for hosting the wedding reception.

Bloomzilla

2011-06-19T14:17:14Z

I produced this video for New York City is Not For Sale this week, as part of an effort to draw attention to Mayor Bloomberg for his proposed budget cuts. We had a lot of fun putting this together.

Enjoy.

Lack of Donations May Hurt Highbridge Pool Upgrade

2011-05-26T13:39:35Z

The 2011 Design Workshop, a collective of nine Parsons School of Design graduate students, is prepared to build a major enhancement to the pool and recreation center in Highbridge Park. The project would free space in the recreational center building for many activities. Currently the building is used as a locker room and changing area during the summer.

Using the popular fundraising website KickStarter.org the group is targeting $15,000 in donations by June 1st, which would represent a significant portion of the project's funding. Reaching the goal would help make the expansion of the pool facilities a reality, but as of May 26th only $12,000 had been pledged, with less than a week left until their fundraising deadline arrives.

On June 1st, six days from now, the project might face funding challenges if the pool rehab water mark of $15,000 isn't met. The exact outcome of the fundraising goal falling short has not been made clear by the group on their KickStarter.org page. However if the KickStarter.org goal is not met, none of the credit cards used to donate money will be charged, effectively leaving the group $15,000 short.

The pool has been a hub of activity for generations, and the enhancements proposed by the Design Workshop are being presented as a simple, cheap and carefully planned solution to the problems inherent in operating a pool of this size and popularity.

The group's KickStarter.org page can be found here, and below is a video they produced explaining the proposed enhancements:

Via DNAInfo

"Bustling Gardens" Launches Website

2011-04-01T12:58:53Z

After more than fifteen years in existence, Hudson Heights, and The Hudson Heights Owners Coalition, will now be sharing their territory with another owners coalition in the sub-section of Washington Heights.

The Uptown Current was sent a press release yesterday by Jusky Ding, who is the Co-op Board President of 753 West 178th Street, and the co-founder of newly formed, 5-building strong, Bustling Gardens Owners Coalition. Ding is "thrilled to announce the formation of the coalition," and says it took "nearly a year of planning."

The new website can be viewed here.

Ding, also of the "Friends of the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal" group, is a regular and outspoken member of the community at the monthly CB12 Traffic & Transportation Committee meetings, and said in a phone call that the coalition would attract "prospective home owners who understand that they are separate from the rest of Hudson Heights."

"These blocks are unique," insists Ding, "and we are hoping people will see that." Fifty years ago, before the Trans-Manhattan Expressway was built, "this area looked just like the rest of Hudson Heights, but now we have a bus station and no one can argue that the station and I-95 don't set us apart."

In the conversation with Ding, concerns that the owners coalition could be trying to separate itself from Hudson Heights, were raised.

The Uptown Current called a representative of the Hudson Heights Owners Coalition, who wished to remain anonymous, "[this] is just their way of trying to disassociate themselves from Hudson Heights. It's like what we did with Washington Heights."

Elaborating, the source said, "It was the 90s! Back then we had real reasons to not want to be associated with our associations."

And the trend may be continuing. 16 Pinehurst Avenue is apparently starting a movement to rename the 4th-6th floors in their apartment building as 'The Bustling-Hudson-Washington Shareholders Association.'" Apparently the group is aiming to market apartments with better light than others within their cooperative as being of higher value, compared to apartments on lower floors.

None of the shareholders could be reached for comment, though apparently owners on the third floor are arguing with shareholders on the upper floors about being considered for inclusion in the coalition.

With a push mentioned on their website to have StreetEasy.com recognize the area as "Busting Gardens," Hudson Heights' sub-map of Washington Heights could soon see a sub-map of its own.

Home Stretch

2011-03-08T15:43:53Z

On their return lap an estimated 7,000 people, from the race leaders, to the last runner, begin mile 3 of the Coogan's 5K Race on March 6th, 2011.

Depending on their speed each person is visible for about 1 to 5 frames. The video was recorded over a period of 45 minutes.

Mark Levine Outlines Post-Election Plans During Fundraiser

2011-01-19T15:00:16Z

On Sunday 71st Assembly District Democratic Leader Mark Levine outlined a progressive agenda to help meet the needs of his constituents.

See his remarks below.

Rodriguez Makes Significant Progress on Parking Intro

2011-01-19T13:29:49Z

On Tuesday Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez and his co-sponsors on Intro 375 took their efforts a step further. New York City alternate side of the street parking regulations could possibly see GPS technology play a role in helping drivers park their cars faster than they can under current regulations.

For the past two months I have been helping the councilman's talented staff with their efforts to set up a website where his constituents, and all New Yorkers, can sign a petition supporting Intro 375: NYCParkingReform.org.

This legislation represents common sense politics that will ameliorate a problem that's existed longer than most New Yorkers have been alive. Councilman Rodriguez and the co-sposnsors are addressing a basic, but often ignored problem. Let's help them see this through.

Christmas in Harlem

2010-12-24T21:08:55Z

Lenox Ave to St. Nick, never seen St. Nick,

just niggas selling the same nicks, the same bricks.

Same hustlers running up to Broadway,

that's where the snow's at, taste it. Foreplay.

No turkey or greens, just Jimbo's.

Christmas lights and project windows.

Shouts to the coldest on my barometer;

Berkman, Shapiro, Kalina. Chanukah (my lawyers).

-Cam'ron

Via G.O.O.D. Fridays

World Lens for iPhone goes all Star Trek (almost)

2010-12-17T23:46:06Z

A new free app for the iPhone and iPod touch brings instant non-universal translation to English speakers struggling to read Spanish and vice versa. World Lens instantly translates Spanish/English text using the iDevice's camera and re-projects the text on screen as translated.

This could be useful to English speakers seeking to venture into restaurants in northern Manhattan with Spanish only menus. It could also help Spanish-only speakers read practically everything, everywhere, in the United States.

The app can be downloaded on the iTunes App Store.

Just Like High School

2010-10-12T13:25:39Z

In the eleventh grade, when my class was studying political science, our teacher had us create campaign videos for a phony presidential election we were doing. While my campaign (our candidate was Pat Buchanan, played by a 17-year old from Harlem) lost the election, we by far had the best videos.

This summer it was eleventh grade all over again.

I signed on to the Mark Levine campaign to produce and direct their videos on a volunteer basis. Once again the campaign with the best videos (and the best candidate) ultimately came second in the race for the state senate's 31st district seat Eric Shneiderman is vacating.

Bragging aside, with the election over exactly four weeks ago today, I finally found time to upload all of the ads for various seats that played on the very Washington-Heights-oriented Queens Public Television's (QPTV) Dominican TV shows produced at DBS Media on 181st street.

These are the ads from the 72nd district state assembly race, 31st district state senate race, and the 15th district congressional race.

All of the ads are in Spanish. Watch them after the jump.

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72nd District Assembly Race TV Ads

The ads by the candidates running for the 72nd assembly district seat that Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat is leaving in January were by far the most brutal and eye opening. It was also these ads that most felt like ones we did in high school. Both for their production values, and in a couple cases their bluntness.

The candidates in this race were Nelson Denis, Miguel Estrella, Julissa Gomez, Guillermo Linares (who won the primary), and Gabriella Rosa. All of the candidates ran ads on QPTV programs.

Nelson Denis

Denis implements his own catchy merengue tune.

Miguel Estrella

This ad highlights Miguel Estrella's opposition to gay marriage.

Julissa Gomez

Guillermo Linares (Primary Winner)

The ad touches on the various community issues Linares is running on.

"Linares es Malo"

This ad states it was paid for by "Citizens for a better Washington Heights."

Gabriella Rosa

Gabriella Rosa's campaign produced two similar ads, each featuring people from the community speaking on her behalf.

31st District State Senate Race TV Ads

Only two of the four candidates aired TV ads in this race, but both stirred up some talk.

Adriano Espaillat (Primary Winner)

The victor in the race, Adriano Espaillat, ran two ads during the campaign.

One of the ads states that it was paid for by the Dominican Liberation Party New York. Espaillat's campaign denied that they knew about the ad or who paid for it.

Mark Levine

Twice English versions of these ads were posted on the Daily News "Daily Politics" blog.

15th Congressional District TV Ads

Two of the six candidates aired local TV ads in this race.

Charles Rangel (Primary Winner)

Ruben D. Vargas

Moving Forward

2010-10-11T18:51:44Z

On October 8th, 2010, a group of northern Manhattan residents gathered near the George Washington Bridge. As the sun set, they lined the span with streamers, promoting tolerance of persons oppressed by their sexual preferences.

While the group initially set out to commemorate Tyler Clementi, who committed suicide by jumping off the bridge on September 22nd, the timing of the event could not have been more relevant.

Last week there was an anti-gay beating at the Stonewall Inn. In the Bronx a group made up of mostly teenagers beat and tortured their 17-year-old friend into admitting he, and three other persons, were gay. And yesterday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino went on a homophobic rant that included in his written text: "There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual."

Friday, Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, who helped organize the streamer lining and is chair of Community Board 12's Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee, said, "In the same way that the civil rights struggle in the 60s started to really get traction, when white people realized this isn't a black people problem, this is an everybody problem. And the feminist movement started to get a little more traction when men realized this isn't a women thing, this is an everybody thing. This is not a gay thing. This is an everybody thing."

"Moving Forward" was shot and produced by Alex Castex-Porter, includes footage by Jonathan Reznick, and the music is "Mermaid" by Anamanaguchi.

Northern Manhattan Packs Buses for One Nation Rally in D.C.

2010-10-05T02:02:20Z

PEACE, JOBS, demanded the large signs carried by New York City Councilman Robert Jackson and Barack Obama Democratic Club of Northern Manhattan Treasurer Richard Cipolla at the One Nation rally in Washington, D.C. last Saturday. They were joining 175,000 other marchers supporting progressive policies to address national issues.

The northern Manhattan participation was organized by a coalition including Northern Manhattan Neighbors for Peace and Justice, the Riverside Edgecombe Neighborhood Association, New York City Councilman Ydanis Rodgriguez, the Barack Obama Democratic Club of Northern Manhattan, and buses were provided by local 1199 of the United Health Care Workers East.

Cipolla, a Washington Heights resident, was one of dozens from the area who packed the two buses, along with elected officials, residents, and students enthusiastic about the message they wanted to bring to Washington. Cipolla elaborated when asked about the two signs he made.

"Jobs and peace, these are probably two of the most important things our country needs right now." With the Washington Monument towering behind him, he added, "Because we have higher unemployment rates than other parts of the city, there's lots of young folks from our neighborhood that wind up signing up for the armed forces. Peace would do a lot for them."

The peacemaking efforts weren't only directed at international conflicts. 71st AD Democratic District Leader and former state senate candidate Mark Levine rode the same bus as City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who strongly supported and campaigned for Adriano Espaillat during the state senate primary this summer. Levine made his way to the front of the bus, shook Rodriguez's hand, and the two sat together and chatted during the ride. There were no cameras or press encouraging them to smile; they seemed to be relieved to be talking as just two guys with common enthusiasms about the progressive causes being brought to the table that day.

Later, Levine shared his thoughts on the rally as he was marching towards the Lincoln Memorial. "People on the left are as much, if not more, patriotic as any other Americans.... Being patriotic means wanting a united country, where everyone, regardless of their background, has a fair shot, has opportunities."

Councilman Rodriguez also pointed at the ideological divide. "There's a right wing. This time led by the Tea Party, that wants to impose their agenda. And we have to show that nationwide the progressive force has to be part of the debate [on] the future of this country."

Among those on the buses were high school students from Gregorio Luperon High School at 165th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Many of the students are recent immigrants from the Dominican Republic. As the day was wrapping up David Dubnau, one of the event organizers from the Riverside Edgcombe Neighborhood Association, spoke of what he felt was accomplished. "I think that this huge gathering represents a certain amount of power, potentially."

One needed to look no further than the Luperon students to see that potential power. Clearly the day had an impact on them, a first trip to Washington for some in the group. On the bus ride home some of the boys wanted to come to the front of the bus and freestyle using the bus's microphone/announcement system, something they had likely been eyeing the moment it was first used that morning. While many on the bus were exhausted and wanted to rest, it was not lost on most riders that the excitement of these young people was to be encouraged, that they had asked for opportunity, the patriotic ideal that Levine had spoken of earlier. That, as Dubnau had commented, the accomplishment of the day was potential power, perhaps achieved through the simple empowerment of handing a teenager the microphone. To hand him a voice, an opportunity.

Photos provided by Barack Obama Democratic Club of Northern Manhattan President Nicole Monegro. Video produced by Alex Castex-Porter.

The Long War

2010-10-02T03:38:40Z

This summer I produced a series of videos for the Mark Levine for State Senate campaign. I first met Mark exactly one week after I launched The Uptown Current at a local meeting held by the MTA, and was immediately impressed by his accomplishments and track record for improving the lives of those living in northern Manhattan. During the next year and a half I continued to follow Mark's work, and when the campaign contacted me asking for my vote, I went a step further and offered to create some videos for them.

This is the final video I produced for the Mark Levine campaign. Mark was running for the 31st district New York state senate seat being vacated by Eric Schneiderman. It includes footage from primary night, interviews with volunteers, and sadly Mark's concession speech.

I am proud of Mark for his huge accomplishment in shaking up local politics by running a diverse campaign that unified much of northern Manhattan. Dave Crenshaw, a full-time volunteer for the campaign, expresses his enthusiasm about Mark in the video, "It's not because he's a nice guy, it's because he's an effective guy and he gets things done for all parts of the community.... Mark Levine my neighbor, the teacher, I love him."

Expect a couple more post-primary-election posts in the coming weeks. Including a roundup of various campaign ads that ran on TV during the local primary campaigns.

"Vote For Me (Because I'm Latino)"

2010-09-13T13:32:08Z

YouTube user ArtForStrangers put together this video in response to ads by Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat (and his press conference with David Dinkins last week) and other local candidates vying for various seats in Albany. The YouTube description for the video reads:

Since our local politicians, like Espaillat, his co-hort Dinkins, and custom Merengue song-wielding Gabriela Rosa (and wanna-be politicians, etc) have been not-so-subtly implying that we should vote for them because of their latino racial makeup, I figured I'd join the race and get right to the point.

Vote for me cuz I'm more latino that all them mofos!

Many of the ads ArtForStrangers is parodying have been running on Dominican TV shows based in Northern Manhattan including Contacto and Hechos y Gente, which are broadcast on Queens Public Television and produced at DBS on 181st street.

Via YouTube & thanks to Nicole for sending this in.

UPDATE 9/16/10:

Here is another one from ArtForStrangers:

In the next few days we will have a post that features several of the ads that were run during the primary election campaign season.