Mayor Denies "Deal" With Marty Markowitz To Change Law
"He Should Be Ashamed Of Himself. He's Supposedly Jewish, Too?"
Asser Levy/Seaside Park Seaside Summer Concert Series. On June 30th, a Brooklyn Supreme Court judge issued a preliminary injunction requiring the City and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz to comply with the 500 foot rule regarding amplified sound. At a press conference today, Mayor Bloomberg responded to a question on the controversial decision to go ahead with Marty Markowitz's concert series despite a lawsuit by two synagogues charging they disturb services. "Maybe they could adjust their services slightly earlier. We just have to start being a little more tolerant of each other," Bloomberg said. ""The mayor belongs to a very prestigious synagogue called Temple Emanuel in Manhattan, " Al Turk, vice president of Temple Beth Abraham responded, "Would they change their schedule to accomodate a concert? I doubt it very much."
When asked to comment on allegations that the Mayor made a deal with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz to change the law in order to circumvent the 500-foot rule, Bloomberg denied it. "The bottom line is there is no deal, I haven't talked to Marty Markowitz about this, I'm sure staffs talk all the time, our staff , the City Council's, the Borough President's. " But the Mayor requested the bill to exempt Asser Levy Park from the 500 foot rule. Not surprising considering he has earmarked $10 million dollars to help build Marty Markowitz's $ 64 million dollar, 8,000 seat, tax-payer funded commercial concert arena in Asser Levy Park. (Photo, July 16, 2009 © By Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click Photo to Enlarge
BROOKLYN
NEW YORK (CBS) ― There was anger in Brooklyn on Thursday over Mayor Michael Bloomberg
's solution to the community's fight against free concerts at a local park.
The mayor has suggested two synagogues adjust worship services to accommodate the events.
Bloomberg probably thought he was displaying the Wisdom of Solomon.
"Maybe they could adjust their services slightly earlier. We just have to start being a little more tolerant of each other," Bloomberg said.
But members of two Brighton Beach synagogues -- Temple Beth Abraham and Sea Breeze Jewish Center – were furious at the suggestion from our Jewish mayor that they deviate from Jewish practice and start evening services before sundown.
"I'm flabbergasted that a man of such stature, a philanthropist, supposedly a caring man can ask us to take our religion and practically just dish it out. I mean get rid of it," said Sea Breeze president Mendy Sontag. "He should be ashamed of himself. He's supposedly Jewish, too?"
"The mayor belongs to a very prestigious synagogue called Temple Emanuel in Manhattan. Would they change their schedule to accomodate a concert? I doubt it very much," added Al Turk, vice president of Temple Beth Abraham.
Turk was already upset about plans to turn Asser Levy Park across the street from the synagogue into a big concert space for 8,000 people.
"What really gets me mad and angry is that the politicians are doing each other favors and violatingNew York City law by doing an end run," Turk said.
Saying the new concert space will disrupt services and create traffic and noise headaches, the residents sued the city to invoke the 500-foot law: No concerts 500 feet from any house of worship.
"'Disrespect' is a mild word. I am completely disillusioned with our politicians who can so callously tread upon our beliefs," Turk said.
Mayor Bloomberg did an end run around thecommunity . They sued, but before the judge ruled the mayor broke the indoor world record for legislative achievement. He got the City Council to introduce a bill and pass it in five days. The bill circumvents the 500-foot rule.
Asser Levy/Seaside Park In West Brighton Beach In Brooklyn. (Image: WCBS)
Read More:
Mayor Taken To Task After Saying Times Of Worship Services Should Be Adjusted To Accommodate Music Crowd"He Should Be Ashamed Of Himself. He's Supposedly Jewish, Too?"WCBS - July 1, 2010 - By Marcia Kramer
A Walk In The Park - June 25, 2010
A Walk In The Park - June 24, 2010
A Walk In The Park - June 17, 2010
Mayor Taken To Task After Saying Times Of Worship Services Should Be Adjusted To Accommodate Music Crowd
"He Should Be Ashamed Of Himself. He's Supposedly Jewish, Too?"
WCBS - July 1, 2010 - By Marcia Kramer
A Walk In The Park - June 25, 2010
A Walk In The Park - June 24, 2010
A Walk In The Park - June 17, 2010
