So the Brooklyn papers has a list of it's top 80 interesting things for 2008 ranked from 80 to 1 like a countdown.

Lots of development issues feature in the list, some good, mostly, from a community viewpoint, not so good. Atlantic Yards comes in twice at 47:

47. Atlantic Yards: The smoldering standoff pitting Brooklyn’s elected officials and Atlantic Yards opponents against the city and state over security plans at the mega-development over the Vanderbilt Train Yards (right) shows no signs of cooling off. The electeds and opponents want a public review, but the city and state are staying silent.

and at 10:

10. Atlantic Yards lawsuits: Two suits are pending — one about the state’s use of eminent domain and the other about the allegedly poor environmental review of the mega-development. If either one succeeds, developer Bruce Ratner is in trouble. If both fail, bring on the bulldozers.

I am sure there will be disagreement as to whether the lawsuits will be as decisive either way as indicated, but they are pretty key. But remember that political sentiment is shifting. Speaking of which, Hakeem Jeffries makes the list:

19. Hakeem Jeffries: This dreamy Democratic Assemblyman from Fort Greene (below) took a number of controversial stands in 2007 — coming out against the Atlantic Yards mini-city and condemning rapper Nas’s use of the “N word.” We can expect more news from Jeffries as the freshman legislator gains his footing.

To round out development issues, let me mention their particularly pungent, shall we say, take on the Gowanus Canal:

4. The Gowanus Canal: This won’t be the year when the Lavender Lake runs cleaner than a mountain spring, but it will be a big year, as the city prepares a major rezoning to allow residential units along that fetid corpse of water.

On a more flavorful note is a local restaurant owner whose Union Hall I have stopped in at a few times. I recommend the Triple Threat! Also like the Union Flatbread, but recently they changed the topping and, though good, it isn't as great as it once was.

52. Jim Carden, Park Slope: The owner of the always crowded Union Hall bar on Union Street in Park Slope and Floyd on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights has shown he has the gift. Whatever his next move is, we’re in (how about a bar with a hot tub?).

Macho men beware. Union Hall is often filled with breast-feeding mothers. Hey, it's Park Slope! Get over it. New mothers need a place to get away or they'll be killing their spouses in no time.

Two city council races make the list. The race to replace Yassky (my own district) gets one mention:

40. Jo Anne Simon, Boerum Hill: The Democratic District Leader has been waiting in the wings to run for City Council —and now she has her chance thanks to term-limits on David Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights). Williamsburger and former Yassky staffer Evan Thies is also in the race.

But clearly the race to replace Bill DeBlasio is the one that gets the most interest, with no fewer than THREE entries:

74. Brad Lander, Park Slope: He’s known from his work on the Pratt Center for Community Development, but now he’s spreading his wings and running for City Council. Lander is one of at least three people (so far!) vying for Bill DeBlasio’s Cobble Hill and Park Slope seat thanks to term limits.

51. Craig Hammerman, Park Slope: Community Board 6’s district manager is another contender for term-limited Bill DeBlasio’s City Council seat — and he’s gathering momentum from his recent induction into the New York City Hall of Fame. “It’s quite possible I’ll be the only Hall of Famer in the race,” he told The Brooklyn Paper...

and coming in as most interesting in this race (according to the Brooklyn Papers!) is my friend, Josh Skaller:

44. Josh Skaller, Park Slope: Skaller is the third announced candidate to replace term-limited Councilman Bill DeBlasio. He’s been honing his political skills as president of the Central Independent Brooklyn Democrats club.

By the way, did I mention I'm having a fundraiser for Josh THIS THURSDAY at my own apartment? Plese feel free to come and meet Josh (invitation here). Or, come meet Josh at the fundraiser for Jimmy Dahroug's State Senate Campaign on Wednesday (both Josh and I are on the host committee). Several other City Council Candidates will be there as well, all worth meeting.

Remember, these City Council races aren't until 2009, so it is interesting that these four people make the list for 2008. Shows you how seismic the year 2009 will be politically, locally speaking.

And, appropriately enough, coming in at 13 is Steve Harrison, running for the NY-13 Congressional Seat:

13. Steve Harrison, Bay Ridge: This local attorney runs in marathons and congressional elections — and, thus far, hasn’t won either. But could he change that with this year’s race against the city’s only Republican in the House, Rep. Vito Fossella?

Just as a reminder, here is what another little local newspaper (the New York Times) had to say about Steve Harrison in 2006:

Mr. Harrison...is an attractive alternative to Mr. Fossella in his own right. Mr. Harrison has a presence in both sides of the district; he resides in Brooklyn, while his mother and sister live on Staten Island.

As chair of Community Board 10 in Brooklyn, he demonstrated leadership as he oversaw one of the city’s largest efforts to contain overdevelopment through rezoning. He has a good command of the issues, and a feel for the concerns of the district. Mr. Harrison surprised many with his passion and keen intelligence in a series of debates with Mr. Fossella. The distinctions could not be clearer. We endorse Mr. Harrison for Congress.

— NY Times Editorial Board endorsing Steve Harrison for Congress in 2006

And no...I'm not going to give away their #1 most interesting thing to watch in 2008. You'll just have to go to their list to find out. But I'll give you #2:

2. “Marty for mayor”: The well-liked Borough President (above) has to make his decision whether to run for mayor. He’ll do it within the month. Our guess is that he runs the other direction.

I disagree. I think Marty "Angry Clown" Markowitz will blunder his way into the mayoral race and the VOTERS will run the other way. If Marty runs he will have his ass handed to him but people who have far more brains than he ever did. Time was he could have run on his charm. Those days are LONG GONE. Marty hasn't been "well-liked" for some time now. He even got booed at a Prospect Park concert last summer! Time was it would have been nothing but love for Marty in the park. Now he gets booed.

Lots more on the list. Check it out.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

| | | | | | | |