The news that City Council Member Bill de Blasio is in Iowa stumping for Sen. Hillary Clinton appears to be leaving a sour taste in the mouths of some Carroll Gardens residents. We got one email from a neighborhood resident on New Year’s Eve with the subject line: “Carroll Gardens Going to the Dogs?” that complained that Mr. de Blasio–who was Sen. Clinton’s campaign manager in 2000–is ignoring the neighborhood in order to help the Democratic candidate. The email said in part:
DeB’s ofc is calling for VOLUNTEERS in freakin’ IOWA!!! Has he left Carroll Gardens to the dogs? Umm, looks that way, yup. Go ask the folks at 333 Carroll St.
The 333 Carroll Street reference is to the controversial building with a large addition on top (aka The Carroll Gardens Hell Building) designed by Robert Scarano whose permits were reissued before the holidays by the Department of Buildings. Neighborhood blogger Pardon Me for Asking posted a long and interesting item on the subject of neighborhood issues versus Presidential politics and related matters, on New Year’s Eve. In the meantime, there’s the new artwork that has appeared at the Democracy Wall at the Carroll Street subway stop. It includes an image of a proposal for the Public Place development in Gowanus, the Council Member’s telephone number and the tart message: “Sorry, but he might be a little too busy with Hillary in Iowa.” (Before Christmas, there was word Mr. de Blasio’s office was promising “action after the holiday” in Carroll Gardens.) If it’s any comfort to residents, the primary scrambling should be over earlier than in the past, given the front-loaded election schedule.
6 responses so far ↓
1 Anonymous // Jan 2, 2008 at 7:43 am
That’s funny! Last time round Mr. DeB was on Edward’s payroll.
Mr. DeB doesn’t seem to stick to any thing he gets envolved with.
Sure takes back bone to hold a job like his. doesn’t it?
2 Anonymous // Jan 2, 2008 at 11:48 am
The so-called “Democracy Wall” is anything but. It only represents the viewpoint of a small group of vocal activists, one guy in particular. I personally think it’s an eyesore and should be considered graffiti, and removed by the city.
3 Anonymous // Jan 3, 2008 at 9:06 am
You must either be, a developer or buying into a condo somewhere. Freedmow of speech, Baby.
4 Anonymous // Jan 3, 2008 at 9:45 pm
I have a funny feeling that if someone took the time to explain to the Obama people the kind of company Hillary likes to keep in our Councilman Bill DeBlasio, she would definitely lose New Hampshire too. Bill is the perfect “anti-the-real-people” “pro-big-time developer” Republican that she supposedly hates. Unfortunately they are both that way, the perfect couple! And they both want to live in Hollywood…er I mean Washington D.C. Bill does not care two cents about the residents of Brooklyn (i.e. his actual, real consitutents in his actual, real life).
5 Anonymous // Jan 3, 2008 at 9:56 pm
1:48 One guy in particular? No I heard it was a whole group of MTA guys…subway employes or something and they all got really pissed off coz they knew the building over the subway tunnel at Carroll St./F train was illegal and dangerous for the subway riders and I heard their boss wouldn’t listen to em because he was in it on it too…and the whole damn MTA was ignoring all the danger….there and elsewhere down the street
6 Gian // Jan 5, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Fat lot of good the trip has done for Hillary…we’ll see Bill in Iowa in 2012 stumping for Barack!
Add to the disappointed we who attended the meeting with Clarret group on the ILA building last month…it would have been nice to have him there to show some concern over the many short (demolition with asbestos) and long (final design/height of buildings) outstanding issues.
Best,
Gt