NY Times Slams Paterson's Reform Reversal

The New York Times had some harsh words for Governor Paterson yesterday on the question of reform in Albany. Now that some time has passed since he became the top dog in New York, his zeal for reform has nearly disappeared. He made a vain attempt at looking interested at the end of Reform Day two weeks ago, but in legislation, where it counts, he has done next to nothing. Philip Anderson at the Albany Project is 'giving him the benefit of the doubt', but no such thing exists at the Times.

From The NY Times:

Before he suddenly became New York’s governor, David Paterson was a committed reformer. In his years as a state senator (and leader of the Democratic minority), he called for limiting special-interest money, public financing of elections, and sweeping out as much muck as possible from the State Legislature.

Now that Mr. Paterson finally has the power he has lost his zeal. He has not charted any real plan to push a resistant Legislature toward reform. He has said his focus is on steadying the state in hard economic times.

A steady hand is important. But voters also want reform, Albany desperately needs it, and it is very, very cheap. The only thing that could cost money — public financing for campaigns — would save over the long run. All those lobbyists would have more trouble skewing state money to special interests.

The No. 1 reform should be an end to the system that allows legislators to draw their own districts so that they are re-elected pretty much for life. Mr. Paterson needs to begin pushing now for a constitutional amendment creating a nonpartisan commission on redistricting like those in Iowa and Maine.

Most of Mr. Paterson’s friends in the Legislature will not want to give up this self-serving operation. Senator Malcolm Smith, who leads the Democratic minority, has backed away from this reform, especially if Democrats win full control of the Legislature this year. Mr. Paterson has the power to shame, if he has the will. He needs to start publicly pressing the redistricting reform and threatening vetoes — of money for the current redistricting system and of any future proposal that is not done fairly.

That will seems to have evaporated into the dirty air that envelops the State Capitol. I wish I could say differently, but Paterson will have to prove he still believes in the reform he talked so much about when he was in the State Senate. Words are words, and action is the only thing that matters.

The Baggers Rebellion

If you have ever set foot inside a market in New York City, you most likely have run into a friendly man or woman that bags the groceries. These people work hard for a living just like the rest of us in whatever trade we have become aligned. Some choose this job out of necessity, being run out of a different profession or because they have done it all their lives. Regardless, it is a small but integral part of our community at work. The only difference is how they get paid.

Most grocers argue that these workers are mere volunteers and only deserve the tips that are given by customers. Tips can add up to $10, 20, even $30 a day, though it is a paycheck that is far below the $6.75 minimum wage here in New York City. In the past there have been lawsuits to garner a fair wage, but the persistence of old ways and grocery store owners (from little stores to large chains) have kept the baggers from earning the minimum wage.

From the NY Times:

Luz Ordoñez, an immigrant from Ecuador, is one of seven baggers who sued the Food Bazaar at 21 Manhattan Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, accusing the owner, the Bogopa Service Corporation, of not paying her any wages for three years.

“Our pay was the tips,” she said. “They’d say, ‘We don’t pay you guys.’ ”

Ms. Ordoñez, who joined a picket in front of the store yesterday, said she typically received $25 in tips during her eight-hour shifts. Many days, she said, the baggers were not given any breaks.

Store owners call them volunteers. Volunteers can take breaks anytime they want to, being subjected to long, never-ending hours is far from voluntary. It should be criminal to not pay these hard working men and women a decent wage. It seems that to certain grocery store owners overhead is more important than quality of life for people that keep their businesses humming.

Fortunately for New York, there is a new 'sheriff' in town (actually up in Albany) and he is going to take action. Patricia Smith, Spitzer's labor commissioner nominee and his labor bureau director in the Attorney General's office at the time had thought she solved the problem when a $3 million dollar suit was settled for deliverymen that worked for Gristedes and Food Emporium.

The AG's labor bureau still agrees with the baggers:

Jennifer Brand, a lawyer in the attorney general’s labor bureau, said the baggers were employees, not volunteers. She said they typically work under management’s control and are assigned specific shifts.

“Even if you took the position that these people just came in and were just permitted to be there, instead of being actively hired, they would still be considered employees under the minimum wage law and would not be permitted to volunteer only for tips,” she said.

It is amazing how stubborn the owners of grocery stores are in keeping some of their employees from earning a fair wage despite the increasing public outcry. Well the baggers are not waiting for anyone. They are taking to the streets to have their voices heard and win the right to be paid just like any other employee. Make The Road By Walking has been organizing protests and currently against the Bushwick Associated Supermarket. If you live in Brooklyn and shop at that store, make sure you think twice before entering. With enough hard work and determination, these boycotts and protests will succeed and end this travesty once and for all.

UES Biz Sues City To Remove Homeless From Sidewalk

Obviously the sidewalk outside Karl Kemp & Associates Antique store on Madison Ave in the Upper East Side is pricey real estate. The owner has had homeless people using the concrete slab outside as a residence for two years and he can't take it anymore. So the guy is suing the city for $1 million to clean up his exterior image.

From the NY Times:

Besides seeking $1 million in damages — the dealer’s lawyer said he put in a figure for legal reasons — the suit also asks for a restraining order requiring them to stay at least 100 feet from the store. The suit notes that the antiques dealer is located “within the heart of New York’s most exclusive Madison Avenue shopping district,” with neighbors like Gucci, Chanel and Prada.

Mr. Kemp says that the dress and behavior of the homeless people has discouraged some people from going into his store. The suit, which was filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan on Tuesday and was first reported in The New York Sun, identifies the homeless plaintiffs only as John Smith, John Doe, Bob Doe and Jane Doe.

The suit alleges that the Smith and Doe families have discouraged business from his store, while drinking heavily and harassing prospective customers. Mr. Kemp wishes they would take advantage of shelters and is encouraging it by appealing to his landlord to reroute the heating ducts that make the sidewalk so attractive.

The Coalition for the Homeless had some words for Mr. Kemp:

Shelly Nortz, deputy executive director for policy for the Coalition for the Homeless, said Mr. Kemp’s legal action was mean-spirited and that in her 25 years of working as an advocate for the homeless, she had never heard of a similar suit by an individual against a homeless person.

“I think it’s preposterous,” she said. “Until we see to it that every single homeless individual has a place to stay, this is our reality.”

Ms. Nortz also questioned the legitimacy of the lawsuit. “What law is it that these homeless individuals have violated?” she asked. “It’s not spelled out here. The complaint that they somehow occasionally occupy a space that is also home to Gucci and Chanel doesn’t mean that they’re breaking any law.”

Sorry Mr. Kemp, welcome to New York. Instead of complaining try helping out instead of waging a campaign against the homeless. Check out Daily Gotham's take on it as well.

Environmental Entrepreneurship in NYC

Many people say that they acknowledge climate change and do little about it. A few recycle, a few deny it exists despite the ever-increasing temperatures. Then there are those that not only help the environment, but make a living from it.

Brent Baker, owner of Tri-State Biodiesel has not only found a comfortable niche in New York but he is doing a valuable service for the city. Many people have heard of the term 'bio-diesel' but don't understand exactly what it is. Baker can explain quite well.

From the NY Times:

With more than 20,000 restaurants in the city, Mr. Baker’s business model is simple: collect used fryer grease for free, and take it to a rendering plant where it is converted to biodiesel, to be sold back to consumers. The idea, said Mr. Baker, is to make things as easy as possible for the restaurant owners.

“A lot of them genuinely want to do the right thing for the environment,” he said. “So we give them the option of making that choice in a way that doesn’t hurt them economically.”

Now that is a lot of grease, which in turn creates a lot of fuel that does not have to come from oil. Bio-diesel is also much cleaner and the pollution content is far lower than conventional crude. The grease itself is an awful by-product of a restaurant that could clog and/or break pipes ( I know from personal experience), create an awful mess and otherwise.

Biodiesel is made from refining vegetable oils or animal fats, and is usually mixed with petroleum diesel to form a cleaner-burning fuel that can be used in most diesel engines. With New York’s many diesel-powered delivery and construction vehicles, there is a big market for the fuel, as well as the chance to improve the city’s environment and its inhabitants’ health, Mr. Baker says.

With support from the city and private investors, two-year-old Tri-State made its first grease pickup just before Christmas. Aaron Hoffman, owner of Wogies, a West Village sanctuary for expatriate Philadelphia sports fans, is one of the places that have signed on with Tri-State, and none too soon: He expects to deep-fry nearly 5,000 chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday.

Now that the Eagles are out of the playoffs there might not be so many wings fried at that joint, but you get the point. Tri-State Biodiesel services 100 restaurants, a mere 0.5 percent of the grease producing restaurants that help make NYC what it is (at least to my stomach). If you own a restaurant here and you are reading this, talk to Brent as soon as you can and help make a difference at your establishment. Don't live in NYC? Find a similar company in your area or take a step and help start one yourself!