Below is a pic of the self-appointed Mayor of the Playground, Carlos Easterling, with Chazz (left) and a couple of his proteges. Carlos runs basketball clinics in the summer and special days for the young folks, and is a super-positive presence in a lot of these guys' lives. He knows a lot of the NBA players and is able to bring them out and encourage the whole stick-to-the-playbook attitude that needs reinforcing. We should see if we can get Carlos access to the gym at PS92 on Friday nights. He wants to do an informal Community Center hang, talk about how the week went, give kids a place to go on a night that can be problematic. A couple folks I talked to said there was also possibly a way to partner with a church for a community center as well.
Where will it all lead? Who knows. But it's a start. And yes, they locked the playground when it got dark, even shooing us out. No "fight club" that night at least.
24 comments:
Nice work! Any media attend?
According to my husband, there was a reporter present, who was asking all type of questions of several people. I hope it was a major newspaper.
Wait, wait a minute. I thought the safety and security of this playground revolved around one man? I don't have to mention his name. You ALL know who I'm talking about. I just thought it's funny how you people vilified a man for something he has no control over. If it's not his fault, then it's the 71st. Those corrupt bastards! Dear lord...
Carry on Tim.
Hey you're back! I missed you! Btw, no one ever blamed the councilperson for the problems. But many of us were mystified that he was M.I.A. after his photo op when it opened. Leadership. It's called leadership. Thankfully, there are plenty of people willing to take up the slack, including a number of decent cops at the 71st, who make it their business to be responsive to the community.
So sorry the good Councilperson couldn't find time out of his busy schedule to join us.
Anon 1034
Damn right it's Mathieu Eugene's fault and the 71st precinct fault, if solvable problems aren't solved. It's the fault of anyone who is employed by the people,with taxpayer money, who have influence,means and power to address the problems affecting the people and do nothing or the bare minimum to address these problems.
You can rant and rave about this being a vendetta issue all you want, it just shows that you don't give a damn about the people living in this community.
This issue is about SAFTEY in our community, about protecting children and preventing the possible loss of life. Everyone in this community should be concerned about that. The fact that this isn't your main issue and you are speaking for Mr. Eugene, does speak volumes and serves to justify the harshest criticisms. The fact that you spend your time trying to aggravate the people who are trying to solve these problems speaks volumes as well. Please stop, it's doing nothing but making you and Mr. Eugene look like damn fools.
What do you mean he has "no control over" what's going on in the neighborhood? We're not asking him to do it alone. We're not asking him to go in the park and face these bad guys alone. What we're asking him to do is to take the lead. We're asking him to respond to us, to participate, to talk to the community, to follow-up, to help us solve issues and problems in the community. That's what we expect!
Here here Clarkson FlatBed, Mom on Winthrop, and rose...
Anon 10:34: One comment, as others have said more already: Numerous parents, children, and other neighborhood folks came out for the Play for Peace event. A number of the police from the 71st precinct to show their support. Eric Adams, Saundra Thomas and Sylvia Kinard came to show their support. But one person was glaringly missing--You ALL know who I'm talking about! That's right Mr. Eugene--your absence was noted by all, and will not be forgotten in the coming elections! You've already lost a vote of confidence in the primaries, and your reputation can get no better when even those who lost against you in the primaries show up to support the community!
So you want Dr. Eugene to show up and create a traffic nightmare on that small stretch of road? He's a busy man. You know, being a city councilman and all.
Also, it doesn't matter if you lost confidence in him because you, rose, and winthrop mommy are a small, small tiny minority. I cannot forget Tim, the ring leader. As a proud supporter and dear friend of Dr. Matheiu Eugene, I am happy to have him represent this district. He brings with it, respect, dignity, and his erudite expertise on issues facing our community.
Hee hee, I'm loving that one! As if a City Councilman drives around with a motorcade...he actually stopped by a couple days earlier all by himself and took a look around. Didn't cause any traffic jams then.
The "small, small tiny minority of people" you refer to actually comprised a majority of the district who voted against ME in the Democratic primary, and I dare say most of us are prepared to move on and I hope you do too. Your comments are hilarious, though irksome. Feel free to rah rah for the home team if you like. but just know you only make your man look more foolish than ever.
You're the foolish one, not me. Tell me, do you know what our great councilman has done for our local churches? No? Of course you don't. You don't believe in God anyway.
Matheiu Eugene won the primary with the majority of votes and will win against whatever force Ms Kinard has up her sleeves or girdle. The Rent Party??? Hahaha!
I am prepared to move on but your stupid herd of sheep can't seem to get past their hatred for Dr. Eugene. You are to blame for this. You have engendered a lot of this through your posts and accusations that haven't been proven including the one you conjured up about his so called dual residence.
Was there an investigation? Nope! Was he ever disciplined for that? Nope! Was he censured? Nope! Was he fined? NOPE! Continue posting your fairy tales Tim. That's what you do anyway. I'll continue to prod you and your dumb flock of sheep for as long as I can.
Tim hasn't "conjured"anything here. This story has been all over the press; here's a recent rcap, including statements from people in BOTH neighborhoods who claim he lives there: http://ditmasparkcorner.com/blog/politics/councilmember-mathieu-eugenes-real-estate-woes
I will be voting for Sylvia Kinard on Election Day and will be encouraging all of my neighbors to do so as well.
Maybe we need a helicopter pad installed on the playground's basketball court to avoid traffic nightmares and facilitate Eugene's public appearances. Should make it much easier for him to commute between Canarsie, City Hall, and occasional visits to our district.
I considered Mr. Eugene to be incompetent long before I found this blog. Anyone who doesn't know he needs to live in the district he wishes to represent should not run for office.
There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by Dr. Eugene. You guys are grasping for anything and it's really sad.
This playground weren't possible without his help and what do you do? You try to sully his reputation, making outlandish statements and even resulting to name calling. You are ungrateful people.
And babs, you can vote for anyone you want this November. You can write yourself as candidate for all I care but it won't matter because Dr. Eugene will win this November and will finally shut all of his critics up.
"There is no evidence of any wrongdoing by Dr. Eugene"
AFAIK that is true; HOWEVER there is plenty of evidence of incompetence and just plain stupidity. Our City Council district is surrounded by other districts represented by some of the most effective members of the Council–Tish James, Jumaane Williams, Brad Lander. It is an embarrassment to be [mis]represented by an empty suit like Eugene.
And yes, I agree that Eugene is likely to win in November. Shame on us!
Anon 12:24,
If Mr. Eugene wins in November, that will not shut his critics up. In fact, if he does win, this community, especially the people reading this blog, is going to make sure he does the job he is being paid to do. You think we are annoying now. Keep prodding the people who are serious about solving the problems in this community and you will see what real activism is all about.
The more Eugene's inarticulate, unintelligent lone defender here makes comments the more convinced I am we have the worst city council person in the city. It is really depressing. I think Yvette Clarke should lose her seat based on this alone, that she hand picked Eugene for this district. What does that say about her? By the way, is there any plan for November? Why NOT vote for the Rent party and Kinard? Sorry, but if this is what my own Democrat party offers us, forget it. I will vote Rent party or Republican before I vote for Eugene or Clarke. I'm serious. F the Dems for forcing these horrible people on us.
Yvette Clarke isn't up for re-election until next year, so no chance to do anything with her this year. To be fair, while I do not think that she personally is the best Congressperson out there, I have been very impressed with the staff at her office here in Brooklyn - they are knowledgeable about the district, responsive, and professional. Yes, picking Mathieu Eugene was a major gaffe (and one I have been told she regrets) but overall she's not that horrible.
A do nothing councilman?
This video should vindicate him and make all of you ashamed.
http://www.ny1.com/content/politics/road_to_city_hall/190359/ny1-online--touring-mathieu-eugene-s-council-district
FYI, I deleted comments where writers attack each other and call each other names. Feel free to tear me a new one, or dog elected officials (who are public figures after all) but please don't denigrate each other. It doesn't help prove your point and it makes this an ugly place to hang out. Just stick to your own opinions. Thanks. the management.
I personally wouldn't trust anything either Mathieu Eugene or Errol Louis said without verifying it.
So here, according to a May, 2012, report from watchdog group Citizens United, is the true scope of Mathieu Eugene's "funding" of projects in his district:
The 40th District ranked 48th out of total 51 council districts in receipt of capital and expense discretionary funding for the years 2009 - 2012; the district ranked 48th in capital funds received but 32nd in expense funds.
Unfortunately, discretionary fund allocation is not based on objective criteria, but rather on the Councilmember's political relationships and ability (or lack thereof) to effectively advocate for his or her district.
Jumaane Williams and his predecessor in the 45th district ranked 27th overall, and 25th in capital funds and 27th in expense funds. Brad Lander and his predecessor Bill Di Blasio in the 39th district came in at 34th, 37th, and 16th, respectively. Finally, Tish James in the 35th district came in at 42 overall, and 43 and 34 in capital and expense funding, respectively.
Clearly Mathieu Eugene's performance has been below that of the surrounding councilmembers. We deserve better and should vote him out of office.
Mr. Eugene's anonymous cheerleader is probably a staff worker or a relative. No one can be this obtuse especially if he/she lives here.
Having has dealings with several (now former, surprise, surprise) staff members I doubt that is the case, or else that person is incredibly naive; my guess is a family member (and possible recipient of some of those discretionary funds?).
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