The Bank Corner » Village of Haverstraw

Haverstraw: The Right Direction

Bart — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 13:40:59 +0000

Back in October 2008, after looking around the Internet I found a number of YouTube Video’s tagged Haverstraw that had obvious gang connotations. Kinda like a map for bangers, with Hershey’s and Broad Street and 501 cars and handguns. Not that there weren’t other vids from North Rockland but back in early 2008 there was very little out there and they had little cultural value. During the summer that year, a new video hit the Tube called R.I.P. Haverstraw. Not just 20 minutes of the Dominican parade, but a 5 minute docudrama of Haverstraw. Well produced, using pictures of 19th century Haverstraw, the video purported to have killed the Haverstraw of old, and in replaced it with the lawless, gang banging drug bazaar of now. I got a little agitated, and wrote a couple of blogs about what I felt was a lack of positive content on the Web about Haverstraw. At the same time, I came across an excellent video produced by Ken Karlewicz. The video Haverstraw Documentary Photography By Kids became an instant classic in my eyes.

Now, nearly 18 months later, YouTube videos have become ubiquitous. A simple search of Haverstraw will bring a flood of content. Interviews with the Mayor, fires, and parades as well as the Little League, stupid pet tricks, and all the Real Estate brokers. I guess for now I can relax, having done my small part to help clean up Haverstraw’s face on YouTube, and seeing Kens excellent work float to the very top of the Google search page, right where it belongs. I guess we must be heading in the Right Direction.

Is a little professionalism too much to ask?

Bart — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:22:24 +0000

When I read Mike Kohut’s letter to the LoHud Editor, I thought I was going to fall out of my chair. Not only did I have the same exact conversation with Joe just two days before, but there was a conversation over at the RocklandFires forum a couple of weeks ago over the same exact thing. They have a habit of getting the wrong location when they report fires as well as crimes. It’s obvious that the LoHud reporters need help getting a grip on their beat. In the old days, a paper would have a local editor who would hold these reporters accountable, make them get their facts straight before they published. At least make them check the zip code book for chrissakes.

The Ginsburg Tax: In the Fine Print

Bart — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:47:34 +0000

The story in Haverstraw Village lately is the Ginsburg property debate. Simply stated, the developer has yet to secure additional grant money so a clause goes into effect that allows for an additional tax to be levied in the development. I’m happy to note that as a taxpayer in the Village, there was enough foresight back then to protect my interests, and Kudos to all involved. There was bound to be a controversy over this money, and the Village is simply fulfilling its obligations.

I agree with Mayor Kohut in that it will be an intense meeting Wednesday night, but legally the homeowners are obligated. It’s just another example of how the housing bubble has torpedoed so many different real-estate deals, and how so many otherwise brilliant minds just turned to shit when it came to buying property. Some people seem opened to learning more about the district, others will probably finally get a chance to read the offering this week. Either way, its clear to see in the Fine Print.

I for one support the Village here, and take a bit of offense that we have to defend our actions against these particular homeowners, even if it is only a story in the JN. I hope the intensity on Wednesday doesn’t include some shyster lawyer threatening to sue. Either way, these residents should put their ‘big boy’ pants on, pay the bill , and be done with it. The way I see it, your beef is with Martin anyway.

Cross at the Green, and Use the Sidewalks. It’s the Law

Bart — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:15:23 +0000

Traveling around the Village lately I have seen that many people, old and young, have no clue about the dangers around them. Mothers walking babies in strollers down the middle of Maple Ave, schoolkids dodging out on Broadway on the way to school, jaywalkers at New Main and Maple, and residents crowding Main Street on Saturday night make for driving conditions that are getting much too dangerous. There is no doubt that we need to address this issue before someone gets hurt, and an educational campaign is needed, and sooner than later. The cops can’t be expected to enforce laws that people never heard of, especially if the community as a whole has ignored them for so long. I remember as a kid that local government and the schools both took great care to teach and reinforce the simple message, ‘Cross at the Green and Not Between’ .

I think its time we got back to it. Not only that, It’s the Law §1152

Rockland County Traffic Safety Data

Haverstraw You Tube: Thanks to Ken and the Kids

Bart — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:39:33 +0000

After the RIP Video was taken down, I was looking to find something “Good” about Haverstraw and found this wonderful video. The heading reads:

Documentary Photographs taken By Students Ages 5-17 from the Arts Alliance of Haverstraw After School Photography Program In Rockland County N.Y. Instructor Ken Karlewicz

Take a watch

Haverstraw Fire District could raise taxes 10%

Bart — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:57:44 +0000

Plans were scrapped and committee’s were disbanded after estimates found the cost of a proposed Village Fire District to be ‘way too high’. It’s also a safe bet that a referendum would be defeated anyway, even if it cost the taxpayer less in the long run. That’s OK, so they say.

Union & The Bar Latino

Bart — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 13:10:24 +0000

Devin and Jill give us a little social critique with their review. Hmmmm. Read about it here. Union Restaurant and Bar Latino Oh, by the way, we had a wonderful evening. Give them a shot.

Byline Haverstraw

Bart — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 13:50:56 +0000

Pete Applebome wrote an “Our Town” article on Reachout today. Very Nice, take a read.

A Thanksgiving Tradition With an Ever-Evolving Cast

I need more information

admin — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:06:23 +0000

As I sat one recent evening in a firehouse meeting, discussion turned to a cell phone tower proposal in the Village of Haverstraw. It dawned on me that if it hadn’t been at this meeting, there was a good chance that I would not have heard a word about this proposal. Yes, I’m the first to admit that I don’t go to Village Board meetings, and I don’t often hear the gossip at the Village Hall.

So, here I am: fat, dumb, and 2 blocks from a proposed 60 foot cell tower, google searching ’cell tower 10927′, ‘haverstraw cell tower’ and returning nada. I’m blind here, informationally that is.