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May 15, 2008
Union Hall Yays Have It; Nays Speak Out
Bumpershine reports that last night Community Board 6 dismissed the motion brought forward last week by its landmarks/land-use committee saying Union Hall shouldn't receive a liquor license renewal. Instead, the board introduced a new motion in favor of the bar/venue's license renewal that was overwhelmingly approved. Nearby residents charged that noise from Union Hall was destroying their quality of life, while Union Hall supporters argued that the business was a boon to Park Slope. "CB6 has dealt a blow against the residents they're meant to protect," says Jon Crow, one of the organizers of the anti-Union Hall faction, in an email statement. "Just last week, after hearing from both sides, the CB6 Land Use Committee voted in FAVOR of residents, recommending the full Board send a strong message to State Liquor Authorities that Union Hall NOT be rewarded with a renewal until resident complaints are fully addressed." Crow goes on to say that his group is "confident that CB6 is an educable Board, that admittedly is facing this issue armed with little of no information on how to base their decisions." One of the most controversial aspects of last week's motion was the allegation that the board member who introduced it, Lou Sones, had a conflict of interest in the matter. Sones owns the Atlantic Avenue bar The Brazen Head, which is a few blocks away from Floyd, a bar that's owned by some of the same people who own Union Hall. What follows is a rundown of the tempest over Sones' motion, which may have ultimately hurt those protesting Union Hall more than it helped them....
In an e-mail sent out by Sones' fellow CB6 member James Bernard to everyone on the community board, Bernard charges, "There is a strong appearance of impropriety here if not an actual conflict of interest according to the law. It cannot be undone. The committee member who made the motion and spoke most aggressively in favor of it is a direct competitor to Union Hall's sister bar. It looks like the Community Board is being used to further the narrow business interests of one of its members. We need to remedy this immediately, starting with a resounding rejection of the committee's resolution. The integrity of the Community Board is at stake." In a reply email to all of CB6, Sones, pictured right, wrote, "I take being on Community Board 6 very seriously and have only voted on every issue out of principle. As a board member my job is to hear the community and in this case the outcries of many who's lives and quality of life have been very negatively altered." In fact, Sones claims he decided to introduce the motion about Union Hall even though he knew it would probably hurt his business.
"It was a difficult decision to make, but we all have to live with our neighbors," says Sones. "It's a slippery slope not to speak out against the practice of putting bars on residential streets. It's not appropriate" Sones notes that the Brazen Head and Floyd are both on Atlantic, a commercial strip. "I think we need to send a strong message to the State Liquor Authority," he says. "Unless strong measures are taken, this is going to become the norm." Sones says he's already noticed a decline in business since he put the motion forward, and that people have called his bartenders and told them that they'd be patronizing Floyd rather than the Brazen Head. The bar owner says he also based his decision to make the motion because Union Hall never came before Community Board 6 before it opened, as is the norm for new bars. The bar's opening was erroneously brought before Community Board 7 two years ago, which Union Hall's owners say happened because they accidentally filed their papers to the wrong board based on a zip code mix-up. "I find it very troubling that they went before Community Board 7 because of the zip code," he says. "I'm not calling them liars, but these are professional bar owners, and they had a lawyer who specializes in liquor licenses. The reason that people on Union Street could not speak up is because it never came before them."
Union Hall Wins! [Bumpershine]
Community Board Moving to Nuke Union Hall [Brownstoner]
Photo by Bryan Bruchman.
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Comments
sounds like the noisy bar won on a technicality not on the merits
a new motion can be introduced and hopefully they will lose their license
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 10:40 AM
After the privileged Slopers pushed out many old bars and other mom and pop shops before, the new entitled nimbys cry about quality of life. What about the quality of life of those trying to make a living? Huh?
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 10:42 AM
"a new motion can be introduced"
No it can't. Once the liquor license is approved, it's a done deal.
And judging by the number of people who came out last night in support of Union Hall (compared to the 15 against it) I'm sure they don't have anything to worry about.
Especially after Jon Crow was reprimanded for calling the fire marshall for Union being over capacity and then entering the bar and being told by the Fire Marshall to stop making false reports.
If you know anything about this man, you know that he is a horrible person. His involvement along with Lou's shot the whole thing in the foot.
Two crazy men.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 10:46 AM
The ignorance in the first post is quite funny.
Get your facts straight. Union Hall did not win on any technicality.
They also have never been cited by NYPD or FDNY for a violation. There are no grounds on which the SLA should not renew their license.
Meanwhile, Mr. Crow violated the law by filing a false alarm with the fire department to further his selfish agenda. He is a very sad little man.
The full CB6 has now remedied what was a ridiculous action last week, when UH owners weren't even allowed to speak.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 10:49 AM
Cheers to Union Hall!! take that old crazies..
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 10:51 AM
Best news all week.
My favorite part is hearing that Lou's stupid Brazen Head bar is suffering.
Looks like some of my calls paid off!!!!!
You guys should check out Floyds, btw. Great Bar and they have a gay night the last monday of every month which is really fun.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:04 AM
http://curbed.com/archives/2008/05/15/union_hall_fight_ends_with_victory_for_bar.php
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:18 AM
Why on earth did Lou Sones not recuse himself from voting or imparting his opinion on the UH license renewal? ESPECIALLY if he had a feeling he might suffer some business "blowback?"
And please, rename UH the Crowbar...
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:23 AM
Hahaha ... awesome.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:34 AM
"Once the liquor license is approved, it's a done deal."
Can someone explain this? If this statement is true, then how is it possible that a vote had to be taken on the license's renewal? And how often must a liquor license be renewed?
Posted by: Park Sloper at May 15, 2008 11:36 AM
I can understand a lay person not understanding what constitutes a conflict of interest here, but CB6 member James Bernard really should familiarize himself with Conflict of Interest Board Advisory Opinion 2003-02 before using the term so loosely.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:36 AM
James Bernard for Mayor!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:39 AM
Well, Lou, why don't you tell him that yourself?
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:41 AM
Jon Crow is as delusional as Daniel Goldstein when it comes to gauging the beliefs of his neighborhood. Clearly, the strong support for Union Hall shows that the "residents" have spoken and wish UH to remain open. Thankfully, a tiny band of NIMBYs was not able to win this battle.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:46 AM
I passed by Brazen Head last night and there wasn't a SOUL in the place.
You have to be a REAL idiot to do something like this to your business in times of a recesssion.
Lou is a goner.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:46 AM
Did anyone else take note that 21 PEOPLE who live ON Union Street signed a petition IN FAVOR of Union Hall!!!??
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:59 AM
This isnt so complicated - its 2008 - if the patrons of UH are really being consistently loud and rowdy - get a camera and film it - or better yet get a webcam and post it.
If people see and hear it they might support you - but all my experiences in, near or around UH tells me that they are an excellent neighbor.
So video or it isnt happening.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 12:24 PM
> And how often must a liquor license be renewed?
Every two years.
And James mentioned that even if it wasn't an official conflict of interest, the appearance is there which is bad enough in an issue such as this and can cast the board in a bad light.
Three cheers for Bob Zuckerman for flipping the situation and putting for the successfull motion to approve UH's liquor license.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 12:33 PM
Jon Crow and his minions have called the Fire Dept and police MANY times on Union Hall. Probably hundreds. That Roberta whackjob has probably called 100 times alone. Or maybe she had one of her 7 cats call some of those times.
Guess what...Union Hall has NEVER received a violation.
NONE. ZERO.
Only person so far to receive one is Jon Crow...for calling in a false report to the Fire Marshall.
I think that should tell you something...
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 12:34 PM
everyone against these actions against union hall, go to city search and write a review for brazen head, making note of the abuse of power that was displayed by it's owner.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 1:08 PM
i am so glad we won this round! way to go guys and gals! now we just have to win against the breast feeding mothers!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 1:13 PM
Gee, that sure sucks that the Brazen Head was dead last night - I was at Union Hall celebrating and business was booming with happy people having a good time.
Good to know the good guys can still win.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 1:23 PM
"everyone against these actions against union hall, go to city search and write a review for brazen head, making note of the abuse of power that was displayed by it's owner."
JUST WROTE ONE!!!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 1:27 PM
after those two reviews on citysearch, i think brazen head is not going to be with us too much longer...
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 1:39 PM
Jon Crow here.
Actually, the bar has been cited for 4 instances of underage drinking and I've never been cited for a false report. In fact, the fire chief who showed up that night after our 311 call (finally transferred to a 911 operator) apologized that he just wasn't familiar enough with capacity laws to ask for the proper form the building department had alerted us had expired... a tip the buildings dept. rep volunteered, not one we had to coax.
And cheers to Lou Sones who had the courage to say that the UH bar owners, for all their posing, have not had a history of being good neighbors, which our letter signed by 75 residents who actually LIVE on the block makes clear. This isn't a small band of complainers... this is a block full!!
Lou's taking hits now, but he is an example of a the kind of bar owner who, rather than vilify neighbors who complain, does all he can to make sure he's done all he can to be a good neighbor -- that's what his motion said, fully knowing it would have no power to actually shut UH down.
And it should be noted that EVERY member of the committee on which he sits that actually heard the testimony of the residents AND bar supporters voted against the bar last night. Had the full board been there too, last night's vote might have been very different.
Hey, I think Union Hall is a beautiful place and their programming is unique... no one's questioning that. But a venue of their size, placed on a residential block (and even THEY now admit that it is a residential block) is a problem that should have been addressed before they invested in their digs. As owners of a bar on Atlantic, they should have forseen the conflict, our community board should have been alerted to their plans, and the residents should have had a chance to voice their concerns at a public hearing as the law requires.
BTW, can anyone get me one of those "Say NO to Crow" signs... hilarious!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 1:48 PM
Glad you lost Crow.
I've heard from a few of your neighbors that you are a RAGING LUNATIC!!!!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:04 PM
Dear Jon Crow:
How will you sleep at night knowing that you've just put Lou Sones out of business??
Funny, huh?
All you needed before was a window fan to help you sleep at night.
Now you'll need something a little more powerful to shut that guilt up.
(Btw, nice Youtube video showing you going into Union Hall after you called the Fire Marshall for the place being over capacity)
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:06 PM
Jon Crow: liar and loser.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:07 PM
"At last night's full Community Board Six Meeting in Borough Hall, passionate outcries were heard once again arguing over the motion to recommend against the renewal of Union Hall's liquor license. However, this time the loud voices were not coming from angry neighbors, but rather Board members themselves, speaking one after the next in favor of the Union Hall's continued presence in Park Slope. The CB6 not only rejected the motion put forth last week by Board member (and Brazen Head bar owner) Lou Sones, but overwhelmingly passed a new motion to take an official stance supporting Union Hall's liquor license renewal when it comes up before the SLA on May 31st
JON CROW was on hand watching the dissolution of his longstanding smear campaign against the bar--including a fake 911 call caught on tape and put up on You Tube. That video was cited by Board Members who said that angry neighbors "have not been fair to the owners" and "are out for blood." Crow's presence at the meeting was limited to passing a note to Sones during the debate and then standing at the meeting's end and shouting "I demand my time!" only to be soundly rejected by the Board.
Union Hall's staff and a fair amount of its clientele showed up in force this time around: cheering loudly as they watched the tables turn in their favor, booing Sones and the emotional statement he read about both him and his bar being "threatened", and finally staging a victory celebration on Borough Hall's steps after the vote with picket signs in hand as they cheered Union Hall's owners upon their exit out of the proceedings.
The Union Hall owners told Gothamist that not only would they continue to reach out to their neighbors by now holding open forum monthly meetings, but will also in all likelihood concede to the residents' biggest demand, that the bar shut its doors earlier on weekday nights. The owners said that they felt the complaint was more than fair and simply wished for the ability to make their own hours instead of having it dictated to them as part of a new license. Their efforts have been documented thus far here and here.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:09 PM
jon crow = loser.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:10 PM
You NIMBY lunatics had your chance. Can you please move to Prospect Heights now and stop causing trouble for those of us who want the nabe to be more than a crotchfruit factory with nothing but grocery stores and restaurants for bland people?
Oh wait, I LIVE in Prospect Heights! You'd probably try to shut down Soda! Never mind...
How about the Upper East Side? It's quiet, and you guys can satisfy your need to complain by picking on Tin Lizzie's all you want!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:13 PM
i took a dump on jon crows stoop
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:26 PM
The funny thing is, Mr. Crow, whether or not charges are brought against you, there is now undisputed proof you filed a false alarm to push your selfish agenda. But I guess you don't see anything wrong with this, do you? You're an awful human being.
And, by the way, name me a bar that hasn't been cited for underage drinking. Four incidents in two years, with literally hundreds of thousands of patrons that have passed through there, and you think that's significant?
UH has the most aggressive and unwavering ID process at the door that I've ever encountered.
So, keep lying about the owners and the bar itself. Everyone now knows you cannot be believed or trusted.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:38 PM
"Actually, the bar has been cited for 4 instances of underage drinking and I've never been cited for a false report."
Jon Crow, will you continue to spread lies? This is slander and libel and is 100% not true.
I hope Union Hall sues you and you lose your brownstone. Your community in south Florida awaits you.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:39 PM
And THIS says it all. The meeting went WILDY in Union Hall's favor, yet the bar owners are so respectful that they've decided to do something nice for the community on their own free accord...
"The Union Hall owners told Gothamist that not only would they continue to reach out to their neighbors by now holding open forum monthly meetings, but will also in all likelihood concede to the residents' biggest demand, that the bar shut its doors earlier on weekday nights."
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:40 PM
Does Jon Crow even own the brownstone he lives in? I think he's a renter.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:43 PM
Jon Crow has nothing to lose. That's why he's so crazy. He's a bitter old man who hasn't seen a dick in 20 years.
Oh, except on a computer monitor at the public library...
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:43 PM
Is Jon Crow that pedophile who hangs out on Union and 6th?
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:44 PM
"Actually, the bar has been cited for 4 instances of underage drinking and I've never been cited for a false report."
TOTAL, 100% LIE.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:45 PM
If you want to throw eggs at Jon Crow, I hear he works at the Food Co-op...
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:46 PM
I like the idea about the citysearch reviews.
Let that bastard know that he isn't as smart as he thinks he is.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:55 PM
there are already two horrible reviews just posted on citysearch that will make ANYONE stay away.
do post some more!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 2:57 PM
Brooklyn community boards, run as they are by busybody assholes with way too much time on their hands, rarely give me reason to celebrate. But I'll be at Floyd tonight tying one on and toasting UH and CB6.
This is friggin New York people. If a little noise ruins your life, move to flyover country and use the proceeds from your overpriced co-op to isolate yourself on a big plot of land somewhere. But lay off our neighborhood bars.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 3:22 PM
Interesting how the defenders of the noisy bar feel the need to resort to vulgar language in their statements. Perhaps they have a somewhat limited intelligence or vocabulary?
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 3:26 PM
There's a car alarm going off on 5th & Union right now - quick Jon, call 911!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 3:37 PM
3:26 - Roberta McCrazy from Union St.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 3:39 PM
No 3:26 is not the person you name, but if you prefer to add name calling to the vulgar language feel free. The defenders of the noisy bar seem to have a high level of intelligence.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 3:44 PM
"The defenders of the noisy bar seem to have a high level of intelligence."
I agree.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 3:48 PM
I just heard charges might be brought against Jon Crow for his false call to the Fire Marshall.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 3:50 PM
Hey, 3:26:
"The noisy bar"? Your contempt is palpable. We get it.
Now F*ck off out of here.
Posted by: BrooklynBear at May 15, 2008 4:05 PM
I've never been to a bar which wasn't noisy.
Well I have, but it shortly closed thereafter.
I had thought the complaints were of noise on the street?
Hmmmmm
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 4:10 PM
Brooklynbear
please get your mouth of the gutter
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 4:54 PM
4:54 = please get your nose off jon crow's ahole.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 4:59 PM
All this self-important whining makes me never want to drink.
Posted by: Jack at May 15, 2008 5:04 PM
All this self-important whining makes me want to go get tanked at Union Hall after work.
And that's just where I'm goin...
I'll be sure to piss all over your house, Jon Crow when I'm screaming my head off leaving the bar at 1am tonight...
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 5:08 PM
BrooklynBear...welcome aboard!!!
I think a discussion about a bar should consist of "bar talk" anyway!!! This isn't the King Cole bar people!!!! It's a loud (only on the inside) fun place.
Brazen Head... Eat &%@# and die!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at May 15, 2008 5:12 PM
you guys really should check out citysearch.
some people are writing some funny as sh*t reviews for brazen head...
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 5:19 PM
It's the most noisy congested street in Park Slope. And it's mixed use. If you are sensitive to noise or can't sleep wearing ear plugs, then it's not the street to live on. with or without Union Hall.
I feel way more pity for somebody who chooses a quiet all residential street then gets a noisy residential neighbor - something that can happen anywhere to anybody and nobody can predict.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 5:33 PM
Jon Crow would be a good front man for band called Douchebag and the Douchbaggians.
Regardless of what Lou Sones thought, BECAUSE he owned a bar AND he operates in what is another neighborhood AND because he doesn't even live in Park Slope...well, he has no business being involved in this even if Union Hall was open 24 hours, encouraged their patrons to drink every night until they vomited on Crow's front porch AND pissed outside all night...
Common Sense.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 5:34 PM
Did anyone find out if Jon Crow is that perv who hangs out on Union and 6th??
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 5:41 PM
He's not that perv. I've got a picture of that guy & its a totally different guy.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 5:46 PM
Make sure you post some more bad reviews on CitySearch for Brazen Head!!! Spread the word about what a crook this guy is!
Lou himself just posted one in defense of himself...it was pretty sad.
He must be totally desperate!
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 6:05 PM
This is a little random, but an observation I've thought about a bunch walking up Union:
My friend was mugged on that block a year or so before the arrival of Union Hall - walking home at night - not too late, but when the street was completely deserted (other than a couple muggers, obviously). It seems less likely that something like that would happen now that there's a little more foot traffic on the Union. I know *I* feel safer walking through there now, just because there are people around. I'm aware that this is a superficial thing, but I thought I'd mention it.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 6:19 PM
"My friend was mugged on that block a year or so before the arrival of Union Hall"
I call horse feathers on that. I lived on Union Street in from 1991-1995 and while not as cleaned up as it is now, it was not this sketchy stretch of rogue hoodlums waiting to pounce on folks. You make it sound as if it was Bushwick or Bed-Stuy. Please, get a grip.
The whole Union Hall debate has been a fascinating look into the narrow world of (let's face it) transplants from the midwest and their views on what is good/bad about Brooklyn.
Before Union Hall showed up 200 Fifth was there for decades... For those who need "street eyes".
Posted by: Jack at May 15, 2008 7:50 PM
First of all, Union Hall has been open for over TWO years, so I DEFINITELY call horse feathers on 6:19.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 8:00 PM
Guest, not even two years. Try the summer of 2006.
If people are implying that 2005 Park Slope was a scorched earth wasteland, man. That's funny!
Posted by: Jack at May 15, 2008 9:04 PM
6:19 here. I lived around the corner on 6th and Berkeley for three years, until 2005, and I'm well aware that the neighborhood is FAR from shady. Nicest neighborhood I've had the pleasure of living in, no question (and there's no need to insult Bed Stuy or Bushwick). The fact remains that people get mugged in "nice" neighborhoods, too, and my friend was mugged on Union between 5th and 6th Aves - must have been in 2005. No need to "get a grip" or anything. I'm not framing it as a giant crime wave - just a personal story. I was just pleased to see a little more foot traffic on that particular block because of that particular incident.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 9:08 PM
6th and berkeley IS gorgeous.
wow, one of my favorite blocks in the slope.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 9:40 PM
I think Jack needs to get a grip. What's the matter, you can't defend your turf without insulting someone else's neighborhood? But what can you expect from a little Park slope snob with aspirations of appearing edgy and knowledgeable. FYI- i was mugged in Bklyn Heights. So Jack- a little less ignorance and racism on your part next time. And unless you've spent serious time in either of those neighborhoods, I sincerely doubt you have the wherewithal to comment on life in either of them.
Posted by: guest at May 15, 2008 11:38 PM
Park Slope snob? Give me a break. I realized after I submitted that that some genius would call me out on that; right or wrong. This board seems to attract a lot of self-haters who go out of their way to find racism everywhere. Can't even set up a flea market without some self-hater opening his mouth. Here's my "grip", chief.
• Born in 1968 in Brookdale Hospital.
• Grew up in Brighton Beach in the 1970s/1980s in a 4 story tenement.
• Parents were immigrants and far from rich.
• My mom worked in Gowanus in a sweatshop and carried sharpened screwdrivers just to make the walk from the 4th Avenue Union Street stop back in the 1970s/1980s.
• My dad worked in a box factory in Williamsburg/Greenpoint back before that.
• Grew up watching the neighborhood go from mixed working class neighborhood, to semi-crap in the 1970s/1980s as people left NYC for Long Island or any other suburb. Ever see some pals you spent time with in 2nd grade turn into hookers and drug addicts? I did. And FWIW, all white... But all poor...
• Stuck it out through those times with my parents despite new building owners trying to get us—and everyone else—out so they could jack up rents and convert the building the condos; sound familiar?
The only racism in that statement is your own. Anyone living in NYC during the 1980s/early-1990s would be nuts to deny the crime in Bushwick or Bed-Stuy was higher than the rest of the city. It's better now, but guess what it's still bad.
And guess what? Some parts of Park Slope in the 1960s/1970s were as bad as Bushwick or Bed-Stuy and both neighborhoods were really screwed up thanks to redlining back then and we all know it.
Posted by: Jack at May 16, 2008 1:29 AM
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