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May 8, 2009

Fireworks Backlash

fireworks-050809.jpgWhen we blogged the news that the Fourth of July fireworks were being moved from the East River to the Hudson River, it didn't take a fortune teller to predict that the outcry from Brooklynites would be swift and loud. In a statement it's safe to assume speaks for most of his constituents, Council David Yassky called for a reversal of the decision. From a press release (via McBrooklyn):

The annual Fourth of July fireworks show on the East River and over the internationally-recognized Brooklyn Bridge is one of our City’s greatest spectacles. Moving the show to New Jersey would negatively impact thousands of tourists and residents who come to Manhattan and Brooklyn to enjoy the show, and the countless local business that stand to benefit from the event. I urge Macy’s to split the show so that Brooklyn residents are not robbed of this important tradition and influx of economic activity during this moment of economic uncertainty.

Spoken like a true comptroller!
Photo by Caviar




Posted by Brownstoner at 10:15 AM | Comments (20)
Categories: Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Greenpoint, Quality of Life, Red Hook, Williamsburg

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Comments

oh big deal. let jersey have a nice show for a change. selfish brooklynites. waaaaaah

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 8, 2009 10:21 AM

Is there some other fireworks display planned for brooklyn?

Other than bottle rockets launched by drunk neighbors I mean?

Every little town of 3,000 souls or more in this country manages a fireworks display. Brooklyn would achieve a lameness of biblical proportions if it had none.

Posted by: northsloperenter at May 8, 2009 10:35 AM

that's true northsloper. there has to be something planned, no? you could always just hop on the path and go to boulevard east in jersey.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 8, 2009 10:40 AM

Doesn't Prospect Park do them?

Posted by: Ljubitca at May 8, 2009 10:50 AM

PP only does them on new years, I believe. But somebody should could be a hero by ponying up for some...let's start a pool. I'll throw in $10 if everyone else does.

Posted by: new2hood at May 8, 2009 10:53 AM

Dear Mr. Yassky: Tourists are mobile and can go to whereever the fireworks are, and now that I think about it, so are most Brooklynites, unless they are just too lazy to do so.

Posted by: altervoce at May 8, 2009 10:56 AM

Every little town of 3,000 souls or more in this country manages a fireworks display. Brooklyn would achieve a lameness of biblical proportions if it had none.

Posted by: northsloperenter at May 8, 2009 10:35 AM


QOTD

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at May 8, 2009 11:01 AM

As a cost cutting measure we could ask the city to let the old mobsters out of the clink. Back in the day they used to put on some great fireworks on 4th of July.

Posted by: Johnny at May 8, 2009 11:03 AM

"oh big deal. let jersey have a nice show for a change. selfish brooklynites. waaaaaah"

Thanks Rob, and just for that you're welcome to join us on our roof to watch them!

Posted by: TownhouseLady at May 8, 2009 11:08 AM

I selfishly am glad that the heights promenade and streets will be open and not clogged all day with police and fireworks gawkers. The streets are a mess on the 5th and there is no efficient crew cleaning up like on Times Square.
Let New Jersey and Riverside Drive get the honors this year. We should alternate.

Posted by: mcKenzie at May 8, 2009 11:11 AM

WHOA! it just hit me that my old room in harlem on riverside drive looked right out on the hudson river! i guess ill be going back to harlem for the 4th :) too bad that building doesnt allow roof access :(

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 8, 2009 11:29 AM

This is a joke. There goes any notion Bloomberg values Brooklyn as much as Manhattan. All the developers of those tacky overpriced new condos on Riverside Drive got their way. Well they are pretty desperate to sell those things. We know somebody who has had their Riverside Drive luxury condo on the market for two years. Guess nobody really likes living next to a noisy freeway with a view of New Jersey after all.

Posted by: traditionalmod at May 8, 2009 11:31 AM

actually the view of jersey is gorgeous and preferred the view of jersey and the hudson MUCH more than i do of the view of manhattan from my roof in brooklyn.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 8, 2009 11:45 AM

Just when I got invited to the Heights to watch them too...

Let's just get some explosives, stand in the street drinking, and blow shit up like they do in Long Island.

Posted by: infinitejester at May 8, 2009 11:48 AM

LOL jester!!!! up until last year i went to long island with my ex to his family's house. it was always a huge thing with all the illegal fireworks setting them off in the streets. lots of fun though :) big mess to clean up in the morning but everyone on the block (sorta) would usually chip in.

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 8, 2009 11:57 AM

I'm sure nobody had or has notion that Bloomberg ever thinks of anything except people of UES Manhattan.

Posted by: Petebklyn at May 8, 2009 12:06 PM

Bloomie cares quite a bit about Bermuda (and the banks in Hamilton) in addition to the UES.

Posted by: sam at May 8, 2009 2:15 PM

uh.. arent the people on the UES and people in Brooklyn Heights pretty much drawn from the same feather?

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 8, 2009 2:46 PM


McKenzie, i hear u...i lived on corner of Clark/Columbia for 2 summers..the immediate neighborhood would love to see fireworks moved to West Side or Jersey.....most Promenade folks aren't real big on outsiders(especially Manhattanites) occupying area for 8-10 hrs, pissing on sidewalks, public drinking. loud obnoxious bastards...the following 2 days streets r filled w/ garbage and it's usually about 85 degrees..............

Posted by: bklyn14 at May 8, 2009 9:54 PM


maybe David Yassky can come clean up on following morning ??

Posted by: bklyn14 at May 8, 2009 9:56 PM

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