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April 13, 2011 Print Preview

Assemblyman Joe Lentol Says ‘Not So Fast’ to Waterfront Concert Ban

Superman Joe Lentol

Assemblyman Joe Lentol, NY Assembly District 50, in his power suit.

We reached out to Assemblyman Joe Lentol’s office and received an official response regarding Community Board 1′s vote to ban the Williamsburg Waterfront Concert series. It appears there are cooler heads giving thought to the situation as a whole, taking into account the needs of residents, concert-goers and the park itself.

The concert series has become a staple of the Williamsburg summer music scene.

Lentol said:

“Because I am in Albany, I was not at Community Board One last night. I’m trying to verify the exact discussion that occurred. However, I believe that there were complaints about the noise and drunkenness of some concert goers afterwards on the neighborhood streets. There were also some requests for information about how much money has been raised and where those funds go.

I believe these are problems that can be discussed and addressed without canceling all the concerts. I am told that there will be more diversity in the types of concerts this year to address the musical tastes of all ages.

The concert series has helped maintain funding for the East River State Park during these tough fiscal times. From the outset of these concerts, everyone has always been concerned about preserving the quality of life for the families living in and around the park. Noise and other nuisances are issues that should be addressed and will be. I am confident that OSA will address these matters expeditiously.”

Let’s hope cooler heads prevail in this matter.

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  • http://twitter.com/timdonnelly Tim Donnelly

    Thanks for reporting this one out guys!

  • peter

    Joe Lentol has no idea whats going on the streets of N. 8th st. since he does not
    live here. To all the party goers, remember that Williamsburg, was a home to many generations of diverse people, before you came and turned it into a low life partytown.
    Regarding the amount of people, Mr Lentol, you can not put 10 pounds of crap into a 5 pound bag. That is LOGIC.
    I bet Mr. Nick Polanski is turning in his grave now over the rif raf you are supporting.
    You LOST A LOT OF STRONG support Mr. Lentol. You are an embarrassment to your generation.

  • coelacanth

    Why don't you people understand how miserable it is for the people living on North 8?? How can you be so selfish? You people aren't from here so you dont even give a shit.
    PS. NITA NITA, wait your turn.

  • Kenny

    Unfortunately State Parks has made it infinitely clear to those involved that without the funding from the concerts, the East River State Park will be closed indefinitely. You may recall that prior to the concerts it was already closed was once for four months due to a lack of state funds to keep it open. The budget at State Parks has taken massive funding cuts and they have made it very clear that they are not going to spend what little funds they have left on our park when they know very well our park can pay for itself. Thankfully this year OSA and State Parks will not be forced to use Jelly to run the concerts and can choose a group they want to run the concerts that hopefully have more experience and will work with and respect the community. SO CHOOSE WILLIAMSBURG 15 CONCERTS A YEAR OR NO PARK AT ALL?

  • Freedom is not an F-word

    Does all of America have to be one big deathly dull NIMBY suburbia? Sure, Williamsburg wasn't always as it is now; it used to be a great place to get shot or stabbed. But now, it has transformed into one of the most vibrant artistic and cultural communities in America, and if you don't like it, you are free to move to one of 100,000 soulless suburban cul-de-sac dystopia that permeate almost every inch of our country. Let us have this one place! Otherwise, just shoot everyone under 30 now, because we're not willing to live in a country that's one big lifeless suburbia from shore to shore.

  • lisa

    most of the people who are complaining about these concerts are under 30 including myself. im born and raised. im 26, LOVE MUSIC and new people BUT im not into having madison square garden sized concerts infront of my house where I have been living these 26 years of my life. I dont want to clean up vomit, tampons, clean piss off my stoop, find passed out drunks behind my gate, and pay for damages done to my car.. unless u grew up here, not everything was a place to get shot or stabbed.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=811905 Ricky Rubio

      it's not like it's happening every day and you're greatly exaggerating the post-concert events. seems like you're just bitter about the place u grew up is no longer the way u remember it

    • lisa

      hey ricky,
      did you actually READ my post? I said i LOVE music and LOVE new people, which would mean im NOT bitter about the way my neighborhood was..i like gentrification..i dont like the trash the concerts brings..i have an idea..where do you live?? Lets have the concert on your block and trash it all up..make your building and windows vibrate, music so loud uy cant even hear you tv, and like i said..all that other great stuff such as piss on ur stoop and trees, vomit on ur property, people so drunk that they are passed out behind your gate...oh and hey, what about the 500$ worth of damage done to my car while some drunk fool pulled out of his spot and side swiped? Lets do ALL OF THAT ON YOUR BLOCK INFRONT OF YOUR HOME

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=811905 Ricky Rubio

      1. yes I read your ranting post
      2. i live in LES which has plenty of the piss, drunks, vomit, trash, loud music, etc. (although haven't seen a dirty tampon yet). It's part of the game, i CHOOSE to live there. if i was a hardass like u i would move to a less lively neighborhood.
      3. Either get rid of your car or park it in a garage. how can you blame the concert for a hit n run driver? Or use public transport like the millions of NYers or ride a skateboard like me.
      4. It's 15 nights out of 365 and brings a ton of $$ to the park and area, take a chill pill

    • lisa

      and as far as "exaggerating" is concerned, i myself and many neighbors have tons of pictures and video footage of all the abuse that the residents have to deal with. yup.thanks.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=811905 Ricky Rubio

      hahaaaa so u just took pics/videos of all this? and didnt make any attempt to defend ur property and instead just bitch about it on a forum?

  • jendog

    furthermore, why should an elderly person who has been paying taxes for decades, served in the military for your freedom, should be ousted because you want to party? how is that fair? go to the city, there are plenty of hotspots, clubs, music venues, go to la, vegas, cancun,woodstock..williamsburg is not the center of the earth.

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  • Anonymous

    So, what solutions can people propose here besides completely removing the waterfront concerts? In all reality, saying absolutely no waterfront concerts roughly equates to abstinence preaching.

    What are some practical things the N. 7/8/9th street corridor would like to see?

    Post-event cleanup? The institution of a North Side Business Improvement District (BID) similar to Union Square and other heavily trafficked areas of the city? Let's hear some productive suggestions.

  • Travissk8

    THIS PARK WAS NOT BUILT FOR CONCERTS--STADIUMS WERE BUILT FOR CONCERTS!!!!
    Families get kicked out from this PUBLIC park for these concerts!!!! This waterfront park was built for this neighborhoods recreational purpose. If you want waterfront concerts, the entire east side of manhattan has waterfronts where you can hold your concerts. The west side has waterfronts where you can hold your concerts. The waterfront of north 8th street is a small park created for the neighborhood people. Maybe we should tear down all the homes on north 7th, 8th and 9th street for party goers conveniences?
    RE: suggestions, Theatrical productions, Children's movie nights, flea markets, senior entertainment ( SOME OF THEM ARE STILL ALIVE SO RESPECT THAT !! ) rescue animal adoption events, arts & crafts etc IT DOESNT HAVE TO INVOLVE DRUNKEN SLOBS! And as far as post clean up, our TAX PAYING MONEY?
    There are LOTS OF NON RESIDENTIAL areas for LARGE CONCERTS-- how about RANDALL'S ISLAND? The Park where the WORLD"S FAIR WAS HELD in the early 60s?
    All these people care about is getting drunk and partying! Doesn't ANYONE...ANYONE OUT THERE CARE ABOUT US? DO YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR FAMILY? WOULD YOU PUT THIS ON THEM?

    • Kenny

      I again refer to my previous comment, i agree it was made for the community, it was supposed to be a truck depot before lentol got the money to buy the site out from under the trucking company so that the community could have a waterfront park. But if you dont believe me call State parks, the commissioner, the budget office, the press office certainly will tell you, without these concerts which directly fund the park and provide the entire funding for the park the PARK WILL BE CLOSED YEAR ROUND. the only reason the funding goes straight to that park, is because the concerts are held in that park. Remember, before the concerts came state parks had already closed it once for almost five months because of the budget. The budget at State Parks has taken massive funding cuts and they have made it very clear that they are not going to spend what little funds they have left on our park when they know very well our park can pay for itself. Thankfully our community wont have to deal with quite so much this year because OSA and State Parks will not be forced to use the group who ran the concerts last year, Jelly, who as predicted by OSA and State Parks, was disrespectful to the community and irresponsble. This year OSA and state parks can choose a group they want to run the concerts that hopefully have more experience and will work with and respect the community. SO CHOOSE WILLIAMSBURG 15 CONCERTS A YEAR OR NO PARK AT ALL? OR WE COULD JUST TELL JOE LENTOL THAT HE SHOULD HAVE LET IT BECOME A TRUCK DEPOT AND TO TAKE BACK THE MONEY HE USED TO BUY THE PARK

  • travissk8

    KENNY-
    I wish the waterfront was the way it was BEFORE the park was created. Everyone could go down there withtheir dogs, skate, and just enjoy the urban horizon. Now its way LAME. total waste of space.

  • travissk8

    KENNY-
    I wish the waterfront was the way it was BEFORE the park was created. Everyone could go down there withtheir dogs, skate, and just enjoy the urban horizon. Now its way LAME. total waste of space.

    • Kenny

      Kenny 1 comment collapsed Collapse Expand
      TRAVISSK8- that site was scheduled to become a truck depot before lentol came up with the money to make it a park. The contract was written and ready to be signed to the trucking company, would you prefer that?

  • Kenny

    TRAVISSK8- that site was scheduled to become a truck depot before lentol came up with the money to make it a park. The contract was written and ready to be signed to the trucking company, would you prefer that?

  • Travissk8

    KENNY- STOP treating the people on this forum like idiots with your condescending tone and giving TAX PAYING RESIDENTS an ultimatum. We are GREATFUL for a park that we have no access to and can't take our dogs to even though the MAJORITY of residents both new and old have them. furthermore, you would have noticed PLENTY of suggestions but you were too busy condescending everyone. 1. ARTS/CRAFTS 2. FLEA MARKET 3. COMMUNITY THEATRE 4. MOVIE NIGHT 5. FOOD ORIENTED EVENTS/COOK OFFS 6. PET ADOPTION EVENTS ETC. Thus dear KENNY, not everything has to be centered around alcohol and debauchery. Also, whos money EXACTLY DID LENTOL USE TO BUY THAT PARK? Surely, not his own.

  • Travissk8

    KENNY- STOP treating the people on this forum like idiots with your condescending tone and giving TAX PAYING RESIDENTS an ultimatum. We are GREATFUL for a park that we have no access to and can't take our dogs to even though the MAJORITY of residents both new and old have them. furthermore, you would have noticed PLENTY of suggestions but you were too busy condescending everyone. 1. ARTS/CRAFTS 2. FLEA MARKET 3. COMMUNITY THEATRE 4. MOVIE NIGHT 5. FOOD ORIENTED EVENTS/COOK OFFS 6. PET ADOPTION EVENTS ETC. Thus dear KENNY, not everything has to be centered around alcohol and debauchery. Also, whos money EXACTLY DID LENTOL USE TO BUY THAT PARK? Surely, not his own.

    • Kenny

      State parks doesnt allow dogs in any of their urban parks, it would be great if they did, because I have two very large rescues who are the love of my life, and McCarren Dog Run, which is closest to my apartment is always packed and is too small for very large dogs anyway. For the record I think Lentil owns one too because he funded improvements at that dog run and the one up on the park at Nassau. I didnt mean to be condescending or imply I was discounting the other ideas, I read all the other comments and its amazing that people are getting involved and getting creative. I think other fundraisers are great ideas and many similar fundraisers have been undertaken by the non profit group Friends of the East River State Park to raise money for the park. My nephew and I always enjoy their pumpkin festival. They have also applied for a bunch of grants for funding of the park, thats how the playground got built, a grant from a cereal company or something. But, State agencies need a guarantee of the money for the entirety of the budget, in the beginning of the fiscal year when they submit their planned budget to the state budget office. These ideas while fun and creative and the type of thing I would love to attend, have a piecemeal feel to them and cant offer that kind of guarantee, even if a group, with a proven track record that the budget office would have faith in, offered to step in and plan and run them.

    • Kenny

      Perhaps though other types of fundraisers could reduce the need for so many concerts if they could show a consistent track record over a number of years of bringing in a certain amount of money and if undertaken by a group with a proven not for profit. But it would take time and dedication to build that track record. And who knows, maybe you are right, maybe eventually it could get up into the hundreds of thousands necessary and I will eat my words gladly.

  • Travissk8

    KENNY- STOP treating the people on this forum like idiots with your condescending tone and giving TAX PAYING RESIDENTS an ultimatum. We are GREATFUL for a park that we have no access to and can't take our dogs to even though the MAJORITY of residents both new and old have them. furthermore, you would have noticed PLENTY of suggestions but you were too busy condescending everyone. 1. ARTS/CRAFTS 2. FLEA MARKET 3. COMMUNITY THEATRE 4. MOVIE NIGHT 5. FOOD ORIENTED EVENTS/COOK OFFS 6. PET ADOPTION EVENTS ETC. Thus dear KENNY, not everything has to be centered around alcohol and debauchery. Also, whos money EXACTLY DID LENTOL USE TO BUY THAT PARK? Surely, not his own.

  • LISA

    ricky, you are truly the biggest joke. probably more of a mistake brought into this world than the concerts..you clearly do not understand a single word or complaint coming from anyone on this forum. RESIDENTS ARE FORCED TO WATCH AND GUARD THEIR PROPERTY LIKE A GUARD DOG..COPS AND 311 WERE CALLED A MILLION TIMES, THAT WAS ALL DOCUMENTED AS WELL. THERE WERE MANY FIGHTS AND ARGUMENTS IN ATTEMPTS TO GUARD PROPERTY..AGAIN, WHERE IN MY COMMENTS DO I SAY 'HEY RICKY, WE ALL SNAPPED PICS BUT WERE TOO PUSSY TO DEFEND OUR PROPERTY!!' IT ISNT FAIR THAT WE HAVE TO STAY OUTSIDE OUR HOUSES AND MAKE SURE NO DAMAGE IS DONE TO OUR PROPERTY. SACRFICE OUR TIME, FOR WHAT??? SO PEOPLE CAN GO SHIT ON OUR STREETS AND MESS IT UP AS IF THEY WERE AT A CONCERT HALL OR WORSE? CMON RICKY, USE YOUR DAMN HEAD AND LEARN SOME RESPECT FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE WHETHER ITS BEEN GENERATION, 5 YEARS, OR THEY MOVED IN YESTERDAY. WE ALL ARE TAX PAYERS AND TAKE CARE OF OUR HOMES. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PEACEFUL NEIGHBORHOOD YEAR AROUND, AND IT DOESNT DESERVE TO HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DESTROY IT BECAUSE SOMEBODY MADE THE GREAT DECISION TO THROW CONCERTS OF THIS MAGNITUDE INFRONT OF PEOPLES HOME..THIS ISNT A BUSYT LES STREET, THESE ARE THOUSANDSSSSSSSSS OF PEOPLE, SCREAMING THEIR HEADS OFF, DESTROYING YOUR PROPERTY, INFRONT OF YOUR BEDROOM WINDOW. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF

  • LISA

    1. glad you can read.
    2.i dont care where you live, we CHOSE to live here because its a beautiful peaceful neighborhood. we choose to live here for whatever reason we want. I was born and raised here, and i LOVE it here. i'm not going to move because some jerkoff made a selfish decision to throw madison sqaure garden sized concerts infront of my home. i'm goin to protest like the other residents because we live here its my RIGHT.
    3. let me get this straight. YOU want ME to sell my car so people can act like fools at a concert???? hahahahhahha thats hilarioussss, residents including myself never have issues with our vehicles being damaged year round. so a concert goer, with a concert wristband on, and a beer bottle, gettin into his car, sideswiping mine, we have witnesses and documentation is telling you its NOT a concert goer? hahahah ur pretty funny ricky..or dumb. sell my car so strangers can partyyyy it upppppp..LMAOOOOOO
    4. last but not least pretty rickyyyy..think before you speak. these concerts are benefiting the pockets of scumbagsssss..do your research..theres alot of wondering money..where did it go?? surely not to the park

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=811905 Ricky Rubio

     Lisa,

    Well you asked me if I read your post and where I live so that's why I told you. (But that's besides the point.)

    MSG hold about 19.5K people surely the Waterfront doesn't hold anywhere near that, soo negative point to you.

    Kenny seems more stable than you and says where the money is going, so I'll agree with him.

    You totally disregarded my park the car in a garage idea. If you park it on the street anywhere, anything can happen. It's the law of the land. (And seriously though, maybe you shoud sell it--walk or bike around, shed a few lbs, find a man who wont make you so angry.

    I attended 4 concerts last year and saw none of what has been described they were really peaceful from what I saw, but again why don't you stop whining on a board and go to you local authorities.

    Also, thanks for the insults, gladly I'm not someone who hates life and cultural events like yourself.

    And relax with the CAPS lock, it just weakens your arguement.

    Peace, Love, & Music,

    Ricky

  • Lenor

    I am born raised and living on the island of Manhattan, NYC all over was a
    way better place before gentrification. Drunk groups of hipsters or chicks
    hooking up with dicks is way scarier than any junkie/drug dealers.

    We live on the other side of the river and the concerts are heard into our
    entire apartment, cant listen to our own sounds because its so loud, I do not
    believe anyone has the right to destroy an others serenity, take it to the
    suburbs or wherever you came from !! The city is not a free for all, real people
    still live here so get real, I guess with all that technology and noise you
    shoot into your soul, you do not have a clue what real is.