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First the disabled, now the elderly—Hizzoner's really on a roll this month. When Margaret Ionescu, an 82-year-old Romanian immigrant, returned to her Astoria apartment after a recent hospital stay, she was dismayed to find that the ceiling was water-damaged, a faulty front door wouldn't close properly, and the bathroom mirror was damaged. When her superintendent failed to make the repairs, she knew where to turn for help: The 311 non-emergency hotline created by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
But Ionescu says operators repeatedly hung up on her and told her they didn't understand her request, and after 23 calls failed to get any results, she again knew where to turn for help: Mayor Bloomberg himself. She explains to Newsday, "I told 311 if you cannot solve my problem, I should call Bloomberg because he keeps telling me to call 311 to have my problem solved. All I wanted to do is knock on Bloomberg's door because he's the biggest person in town. What do I have to do—ask God for help?" It was her promise to take her complaint directly to Bloomberg—who is richer than God, and more unapproachable—that raised red flags with 311.
Soon enough, two detectives from the NYPD's Public Security Unit paid her a visit. Ionescu tells the Post, "I am from Romania. The cops there were very bad. I was scared when the cops came to my door. I didn't want to be taken away. I did nothing wrong. The cops say I want to hurt mayor. No, I say, I want help from the mayor." After their little chat, the officers left their phone number and promised to help make sure the repairs were done.
The building's super, Sergio Cabrera, says Ionescu's always complaining. But he tells Newsday, "The last thing I want is a problem with her." Nevertheless, he insists the door had been replaced in January after it was damaged in an electrical fire and works fine; it just needs a paint job. Also, the water stain was already painted over and it's not his job to fix her bathroom mirror. So it sounds like Bloomberg's going to have to grab his tool belt and head over to Astoria this weekend—before Ionescu takes him down.
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That would be a good photo-op for Bloomberg—getting tools from Home Depot to visit an older constituent.
And once he's made enough repairs to her apartment, he can remove her rent-controls, evict her, and market it as a luxury condo!
Four more years!
it's okay though. at least she won't be alone.
there are now over 10,000 homeless families in nyc.
four more years!
Goggles ?
Exactly.
It's not my job to fix her bathroom mirror! What a nice man. These supers are pieces of work.
Painting over a water stain does not mitigate the damage done. That woman should have her apartment tested for mold.
She makes a good point about 311.
311 is one of those "accomplishments" the mayor harps on.
311 is useless, look what this poor woman went through.
we need a big overhaul in this city, the past 8 years proved nothing he did worked. equate those 8 years with the 8 Years of GWB. that's what we need to hammer on.
I called 311 last night because I wondered why there were fire works going on.
Sometimes when there are fireworks displays on a days when I'm not expecting (like July 4th) the first few booms are unnerving.
I couldn't find out why there were fireworks on the google so I thought maybe 311 would know.
The lady at first thought I was reporting illegal fireworks being set off and said she was going to get us on with 911, which I said I didn't want to do. Then she said she was going to look at an events calendar, put me on hold and then we were cut off.
Does any one know why there were fireworks last night?
maybe for the Tribeca Film Festival.
there's always fireworks when the weather gets warmer.
ex. Gay pride day.
usually they're short in duration, 20 mins tops.
Haha -- so this is the threat to the mayor I saw on the newsmap in Astoria yesterday?
I suppose, since they were saying they couldn't understand her, that it could be that she said she was going to "call Bloomberg" and they thought she said "kill."
all the bloomberg riffing aside, another prime example of the general shit-headedness of NY property managers in responding to their renters. i've lived in a number of apartments all over the city and have been privileged with but ONE super that i would call a decent, reasonable human being. and he was still kind of a dick. sure, there are plenty of rights for tenants, but most people can't afford to take the time and energy to make sure their landlords are actually following them.
does anyone actually know the yielding savings account number where their security deposit is being held untouched?
I only call 311 to gripe about all of the poor and homeless in my area. They are always so nice and helpful. I tell them "I wish there were more luxury condo towers here" and they say, the Mayor's working on it and will get right back to me. Now that's service!