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By Julianne Cuba

Brooklyn Daily

They can’t account for this one.

Marine Park’s councilman has the highest budget for staff salaries and rent in the entire Council, but neither he nor the council speaker, who sets the budgets, can explain why. Councilman Alan Maisel’s office gets $489,000 for staff and rent — $80,000 more than the standard Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito created in February, according to materials obtained by Gotham Gazette and shared with this paper.

The speaker gave most operations $409,000 but doled out more to a handful of leaders, such as the finance chair and majority leader, to fund their busier-than-average offices. But Maisel — who was elected in 2014 — managed more than any of the power brokers. He told Gotham Gazette he “had no idea” why he got the most money, but he told this paper he just asked for it.

“I asked the speaker for additional money for staff for salaries,” Maisel said.

The Speaker’s office refused to explain the disparity and repeatedly insisted Mark-Viverito is leveling the budgetary playing field.

“The budgets of all the members were increased this year,” her office said in a statement. “The speaker has taken unprecedented steps to equalize and increase member budgets across the board. The speaker retains the discretion to provide additional resources in limited circumstances.”

Mark-Viverito standardized office operating budgets ahead of Council members’ February decision to give themselves raises. She awarded $479,000 — $70,000 extra — to finance committee chairwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland (D–Queens), land use committee chairman David Greenfield (D–Midwood), and majority leader Jimmy Van Bramer (D–Queens) because of their offices’ heightened responsibilities. She gave Councilman Donovan Richards (D–Queens) $454,000, because he runs two district offices, according to the Gazette.

Maisel said he employs “seven or eight” people — the council average — in his Mill Basin storefront, where retail rent is among Brooklyn’s lowest, according to a 2015 CPEX Real Estate report.

Maisel’s chief of staff retired last month, and he plans to distribute her roughly $85,000 salary among other staffers, he said.

Office budgets do not roll over, so any money left at the end of the fiscal year goes back into the city’s general fund, a spokeswoman said. Maisel got the most last year at $462,618 — $10,000 more than the second-highest funded office that year, fiscal documents show.

Council members are paid separately.

Maisel spends the office budget on the same things other legislators do — he just gets a little more, he said.

“Rent and telephones and electricity and copy machines and all the things that everybody else spends their money on,” the standards and ethics committee chairman said. “Other than the fact that the speaker chose to give me more money.”

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By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Bishop Loughlin’s depth proved too much for Christ the King during the Lion’s 68–64 win in the Catholic Class AA Intersectional boys’ basketball semifinals at Carnesecca Arena on March 9. The Lions squad, which is clawing to win its first title since 1992, is the only team to beat Christ the King three times this year — and end the Queens powerhouse’s quest for a historic fourth-straight crown. Markquis Nowell and Keith Williams combined for 60 points the last time Bishop Loughlin faced Christ the King, but this win was a team effort, their coach said.

“We have ballplayers,” said Loughlin head man Ed Gonzalez. “I knew they would try to take the ball away from Markquis. I said, ‘Who’s going to step up?’ ”

The Lions’ balanced scoring proved that players heeded his call, especially sophomore Idan Tretout who finished with a season-high 19 points coming off the bench. Tretout exerted his presence early by taking a charge, blocking shots, and capping off the first quarter with a buzzer-beater from about 10 feet behind the three-point line, giving the Lions a 17–16 lead.

“I just wanted to step up and come off the bench and help my team in any way I could,” Tretout said. “I think, in the whole league, we have the deepest bench with the most talent.”

Intensity elevated to a new level as the third quarter closed — defense took over at the rim, and referees let the players play. One crowd-pleasing minute of basketball came to an end with junior Jordan Thomas pinning a Christ the King layup to the backboard as Lions fans in Carnesecca Arena erupted.

Loughlin took a 47–46 lead going into the fourth quarter. Christ the King point guard Jose Alvarado, the league’s most valuable player, was in and out of foul trouble all game. Royals senior Jared Rivers kept his team in the game with timely threes down the stretch. Rivers finished with a game-high 21 points, but the Lions depth prevailed.

Tretout had a crowd-energizing dunk, followed by a three on the next possession. Afterward, he strutted down the court oozing with confidence and smiling at the crowd. Thomas made a big layup after grabbing an offensive rebound with 1:11 left in the game to give the Lions a 62–56 lead. Keith Williams added 12 points alongside his impressive work on the glass.

“Guys key up on Markquis and I, so the only thing we can do is tell our teammates to step up for us,” Williams said. “Everyone has stepped up. Idan stepped up. It was very big for us and it helped us win.”

Nowell finished with 13 points, despite suffering an ankle injury a minute before the half. Thomas had 10 points. Bishop Loughlin’s balanced scoring has been vital to their success all season, particularly in their win over rival Christ the King.

The Lions advance to face Xaverian 3:30 pm Sunday at Fordham University in the first all-Brooklyn final in more than 60 years.

“It feels good because Christ the King has won it all three years in a row,” Williams said. “For us to have the chance to win it all? It feels great.”

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By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

The final buzzer sounded and Nyontay Wisseh’s teammates mobbed him against a padded wall under the basket — one big ‘thank you’ hug after the senior’s heroics pushed Xaverian over the top in a thrilling 57–55 win over Archbishop Molloy in the Catholic Class AA boys’ basketball semifinals at Carnesecca Arena on March 9.

“He is our team leader,” guard Brandon Leftwich said.

Wisseh scored all 16 of his points in the second half to help his team rally from five points down late in the fourth quarter. The Stanners had won three previous meetings with Molloy, including in the diocesan semifinals.

“I just stay calm and basically pick it up when my team needed it,” Wisseh said. “We were still in a close game. I just tried to pick it up even more for us to get the win.”

He made two free throws with 13 seconds left to tie the score at 55–55 with help from a Moses Brown goal-tend. Xaverian trapped Cole Anthony on the ensuing in-bound play. Wisseh, who frustrated Molloy defensively in the first half, picked off a cross-court pass and drew a foul.

“I usually intercept passes on defense, its part of my game,” Wisseh said. “It was just and easy read.”

He sunk both free throws with 8.6 ticks remaining to give the Clippers a 57–55 lead — the team’s first since the second quarter. Xaverian (17–11) defended the final seconds perfectly, forcing the ball out of Anthony’s hands to Stanners center Moses Brown behind the three-point line. His shot hit the side of backboard before the horn sounded to send the Clippers back to the final for the second-straight year.

“They are just tough kids. Tough plays,” Xaverian coach Jack Alesi said. “Nothing beautiful out there, just tough plays.”

Leftwich scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half, and Zack Bruno chipped in 13 points. Isaac Grant paced Molloy (22–6) with 17 points, and Brown had 16. Khalid Moore added 14 points.

Xaverian struggled to contain Molloy’s Brown and Grant in the paint in the first half — and the two combined for 19 of the team’s 29 points. The Clippers, who trailed 29–25 at the break, turned up the pressure on the Stanners guards in the second half, thus limiting the duo’s touches. The team overcame its lack of a true post to match up with sheer grit.

“I’m 6-1, and I’m playing the five,” Leftwich said. “I’m guarding Moses. He’s 7-foot. We don’t really don’t care. The bigger you are the harder you fall.”

The Clippers will need to take that mentality into Sunday’s final against Bishop Loughlin at Fordham University at 3:30 pm. The Lions are the league’s deepest team. Its the reigning diocesan champion and already owns two wins over the Clippers. Still, a second-straight empty trip to the final is not an option.

“We want a championship,” Leftwich said. “We have been there two times in a row. We need a championship.”

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Brooklyn Daily

To the editor,

My mom’s home phone went on the blink on Feb. 7. Verizon’s automated recording scheduled an appointment for Feb. 13 at 8 pm. My young-at-heart mom could only make outgoing calls, but not receive any. She had a cell phone during this time. Oops, she dropped it. It was dead as a door nail. Back to square one.

Feb. 13: The repairman called me and said he fixed the phone. He said he would call me later to follow up. I still could not call my mother. He never called back. I called Verizon again. They said they would send out a second person on this day. Of the two repair people, no one called, no one showed up.

Feb. 14: I spoke to another Verizon representative. She made it a medical emergency, and said someone would be there by 3 pm. By 4:15 pm no one showed up. I called Verizon again and the representative in California said she had no record that I called on Feb. 13 and 14. I threatened to switch to T-Mobile and demanded to speak to the supervisor. The supervisor double talked me. But she found the records that I made the phone calls. From sunny California she called the New York office. She told me the office was closed due to the freezing weather conditions. She explained that the wires could freeze and might split. She said she was making it a medical emergency for the next day.

Feb. 15: I spoke to the same supervisor who informed me that the office was closed because it was President’s Day. I received a text (hooray!) that someone would come on Feb. 16 by 4:59 pm. I also received an email.

Feb. 16: The repairman came and said the cable in the building was rotted and old. He would come back the next day — between 10 am and 2 pm— to put in new cables.

Feb. 17: A repairwoman arrived at 11 am. She called me and explained everything she had to do. She also gave me her phone number. It would take approximately five hours. She installed Fios in the basement and wired my mother’s apartment. She also installed a large black box. She had a repairman assist her in the basement. By 4 pm the job was completed.

The bottom line is this: Either don’t use Verizon or if you have a problem with your Verizon phone service, try to wait it out until June. There are very few holidays that could delay your appointment. Also, the weather is quite nice that time of the year! Mom, I love you!

Sherry Berkley

Coney Island

Perv pass

To the editor,

Lenore Skenazy’s column “Sex offenders: Our favorite punching bags” (Rhymes with Crazy, Feb. 19) is very thoughtful and logical. I do not condone sex offenders, but I do not believe they should be banned for the rest of their lives when they did the time and paid for their crime.

I am reminded of Wyatt Earp, who was convicted as a horse thief in Arkansas in the 19th century. If his father and brother had not helped him escape, he would have been hung, yet he turned out to be a respected lawman in Dodge City. At that time if a person committed a murder in states such as Arkansas and Texas, they would be sentenced to 15 years in prison, but if they stole a horse, they were hung.

Like any other country our criminal justice system is not perfect. As Supreme Court Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes said: “The law is not based purely on logic, but more to the needs and traditions of a particular era in society.” Whether judges agree with the law or not, they have to interpret it to see it does not violate the U.S. Constitution, the state, and local charters.

Prohibition was also very illogical and the 18th Amendment was repealed by the 22nd Amendment. I believe judges should interpret the law accordingly and not let their fears guide them, whether justified or not. Some of these sex offenders, like thieves, may be decent in a different environment. They should be judged accordingly, whether they are good or bad.Elliott Abosh

Brighton Beach

Immigrant flap

To the editor,

Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush) wants to grant illegal immigrants the right to vote in New York. Remember, they broke into our country. They did something that is not legal. Understand that? Allowing them to vote is leaps and bounds away from American justice. Shame on you, Councilman Williams. You ain’t my friend anymore!

When I go to my senior center, I will make an announcement about your plan, along with the facts that illegals are not being health-checked at the border, did not pay the fee to enter USA, etc. Aarrgh, I am angry.John Perry

Flatlands

• • •

To the editor,

Did anyone in your family ever tell you that you cannot accomplish anything you started? Well that’s not so. You can change your stars and follow your feet.

That’s what so many Central Americans were attempting to do. Getting away from the constant violence, rapes, murders to make a better life for their families. The big problem is many were sent back do to fear-mongering by the so-called political leaders. The same fate waited years ago for Haitians, who also were sent back.

How is it that no Cuban refugees were sent back to face Castro’s regime? After a short stay they became American citizens. In the 1980s, when many Russians came to America they were given benefits that native-born Americans could never receive. So many refugees can make a valuable contribution to society, if only given a chance.

Solomon Rafelowsky

Brighton Beach

Firing off

To the editor,

Thanks to the five members of the Supreme Court who voted for the Second Amendment that gives people a right to have guns, even though more and more people are losing their lives.

Instead of using common sense to protect us, they gave up the right to make any policy that puts the American people at risk. Shame on them. Some colleges refuse to allow their students to carry guns, but not every college feels the same way. How out of touch these colleges are, still living in the stone age. I suppose human life means nothing to them.

I think if a student on campus kills or injures other students, the college administrator should be deemed as responsible for the act of violence. This often happens when a group decides to rob a store and someone gets killed. The accomplices are just as responsible, even though they were the drivers of the get-away car or other types of abettors.

This would send a clear message not to get involved in such destructive behavior.

At what point does this craziness finally stop?Jerry Sattler

Brighton Beach

Mitt’s snit

To the editor,

It seems Mitt Romney has forgotten Ronald Reagan’s commandment: “Thou shall not speak ill of any other Republican.”

Romney was beaten in 2008 for the Republican nomination by John McCain, who just about lay down and gave Obama the presidency. He was spanked by Obama in 2012 in the general election because he was a weak candidate. Now he viciously attacks Trump the way he should have attacked Obama in 2012.

Trump seems to be the candidate the American people want right now, so Romney will be helping Hillary — another Obama Democrat — get in the White House, unless he has intentions of running again, in which case he will be a three time loser.

Peter G. Orsi

Marine Park

Tricky Hillary

To the editor,

Hillary has to be one of the luckiest people on earth. Could you imagine winning six coin tosses in a row for the Iowa delegates? Wow! What are the odds? She should play the stock market or commodities market. Oh, wait, she did — almost 40 years ago she turned $1,000 into $100,000 in no time, lucky her.

I think she might have flimflammed poor Bernie Sanders the Socialist, maybe they used some double-sided coins she supplied them with, in case a coin toss was necessary in that caucus. Maybe he agreed to the old “heads-I win-tails-you-lose” trick. I could just picture her having him pick the cup with the little ball underneath while she scrambled them around, or the old odd finger trick, throwing out the whole hand and telling him that was wild, she wins. Or even the old eenie-meenie-minee-moe trick, and tell him “and out goes you!” However she did it, I guess we’ll never know — she is a pro.

Cronin Miller

Midwood

Ferry bad

To the editor,

The Friends of the Brooklyn Queens Connector study claimed it could be built for $1.7 billion. Mayor DeBlasio said $2.5 billion. If the cost just went up by $800 million, imagine how many more billions it might cost when completed. It takes more than a simple planning feasibility study to turn into a viable capital transportation improvement project. There have been no environmental documents or preliminary design and engineering efforts necessary to validate any basic estimates for construction costs.

Claims that construction would start in 2019 and open for service by 2024 is just wishful thinking. History shows that construction of most major new transportation system expansion projects take decades.

There are many narrow streets along the corridor. Any street car system will have to compete with existing bus, auto, commercial vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. At an estimated speed of 12 miles per hour, how many people would actually take advantage of a street car versus other existing options? Which neighborhoods will come forward and accept two multi-acre operations, maintenance and storage facilities necessary to accommodate 52 or more street cars? What is the cost and funding source above the $2.5 billion, baseline-budget price tag to pay for two new bridges over the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek as part of the project?

Plans to finance this project by taking a percentage of property taxes on new development is robbing Peter to pay Paul. This would reduce the amount of money available for police, fire, sanitation and other essential municipal services. Both the Department of Transportation and Economic Development Corporation have no experience in design, construction or operations of street car systems. Mayor DeBlasio will have to ask the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to serve as the project sponsor and future system operator.

The journey for a project of this scope can easily take 10 to 20 years before becoming a reality. A new limited stop bus route along this corridor would make more sense.

Larry Penner

Great Neck, N.Y.

Pigeon poop

To the editor,

Hundreds of pigeons converging on our building roofs, park benches, etc., pose a big health issue. They feast on crumbs and garbage people leave behind, and poo all over the benches and sidewalks.

Judith Heller-Braff

Sheepshead Bay

Partisan wars

To the editor,

I read the recent pro-Democrat Party letters (“Sound Off to the Editor) and wonder if anyone recalls when President Bush had more than a year left on his second term and Harry Reid’s bootlicker, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-Brooklyn), remarked, “We should not reverse the presumption of confirmation. The Supreme Court is dangerously out of balance. We can not afford to see Justice Stevens replaced by another Roberts or Judge Ginsburg replaced by another Alito.”

Notice his lack of respect when he didn’t call the other justices by that term. Now with less than a year left to serve these same Democrats think the current occupant of the White House should have the same courtesy they wouldn’t extend to President Bush. Now these Democrats think this year’s docket is so important, but the one in 2007 was nothing because it wasn’t in their favor.

Basically the Democrats started this going back to the nominations of Robert Bork and Justice Clarence Thomas. Payback hurts, doesn’t it, Dems?

I watched the debates where Democrats competed to see who could give away more of other people’s money to those that didn’t earn it, and to bow down to special interest groups whose vote they were courting. They say Republicans want to cut social programs. Well many of them don’t work and are wasteful, yet they’re given more money every year. It is this current president that doubled the national debt in seven years, effectively burdening future generations to pay for it. Both parties voted on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. These wars would be closer to ending if this president hadn’t withdrawn troops before it was secure, and hadn’t let Libya and Syria go to hell causing a rise in the Islamic State — his “JV team.”

Eleanor Six

Brooklyn

Tricky Hillary

To the editor,

Hillary has to be one of the luckiest people on earth. Could you imagine winning six coin tosses in a row for the Iowa delegates? Wow! What are the odds? She should play the stock market or commodities market. Oh, wait, she did — almost 40 years ago she turned $1,000 into $100,000 in no time, lucky her.

I think she might have flimflammed poor Bernie Sanders the Socialist, maybe they used some double-sided coins she supplied them with, in case a coin toss was necessary in that caucus. Maybe he agreed to the old “heads-I win-tails-you-lose” trick. I could just picture her having him pick the cup with the little ball underneath while she scrambled them around, or the old odd finger trick, throwing out the whole hand and telling him that was wild, she wins. Or even the old eenie-meenie-minee-moe trick, and tell him “and out goes you!” However she did it, I guess we’ll never know — she is a pro.

Cronin Miller

Midwood

•••

To the editor,

Don’t “lie” with dogs, Hillary! I can’t understand the uproar of hearing Hillary barking at a news conference. We’ve known for quite some time now that she was a dog and her hubby, Bill, has been a stray for years!

Robert W. Lobenstein

Marine Park

•••

To the editor,

The incessant noise between Hillary-Bernie fans informs and entertains me. I get a chuckle when folks chide Bernie Sanders for making promises they say he can’t keep. So what is a converse candidate? One not making any promises, or making very minimalist promises so they can be kept?

Bernie’s healthcare plan, and other promises he makes (e.g. on education) are not economically feasible. Hell, our damned, massive industrial war machine budget is not economically feasible either, yet many a candidate are willing to fund that machine, so why find it offensive to fund affordable health care for all citizens, too?

What the hell happened to the politic of this day that has people so fearful of daring, of dreaming large, and of working hard toward finding the way to begin approaching the lofty goals of an ideal that helps the many? Has our once-productive and prosperous energy become encumbered by laziness and fear created by the one percent, and spread like germ warfare by its wholly owned mainstream media? When it comes to political conversations on media and social media that are without humor and perspective, my head nearly pops off from shaking.

Donald Trump, like Marco Rubio, is a marketer, and with marketers perception is far more important than truth. And who believes the snake oil salesmen? The gullible, the uneducated? Those who went to schools where critical, individual thinking was frowned upon?

I ask that everyone please vote with their informed mind and hearts for the candidate they strongly believe will think and act as the representative of “we, the people,” and not bid for the monied interests that currently rule much, if not all, of governance.

Barry Brothers

Homecrest

•••

To the editor,

As a concerned citizen, I am closely watching the race for the presidency, with particular interest in Donald Trump’s campaign. He has ascended to the top of the Republican field in large part by attacking or insulting his opponents and others, rather than for his detailed policy proposals. His attacks know no bounds. They are often personal and no one is immune. The list of those who have felt Trump’s wrath is long and growing all the time, and includes: Megyn Kelly, a FOX News Anchor for having “blood coming out of everywhere”; Roger Ailes and Fox News; Mexican immigrants who according to Trump are largely criminals, rapists or drug couriers; all Muslims whom he would deny entry into the U.S.; American Muslims for allegedly celebrating the 9-11 attacks in New Jersey; Sen. John McCain for being shot down and held for years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam; Sen. Lindsay Graham, whose personal cell phone number Trump disclosed; President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Secretary of State John Kerry; Serge Kovalski, a disabled reporter for the New York Times, and all disabled Americans by extension; Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and President George W. Bush; Sen. Ted Cruz, whom Trump purports is ineligible to run for president and is a liar; Sen. Marco Rubio; soldier Bo Bergdahl who was captured and held as a hostage by the Taliban; Carly Fiorina’s face; former Texas Gov. Rick Perry; all government leaders for being incompetent; Planned Parenthood, and the Pope.

Given the extent and vituperative nature of Trump’s attacks, it is clear that he lacks the temperament and positive vision needed to be president. The American people must reject his candidacy.

Arnold Kingston

Sheepshead Bay

•••

‘Demagogue’ Donald

To the editor,

It has become apparent to me that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump would be absolutely perfect in still another remake of the great film, “All the King’s Men.” After all, as demagogue Willie Stark, Broderick Crawford received a well-deserved, best-actor Oscar. Trump could easily pass that, if not do even better in the part. He gives new meaning to the term demagoguery. Hollywood should definitely take notice.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Taylor-n-Kanye

To the editor,

Taylor Swift’s recent remarks on misogyny and the inhuman void known as Kanye West made me think of megalomaniac and greedy marketing “geniuses” (ghouls) who created megalomaniac-infused “creative acts” and successfully sold them to a willing public. Before their time arrived, and often before the individuals in these acts have had time to hone their craft, let alone know themselves, or pay their rightful dues via the passage of time.

I agree with Carlos Santana when he said about the Super Bowl half-time festivities: “This is just an invitation for you to consider iconic bands as part of your halftime entertainment. Real live music, real live vocals, and give the audience real live chills.”

In today’s world the vast reach of the Internet allows most anyone to now do this for themselves. All one need do is create and post a video on YouTube. Couple this with the desire of the mainstream media to distract citizens from being informed about the vital, socio-economic-political issues of the day by shoving garbage “reality” programming in front of the willing, and we have a vast, thick, tasteless soup of mediocrity defining too much of our culture today — a la the likes of the Kardashian clan, which includes Kim Kardashian’s misogynistic and messaging fool of a husband, Kanye West.

Good for Taylor Swift for having the composure and smarts to respond as she did to West. I hold on to a hope that if reminders like this, about misogyny, or racism, or greed, or other non-ideals keep finding a way to reach the masses, one at a time, then change can and will arrive, hopefully in my lifetime.

Barry Brothers

Homecrest

Town halls

To the editor,

As the Republican District Leader of the 46 Assembly District, I was compelled to attend the recent densely packed town hall meeting with Mayor DeBlasio in Bay Ridge, the heart of my district. The usual politicos and their staff filled the room, but it was refreshing to see that actual concerned citizens and residents of Bay Ridge were there in full force. Too bad the current assemblymember did not present her views on the topics discussed, but opted to sit quietly.

Some of the issues discussed were the illegal conversions in Dyker Heights, sex shops posing as spas, and the waste transfer station being built upon our shoreline. A question was posed to the mayor about property tax rates and assessments. He stated that he would look at the tax rates, and request the City Council not raise tax rates, but he skirted the assessment issue. Property assessments are based upon the property’s market value. Market value is how much a property would sell for under normal conditions. The property’s assessment is one of the factors used by our city government to determine the amount of the property tax.

Property tax rates are set by the City Council by determining the amount of taxes it needs to raise in proportion to the amount of money it needs to spend to maintain city programs.

Property tax rates and assessments are important points that pertain to illegal conversions of one- and two-family homes, especially in Dyker Heights, into multi unit dwellings. The main bone of contention is the lack of enforcement by the city and their inaction to alleviate this burgeoning problem. I believe that city agencies remain inactive in dealing with illegal conversions because illegal conversions generate high profit margins to those who invest in certain areas. Homeowners are offered and paid very large sums for their one- and two-family homes, increasing the market value of these homes, which result in higher assessments. Thus the higher the assessment, the higher the tax rate for the neighborhood, resulting in more money for the city’s coffers.

The mayor stated he is aware of the situation, and has hired some new building inspectors, but he also pointed out that not every complaint is a true illegal conversion. He also placed the burden of accessing these illegally converted properties onto the shoulders of the NYFD, which is there to save lives, not to generate income for the city through inspections resulting in fines and violations.

Quality of life issues regarding “spas” acting as illegal sex shops were brought up. A resident pleaded with the mayor to close them down and shut down at least one avenue of human sex trafficking. A “follow the money” approach was the mayor’s cookie-cutter answer, but clearly more needs to be done to close these sex shops. In addition the proliferation of hookah lounges in Bay Ridge leads to the problems of exposing minors, especially teenagers, to the dangers of smoking. There are smoking bans throughout the city, and I am curious as to how and when these hookah lounges became exempt from this law.

Regarding the waste transfer station, the shoreline of Brooklyn is not a dumping ground, and our concerns need to be addressed and not be brushed aside. The sanitation commissioner clearly stated that Bay Ridge is one of the better areas in the city that follows recycling rules, and that garbage tonnage is down five percent in our area. Obviously no good deed goes unpunished!

Many other issues and concerns of Bay Ridge still need to be addressed and discussed. It is only through participation and awareness that they can be resolved. Town hall meetings should be more common, proliferate, and not be an occasional occurrence.

Lucretia Regina-Potter

The writer is the Republican District Leader of the 46th Assembly District and the Secretary of the Kings County Republican Party.

Challenger ‘lie’

To the editor,

The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster took place 30 years ago, leaving us with more questions than answers over the decades.

Why did it lift off on a day when it was too cold to function properly? President Ronald Reagan liked to talk to the astronauts in space. His State of the Union speech was the next day. The shuttle had to be launched the day before to be up and running so he could talk to them during his speech.

Reagan pressured NASA to go through with it, even though it was too cold. Unfortunately the astronauts, who were also scientists, were not told about this. A news conference was held by the panel which investigated the disaster.

The panel members were from NASA, except for Richard Feynman, a noted physicist and an independent member. He showed that the sealant got brittle and lost its ability to seal if too cold. He put a piece of it in a beaker of liquid nitrogen, then he took it out and broke it. Likewise the shuttle seals were rendered useless. The official story said the disaster was caused by a defective worker, but that was a lie.

Jerome Frank

Coney Island

Nuke mook

To the editor,

So now it’s the little fat guy with the bad haircut from North Korea trying to shakedown America by pounding his chest like a gorilla to show his strength so he doesn’t have to fight another gorilla. We used to call this “selling woof tickets” when we were kids growing up in Brooklyn — it was all for show.

Obviously President Obama, who is said to be a poker player, probably isn’t a very good one because he can be bluffed over and over again. I doubt Obama ever read Trumps’ book “Art of the Deal” or Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” a book written more than 2,000 years ago, and still used today by generals and leaders all over the world. Obama telegraphs his intentions to our enemies, telling them when we are sending troops and when we are leaving, complete with date and time. He traded five hardened terrorists for Bowe Bergdahl, a deserter whom he praised and who is now being court marshaled.

Obama made a deal with the devils of Iran, a country whose mantra is “Death to America,” giving them billions of dollars and withdrawing sanctions so they won’t continue making a nuclear bomb. They went back on their word and broke the agreement before the ink was even dry. So now the little fat guy with the bad haircut is going to see what he can get from Obama, like some other tyrants will certainly be doing soon because they only have about another year before he leaves office. They have to work fast, but they also know that if the new president has some cojones, like a Trump for instance, they will be out of luck.

Let’s not forget Iran held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days during the Carter administration. Jimmy Carter — a good, decent and very intelligent man, but a poor president in many ways — wasn’t respected at all by the Ayatollah of Iran at the time. Yet only hours after Ronald Reagan was sworn in, the hostages were released. Any guess why?

Maybe Trump is pounding his chest with his fists like the others who have been shaking Obama down, and maybe he isn’t, but either way I really don’t think those who bully Obama will try their crap on a Trump.

Peter G. Orsi

Marine Park

Reader wars

To the editor,

In response to J.J. Lauria (“Elliott Kibosh,” Sound Off to the Editor”), I proposed sodium pentothal (truth serum) for terrorists and other violent criminals and suspects because I regard America to be very hypocritical in trying to preach and teach justice abroad when we can’t practice it at home.

Are not the members of the Ku Klux Klan — whose ranks included late President Harry Truman, late Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W-Va.), and late Supreme Court Judge Hugo Black — and the American Nazi and Communist parties terrorists? Yet the First Amendment guarantees them the right to speak freely within the confines of reason.

Supreme Court Judge Abe Fortas, who served from 1965 until 1969, was a member of the Community Party, and even his most vocal critics — Sen. Howard Baker (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.) — did not even bother to bring this issue up during his nomination because he was a hawk on the Vietnam War.

I would also like to point out to J.J. Lauria that if we engage in waterboarding what will our enemies do to our imprisoned soldiers? Remember, what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Elliott Abosh

Brighton Beach

Republi-CONS

To the editor,

How interesting when the Republicans running for president talk about taking back our country. They must have amnesia, since it was our government that signed peace treaties with the Indians, and broke each and every one of them. Then it pushed the Indians out of their lands, making them less then second-class citizens. All the stolen land should be returned to each Indian nation — pronto.

So what is the Republican agenda, besides each one attacking the other candidate? All I hear is how they want to cut every social program. What they seem to want is another war. Since we can’t seem to get out of Iraqi and Afghanistan, why would we want to send more American soldiers in harm’s way? I often wonder if these Republicans would encourage their children to join the military.

In Israel you have two options: military service or community service. Let’s stop this madness of war once and for all, and for once save lives.

Jerry Sattler

Brighton Beach

Gov. Gavone

To the editor,

Republican presidential candidate Gov. Chris Christie showed his true colors when he showed disdain for the young woman in the audience who asked why he wasn’t in New Jersey, but campaigning, while the snowstorm and flooding devastated his state. A lot of people might think Christie’s tough guy talk is cool, but in this case I think a lot of people think he’s a “gavone” — an Italian word for disrespectful and ill mannered.

That lady asked a sensible question and she deserved a reasonable answer. Don’t forget, Chris, you work for the people who your salary. To say to her, “What, do you want me to do go down there with a mop,” is as insulting and sarcastic as Hillary’s comment about wiping her server with “a cloth of something” while smirking.

If Christie wants to be known as the tough guy from “Joyzee,” try it with someone your size — if you can find someone. You just lost any slight chance you ever had of getting elected. The “I was only joking” doesn’t cut it. That’s what bullies say when someone finally stands up to them. You, governor, are a bully.

Peter G. Orsi

Marine Park

Chapter and verse

To the editor,

I am writing to convey my dismay at my treatment at a branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, where I went to replace a lost card. When I attempted to inquire about a new card at a room marked “staff” I was rudely told that I was in a staff work area. Someone vaguely gestured toward a hidden information desk, without standing up. At least four staffers were drinking coffee from large painted mugs.

I am a semi-retired, visually impaired senior citizen who has lived in Sheepshead Bay for 59 years. Two days after my family moved to the neighborhood in 1956, my father took me to the library to show me a place of “learning and safety.” He would be very surprised at the way library consumers are treated there today. When I reached the information desk and asked about renewing my card I was met with blank stares from two staffers. After repeating my question two times I was told to go to the computer behind the desk. A staffer expressed impatience when the computer was slow to reboot. She said she did not have time to hold my hand and said I should “just fill in the blanks and press send.” I asked how long it would take to obtain a new card and she clearly said one to two weeks.

I returned to the library in the given time period to inquire about my card. Two staffers ignored me until I asked to see a supervisor. Within five minutes I had a new card. One of the unnamed staffers asked me why I had waited so long to come back to the library. When I asked the supervisor what she was going to do about the way I was treated, she said she would meet with the staff “sometime in the future.” I returned to the library a few days later to pick up a book for my wife and asked a staffer about the supervisor that I had spoken to. I was told that she was at an all-day meeting. I went back to the library the next day and asked to talk to a supervisor. I was told they were off until the following month.

That Saturday I went to the library to read a newspaper. The supervisor I originally talked with suddenly appeared and asked to speak with me. With her voice raised so that all of my friends and neighbors in the room could hear, she said she hoped that we could be good friends and that I could be a “star” of the library. I told her that I had called the New York City Human Rights commissioner to lodge a complaint for discrimination. She said loudly that was my right. As she continued to talk to me in a raised voice she was joined by two other staffers. I left the library immediately because I felt embarrassed and confronted.

Martin Adelstein

Sheepshead Bay

****LARRY PENNER****

Off-track Andy

To the editor,

There is more to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority- New York City Transit will increase rehabilitation for subway stations to a state of good repair by 10-percent to 50-percent from originally 20 planned in the proposed 2015-2019 capital plan. The original $34 billion plan announced in Oct. 2014 proposed $448 million for bringing 20 subway stations to a state of good repair. The plan was cut by $6 billion to $28 billion. The MTA Board approved this revision. That was prior to Cuomo’s declaration about increasing the number of stations (or dollars) for New York City Transit’s renewal program. This plan still needs approval by the State Capital Program Review Board. It also requires the State Legislature to find $8 Billion promised by Gov. Cuomo. The City Council must also come up with $2.5 billion to meet commitments made by Mayor Bill DeBlasio to fully fund the capital plan..

If you increase the number of stations, the overall station renewal program would grow by $224 million to $672 million. Just what other transit capital projects and programs would have to be cut to support finding $224 million? Cuomo was silent on this key question.

According to a New York City Citizens Budget Commission report released several months ago, it will take 52 years or until 2067 for all 468 city subway stations to reach a state of good repair. Cuomo’s math just doesn’t add up. He reminds me of the cartoon character Wimpy who famously said, “I’ll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.” When the bills become due, taxpayers will end up paying Cuomo’s bill.

Larry Penner

Great Neck. N.Y.

Tarnished Silver

To the editor,

The legacy of former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in the area of transportation leaves much to be desired. Consider the schedule, budget, and the cost for four major transportation projects that he took great pride in promoting.

Washington paid twice with your tax dollars for building the new South Ferry subway station. First, for almost $600 million in 9-11 funding, a second time with more than $300 million in Hurricane Sandy funding to rebuild what was damaged. The downtown Manhattan Fulton Street Transit Center was first paid for with 9-11 funding. Cost overruns of several hundred million were covered by American Recovery Reinvestment Act funding.

Fourteen years after 9-11, the Cortland Street World Trade Center subway station is still several years away from being back in service. If there are no new delays, perhaps the station will reopen by December 2018. Transit officials fought for years over budget, funding sources, scope, and schedule. Construction for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority portion of the project just started a few months ago.

There is no funding in the agency’s propose 2015-2019 capital program to initiate construction for the second segment of the Second Avenue subway, north from 96th Street to 125th Street. It will take several decades and $20 billion more for completion of the next three segments of the Second Avenue subway, north to 125th Street and south to Hanover Square downtown in the financial district. The project was originally proposed in 1929!

Silver claimed to be a friend of both commuters and the 99 percent. In reality, he lived the life style of the one percenters. He frequently traveled around town with a personal driver at taxpayers’ expense. I doubt if he ever purchased a MetroCard or rode the subway, like several million New Yorkers do daily.

Larry Penner

Great Neck, N.Y.

Two-fare drone

To the editor,

The proposal by state Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge) to offer two free transfers for those who have to ride two buses before boarding a subway is wishful thinking. People who moved to Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach and Gravesend — areas represented by Golden — knew full well that they would be living in a two-fare (bus to subway) and sometimes three-fare (bus to bus to subway) zone with longer commutes to and from work.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority services continue to be one of the best bargains in town. Since the 1950s, the average cost of riding either the bus, subway or commuter rail has gone up at a lower rate than either the consumer price index or inflation. The MetroCard, introduced in 1996, affords a free transfer between bus and subway. Prior to this, riders had to pay two full fares. Purchasing either a weekly or monthly pass further reduces the cost per ride. Many employers offer transit checks, which pay even more of the costs.

For years, local politicians would stir the pot on this issue. Now the latest cause is the cost for those handful of people out of several million daily riders who have to pay two fares versus one. An overwhelming majority can afford and already purchase either a weekly or monthly unlimited MetroCard, which makes the “double fare” issue moot.

Residents, taxpayers, and commuters in Golden’s district would be better off if he worried more about how the State Legislature will find the $8 billion Gov. Cuomo promised to bridge the $8.3 billion shortfall in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-proposed $28 billion, five-year capital plan when they reconvene in January.

It all comes down to the availability of increased funding for additional transportation service to serve residents of two fare zones in the outer boroughs. Operating subsidies are required to increase the level of service and reduce the amount of time one waits for a bus on existing routes. Same for adding more off-peak, late night and weekend service.

Larry Penner

Great Neck, N.Y.

MTA delay

To the editor,

No one should be surprised by the recent news from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that the Second Avenue Subway won’t be open by next December. The agency reminds me of Capt. Renault from “Casablanca” when he said, “I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on!”

Riders who have been waiting since construction restarted in 2007 with an original service date of 2013 may not be able to pick up their “winnings” until 2017 or 2018. The project was originally proposed in 1929!

Larry Penner

Great Neck, N.Y.

****ROBERT LOBENSTEIN*****

Crooked pols

To the editor,

First Shelly, then Skelos, then others. So our dear New York State democratic leader, Shelly Silver, has been convicted on all counts of bribery and other misdeeds of directing clients’ money to his own pockets. Shelly lamented in his defense that it is standard practice by all legislators in Albany to do what he did.

A few months ago the State Senate refused to fund an expansion of jails. It was sad to hear that, as the good citizens of New York are eagerly waiting to hear about the next round of indictments and convictions of crooked politicians who infest Albany. Their next stop should be a few years in this fine state’s overcrowded jails.

Robert W. Lobenstein

Marine Park

Hill-n-Donald

To the editor,

Hillary Clinton was complaining that the Muslim terrorist groups were using Donald Trump for video recruitment purposes. That lie was quickly exposed and Hillary wound up with egg on her face. Then a video surfaced where Muslim terrorists actually were using footage from Trump’s campaign to recruit new terrorists. I wonder how much Hillary paid them to do this?

Robert W. Lobenstein

Marine Park

Pie in the $ky

To the editor,

Our dear Gov. Cuomo has been on a media blitz unveiling grandiose building schemes — rebuilding the old Pennsylvania Station to an almost former glory, expanding the Javits Center to house the world’s largest ballroom and exhibit center, and other fantastic municipal works endeavors.

One thing that was silently spoken about, off camera, was the way the multi-billion-dollar projects will be paid for. Yes, it will be you and I, and our children and future grandchildren, who will be paying off his follies for decades to come. To build any project on time and within budget is a pipe dream, knowing the ineptness of state and city governments. After these clowns leave office, we all will be saddled for years with the debt load created by their schemes.

Maybe most of these plans should be voted down until Albany straightens up its own corrupt financial mess though, as these politicians are busy picking our pockets, I doubt it.

Robert W. Lobenstein

Marine Park

*****ED GREENSPAN****

Liberal pols

To the editor,

Now there are summonses to be issued and not jail time for those caught urinating in the street. Would city officials like it if these recalcitrant people were caught urinating in front of their homes? Our city and nation continue to go southward, due to these liberal politicians. The lack of respect continues towards our police, and youngsters can now literally get away with anything. It is becoming impossible to suspend an unruly child from school.

Then we have politicians, such as Democratic presidential challenger Bernie Sanders, who are upset that too many prisons are being built and minorities are occupying the jail cells. Well this wouldn’t be the case if the latter people and others behaved themselves, and followed societal rules. It’s a vicious cycle, and allowing youngsters to get away with anything in school only emboldens them to create further havoc as they get older.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Roving Randi

To the editor,

It’s bad enough when elected officials are running for other offices and they are away from their official positions. It is just as bad when people, such as American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten will be criss-crossing the country for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Randi, you have responsibilities that await your urgent attention. In the city more teachers are resigning than ever, they’re throwing the towel in because of the discipline procedures you and other liberal lunkheads have created. Hillary does not need you directly, but teachers throughout the country do, as they struggle with burgeoning class sizes, unruly pupils, overly aggressive administrators, and parents who rule the teacher and principal.

If Randi Weingarten and other officials can’t fulfill their responsibilities, they should take a leave of absence without pay.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Get a grip

To the editor,

There is always an excuse for outrageous behavior. As the years have gone by, the new one is that the perpetrator was off their medication. In a recent case, several women were slashed by someone in and out of hospitals for mental illness. Why was he always released after each episode, only to cause additional mayhem? Same thing in school. Any teacher can tell you which of their students will go on to commit crimes. No one bothers to listen to them as children, when they are literally crying out by acting out for help. Instead, we either play their friend or just pass them on.

Since the family of the slasher knew what he was capable of, it was their responsibility that this individual be looked after. That is what families are all about. Don’t throw your problems on society and expect them to clean up the mess.

I just love when they say that the recalcitrant was in the process of getting his or life together. It is time for individual initiative and responsibility for one’s actions to rest on the individual and family members. Sure, many of these recalcitrant people and family receive welfare benefits and therefore they feel that everything is coming to them.

Ed Greenspan

Sheesphead Bay

Classroom sham

To the editor,

Politicians have conveniently ignored the problem of discipline in our schools. The lack of discipline is the major cause for teachers leaving the public school system within five years of starting to teach, or retiring as soon as they are eligible to do so.

No matter how good a teacher you are, you can’t teach without effective discipline and everyone knows that. Discipline problems start as early as kindergarten and with nothing done, the child goes from year to year in elementary school and will only cause havoc. If a parent doesn’t sign for special education placement, the child remains in a regular classroom and the disorder continues. As important as class size is, all you need is for one child to be continuously disruptive and little to no learning results. Years ago the 600- school concept for disruptive children was done away with. At least hard core troublemakers were kept out and sent to alternative settings.

When a disruptive child enters intermediate school (grades 6-8) the situation worsens because the child now has the added freedom of roaming the halls during change of periods. The problem is exacerbated now by principals who never taught a day, but are now rating teachers. If these principals taught they would see directly what is going on and change their attitudes about blaming teachers for everything. No matter how much money you pump into the school system, without discipline, the results will be the same, year after year.

The mayor and schools chancellor should be ashamed for weakening disciplinary codes. Lord only knows what else is covered up on a daily basis. Our deteriorating schools have become schools for scandal. Where is the union? It’s so happy to be out of the classroom that it couldn’t care less. Union officials get in overwhelmingly each time they come up for reelection, and the hierarchy within the union collects double pensions.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Teaching trenches

To the editor,

As Warner Wolfe used to say, “Let’s Go to the Videotape,” when he would want something investigated further. Similarly let’s go to the school records of violent criminals, or better yet, do something with them in their formative years so that they don’t resort to such violence. If you opened the school records, you would see evidence of cutting class, constantly disrupting the class, roaming through the hallways, cursing, screaming, fighting, and causing all sorts of mayhem.

The city’s school system has failed these students and others by their complete refusal to deal with disruptive youth. As a result, the latter become more emboldened with each passing year, and their deviant behavior worsens until an innocent life is lost.

We keep such students in regular classes if the parent refuses to sign for special placement. As a result, chaos results as teachers desperately try to keep order with burgeoning class sizes. When are we going to face this problem head on and not keep sweeping it under the rug? This is not a racist problem. Disruptive pupils come in all races, religions and all backgrounds.

Empty out the regional and district offices and get teachers back in the classroom. We need more psychologists and psychiatrists in the schools. Less suspensions will not solve anything.

So-called staff development is a complete joke and everyone knows it. Let all the militants, ultra liberals and critics of teachers get themselves teacher licenses and get a taste of what it is like in the trenches.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Pledge allegiance

To the editor,

Of course the Pledge of Allegiance should be recited in schools. As a student of public schools in the 1950s, I remember “the lord is my shepherd” being recited from the Bible in the auditorium until someone finally realized that this was a violation of separation of church and state.

Religion does not belong in our public schools. This means that all symbols representing a religion should not be in the school either. After all, by doing this, we are doing a disservice to those students not of a particular religion, as well as students who are atheists.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

Bernie Panders

To the editor,

Bernie Sanders, what’s so bad about living in a rent-controlled building? You bemoaned that fact about living in such a building in Brooklyn at the last debate.

The rent-controlled buildings on Kings Highway were, and are still, lovely buildings with affordable rents. Ditto for rent stabilization. You’ve been away so long that you probably don’t know that since 1970, if a rent controlled apartment is vacated, it becomes rent stabilized. May the Lord bless rent control and rent stabilization.

At the first sign of any change, you and so many other phony liberals are the first to move out of neighborhoods. Your remark about rent control shows that you’re a landlord’s man. Without rent control or rent stabilization, rents would be over the roof and this would lead to more homeless.

Apparently in Vermont, where you fled to, no such problems of homelessness exist to the degree we’re facing in New York.

Ed Greenspan

Sheepshead Bay

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By Anna Ruth Ramos

Brooklyn Daily

Once upon a time, a princess grew up in Brooklyn.

Actress Lana Parrilla, a Brooklyn native, is best known for her dual role in the fairy tale drama “Once Upon a Time,” now in its fifth season on ABC. Parrilla plays the show’s Evil Queen and her alter-ego, mayor Regina Mills. We spoke to Parrilla about her regal role and her Kings County origins.

Where in Brooklyn did you grow up?

I grew up in Boerum Hill. Because of my Italian family that lives in Bensonhurst and my Puerto Rican family that lives in Boerum Hill, I was always going back and forth. I feel like I grew up in both parts.

Did you do any acting in Brooklyn?

Just in high school [at Fort Hamilton High in Bay Ridge]. I wanted to go to Laguardia High [School of Music and Art and Performing Arts], and I did everything in my power to make that happen. [But my father] didn’t want me to be an actor. He knew how hard it was. He was a professional baseball player [for various teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies in 1970] and it was hard for him. I think he wanted more of a stable job for me.

So where did you get your start in acting?

I didn’t really get to pursue my dreams until I was about 18 or 19, when I graduated high school, and then I was living in Los Angeles. I did most of my training and studying in Los Angeles. I did plays in high school in Brooklyn, and I saw a ton of plays on Broadway, but I never trained out there.

Do you miss New York?

I’ve always tried to go back over the years, especially when I was in my 20s and early 30s I’m still always deep down inside wanting to return to New York in some way. I just love New York. I’m still looking at real estate in Brooklyn. It’s amazing. So much has changed.

Would your character, Regina Mills, have appreciated Brooklyn if she had grown up here?

[Laughs] No. No, because I think she was a bit of a princess and I grew up in Brooklyn during the ’80s and ’90s during the crack epidemic. Yeah, no, I don’t think so — unless she had magic, then maybe.

Where would Regina go?

Regina was an adventurer and when she was a kid she really liked the outdoors. I would probably say she would do really well in Bensonhurst — it would be really fun for her, or Coney Island, if I had to choose Brooklyn. If I wanted to pick a more “princess route,” she would live in Upper West Side, since she comes from money.

What was the best thing about growing up in Brooklyn?

One thing about living in New York is there was always an adventure — your imagination would run wild. You’re in the city, you had to create these worlds that weren’t there. Brooklyn was its own playground with the fire hydrants in the summers and the street block parties. There’s nothing like that. I don’t even know if it still happens, I’ve been away for so long.

“Once Upon a Time” airs Sunday nights at 8 pm on ABC.

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By Stanley P. Gershbein

Brooklyn Daily

Last year, the Department of Homeland Security sent 70 undercover agents carrying hidden explosives and weapons through various airport gates. Security workers only caught three agents carrying banned items — 67 marched right past the Transportation Security Administration as if they carried nothing more than bagels and jelly donuts.

To say that this is unacceptable is the understatement of the year. Fire them! They were hired to protect us, and based on the results of this particular test, they are not even trying.

About a month ago we, were told about the total number of weapons found at airports in 2015. The TSA announced that it found 2,653 firearms in carry-on bags last year. That was a 20-percent increase over the year before. And about 80 percent of those guns were loaded. Considering the TSA’s dismal failure in that undercover airport test, I ask: If they were able to find 2600 guns, how many did they not find?

• • •

I accompanied a friend to one of those large wine-and-liquor stores not very long ago. As we walked in, the man behind the counter greeted my friend by name. If the man behind the counter in a liquor store knows you by name, you may have a problem. Not me. I don’t drink at all. In fact, I am a Diamond-plus member of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Crown and Anchor Society. With that status, I can get all the beer, wine, and booze I want — free of charge. I repeat: I don’t drink at all, but I do make a lot of friends.

• • •

How do you really feel about foreigners working in the United States? I am in favor of people who enter the country legally and apply for jobs when and where there are openings — that is a whole lot better than, as so many do, coming in with a hand stuck out for freebees and not applying for jobs. I am also not very happy knowing that there are companies that are seeking lower-paid, foreign workers to put American laborers on the unemployment line.

Right now, I and many Americans are more than just a bit disturbed by the Disney Company. According to the lawsuit against Mickey Mouse, the big rodent fired 300 workers at Disney World and is allegedly replacing them with lower-paid foreign workers. Furthermore, these American employees are being instructed to train their foreign replacements — or risk giving up their bonuses and severance pay. If this turns out to be true, there will be a run on rat traps.

• • •

Barber shops are great places. Not only can I get a haircut, I can learn what my neighbors are thinking. Political discussions in the barber shop can sometimes become violent. A debate that began with “When Trump gets the nomination…” became louder when another customer jumped in with “If Trump gets the nomination…” I stayed out of it, but I had to softly applaud when the matter of choosing a vice-president came up. After every name was mentioned a wise man suggested Condoleezza Rice. “That way the Donald can siphon off some of the minority vote along with some of the women’s vote from Hillary.”

I am StanGershbein@Bellsouth.net thinking: “Now that is a good ticket.” Anybody disagree? Why?

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By Lauren Gill

Brooklyn Daily

Finally, a yoga class for dogs!

Flexible folks and the furry friends will be able to stretch out side-by-side at a Bushwick yoga class on March 26. But the organizer of the “doga” class for people and their pooches says it is not about turning doggies into yogis — it is just a chance for owners to spend unique time with their dogs.

“It’s more for a bonding experience than anything,” said Desh Valcin, who owns Chase and Papi, a dog-walking service that also sponsors special events for dogs and their owners. “People really get to bond with their dogs when they do doga.”

During the 40-minute class, a yoga teacher will lead humans through a series of poses that incorporate their canine companions, including (naturally) downward dog and chair poses. Each stretched-out position lets the students keep a hand on their waggish pals, and the instructor will teach techniques for doggie massage to keep the pups calm. Valcin, who plans to join the class with her Chihuahua Papi, says that each class end with a meditation session, but since dogs are already enlightened beings, they usually just sit and pant while their owners reach their Zen space.

The class costs $64, but for people looking to bond with their fuzzy friends, Valcin says that the experience is priceless.

“They’re giving their dog attention and the opportunity to do something they love and never tried before,” she said. “You can never really waste money if it’s for your dog.”

The class is open fur all breeds and sizes of dog, although aggressive animals who spoil the vibes will be ushered out. Valcin said she has never seen that happen at a class — the calming class is especially good for rowdy dogs in need of special time with their human.

“I think dogs are stressed because they’re left alone when their owners go to work,” she said. “This is a great time for them to just relax and relieve that stress.”

A photographer will provide class attendees with souvenirs, snapping pictures of humans and their best friends during the class and while they unwind at post-yoga rooftop buffet, which will feature food for both people and pets.

Valcin is optimistic that the class will bring out a wide range of dogis, and give people the opportunity to exchange good vibes with their furry friend.

“No one can say they’re an expert on doga, it really depends on the energy with your dog.”

Chase and Papi’s Doga Class at Sugarlift [200 Morgan Ave. at Johnson Avenue in Bushwick, www.cpdogwalking.com/doga-class.html]. March 26 at 10 am, 11:20 am, and 12:40 pm. $64.

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By Julianne Cuba

Brooklyn Daily

They just can’t win.

Brooklynites have complained since Hurricane Sandy that the Build it Back disaster recovery program moved too slowly, but now that Mayor DeBlasio re-doubled the city’s efforts and set a self-imposed deadline to fix everyone’s homes, Gerritsen Beachers say they’re flooded with salty construction workers who are making their lives a living hell.

“We’re being overrun with the Build it Back construction,” said Yolanda Fazzuoli, who has four construction sites on her block alone. “It’s like a war zone here. It’s making life very difficult.”

Convoys of contractors block the neighborhood’s famously narrow streets from 7 am to 4 pm, making it impossible for residents to get in or out of the peninsular neighborhood’s many dead-end blocks, she said. Worse yet, the city-hired laborers aren’t respecting the very taxpayers they’re supposed to be serving, another resident said.

“The past few mornings it’s been terrible — I’ve gotten into screaming matches with them,” said Brittany Mescall, who claimed the laborers are leaving garbage everywhere. “They don’t care. They’re obnoxious. They block the middle of the street, so when I’m trying to get out, they’re in the middle of the street.”

Residents should only expect the pace of construction to pick up as the program nears its end-of-the-year deadline to repair all single-family homes impacted by the 2012 storm, said Amy Peterson, who directs the city-run, federally-funded recovery effort.

“As we head towards the goal of completing the program by Dec. 31, we are moving more and more homes into construction each day,” she said. “We are coordinating daily with civic associations, local elected officials, and our contractors to make sure that there is minimal disruption, and where there have been complaints we are addressing them quickly,” she said.

The program, started under former mayor Mike Bloomberg, was fraught from the get-go with ineffective case workers and unqualified contractors who soaked the city for millions.

Residents contend the city is not dealing with complaints as well as Peterson claims — it has been about three months since Fazzuoli first started lodging complaints to the city, she said.

“I called 311, and when they came, the crews were gone, so they said the matter is resolved — everybody is in compliance — and that was it,” she said.

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By Troy Mauriello

Brooklyn Daily

Jefferson’s Shamorie Ponds got a taste of winning championship at Madison Square Garden.

After watching what his Brooklyn brothers are doing at Seton Hall, he’d like that feeling again with St. John’s at the Big East tournament

Just hours after Ponds and his Jefferson teammates ended a 62-year title drought on March 12 with a blowout 90–61 win over Lincoln in the PSAL Class AA boys’ basketball final at the Garden, former Lincoln stars Isaiah Whitehead and Desi Rodriguez and former Loughlin standout Khadeen Carrington took the floor for Seton Hall in the Big East final.

That trio combined for 46 points, including 26 from Whitehead, as Seton Hall won its first Big East title since 1993 with a 69–67 win over top-seeded Villanova. The win punched a ticket for the Hall into its first NCAA Tournament since 2006.

But Ponds doesn’t just want to repeat the performances during his time at St. John’s, he wants to exceed them.

“Going into next year, watching Seton Hall, I just want to come and do the same thing— even better,” said Ponds following his team’s championship victory.

If Jefferson’s title game was any indication of how Ponds will perform in big games during his collegiate career, St. John’s fans have something to look forward to.

Ponds was electric against his team’s borough rival, scoring a game-high 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, while recording six steals and dishing out a game-high five assists.

And the stellar performance for Ponds came with Red Storm head coach Chris Mullin and assistants Barry Rohrssen and Matt Abdelmassih in the stands.

Ponds noted postgame that playing in front of his future coaches was a bit unsettling at first, as evidenced by his 1 of 7 shooting in the first half. Ponds finally found his rhythm at the break to drop in 17 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter.

“To start the game I was kind of nervous,” he said. “But as the game flowed, the nerves and jitters got out, and I just played my game.”

Those on the Red Storm coaching staff are not the only ones excited for Ponds’ debut in Queens. St. John’s fans have been showing Ponds an immense amount of support on social media, as he is now the face of Mullin’s first recruiting class at the school after former Christ the King star Rawle Alkins’ commitment to Arizona earlier in the week.

Ponds wanted those Red Storm fans to know that he plans on making performances like this one common once he gets to St. John’s.

“You can expect the same me,” he said.

The high hopes for Ponds’ future at St. John’s and in the Big East are not only held by those currently associated with the school. Jefferson head coach Lawrence “Bud” Pollard knows that his senior star can help accomplish at St. John’s what current New York City kids are doing at Seton Hall.

“People say New York City is down, we don’t have players,” Pollard said. “You see what those guys [at Seton Hall] are doing? I think Shamorie has that potential. He has a lot of guys coming in with him, so he should be ready.”

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By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

Anwar Gladden has pushed Earlette Scott hard all season, trying to bring out the most in the talented sophomore. It worked at just the right moment.

“I think this kid has an amazing future and I rode her and I rode her,” Gladden said. “She’s answered every demand and every expectation that I had of her.”

Scott tallied10 points, six rebounds, and three assists to earn most-valuable–player honors in top-seeded South Shore’s 55–39 victory over No. 2 Francis Lewis in the Public School Athletic League Class AA girls’ basketball final at Madison Square Garden on March 12. It is South Shore’s second-straight title in six trips to championship game.

Scott, fighting back tears, at the post-game press conference, was still taking in what she and her team had accomplished.

“It feels like a dream,” she said. “It feels like a dream.”

They did so by holding Francis Lewis scoreless in the second quarter and used a balanced offensive attack, and never trailed in the contest. South Shore grabbed control of the game early and never let go for the second straight game. It kept Lewis scoreless in the second quarter to take a 21–6 lead into the half.

South Shore also held the Patriots without out a field goal for 11:05 from late in the first quarter to a Sabrina Clement hoop with 5:16 remaining in the third. South Shore went up 26–9. It scored 25 points off an astounding 21 Patriots turnovers.

“Defense is out key,” Scott said. “Without our defense our offense is not strong.”

The Patriots offense came alive in the third quarter, but never got back in the game, as Lewis only won the frame 15–14. The Vikings led 35–21 after three and pushed the advantage much as 47–21 with 4:16 to play in the fourth.

Selena Philoxy added 10 points and eight boards for South Shore. Keyanna Glover chipped in eight points and Destiny Philoxy had seven assists. The Vikings had nine different players in the score column. That stage and the building had no harmful effects.

“After we kept going back and back I got comfortable,” senior forward Jordan Washington said.

Taliyah Brisco scored 11 points to lead Lewis and Sierra Green tallied nine of her 10 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed six rebounds.

A city title isn’t enough this time for South Shore. It wants to erase the memory of last season’s overtime loss to Christ the King in the state Federation semifinals. The Viking’s quest to claim their first Federation title starts against Ossining on March 18 at the Times Union Center in Albany.

Gladden said the focus was always on winning the city title at the Garden, but that shifted this season after leaving the Federation tournament last year with a bittersweet taste.

“We definitely want to try to win the state,” Gladden said. “And prove we are the best team in New York State.”

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

There is no room for the inn!

Industry City honchos have nixed a plan to build college dormitories in the massive Sunset Park campus after locals and pols complained that it would eat up much-needed industrial space. But local activists say they must also scrap hotels and retail stores planned for the site if they are serious about preserving the blue-collar area.

“Hotels are exactly the same thing,” said Elizabeth Yeampierre, the head of the Sunset Park advocacy group Uprose. “It’s just one of those things they’re going to use to say ‘hey, we’re doing what the community wants.’ We won’t really know if they mean that or not until they start moving away from commercializing an industrial area that is vital to New York City.”

Industry City announced the change of plan to Crain’s New York on March 10, claiming it scrapped the dorms in response to local opposition — but that it still needs the hotel and stores to help pay for the $1 billion it invested in the sprawling complex last year.

“One of the strong pieces of feedback we have gotten on our plans is that people don’t like the dorm component,” Industry City chief executive officer Andrew Kimball told Crain’s.

Bigwigs had planned to house students from New York University and the City University of New York studying tech, manufacturing, and engineering programs in the dorms.

The New York City College of Technology — part of the City University of New York — announced in September that it would offer job training at Industry City’s so-called Innovation Lab, an on-site employment center.

Industry City did not return requests for comment.

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By Julianne Cuba

Brooklyn Daily

This show is all washed up!

A washing machine will take center stage during a Williamsburg concert on March 19. The members of experimental electronic music duo Matmos will fill their personal washer with water and fabric and set it off on a 38-minute cleaning cycle during their show at National Sawdust. But they are not worried about getting the laundry done — it is all about the sound, says the band.

“If you just run it empty, it sounds like someone urinating, and it’s not a good water sound,” said Drew Daniel, one half of Matmos. “We are filling the machine with water pumped from a garbage can, so it’s not exactly making it all that clean.”

The sounds from the machine’s cycle are part of the new Matmos album “Ultimate Care II,” a catchy compilation of swishes, thumps, and beeps recorded as the washer ran its course in the couple’s basement.

During the performance, as the suds swirl around on stage, Daniel will run a pair of laptops with sequences and rhythms while his musical and domestic partner, Martin Schmidt, bangs on the machine as if it were a drum, using jazz brushes, drumsticks, and his hands.

The two have made music together ever since Daniel, 44, and Schmidt, 51, met at the Uranus Bar in San Francisco in the early 1990s. Daniel, wearing a jockstrap made of plastic fish, was shimmying as a go-go dancer atop the bar, they recall.

“Martin came and put a dollar in my jockstrap,” said Daniel, and Schmidt added: “I asked a friend of mine who was at the bar and he said ‘Oh you know, he makes electronic music.’ ”

It has been an electronic-musical match made in heaven since then, said Schmidt.

The duo now live in Baltimore, and when Daniel is not teaching his English literature classes at Johns Hopkins University, he and Schmidt find unusual objects from which to create their electronic music. The washing machine may be the most conventional instrument Matmos has played. For a previous album, they used a cow’s reproductive system — vagina, uterus, and all.

“We inflated the uterus with our vacuum cleaner — so it blew instead of sucked — and played it like a bagpipe,” said Schmidt. “So I sort of choked off the neck of it if you will, and it made the loudest queef you can imagine. Being a gay man, I only know about these things from hearsay.”

The duo know that their radical work is not for everyone, Schmidt said.

“I figured that we will not play in Peoria with our washing machine and reproductive tract,” he said.

But Williamsburg is open to all sorts of original music ideas, and the band is excited to break out the washing machine at National Sawdust on March 19.

“We stick with one crazy idea at a time. This time we’re just bringing the washing machine,” said Schmidt. “We’ve played in Brooklyn many times and have had the honor of playing at National Sawdust once before. It’s nice to know that this is a space with really good sound and that the people are super sweet. They’ve just opened their space and they aren’t jaded yet.”

Matmos at National Sawdust [80 N. Sixth St. at Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg, (646) 779–8455, www.nationalsawdust.org]. March 19 at 10 pm. $25.

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

Police are looking for a dirtbag who they say tried to rape a woman at knifepoint in her Sunset Park apartment building on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old victim was in the lobby of her building on 50th Street between Eighth and Ninth avenues when the slimeball pulled a blade on her just before midnight, authorities said.

The pervert put the knife her throat and removed her pants and underwear, then groped her before running off, police said.

Emergency responders brought the woman to a local hospital where doctors released her in stable condition, cops said.

The victim’s family told WABC-TV that she was returning home from a date when she was assaulted.

Surveillance video shows the creep wearing a dark grey hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Police describe the perp as a slim, light-skinned man standing around 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10.

There have been three other rapes in the 66th Precinct already this year, according to the police statistics, up from just one in the precinct — which covers Borough Park, Kensington, and parts of Sunset Park — over the same period last year. Citizens reported 20 rapes in the area in 2015.

Police ask anyone with information about the guy to call (800) 577–8477, or submit tips by logging on to www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, or by texting 274637 followed by TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

This idea stinks — literally!

The city’s plan to make-over Fourth Avenue medians with pedestrian benches and green space is a waste of money because few locals will hang out there inhaling fumes from passing traffic, say Sunset Parkers.

“Why would you want to sit there? It’s like sitting in your garage with your motor on,” said Renee Giordano.

And anyone who does brave the effluvium to picnic in the tiny mid-traffic parks could be taking their life in their hands, they say, as the thoroughfare is notoriously dangerous.

In 2014, there were 200 collisions on the street between 17th and 65th streets — the parts of the avenue in Sunset Park — 31 more than the previous year, and more than twice as many as the year before that, according to police data.

“I know some families here might go have lunch out on the benches there, but God forbid a kid steps off the curb — that’s it,” said Third Avenue resident John Murphy.

But the Department of Transportation refused to respond to the residents’ traffic and air quality concerns.

The department plans to raise medians — first in Sunset Park, and eventually through Park Slope — to two feet above the roadway and widen them by four feet on either side into to the yellow-striped buffer zone the installed in late 2012.

It intends to plant trees and other vegetation in the wider and taller medians and install benches at some intersections. The department will be in charge of maintenance and has put aside money to thwart subway-riding rats from creeping up from the subway line beneath the street, according to an agency spokesman.

The city expects to complete final designs for the avenue between Eighth and 18th streets and 33rd and 52nd streets by this fall and to begin construction next spring. After that, the city hopes to roll out the plan all the way from Atlantic Avenue to 65th Street.

Giordano admitted that Fourth Avenue could use a new look, but said the city should rethink its approach if traffic stays the way it is there.

“Sure we would love to have something beautiful here, but you see how the traffic is — it’s not conducive to that,” said Giordano. “I wonder if any of them have stood — let alone sat — on the median to see what it would be like to sit in the middle there.”

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By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

A game-sealing charge was much more fitting end than any dramatic winning basket would have been for this Xaverian group.

It is exactly what the Clippers so got when Zack Bruno made the last gritty play on an unlikely championship run by drawing an offensive foul on Loughlin’s Tyrese Gaffney with nine-tenths of a second reaming in the game.

“I was able to take the most important charge in Xaverian history,” Bruno said.

The play sealed Xaverian’s 59–56 victory over Bishop Loughlin in the Catholic High School Athletic Association Class AA boys’ basketball final at Fordham University on March 13.

Before Bruno could celebrate the program’s first title since 2005 he had to shake off the pain of his already injured hip smashing against the floor. It epitomized the whatever-it-takes approach that propelled this group from a fourth-place finisher to city champs. This team is about heart.

“It tells you what that kid is,” said long-time Xaverian coach Jack Alesi. “He’s hurting. He’s not 100 percent, hasn’t been playing 100 percent. Season on the line, that’s what he did.”

The entire team showed that same desire to win after Loughlin (22–8) took a 44–32 lead on Idan Tretout’s three late with 2:02 left in the third quarter. The Clippers (19–11) caught a break when a foul was not called for Keith Williams taking a three, but then Jordan Guzman was fouled down the other end on a similar play

“That was huge,” Lions coach Ed Gonzalez said. “We were up. We had momentum and it was not a great foul [by us].”

The game’s momentum swung drastically after that. Xaverian went on a 16–1 run. Brandon Leftwich capped it with a three-point play to put the Clippers up 49–45 with 5:20 to go in the fourth.

“Everybody makes their run in the game,” said playoff most-valuable-player Nyonty Wisseh Wisseh, who jumped on the scorer’s table during the celebration. “They made their run, then we made our run to win the game.”

Strong free-hrow shooting and some timely Lions’ misses allowed Xaverian to hold on in the final minutes. A Bruno trey and two free-throws from Wisseh have Xaverian a 56–52 advantage with 1:04 to play.

Loughlin, which missed 12 free throws and shot just 3 of 17 from three had a chance to reclaim the lead late, but could not seize the moment. Tretout missed a long three and Gaffney could not get a layup to go with 25 seconds remaining. On the final possession Williams wasn’t able to get a good look at three and had to settle for the drive by Gaffney to the rim.

Gonzalez saw his team’s youth finally catch up to it after beating Xaverian all three of its previous meetings.

“We didn’t have it,” Gonzalez said. “They wanted to take it upon themselves instead of sticking to the game plan all the way to the end.”

Wisseh led Xaverian with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Bruno had 18 points. Leftwich chipped in 13. Markquise Nowell tallied 17 points and four assists to pace Loughlin and Williams chipped in 14 points. The Lions, with 12 rebounds from Jordan Thomas, never found a consistent third scorer.

The Clippers advance to the state Federation tournament to take on Aquinas in the semifinals March 18 at the Times Union Center in Albany. It was an experience Xaverian missed out on after losing to Christ the King in last year’s Catholic final with a senior-laden roster.

“Losing in the championship is one of the hardest things I’ve even been through,” Bruno said. “Getting this championship win today means everything.”

This time around the underdogs became top dogs.

“We were still under the radar until we won the city championship.” Wisseh said. “Now we are above the radar.”

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By Joseph Staszewski

Brooklyn Daily

East New York rejoice!

Top-seeded Jefferson ended its 62-year wait for a city title with a convincing 90–61 victory over fourth-seeded and heated rival Abraham Lincoln in the Public School Athletic League boys’ basketball final at Madison Square Garden on March 12.

The community has been on Orange Wave coach Lawrence “Bud” Pollard through four previous title game losses to finally deliver.

“I’m happy,” Pollard said. “I’m tired of people talking about 1954. I don’t know what happened in 1954, but I know right now, 2016 we are champs.”

Jefferson’s stars left no room for heartbreak only for tears of joy. St. John’s-bound guard Shamorie Ponds scored a game-high 31 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out five assists and collected six steals. He shared most valuable player honor with childhood friend Rasheem Dunn. The St. Francis College-commit poured in 23 points and grabbed five rebounds.

The two, who won a junior-varsity title as freshman, broke down during a long embrace after receiving their award.

“We told each other we love each other, us know knowing that we won’t be playing together next year,” Dunn said. “That’s my brother since I was young. We have a lot of chemistry together.”

The Orange Wave (24–8) won the game in the third quarter with an electrify 20–4 run that put them up 50–29 with 3:35 to play in the game. Dunn scored the final six points of the spurt, including a put back of his own miss to cap it.

“They never recovered from that,” Pollard said. “That was the death blow right there.”

It was part of complete effort for Jefferson from start to finish that ended with Ponds electrifying his future home with seven straight points in a minute span in the fourth to put Jefferson up 83–55 with 2:45 to go.

“I was just feeling it so I just let it go,” Ponds said.

The Orange Wave had four players in double figures, including Malachi Faison. The junior forward posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds and added five steals. Curtis Smith netted 16 points. Pollard challenged Faison to get back to his level of play from the start of the season and got the response he was looking for.

“He promised me he was going to be the beast,” Pollard said.

Lincoln, which beat Jefferson 87–77 in the borough final, looked like a different team without Rakym Felder and lost its second=best ball handler in Tyler Bourne to foul trouble in the second quarter. The Railsplitters (23–8), known for its defense and transition offense, only scored two points on the break.

Cahiem Brown tallied 21 points and grabbed 11 boards. Michael Reid had 15 points and six boards and Donald Cannon Flores chipped in with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Morton, who has had a friendly and very public rivalry with Pollard, congratulated his counterpart after his struggles to win a crown. Lincoln beat Jefferson in the final in 2013.

“They came out a little bit more motivated,” Morton said. “I call those guys the Buffalo Bills, so they kind of wanted this one more than our guys.”

Pollard, who broke up a bit while behind handed the trophy, said the emotion of losing was far stronger than how he felt finally winning, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t enjoying it.

“When Tiny was shaking hands he said, ‘It’s about time Bozo,’ ” Pollard said. “I guess it is the Bozo’s time today.”

The Orange Wave do not want to stop here. Pollard said he is greed and wants a state Federation title as well, starting with a semifinal against Long Island Lutheran on March 18 at the Times Union Center in Albany. Until then they will soak in the history. There is a new banner to hang.

“It was just a lot of emotions,” Pond said. “We said we were going to get [a title].”

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

60th Precinct

Coney Island—Brighton Beach—Seagate

Surprise attack

A brutish robber sucker-punched a woman in her Bay 44th Street driveway and ran off with her handbag on March 7, according to a police report.

The good-for-nothing crept up on his victim as she was getting out of her car in the driveway of her home between Harway and Bath avenues just before 6 pm, police said.

He punched her from behind, then grabbed her bag, and high-tailed it to a car waiting on the street, according to authorities.

Robbers nabbed

Police arrested a two people in connection with an armed robbery in the lobby of a W. 23rd Street public housing building on March 11, according to a police report.

Authorities say the victim was in the lobby of the building between Mermaid and Surf avenues around 5:30 pm when the suspects whipped out a handgun and shook down the victim, police said.

Burned

Somebody stole a man’s tools he left in a crawl space in the boiler room of a public housing unit on W. 23rd Street sometime between March 3 and 7, police said.

He left the tools in the building between Mermaid and Surf avenues around 2:45 pm on March 3 and returned on Monday morning to find someone had swiped his torch, tools, and a tool bag. The doors were unlocked and the crawl space had no lock, police said.

— Dennis Lynch

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By Julianne Cuba

Brooklyn Daily

61st Precinct

Sheepshead Bay—Homecrest— Manhattan Beach—Gravesend

Scoundrel robs student

A weasel robbed a student of his phone and money as he was on his way to school on E. 19th Street on March 8.

The 15-year-old told police he was near Avenue W at 9:15 am when the jerk asked to use his cellphone to make a call. The good student let him borrow his phone, but when he asked for it back, the bad guy refused and said, “How much do you want for the phone?” The punk also asked the teen for money, police stated.

The student handed over $10 and the good-for-nothing fled with the phone and money at 9:30 am, according to authorities.

Police catch bike stealer

Police cuffed a man who they say punched a guy and then stole his mountain bike on E. 12th Street on March 9 — and also had marijuana and narcotics.

The guy told police he was near Avenue R around 11:30 am when the suspect approached him from the side and demanded he hand over his Nishiki mountain bike. When the guy told him “no,” the suspect punched the guy on his neck, yelled “It’s mine now,” and then grabbed the bike and fled, according to authorities.

When police arrived, they found a plastic Ziploc bag with white skulls on it filled with marijuana and 13 films of a prescription drug used to treat adults who are dependent on opioids in the suspect’s coat pocket, police stated.

Sacrilegious scoundrel

A prowler stole money from a synagogue on E. 28th Street on March 7.

A worshiper told police that the good-for-nothing entered the place of worship near Avenue R at 12:18 am and stole $800 from three different collection boxes, and the lawbreaker also tried to break into a wall safe but was unsuccessful, police stated.

There were no signs of forced entry and the jerk left the synagogue at 12:28 am, police said.

Leaving something behind

A nogoodnik broke into a woman’s E. 23rd Street home on March 9 while she was out and stole her jewelry.

The woman told police she left her home near Avenue X to go shopping at 10:15 am. When she returned at noon, she discovered someone had broken into her home through a side entrance, and stolen her sapphire ring.

The crook left behind a small religious tchotchke, police said.

Thief takes tiles

A rascal broke into a Batchelder Street shed and stole boxes of ceramic tiles on March 11.

The victim’s friend told police the good-for-nothing kicked open the locked door of a shed in the backyard of a home near Shore Parkway around midnight.

The criminal stole the boxes of tiles and fled in a gray caravan, according to authorities.

— Julianne Cuba

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By Dennis Lynch

Brooklyn Daily

68th Precinct

Bay Ridge—Dyker Heights

High stakes

Some phony sweepstakes scammers conned an elderly 100th Street woman out of $60,000 between Feb. 22 and March 7, according to police.

The 72-year-old victim received multiple calls at her home between Fourth Avenue and Fort Hamilton Parkway from people calling themselves “Mr. Kennedy,” “Mr. James,” and “Ms. Alice,” who told her she won a sweepstakes, but had to send in money to a post office box in New Jersey, according to a police report. She sent the money, but never received any prize back, police said.

Avian abuser

A lout tossed injured pigeons from his car on 68th Street on March 9, police said.

A bystander saw the man throw the birds out of his car near Ninth Avenue around 6 pm. The pigeons could not fly, collapsed on the ground, and were “in distress,” according to a police report.

Police recovered five of the eight pigeons and transported them to an animal rescue facility in Manhattan. The scoundrel could face felony charges, according to police.

Johnny Apple-thief

A carbreaker stole a trove of electronics from a man’s car parked on Fifth Avenue sometime overnight on March 7, police said.

The victim left his car near 79th Street around midnight and returned at 7 am to find his MacBook Pro, an iPad Mini, and his wallet missing — although there were no signs of forced entry, according to police.

Strike again

Tire-and-rim thieves struck a man’s car parked on 10th Avenue sometime overnight on March 6, police said.

The victim parked the Honda — a frequent target of wheel thieves, according to police — between 85th and 86th streets around 10 pm, and returned at 7 am the next day. Two tire and rims were missing from the passenger-side of the vehicle.

Wheely bad

Rim robbers stole all of the wheels from a woman’s car parked on Battery Avenue sometime between March 7 and 10, according to a police report.

The victim left her ride near Fort Hill Place around 7:30 pm on March 7 and returned three days later around noon to find her car sitting on bricks.

— Dennis Lynch

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By Julianne Cuba

Brooklyn Daily

They’re fighting hate with hope and unity.

More than 400 people gathered in front of the headstones and eternal light in Sheepshead Bay’s Holocaust Memorial Park on March 13 to take a stand against anti-Semitism, and all acts of hate against people of any faith and background, local leaders said.

“Here in New York City, we all live side-by-side, and work side-by-side, and we should not tolerate any type of hate against any race or ethnic background,” said Councilman Chaim Deutsch (D–Sheepshead Bay).

The hundreds of residents, army veterans, local pols, and holocaust survivors rallied at the park to say enough is enough, and demand action from authorities in light of recent anti-Semitic events across the city and borough — including one where someone interrupted a faculty meeting at Brooklyn College demanding “Zionism out of Brooklyn College,” and the recent proliferation of graffiti including swastikas in Sheepshead Bay , said Democratic District Leader Ari Kagan.

“We have holocaust survivors, World War II veterans, and Jewish residents who ran from anti-Semitism and never expected to feel unsafe here,” he said.

“It’s reason for concern, and we need to call on city and state authorities to take more immediate measures to fight this trend.”

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