(MSCC) Eileen Miller, Frank Kelly, February 21, 2019

Midtown South Community Council Monthly Meeting Minutes For January 17, 2019  

PROGRAM:Inspector Timoney prefaced his remarks by noting that he had been in  MTS for one year. He gave an update on crime statistics: 2018 saw new precinct lows for rape and robberies; over all, crime was down 10% for the 28-day period.  He stressed the importance of keeping an eye on one’s personal property in restaurants and retail stores, as most grand larcenies involve unattended property. Inspector Timoney also noted that tax season has arrived, causing a spike in IRS scams involving gift cards. He warned attendees not to leave packages in hallways.

John Mudd gave a progress report on Community Council’s initiatives: GoFundMe page to provide laundry service to homeless schoolchildren has raised $3,760 of its goalof $5,000. NYCHA has offered space for washing machines and Council is working on configuration. Homeless and Housing committee meets on the first Tuesday of each month, at 9:30am at Urban Pathways, 575 8th Ave, 16th fl, NY,NY 10018.

The Councilhas made a application for funds from Hudson Yards BID.

The Council has a study in the works on hotel development in MTS

The evening’s guest speaker, author Kenneth Davis, spoke about his passion for history, inspired in his youth by family trips to historic sites such as Gettysburg, Valley Forge and Fort Ticonderoga. In his writing, he said,  he tries to connect the past to the present and tell human stories to make history more than a recitation of facts and dates. His book “in the Shadow of Liberty,” for instance, is told from the perspective of five people owned as slaves by four of our most famous presidents — Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Jackson.

‘’More Deadly Than War “ tells the mostly forgotten story of the Spanish  flu epidemic, which, partly through fear and ignoring of sound science, killed more Americans in about a year than World Wars I and II, Korea and Vietnam combined. Mr. Davis spoke of two survivors: a Chicago youth, too young to join the Army, who volunteered as an ambulance driver, and a young undersecretary of the Navy who contracted the disease while touring base camps. Both were shipped home and nursed back to health.

How would history have changed, Mr. Davis mused in his talk, if Walt Disney and Franklin D. Roosevelt had succumbed to the Spanish flu? 

MEETING OPENS FOR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONSA residents of W29th &W30th St between 8th & 9th Ave turned out in force to protest pop-up parties, AirB&B, garbage and traffic which started in August at 6 story townhouse at 341 W29th St.

CI Timoney mentioned that NCOs (Neighborhood Coordination Officers) Frawley and Dukey had visited the day after the most recent party. A resident said that the  began in August and the noise caused nearby buildings to shake. A live band played in the courtyard until late at night and the owner advertised the events, at which alcoholic beverages were consumed, charging admission, he said.

The owner, who was accompanied by his attorney, claimed no admission fee was charged, but admitted that in order to enter, guests were required to donate to one of two non-profits he designated. DI Timoney and John Mudd pointed out that is illegal to hold such parties without a liquor or cabaret license.

The inspector said he would continue to monitor the situation

MTS CC  President John Mudd, Vice President Bill Otterson,  Secretary. Eileen Miller, Assistant Secretary  Frank Kelly.

Officials in attendance:Deputy Inspector Brendan Timoney, commanding officer, MTS; P.O. Brian Kelly, MTS crime prevention; P.O. Edward McDonald, MTS Community Affairs, P.O. Richard Fazio, Transit District 1 

Also attending:Craig Primus, Dir of Security, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth AveBurton Rigby, Security, 1411 BroadwayDavid Rios, Rick’s Cabaret and VividRobert Metcalfe, Security, 418 W34th St John Clancy, Foley’s, 18W 33rd StAlicia Sheppard,  Molly Wee Pub,  402 8th AveKevin JeanBaptiste, Manhattan D.A. Office
 Twitter account handles:  @NYPDMTS, Transit Division @NYPDTRANSIT
 The next MTS Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb 21, 2019, 7:00 p.m., Wyndham New Yorker Hotel on 8th Avenue between 34th and 35th streets.