tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post7676584666922995067..comments2023-04-25T15:52:41.154-07:00Comments on Bronx Political Chatter: Andy Wolf Responds to Boycott of Review: UPDATETony Perez Cassinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14669140687027259816noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-46859670798059341682010-12-13T17:46:37.917-08:002010-12-13T17:46:37.917-08:00Since you live at Skyview, you're at worst a f...Since you live at Skyview, you're at worst a five-minute walk from the management office. How about dropping in and asking them to stop taking out a big ad in the Review every week?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-8692206399417514762010-12-13T13:35:23.561-08:002010-12-13T13:35:23.561-08:00Viva la boycott!Viva la boycott!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-52271399186469516112010-12-13T05:46:28.721-08:002010-12-13T05:46:28.721-08:00I live in Skyview, and I noticed that the boycott ...I live in Skyview, and I noticed that the boycott material has been distributed in all three buildings (5700, 5800 & 5900 Arlington Ave) --- Good work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-22485589671866333982010-12-12T17:13:51.907-08:002010-12-12T17:13:51.907-08:00Wolf distanced himself from Koppell when Koppell p...Wolf distanced himself from Koppell when Koppell pubicly supported Pretty Young Thang Renee Cloutier, fomer Principal of PS 7. Dita Wolf was Cloutier's predecessor who was forced out and into retirement to make way for Bloombergs Leadership Program pick Renee Cloutier.<br /><br />I would imagine Koppells fawning over PYT Cloutier pissed Andy Wolf off and I wouldnt be surprised if Koppell is part of the boycott too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-57837775180534465772010-12-12T14:28:48.262-08:002010-12-12T14:28:48.262-08:00I applaud the boycotters for taking such strong ac...I applaud the boycotters for taking such strong action against that angry blowhard Andrew Wolf. It’s time to say enough to his destructive tirades. In the last seven years that I have lived in Riverdale, I have been disgusted at the way Andrew Wolf goes too far. He is constantly jumping to hostile conclusions and condemnations on the basis of little or no evidence. The sooner his paper is gone the better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-36645961757286929852010-12-12T11:34:56.685-08:002010-12-12T11:34:56.685-08:00Hmmm...so the local politicians played a more sini...Hmmm...so the local politicians played a more sinister role in the Review than most of us realize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-71581419371875756172010-12-12T09:02:59.626-08:002010-12-12T09:02:59.626-08:00If it’s true that there was a secret deal to back ...If it’s true that there was a secret deal to back Andy Wolf financially, that would explain why a trio of colorless politicians like Eliot Engel, Oliver Koppell and Jeffrey Dinowitz received such loyal and flattering coverage in Mr. Wolf's Riverdale Review for so many years. <br /> <br />So are the accusations true? If they are, it’s time for the politicians to fess up. And if they are not true, then it's time for the politicians to issue clear and unequivocal denials.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-83144047963856419972010-12-12T07:54:17.674-08:002010-12-12T07:54:17.674-08:00It’s pretty clear that Wolf has no big guns in his...It’s pretty clear that Wolf has no big guns in his arsenal of defenders, .. just a small collection of cranks, deceived pals, and crotchety zany old-timers. He can’t win this kind of battle with those kind of troops!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-30979712964407859782010-12-11T19:22:28.492-08:002010-12-11T19:22:28.492-08:00The anti-Review organizers are doing such an amazi...The anti-Review organizers are doing such an amazing job. Thank you for this. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-7854735046838470882010-12-11T17:57:30.187-08:002010-12-11T17:57:30.187-08:00Today, I saw boycott people collecting signatures ...Today, I saw boycott people collecting signatures down on Johnson Avenue and then up at the Christmas tree sale near Public School 81. The weather was nice for mid-December and it looks like the "Recycle the Review" effort has got the whole neighborhood covered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-71790305954247269622010-12-10T17:47:05.401-08:002010-12-10T17:47:05.401-08:00Don't eat at Liebman's. I'm glad that...Don't eat at Liebman's. I'm glad that Mothers Bakery is not affiliated, right? ***icle***Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-72147789925367950682010-12-10T08:19:30.732-08:002010-12-10T08:19:30.732-08:00I see that the latest edition of the Recycle The R...I see that the latest edition of the Recycle The Review publication bas been distributed in my building in North Riverdale. My friend who lives in Briar Oaks at 246th St. says that she saw it in her building as well. I also saw it at my synagogue on Thursday. Such a coordinated effort from a loosely organized group of volunteers is impressive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-53988080968693063632010-12-10T07:33:18.381-08:002010-12-10T07:33:18.381-08:00When Wolf purchased the review, Oliver Koppell han...When Wolf purchased the review, Oliver Koppell handled the closing without charge. Lorance Hockert, who chaired Community Board 8, was among those who loaned Wolf the money, acting at Eliot Engel's request. Hockert was at the time planning to run for City Council. A longtime supporter of the county organization, he was hoping to add the support of Riverdale's so-called reformers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-50291982075942777662010-12-09T20:32:15.582-08:002010-12-09T20:32:15.582-08:00"For me, the "unholy deal" destroys..."For me, the "unholy deal" destroys the cedibility of both of these long-serving local elected officials. "<br /><br />Yea, I'm sure the members of the NBDA message board REALLY cared for these guys before this news...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-62657017002375006732010-12-09T20:31:05.582-08:002010-12-09T20:31:05.582-08:00I'm pretty sure Lorraine Koppell took her ad o...I'm pretty sure Lorraine Koppell took her ad out of the paper because she closed her real estate business.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-61157149186577193472010-12-09T18:28:52.343-08:002010-12-09T18:28:52.343-08:00Sounds reasonable to me ... especially since Dinow...Sounds reasonable to me ... especially since Dinowitz started his career in local politics as Koppell's schluby sidekick and has been attached at the hip ever since then.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-49608521188025234482010-12-09T18:17:41.331-08:002010-12-09T18:17:41.331-08:00My co-workers and I just started an office betting...My co-workers and I just started an office betting pool to predict how many weeks it will take the Riverdale Review to cease publication.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-61283265765214023002010-12-09T18:03:53.093-08:002010-12-09T18:03:53.093-08:00Is it reasonable to assume that Assemblyman Jeffre...Is it reasonable to assume that Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was in cahoots with them as well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-50411035761262942792010-12-09T15:34:52.787-08:002010-12-09T15:34:52.787-08:00For me, the "unholy deal" destroys the c...For me, the "unholy deal" destroys the cedibility of both of these long-serving local elected officials.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-71184393635841674762010-12-09T14:07:49.110-08:002010-12-09T14:07:49.110-08:00ARE THE ALLEGATIONS TRUE?
For a U.S. Congressman ...ARE THE ALLEGATIONS TRUE?<br /><br />For a U.S. Congressman and a New York City Councilman to secretly help finance the purchase of a politically motivated newspaper in their district would seem to be a flagrant conflict of interest as well as an egregious breach of the public’s trust. <br /><br />If these allegations are true, then both elected officials would appear to have unfairly benefited from a secret and deceitful relationship. <br /><br />It's time for them to be frank and open with us by disclosing whether or not the allegations are true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-81312236589467198012010-12-09T13:19:25.969-08:002010-12-09T13:19:25.969-08:00Here is an answer for Anon. 12/8, 6:52AM. The &qu...Here is an answer for Anon. 12/8, 6:52AM. The "unholy deal" refers to the involvement of Eliot Engel and Oliver Koppell in the purchasing of what became the Riverdale Review 17 years ago. At that time Christopher Hagerdorn, publisher of the Bronx News wanted to buy the paper, which was for sale. Hagerdorn was feuding with Engel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronx_News#Feud_With_Congressman_Eliot_L._Engel). Fearing that Hagerdorf would have another vehicle to print negative stories about him, Engel needed someone else to buy the paper. So he asked Koppell to find a buyer. A wealthy Riverdalian put up the money and Wolf paid that person back over time. It is rumored that Lorraine Koppell handled the legal work. The Review has never been critical of Engel, and until recently completely supported Oliver Koppell. That changed somewhat after Oliver won re-election in 2009 and is now term-limited. Lorraine withdrew her full page ads from the Review, and Wolf became more critical of Ollie. If you need more evidence, here is a quote from the Riverdale Press, written about Andrew Wolf in 2003 by co-editor Richard Stein: "And speaking of secret deals, when will you disclose the roles that Congressman Engel and Councilman Koppell played in helping to finance your purchase of the Review? When will you reveal the identities of the politically-connected people who loaned you the money? What can you tell us about the ways these obligations influence what you write?" Neither Andrew Wolf nor the politicians have ever commented on these serious charges. The current relationship these three have is unknown, but given the circumstances surrounding the birth of the Review, it is easy to see that Wolf's ability to be an independent news source was compromised from the start by his relationship with two local elected officials.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-1171878199338072112010-12-09T06:12:44.396-08:002010-12-09T06:12:44.396-08:00Before throwing out a bunch of Reviews in my build...Before throwing out a bunch of Reviews in my building, I saw the silly ad Wolf put on the inside back page. It has some depressing photo of a man who teaches at NYU and a quote about freedom of the press. <br /><br />Wolf intentionally or stupidly ignores the fact that the boycotters are doing what the Constitution and the courts say they have the perfect right to do. The boycott is simply private citizens exercising their freedom of speech. Wolf's freedom of speech and freedom of the press is not under assault by the government, and therefore his constitutional rights are not endangered by this boycott.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-90093076051767914312010-12-09T05:48:12.758-08:002010-12-09T05:48:12.758-08:00The Riverdale Review is wounded but not dead yet. ...The Riverdale Review is wounded but not dead yet. Now is the time to administer the “coup de grâce” by going to the Review’s advertisers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-13145533940851243272010-12-08T20:39:12.864-08:002010-12-08T20:39:12.864-08:00about those letters, December 8, 6:52 am anon:
Ca...about those letters, December 8, 6:52 am anon:<br /><br />Can someone please walk me through the theory that Koppell bought the Review for Wolf and manipulates him behind the scenes, reveling in and benefiting from the coverage of sinking local schools, etc.?<br /><br />Because Koppell was swept into office and is enjoying a twilight career as a city councilman precisely due to the consequences of public dissatisfaction with the local schools. he is a staunch supporter of mayoral control. He and his wife own a neighborhood real estate firm, for crying out loud! <br /><br />This is a person who wants to gin up controversies and sow neighborhood discord and scare people away by calling their attention to the fact that our schools aren't as good as those in similar neighborhoods in Queens and Brooklyn?? <br /><br />It's either an irrational theory, or G. Ollie is the world's biggest septuagenarian masochist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5554264138811233395.post-65271457755843749122010-12-08T19:26:21.432-08:002010-12-08T19:26:21.432-08:00Okay, you all know the drill by now. These are the...Okay, you all know the drill by now. These are the organizations and people who sponsored the December 9th issue of the Riverdale Review:<br /><br />ProFlowers (a full-page, full-color ad), Dave & Beverly Shoes, Marilyn's Diamond Collection, Whole You Spa, Chabad (3 ads), Riverdale Temple, Nativ, I&C House Cleaning (2 ads), Cappy's Stationery, Seaman Car Service, Singles in Sync (oh to be young again!), Shalom Jewish Funeral Home, City Funeral Service, Weinstein Memorial Chapel, Jewish Memorial Chapel, Gotham Driving School, Elite Complete Cleaning Service, Riverdale Oral Health, Lee's Nail Salon, Capital One Bank, Omaha Steaks, Riverdale Homes, The Postal Outlet (insert), Modell's Sporting Goods (a large, full-color eight-page insert), Ponce De Leon Federal Bank, Anita Wolfe Realty, Skyview Apartments (they are practically giving away units there; what gives?), Dish Network (full-page, full-color), Argo Residential Realty, Pasquale's Rigolleto of Arthur Avenue, Goodfella's Pizza, Riverdale Organizer, Sherbee Antiques, and, once again, a full-page, full-color ad on the back page from one of the bedrock institutions of our community, the Riverdale Y.<br /><br />This list isn't getting any smaller, and whatever small-time advertisers from last week dropped out seem to have been replaced by big-time companies with a national profile. You know what I'm about to say, don't you?<br /><br />You have to boycott his advertisers, and you have to tell his advertisers why you are boycotting. I know, I know -- it's messy and confrontational. Who wants to call or visit the director of the Y or the fantastic guys who run Seaman's and have that conversation? But I presume you don't want this whole thing to have been a waste of everyone's time. <br /><br />One more thing. This flyer that you hand out? It doesn't offer a lot of conclusive, indisputable proof that Wolf has done what you accuse him of doing. A few roguish editorial cartoons and some reporting on plummeting test scores and standards at local schools isn't going to give many advertisers pause. He's a liar, a cheat, a phony, etc. -- give some examples of it. <br /><br />See you next week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com