The last roll-up: Soho residents are battling on many fronts, from trying to beat back bar oversaturation to litigating against the overly large — and, they charge, illegal — Trump condo-hotel. But now things are really starting to look bleak. “Soho’s last Korean deli, at Spring and Greene Sts., just closed,” Sean Sweeney, director of the Soho Alliance, sadly reported the other week. “There’s still one on Canal and W. Broadway across from the Soho Grand — but who’s going to walk down to Canal St.? For all intents and purposes, there are no more Korean delis in Soho. We need more Korean delis, not more liquor licenses — and more dry cleaners, shoe-repair stories, bookstores.” P.S., there’s also a Korean deli at Spring St. near Lafayette St.; but we definitely agree, it’s a crisis.
Glick on Obama ‘diss’: Downtown Democratic elected officials almost unanimously supported Hillary Clinton’s presidential primary bid, but now will surely coalesce behind Barack Obama. But for some, like Assemblymember Deborah Glick, who were Hillbent on electing the first woman president, the defeat still stings. “You’re just at the end of a very heated and very close race,” Glick said recently after Clinton’s concession speech — of which, she said, “Any objective observer would have to say was one of the best concession speeches. And some might say she won the popular vote, which is reminiscent of Gore vs. Bush,” she added. Glick said many continue to be “angry” at how Clinton was “disrespected,” specifically mentioning Obama’s “you’re likable enough” remark to Hillary during one debate. “Women always have that problem,” Glick said. “If you’re strong and clear, you’re a bitch. Men are masterful, but women are a bitch. You have to be twice as smart and twice as tough — and, yeah, women are pissed. … There was a great deal of misogyny in the media [against Clinton]…by Tim Russert, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, in particular,” Glick added. The assemblymember assured that she always promised “from Day One” that she would support the Democratic Party nominee. As for Clinton, she “must deliver her people” to Obama, Glick said, noting, though, that it won’t be as easy as “flipping a switch.”
ScarJo bro correction: Speaking of Obama, we almost had it right on Hunter Johansson last week. We just assumed that since Hunter’s movie starlet sister, Scarlett Johansson, is known as ScarJo, that his nickname would be, well, Hunjo. “It’s Hujo” (rhymes with Cujo), clarified Shaan Khan, Borough President Scott Stringer’s director of community affairs and constituent services. Khan said a Stringer staffer coined the moniker for Hunter, who was, until a month and a half ago, the B.P.’s Community Board 2 liaison, when he left to take a job on Obama’s campaign.
Board ballots: On the subject of community boards, Brad Hoylman won re-election as chairperson of C.B. 2 last Thursday. In his acceptance speech, Hoylman listed the Lower West Side board’s many accomplishments, including the creation of a new Chinatown Committee and more. But he said what he’s proudest of is that the board members are working together well and getting along. “I think it’s the collegiality I take from this year that is having a positive impact,” Hoylman said. As for Community Board 3, on the East Side, as The Villager was going to press, Dominic Pisciotta — the only declared candidate — was expected to be elected chairperson, taking over the reins from Dave McWater. McWater ably led the board for the past four years, most notably pushing through the pending East Village/Lower East Side rezoning, and is now finally stepping down and taking a well-deserved breather.
