The New York Times wrote a story last week (Wednesday, 10-28) with a photo and additional information about the tombstone discovered in Washington Square Park during Phase II Construction – it was from 1799!

WSP Blog first broke the news on Friday October 23rd when commenter Matt Kovary wrote in with his sighting and then confirmed the story with the NYC Parks Department and added details from Mr. Kovary in blog post “Tombstone Discovery at Washington Square Park Could Date Back to 18th Century” on Monday October 26th.  It was very exciting (in its own way, of course)!

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Updated: This technically all happened in the midst of a blog writing hiatus, therefore, WSP Blog needs to take some additional time away from the blog starting tomorrow, Thursday, November 5th. (Note: this hiatus does not have anything to do Mayor Bloomberg’s re-election news!) And, unless another tombstone is discovered(!), this break will go through Monday, November 16th end of November — but will update now and again. During that time, I hope to get further along on a separate writing project. Check other updates (although hopefully not too much!) at twitter.

Updated 1:29 p.m.

Yes, by now everyone knows that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg won his much-desired third term (another four years!) last night with his $100 million campaign, the complicity of the local media and the lackluster support given by the ‘powers that be’ to the Democratic candidate Bill Thompson.

The one good thing that might come out of a Bloomberg third term is that the press and the politicians, especially in light of his narrow win, may at last stop thinking of him as such a “good mayor” and start looking more critically at his policies (and failings) on:

- homelessness, poverty, construction and building, over-development, corporate giveaways, lack of affordable housing, privatization of parks and public space, rezonings destroying communities and small businesses, police misconduct (the RNC should not be forgotten), lack of public planning (not enough schools for all the new “luxury housing”), endless school testing with lackluster results and parental outrage at his educational “system,” lack of community input in just about everything (but to name a few:  Coney Island, Washington Square Park, Willets Point, Atlantic Yards, Yankee Stadium, Union Square, Chinatown, Williamsburg/Greenpoint), enforcing of the “nanny state,” and more.

Here are eight nine articles worth reading on our Mayor and the election:

1. Politico excellent article on Bloomberg race as missed opportunity for Democrats (i.e., President Obama!).

2. A Daily News article concurs:

What if President Obama - instead of delivering a squishy, nonendorsement-endorsement of Thompson, after his press secretary couldn’t even come up with Thompson’s name – had stumped for the man?

What if City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, instead of sitting on her hands for months, used the power of her purse strings to rustle up some support for Thompson?

What if the Rev. Al Sharpton, who was happy to stand onstage last night at Thompson’s concession speech, had stood a little closer during the campaign?

What if the more powerful city unions like the United Federation of Teachers and SEIU Local 1199 Democratic check writers or for-hire strategists had stayed true?

“A lot of Democratic donors who sat on their wallets are kicking themselves tonight,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner, who bowed out of the race for mayor early on, but did what he could for Thompson down the stretch.

3. Today’s New York Times News Analysis proclaims “Mayor No Longer Seems Invincible.”  On Bloomberg’s “slim victory,” the paper says: “For all the talk of a post-racial, post-class city, Mr. Bloomberg gained a third term heavily dependent on the votes of white, middle-class and wealthy voters.”

4 & 5.  Godless Liberal Homo sums it all up with “Mayor for Life Bloomberg,” as does Suzannah B. Troy saying “Anthony Weiner must be kicking himself.”

6. Election Day piece from Vanishing New York on Bloomberg’s narcissism and endless need to “clean up” the City.

7. At Gothamist, “What Exactly did happen last night?”:

“After running a record-breaking $100 million campaign that won major endorsements and blanketed the city in nearly non-stop advertising, Mayor Bloomberg defeated the underfunded Democratic candidate Bill Thompson by only 5 percent of the vote, winning with 51 percent to his rival’s 46. This comes after polls from the days before the election predicted Bloomberg ahead by double digits… The pollsters might have some explaining to do.”

8. Gawker’s pre-election “endorsement” “Don’t Vote for Bloomberg” encapsulates the issues with our Mayor (which most of the mainstream press ignore) perfectly.

9. (Added!) Pretty amazing recounting of Bloomberg’s strong arm campaign tactics in Times’ piece, “Chief Factor in Mayor’s Race: Bloomberg Influence.”

Updated 1:53 p.m.

Tomorrow, Tuesday November 3rd, is Election Day for Mayor, City Council, and other races in New York City. The Mayoral election is very important. Please vote! — for anyone but Mike Bloomberg.

Here are some reasons why: 

* The Bloomberg Administration has shown no regard – or use for – community input, planning, and participation.  In fact, Mayor Michael Bloomberg does not care about maintaining the character and uniqueness of our city. That’s been evident throughout the “process” of the redesign of Washington Square Park and many other places – Yankee Stadium (destroyed parkland and corporation giveaways), Union Square, Willets Point, Atlantic Yards, etc. etc.  His policies are affecting the way NYC actually functions, how we relate to one another and the cultural vibrancy of the city — it goes across the board and into many spectrums.

* Mike Bloomberg has given deals to developers and corporations and in return the city is not affordable and losing its diversity. Mayor Mike’s wealth last year alone increased by $4.5 billion to $16 billion.  He may take a salary of $1 a year but, believe me, he is making it up in many other ways.

* Mayor Mike has bought off any political group, politician or non-profit he can who might dare speak against him and his policies – and unfortunately these groups and people have been easily bought.  Not to mention how the media in New York is largely in his pocket.  New York magazine recently reported how the publishers of all three major dailies cater to the Mayor and are often seen at Bloomberg events, sitting together, when he beckons.

* Of course, there’s also his manipulating the overturning of voted-in term limits, but that almost seems mild (and not unexpected) compared to 8 years of the above.

Consider Bill Thompson(Democratic Party), Reverend Billy Talen(Green Party) or the guy from the Rent is Too Damn High Party! (Note: he has his own catchy song at his site! He might deserve a vote for that alone. Jimmy McMillan, Line I. — – oops. 11/6 – they changed the song at the site!) Anyone but Mike Bloomberg.

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For some great reading on why you should not vote for Mayor Michael Bloomberg (the candidate who bought himself many affiliations this election and has, over the years, switched from Democrat-to-Republican-to-Independent, based on whichever ’served’ him), jump over to Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York Blog where he has a great entry today, “Just Say No”.

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Previous Washington Square Park Blog entry:  The Blanding of New York City: Why It’s Time for Mayor Mike to Go.

Update 2:13 p.m! Confirmed by NYC Parks Department.

From Cristina DeLuca from NYC Parks Department Press Office:

Yes, I can confirm. Archaeologists and engineers are on the scene to make a preliminary report and nothing further is known at this time.

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A bit more information on the tombstone that may have been was uncovered on Friday, October 23rd at Washington Square Park during construction recently begun for WSP Redesign: Phase II.

Matt Kovary grew up in Greenwich Village, is working nearby and passes by the location every day. He contacted WSP Blog on Friday after walking by the Park that afternoon when he noticed that there was a large hole dug about 6 feet below the surface in the fenced-off construction area, right at the perimeter of the chain-link fence on the southern edge at Washington Square South and Sullivan Street.

According to Mr. Kovary, there were two people inside the fence, a man and a woman, poring over and dusting off what appeared to be a tombstone which he believed had been recovered from the hole. They were taking pictures of it, and, when he asked whether it was indeed a tombstone, the woman would only state that it was “sandstone,” admitting she was not authorized to talk about it.

Mr. Kovary said that the artifact looked like “a tombstone, not unlike those you’d see at Trinity Church – but in much better condition.” He wondered if it could have been “related to the original land owner” and questioned whether this came from a “family cemetery” from 200 years ago or more.

Although skeletons and human bones from the Park’s time period as a “potter’s field” (1797-1825) have been discovered as recently as last year (see WSP blog entry “The Skeletons of Washington Square Park“), there seems to be less information about – and discovery related to – private cemetery usage before the area was a New York City park.

In Emily Kies Folpe’s book “It Happened on Washington Square,” she writes:

To this day, the remains of more than 20,000 bodies rest under Washington Square.  New Yorkers of a century ago told of a blue mist overhanging the park on hot summer mornings, said to be the vapors from the old bones below.  From time to time, some of these old bones have resurfaced. …

More evidence was uncovered in 1890, when workmen digging the foundation for the Arch came upon headstones with German inscriptions dating to 1803, thought to be from a private German graveyard at the north side of the field.

I’ve contacted the NYC Parks Department to see what they have to say.  I’ll report back.

As many people know, Washington Square Park was previously a burial ground - a “potters field” – from 1797-1825.  It is believed that up to 20,000 bodies were buried there at that time.  During Phase I redesign construction in mid-to-late January of 2008, workers found at least four intact skeletons and 70-80 human bones (See Previous WSP Blog post:  The Skeletons of Washington Square Park).  Construction work began over the last few weeks on Washington Square Park Redesign: Phase II (focusing on the Northeast, Southeast and Southwest parts of the park).  Now comes word from a blog visitor who walked by the park today that he saw a tombstone uncovered there.  Any more information on this?

Here is the comment:

October 23, 2009

Do you have any information on a tombstone that was uncovered today in WSP at the corner of Sullivan and West 4th Street? I saw the back of it with my own eyes being dusted and photographed inside the chain-link fence. The small crew were very tight lipped.

Sincerely, Matt Kovary

Note: Check back! I will find out more information if available.

Fences Up SouthWest Side!

Where Do Old Benches Go To Die?

NorthEast Entrance Benches Gone

WSP Tree "Protection" Could Certainly be Improved

Soon to be Demolished Alcove SE Side (4 will Remain; 2 Removed)

Park Closes 12 a.m.?

WSP Blog is taking a short hiatus until Monday, November 2nd (right before Election Day!) but there’s still a few posts lingering (more updated photos of the work, and some commentary) that I’ll post in the interim so check back!

Electric Literature:  The Soapbox Reading Series #2 @ Washington Square Park * Tuesday, October 20th

Electric Literature is a magazine featuring literary fiction based in Brooklyn.  Tuesday, October 20th is part 2 of their Soapbox Reading Series.  They invite you to come have your lunch in Washington Square Park… and enjoy a story.  Last Tuesday was the first of the two-part series and it was a very interesting event.  They hope to resume the series in Spring 2010.

Where:  Washington Square Park * “Holley Plaza” (West of the Fountain)
Who:  Stephen O’Connor with guests: Christie Hauser, Lauren Belski, & Wythe Marschall

From the release:

The Electric Literature Soapbox Reading Series is exactly what it sounds like: Writers will read their work atop a box in the middle of Washington Square Park.

Washington Square has a long and storied history of both arts and activism. The Soapbox readings will entertain and promote literary fiction by connecting authors directly with the public, while celebrating the diversity of the city and its cultural wealth.

Stephen O’Connor is the author of books including: Rescue (short fiction and poetry), Will My Name Be Shouted Out? (memoir and social criticism), and the forthcoming Here Comes Another Lesson(short fiction), as well as fiction and poetry (published in outlets such as The New Yorker, Poetry Magazine, Threepenny Review) and essays and journalism (which have appeared in The New York Times, The Nation, The Chicago Tribune).  He has won numerous prestigious awards for his writing and currently teaches fiction and nonfiction writing in the MFA programs of Columbia and Sarah Lawrence.

The next NYC Mayoral Debate will be held Tuesday, October 27th from 7- 8 p.m. between (candidate-with-multiple-paid-for-party-affiliations-but-declared-as) Independent Michael Bloomberg and Democratic Party Candidate William Thompson.  It will air on WABC-TV, 1010 WINS Radio, and at 7online.com.

All New York City election debates are presented by the Campaign Finance Board.  There are ONLY two debates between the candidates for Mayor of New York City. New Yorkers only get to hear from the more moderate candidates from the “major” parties, basically those with major corporate and political ties. There are actually seven other candidates running on other party lines and it would be far more interesting – and informative – if Reverend Billy Talen (Green Party) and the guy from the Rent is Too Damn High Party, among all the others, were included.

Last week’s debate was broadcast on NY1 and WNYC Radio.  The moderator was Dominic Carter from NY1 and the press panel asking questions of the two male candidates were all men.  I thought… it’s one debate. That certainly can’t happen for the other debate. Oh, how wrong I was. While diversity as far as race seems to have been given consideration, gender … not so much.  There’s not one woman included in this all male club.  Seems hard to imagine in New York City but, given the political (and cultural) climate, I shouldn’t be surprised.

Here’s the info for the next Mayoral debate:

MODERATOR: Bill Ritter (WABC-TV)

REPORTER PANEL:  Dave Evans (WABCTV), Antonio Martinez (UNIVISION), Stan Brooks (1010 WINS)

Here is the general information as far as format:

Candidates will answer questions from reporters on the panel, pre-taped questions from voters and viewer emails.  www.7online.com also will be open during the debate to take live voter questions.  WABC web producer will screen those emails before adding them to the debate.  Questions will reflect the interests and concerns of a diverse voting population.

Response Time, Follow Up Questions, Rebuttal, Re-rebuttal:  Candidates will be allowed 60 seconds to answer each question, 30 seconds for rebuttal.  (Stage manager will hold up cards indicating 15 sec, 5 sec, and time up)   For production and timing purposes, the moderator may choose to break up longer rounds with questions requiring short answers.

Props, Notes:  Candidates may not use visual aids, charts, prepared notes, or electronic devices on the set.

Pads, Pen:  Candidates will be provided with a blank pad of paper and pen at their podiums for the purpose of making notes during the Debate.

Closing Statement:  Candidates may make a 60 second closing statement.

The debate will take place at:  WABC Studio, 7 Lincoln Square (149 Columbus Avenue), Manhattan.

Oh, and if you have anything you want to comment on to the Campaign Finance Board in advance (like, say, why there is not at least one woman reporter as a panelist), here is contact information:

NYC Campaign Finance Board:  email:  AKonstam-at-nyccfb.info; 40 Rector Street, 7th floor, NYC 10006; phone # 212/306-7100.

WABC here : eyewitness.news-at-abc.com  or WABC-TV, 7 Lincoln Square, NY, NY 10003; phone # 212/456-7000.

Freddy’s Brooklyn Roundhouse is a well-produced “non-corporate media” outlet, viewed on MNN (Manhattan Neighborhood Network), BCAT (Brooklyn Community Access Television) and YouTube, covering topics such as The Atlantic Yards, media consolidation, Eminent Domain abuse, as well as changes linked to (over) development in NYC.

The program is airing a two part show from September 22nd’s Jane Jacobs event organized by Reverend Billy and held at Judson Memorial Church across from Washington Square Park.

From the release:

The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs’s most famous book, helped change the blind acceptance of urban planners and their grand schemes to remake cities into unlivable places. Jacobs ended Robert Moses’ reign of bad building and urban destruction. With the misguided development of the Bloomberg administration today, Jane Jacobs’s work is as important as it ever was. Freddy’s Brooklyn Roundhouse presents two new episodes based on readings from Jane Jacobs, filmed at the Judson Church, NYC and hosted by Green Party Mayoral Candidate Rev Billy.

The event is split up into two episodes – links below to YouTube video:

Episode 1: Features neighborhood activists, Michael Premo from Picture the Homeless, Philip Dipaolo from The People’s Firehouse and Joy Chatel, Defender of the Duffield House Brooklyn Underground Railroad landmark.

Episode 2: Features neighborhood activists, Cathryn Swan of the Washington Square Park Blog and Save Union Square, Melanie Joseph of the Foundry Theatre and Christabel Gough, NYC preservationist hero.

Bob Holman, of the Howl Festival & Bowery Poetry Club and former City Councilwoman, Carol Greitzer, are other activists who spoke at the event and were not included in the above shows, due to lack of time, but can be found here.

You can watch Freddy’s Brooklyn Roadhouse weekly Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on BCAT and Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on MNN.  Episodes are then also uploaded to YouTube.  Episode 1 aired this week but Episode 2 will air next week at the following times and places:  BCAT Tuesday Oct 20, 8 p.m., TimeWarner Cable(Ch. 34)/Cablevision(Ch. 67)/RCN(Ch. 82)Verizon(Ch. 42) and on MNN Thursday Oct 22, 8:30 p.m. TimeWarner Cable(Ch. 56)/Cablevision(Ch. 17)RCN(Ch. 83)Verizon(Ch. 34).  You can watch the shows on YouTube Episode I here; Episode II at this link.

Adam Lisberg, The New York Daily News City Hall Bureau Chief, has an interesting article, “Insiders say term limits, supporter apathy could damage Mayor Bloomberg’s chances of reelection,”in today’s paper.

From the article:

Mayor Bloomberg’s campaign may look unbeatable – but some insiders see troubling signs that he could be tossed out of City Hall.

They fear lingering voter anger about term limits, low-turnout primaries, passionate anti-Bloomberg Democrats and complacent Bloomberg supporters could combine to create the biggest political upset of a generation.

“I’d be worried,” said one of the mayor’s prominent backers, who fears moderate pro-Bloomberg voters won’t bother voting Nov. 3 if they assume the mayor will win.

“If you’re just a voter who kind of likes Bloomberg, you don’t come out,” this backer said. “If you hate Bloomberg . . . you come out.”

The prospect of loss may seem laughable to New Yorkers who have been bombarded with ads and mailers from Bloomberg’s $64.8 million campaign.

And then this:

“You don’t have hundreds of thousands of people who think Bloomberg is next to God,” said one of his [candidate Bill Thompson's] Democratic backers. “You have thousands of people who just hate this man.”

Read more here.