How Did That Strike Work Out For You?

. . . Radio is reporting that the judge has fined TWU Local 100 $2.5 million, which should probably put the union out of business . . .

He’d Be A Martyr At This Point If Only Anyone Actually Cared

TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint was sentenced to ten days in jail and fined $1,000 for his part in calling a strike last December:

Eileen Long — mother of Firefighter Matthew Long, who was struck and severely injured by a private charter bus while bicycling to work because of the strike — said she wished the punishment was harsher. “I don’t think 10 days is enough,” she said. “My son has been in the hospital for more than 100 days.”

But Assemblyman Roger Green (D-Brooklyn) said the jail sentence will boost Toussaint’s status as “rock star” among some working people.

A New Use For 2 Columbus Circle

The facade of the unlandmarked 2 Columbus Circle Lollipop Building now features a giant billboard for the Da Vinci Code:

When the Museum of Arts and Design bought 2 Columbus Circle last year, its director, Holly Hotchner, defended the decision to reconstruct it, saying, “I think nearly everyone would agree 2 Columbus Circle is a tremendous eyesore.”

Now it is a tremendous ad.

Billboards for “The Da Vinci Code,” the film version, cover construction scaffolding at the 10-story building, the former Gallery of Modern Art, which has been stripped of most of its original marble facade.

“There are advertisements like this throughout the city and in other countries,” said Alan Yamahata, the vice president for development of the museum, at West 53rd Street. He cited the landmark Apple Bank for Savings at Broadway and 73rd Street for one. “We’re a not-for-profit, and this was a creative way to generate capital.”

Construction costs are estimated at $40 million. Mr. Yamahata said he did not know how long advertising would cover the scaffolding or how much revenue it would generate.

There is some question whether the billboards are legal. A sign is allowed on scaffolding, said Ilyse Fink, a spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Buildings. “But it must comply with zoning, and a permit should be obtained. There’s no sign permit in our database that I could find for 2 Columbus Circle.”

Those who fought unsuccessfully for landmark status for the 42-year-old gallery, built by Huntington Hartford, were not happy yesterday.

“This institution supposedly dedicated to culture and stewardship destroyed the most important work of art in its collection,” said Kate Wood, the executive director of the Landmark West group. “Then they went and replaced it with a gigantic billboard, which they didn’t even bother getting legal permits for.”

Some Top Law School Should Recruit These Kids

Not only did frustrated West Village residents fail to extend the curfew at the Christopher Street Pier but the Community Board 2 resolution ended up adding even more amenities for the youth that use the facility:

Village residents again called for an earlier curfew on the Christopher St. Pier. FIERCE! — the gay-youth organization — again called for a later one. But the end result was the same as reached at a community board Waterfront and Parks Committee meeting earlier this month: The curfew of the Christopher St. Pier will remain at 1 a.m. for this coming park season.

. . .

In addition to the pier’s curfew remaining 1 a.m., the resolution calls for social services and food and nonalcoholic beverage vendors to be provided on the pier; for the pier’s bathrooms to stay open till 1 a.m., instead of closing at 8 p.m., and, if feasible, for Portosan portable toilets to be made available . . .

. . .

Back in front of the meeting venue at 75 Morton St., residents grumbled over the outcome.

“Of course we’re disappointed. We wanted an earlier closing time,” said Elaine Goldman of the Christopher St. Residents and Merchants Association.

“I just think it was an insult to the community,” added Kathy Christel, president of the Far W. 10th St. Block Association.

“Now they’ve got food, more amenities [on the pier]. It’s going to escalate,” predicted Kathy Donaldson, president of the Bedford Barrow Commerce Block Association.

Backstory: The Best Defense Is A Good Offense.

If You’re Going To Lie About Your Job Experience, Do It For A Restaurant Position

Moral of this story — don’t lie on your job application:

Two dozen ex-convicts who applied for jobs at Kennedy and La Guardia airports were arrested yesterday for lying about their criminal backgrounds on security clearance forms that would have granted them access to sensitive areas, authorities said.

The job-seekers had convictions that ranged from robbery to weapons possession, but allegedly denied it on the applications.

. . .

The 24 would-be employees include men and women from throughout the five boroughs and Long Island. Their ages range from 20 to 65.

The defendants are each charged with offering a false instrument for filing. If convicted, each faces up to four years in jail.