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December 22, 2005
Carolers to Bruce: You're a Scrooge!
Brooklyn Papers
by Emily Keller
At first glance, the carolers — with their red-and-green felt hats, their sheet music and their accordion accompaniment — appeared to be just another group of holiday mirth-makers on Park Slope’s Fifth Avenue this week.
And then they broke into song.
“On the 12th day of Christmas, Bruce Ratner took from me/12 months of taxes/11 blocks of sidewalks/10 acres peopled/nine cultures mixing/eight unclogged subways/seven days a-strolling/six sportless months/DE-MO-CRA-CY!/four years in building/three neighborhoods/two thoroughfares/and an apartment for my family!”
There was a brouhaha when carolers were welcomed to sing in the lobby during the grand opening of the Commerce Bank on Fifth Ave. When the bank manager caught on to the editorial content of the lyrics the carolers were asked to leave. Park Slope resident and local activist Jon Crow threatened to close his newly opened account if the carolers were forced out. The carolers finished and went on their merry way.
Ratner PR flack Joe DePlasco reminded Brooklynites 'tis the season to be snarky:
“For what it’s worth, we hope that they — and the handful of people they speak to — have a wonderful holiday season.”
Posted by lumi at December 22, 2005 7:02 AM