To the pandering elected officials that represent the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn: YOUR PATHETIC! In your attempts to foster sentiment that you actually care about the residents and small businesses of Bay Ridge by publicly slamming the Oxygen Network reality show “Brooklyn 11233″, you could be putting a nail in the coffin of the vitality of this once vibrant area. You compared this reality show to the movie “Saturday Night Fever” and all the damage it wreaked on the area. It’s no surprise that you are not aware of this, but that movie put Bay Ridge into the national spotlight. People from all over the country came to Bay Ridge to see where John Travolta danced, ate, strutted down the sidewalk in the opening credits and marveled at the majestic accomplishment of the Verrazano Bridge. One of our proudest structures ever built uniting us to our brother borough Staten Island forever.

It was the summer in the late 70′s, my friends and I were all giddy with excitement as we got to watch Vinny Barbarino cladded in polyester shoot baskets in the park under the bridge. In the background, one of my friends was playing handball and actually made it into the final cut of the movie. All of the pizzerias were now serving the “Saturday Night Fever” slice on on top of the other. As I was bussing tables at Circles Restaurant, I noticed that the line to get in was from the bus stop on 69th Street and wrapped around the corner onto 3rd Avenue. Even to this day the food at Circles is still my favorite food in the world and tastes the same after 30 years. The only thing different is the amount of people.

This Oxygen reality show could be exactly what the area needs. The PR generated by this has already begun to take effect. The buzz is being heard in all 5 boroughs. The interest in the area is starting to spike once again. How could a small business not want all this FREE publicity? Being a former owner of several businesses in the area, I know first hand the damage these politicians have wrought on the small businesses of Bay Ridge. As I look at both of your records, it is evident you have been living off of the blood and sweat of the good people in this district and have no experience in small business. Therefore, nothing to lose. As all these charming businesses struggle to keep their doors open, the politicians keep creating a more hostile and stifling environment.

Councilman Gentile stated “It’s crass and its rude – and when it comes to the women of Bay Ridge, the producers didn’t even get the zip code right.” I’m actually impressed that he knew the zip code and as far as knowing what the women of Bay Ridge think, that is one topic I would let the women themselves judge. Voters of Bay Ridge: Do not be fooled by these politicians and their attempt to inflame your sensibilities. In the world of business, there is no such thing as bad PR. Just look what the MTV show “Jersey Shore” did for NJ and all of the businesses that were featured. We could only hope for such an impact. Come 2013 – VOTE Sully for City Council because I do have a stake in the game.

Bay Ridge is done being the borough’s personal ATM machine.