A NYC bakery REAPs the benefits
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Manhattan: I was thrilled when Fat Witch Bakery outgrew our kitchen in Chelsea Market and needed a second location. But with New York City’s high real estate costs, it wouldn’t have been possible for us to add a second location without a commercial tax incentive program called the Relocation and Employment Assistance program, or R.E.A.P.
R.E.A.P. gave us the leg up we needed to expand, but ultimately did so much more. When the 2008 crash hit just days before the move, it almost drove our small company to shut its doors.
In that life or death moment, R.E.A.P. enabled us to not only stay in business, but keep our staffing levels intact at a time when many were laying people off.
Today, we employ 24 people from across the city, and I want to add new locations and keep hiring locally. But with R.E.A.P. up for expiration this year, my ability to grow will face new challenges. I encourage our elected officials in Albany to renew R.E.A.P. and continue to empower small businesses like mine to thrive. Patricia Helding, founder and owner
Fat Witch Bakery
Walk in their shoes
South Ozone Park: City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal’s comments directed at the NYPD’s Commissioner Dermot Shea were rude and lacked a factual understanding of what it takes to do his job (“Pol faults cops’ sexcrime fight,” March 4). Those who can do, do. Those who are elected seem to only criticize. If Rosenthal thinks she can do better running the department that has made this city one of the safest in the world, I suggest she step up and work with the police department and not against it. It seems her only job in the Council is to attack the men and women who are constantly putting the best interests of all people in the city ahead of their own, while Councilmembers like Rosenthal pander to special interest groups. God bless the men and women of the NYPD and thank you, Commissioner Shea, for being a gentleman and understanding. As a resident of this city, we are proud of the job you and what your department is doing.
Cecilia Klein
Trump’s three P’s
Manhattan: President Trump has to make everything political or personal and sees every event only in terms of how it affects him. Wake up, Trump, and realize that this is not about you. For once, take a serious issue seriously! The
coronavirus is a real health crisis that needs more than mere handling by the bumbling, inept, and unqualified Mike Pence. Instead of Pence, the top medical experts from the CDC and NIH should be put in charge in coordination and cooperation with leading experts from around the world. Otherwise, Trump will only have himself, and not the Democrats, to blame if he fails to do everything he can.
Chana Schwartz
High five!
Wellfleet, Mass.: After Joe Biden’s historic Super Tuesday comeback, Donald Trump should start calling Biden “Smokin’ Joe.” Good for Biden! Mike Rice
Hot air
Linden, N.J.: I haven’t followed Bernie Sanders’ career. Is there any evidence he is more than just talk? Can any Voicer inform me of legislation that Sanders has sponsored and gotten passed? For example, Elizabeth Warren was instrumental in the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Amy Klobuchar can point to her work on comprehensive immigration reform. What can Sanders do? Ron Jackowski
Persistence
Jacksonville, Fla.: Bernie Sanders reminds me of a stubborn old man who just refuses to let go. It’s so obvious that his chances have always been nil to none of becoming president. There’s no way the majority of Americans will elect a socialist and someone who wants to completely dismantle Obamacare and “try” to start from scratch. Bernie is like an old man at an Atlantic City slot machine who refuses to give up his seat and who keeps spinning those machine wheels hoping it will eventually pay off! Listen, Bernie: Don’t try to split the vote at the convention between you and Biden or we will definitely face another four years of doom. Do the right thing and give up already. Carl J. C.-Hafner
Suzy’s gripes
Manhattan: Here we go again: Fourteen states have, for the rest of us, decided what will our choices be for the Democratic primary. Very few citizens understand the process and that many states get delegates or super delegates and how it all works, not to mention the Electoral College. However, most call this a “democracy,” the best country in the world. Suzy E. Sandor
A worried Don Juan
Manhattan: If Harvey Weinstein is guilty of anything, it is patronizing prostitutes, and if he didn’t pay, theft of services. The convictions for rape and sexual abuse were an unmitigated obscenity. Gloria Allred and the rest of the feminist garbage have just set relations between men and women back and have made a mockery of the criminal justice system. Forcible rape is a serious crime and the genuine victims can take no solace from this frivolous circus. Do I now have to worry that any of the two dozen liaisons of my ancient past will make false accusations that a prosecutor like Cy Vance will now act on to further his shameful career? Inquiring minds would like to know.
Daniel Jean Lipsman
Define American
Manhattan: Many immigrants do not assimilate to American culture and customs. If we required all immigrants to accept our way of life and dress and act like we Americans do, there would be much less distrust, hatred and animosity towards foreigners. If they blend into our society, we would welcome them as future Americans. Dale Miller
Future Americans
Brooklyn: In response to Voicer Bob Pascarella’s comments
FAT WITCH BAKERY about immigrants and migrants at our southern border: There are many states where the governors say they have room and jobs for newcomers — they would welcome the migrants. These people may not have college degrees but they have something that would make them fine Americans — an incredible work ethic. They are coming here because they desperately want to work. They are not interested in any kind of government assistance. They have the same values as our families did when they came here.
Rochelle Cohen
Trashy ideas
Brooklyn: I realize many individuals are slobs and do not care about the environment. The majority of us use plastic bags for our trash. If we only have reusable bags that cost money, what do we put our trash in? Do we do what was done in the 1800s and throw our trash out the window? I, and many others, cannot afford to buy plastic bags for our trash. Why don’t they come up with disposable bags that will disintegrate? Solve the problem.
Arlene Paskoff