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Rally planned to denounce Hitler, Confederacy images in Sunnyside building

The lobby of 47-55 39th Place

Aug. 22, 2017 By Nathaly Pesantez

A rally is set to take place in front of a Sunnyside residential building to denounce images of Hitler and Confederacy figures in the building lobby and the controversial property manager who put them there.

The rally, organized by councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer, will begin at 9 a.m. on Aug. 23 outside the building’s main entrance at 47-55 39th Place.

“Nearly the entire lobby is covered with posters that pay tribute to the Confederacy and dictators like Hitler and Mussolini,” reads a statement released by councilmember Van Bramer’s office in announcing the rally.

The building’s main lobby walls contain elaborate murals dedicated to figures, motifs, and icons of American history, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, the Statue of Liberty, the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima, the bald eagle, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

But once past the main lobby area, which also contains two display cases showing the full texts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, is a banner going across two apartment doors on the first floor depicting the leaders of Allied and Axis powers of World War II, which includes an image of Hitler raising his arm in a Nazi salute next to the red black and white flag of the Nazi party opposite Franklin D. Roosevelt.

World War II banner showing an image of Hitler

Under the stairs of the lobby is a section dedicated to the Civil War, with depictions of General Robert E. Lee opposite to General Ulysses Grant, with both Confederate and Union flags showing. Above that is a section for President Donald Trump, along with a “build the wall” quote.

Images of the Civil War and of President Donald Trump inside 47-55 39th Place

A long-time resident of the building who did not want to give her name out of fear of retribution characterized Neal Milano, the property manager, as outlandish, especially in the images he placed in the lobby. “You think you’re walking into a museum,” the resident said.

The resident also said she did not like the reference to Hitler right past the lobby.

Another resident who has lived in the building since the 1970s and did not want to be named said Milano has been steadily adding artwork to the lobby walls and surfaces over the past five to six years, and usually does it overnight. “I just stay friendly with him—keep your enemies close,” the resident said.

The high fencing around the building contains warning signs for trespassers, including one that reads “there is nothing inside worth your life” above an image of a gun, along with huge patriotic signs donning American flags and “God Bless America” on them. The signs and the high fencing combined, according to the above resident, make the building “look like a concentration camp”.

The high fences around the building on 47-55 39th place

But beyond the lobby are allegations of Milano harassing tenants and leaving explicit notices about residents in the building for all to see, as is the case when Milano allegedly posted a notice about a “six-foot-four Middle Eastern person of interest” who has slept over in a tenant’s apartment “more than 20 times”, according to NY1 News.

Tenants also told NY1 News that Milano has placed a fee of $200 if cardboard boxes are not folded properly for disposal.

Lynn Calvacca, a resident who owns a condo in the building, has filed a lawsuit against Milano in dispute of a fine. The Sunnyside Post has reached out to Calvacca for comment.

To add to the controversy surrounding Milano are fake NYPD posters plastered by the dozen in neighboring streets labeling Milano as a “tier 3” sexual offender who is being “closely monitored” by police.

Fake NYPD poster labeling Neal Milano as a sexual offender.

The NYPD confirmed that the posters are fake, and said that Milano has no history of sexual offenses.

Councilmember Van Bramer, who took a tour of the building lobby, said he reached out to mayor’s office and to the commission on human rights to see what can be legally done about the images of Hitler and Confederate figures, and to see if an investigation can be opened into Milano in his capacity as a property manager.

“We are condemning the symbols of hate,” a spokesperson for Van Bramer said.

Some residents, however, say that Milano has a certain way of communicating that may rub some people in the building the wrong way.

“To be honest, Milano is doing a lot of good things,” a male renter of the building said. The resident also said he took it upon himself to take down some of the fake NYPD posters around the neighborhood.

Another resident who has owned her condo for about nine years said she is not surprised about the news coverage surrounding Milano and the building, but says there is more to the story.

“Yes, there are some things that he’s done to make the building look a little bit inappropriate, but he’s done a lot of good things with the building after he took over five or six years ago,” she said.

The Sunnyside Post has left messages on the condo board’s answering machine, and was unable to reach Milano by phone or email.

email the author: [email protected]

225 Comments

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SO, how was the rally?

What is the latest update? Is this guy in an asylum yet? Has the building lobby been redecorated to look more like a building lobby? Enquiring minds are inquiring!!!

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Country hick aka: now a real NYer

Before I came to Sunnyside via my little town in New Hampshire, I used to listen to Oran Juice Jones at the General Store where they eouke convert it into a dance hall at night

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Oran Juice Jones

I’d be willing to perform my hit song “Rain” at the rally. I was a one hit wonder !

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Iron mike Tyson apt 2z

I think milano is a stupid fool. I wish he talked to me like that, I’d bite his ear off
I’m da baddest man on the pwanet!

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Dick Hertz

Joe would you please be responsible to bring the paper goods to the Rally. Thanks big guy, your the best. And if you’re nice I’ll get you a date with Another Southie aka: Skippy.

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Joe

Someone put a pint or two of sugar in good old Neal’s car with the Florida plates. It will never run again trust me.
That’s a good start.

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Anita Little

I heard Neal is taking bids on the spot out front. He’s also putting a charging station in for Snowflakemobiles.

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108 Charlee

I invite you all to the Rally, but bring a dessert. I like strawberry short cake, Southie likes Lemon Mirange Pie. Don’t forget the French press for the coffee. Make sure the coffee is organic.

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Melcor Scott

Don’t forget the strait jacket. And a couple of guys in white jackets with a paddy wagon.

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Douchebag Deluxe

Haha. Sounds like a good time Rally. Another Southie giving crying lessons, bringing homemade guacamole. 108 Charlie bartending, Nick manning the grill.

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Another Soufie

I’m giving free crying lessons at the Rally. I’ll also bringing ice packs so my fellow Snowflakes don’t melt. BTW- Don Lemon and Jake Tapper will be there to valet park your Toyota Prius.

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L.Daily

I’ll bet he considers himself a good Christian. This is the type of menace Trump has unleashed.

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Anonymous

Trump never unleashed anything — Obama set us back 50 years with all of his hate – so please stop

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How is this a debate?

Please provide proof of where Obama was hateful. Or rescind your false statement.

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Thank you William M

Your comment made me laugh, which some of us may need right.about now.I know it isnt funny and help is needed. But these multiple accounts of scary behavior freaked me out,omg.

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History buff

It’s a really beautiful display of American history. I would love to see it in person.

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Sunnyside 11104

How about every condo owner and renter get together and purchase the same exact Donald Trump mask and all of you go in and rip down a poster, so he can’t blame it on anyone person? Enter the building in regular attire, while wearing your mask, then exit the building. Go have a glass of wine at Claret or Dog & Duck, then return home. Coordinate amongst all 47 apartments units to converge and remove at the same day & time. Cheers!

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Heywood Jablomey

Leave it to Van Bramer to make a political issue out of somebody’s interior decorating.

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Billy

Heywood- You’re a little slow aren’t you. You missed all the bullying, harassment and abusive behavior by this man to a large number of Sunnyside residents and JVB constituents. JVB thank you for standing up and speaking out for us.

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henry

Than man should be fired or suspended from his job. He clearly has mental issues and we are all bullying the mental disturbed. I feel sorry for him but like I said he needs to be let go and treated.

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eebs

Even if this guy is just “some weirdo history freak” (oh! A British flag! Oh! “World War II” written in huge letters! Such history!) he should stick to decorating the walls of his OWN apartment. And “this sort of crap” (speaking out against hate and bad interior design) is not what got Trump elected. Рашисты и русские глупые!

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elliot

Call the press! Start a Rally! I am offended by a Hillary for President poster my neighbor has not taken down yet!

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William M

this man now in thailand, I know me driver him to the airport, he don’t like New York, Don’t like the people, very mean man, I have him from the video in my car will put for you on the youtube.

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Sick and tired of being sick and tired

Please post the link to the video when you’ve done it. Thanks!

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RFK

This has zero to do with liberal or conservatives. Everything isn’t a political debate. This is about right and wrong. Flying any type of Nazi flag in the USA is asinine. Many of our families and ancestors fought & died against this ideology. It is UNAMERICAN. Stop disgusing it behind Trump or Uncle Sam.

Mr.Milano, you are a low life racist. I wish I lived in this building. I would rip all this shit down and place it in front of your door and watch you not do a damn thing.

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Anonymous

There is no doubt that Mr. Milano is unhinged, but you don’t know for sure 100%, that it is Mr. Milano in the Donald Trump mask, putting up Trump stickers. It could be the same loser that created fake NYPD posters and put them up all around the neighborhood. Anybody can illegally gain access to an apartment building.

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Sick and tired of being sick and tired

No boo. I’ve personally witnessed him putting the stickers around and on the outside of my building when I was arriving home late on night. I confronted him about it and he told me to go eff myself, I called the cops in front of him and he said “call them you stupid c*nt” and then proceeded to run away rather then wait for them to show up. I also live in the building where the incident in the video took place. I have still frames from that same video from when he enters the building and the mask is lifted off his face to reveal his hideous profile and mustache. He orders these stickers by the truckload because he has nothing better to do. What a disgrace!

He was able to gain access because he had a key from when he used to live in that building, but was evicted for his insane behavior and harassment of tenants!!!!!!!!!! My management company finally swapped the locks out for a key fob, thank goodness.

And as long as we’re talking about fake NYPD posters, he did the same thing over some kid popping one of his ridiculous halloween inflatables. Hypocritical much?

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whteva

How do we know that was not a video from Halloween? Many people were walking abound with Hillary, Obama and Trump masks this past year! Attend a rally and you shall see it!

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Sick and tired of being sick and tired

Because it was on 2/19/2017. The video is date-stamped from the security footage in the building where he trespassed.

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Joe Sho

This is the interesting New York shit we should like. He is representing all of history here, everything can’t keep offending all of you nuts! And I’m about as left as they come.

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Pinkies Up MF'ers!

I would like to request some hot dogs and burgers please….None of that gluten free crap. Also a DJ please. Maybe a portable hot tub and a couple of pitchers of Margaritas (top shelf Tequila please..no cheap stuff). I like my food and drinks to be Pinkies Up !

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Baba Booey

Nick, will you man the grill ? I like the burgers medium rare buddy. And no salt with the margaritas Charlie! Spicey mustard with the dogs please

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Sunnyside 11104

We live in the age of smart phones! Not one of these disgruntled condo owners or renters, could get any of this wild harassment on video with your phone? I agree that these posters do not belong in the common area of an apartment building, but come on. You people on the south side need to get your sh*t together! This has gone on way too long. Let a toddler act out & behave unruly, they will turn into an unruly teenager, then an entitled adult. Stop being anonymous, take videos and grab this bull by the horns! Time for fear of retribution has passed. Take back the sanctity of your own home. Cheers!

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Mac

Another publicity seeking bandwagon for JVB..How about doing some real work?..Like getting the homeless shelters out of the neighborhood?..

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Mac

Fake Mac- You don’t even believe the garbage you spew because you hide behind a hijacked posting ID.

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Turd Furguson

So is this rally about the pictures in the lobby or about a bad property manager?

Can I go to JVB’s office and request a public protest against people I don’t like too? There were some people on the 7 today who kept their backpacks on and I think the community should know!

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108 Charlie

Please grow a brain stem. Neal is a criminal and worthless criminal menace who belongs in jail.

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Me

Look at this stupidity. Care about the real stuff not these mentally incompetent people. This whole white supremacists vs normal people is being blown out of proportion while more serious things are going unnoticed. Rally to plain hitler? Get real, get a job.

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How is this a debate?

this may seem like small stuff today, but mental illness is a real thing, that often results in terrorist like behaviors. Better to get this guy into counseling/straight-jacket now, vs after he has done violent harm to neighbors.

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Ely

finally street easy has allowed the NY1 article about this creepy dog on its site. Btw, tomorrow they will have an open house for a unit that is for sale at that same building, i hope everyone is warned about the evil that lurks therein. Neal Milano is a deranged scumbag punk (his words not mine). His daughter is a loser too, I saw her moving a fake construction sign after Neal Milano moved his car and I told her what was doing was illegal, she barked “f -OFF” what an unstable family they are.

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Sunnyside 11104

You have no right to go demanding answers of people with your own questions. She is not obliged to answer you. If you ask a dumb question (to Neal’s daughter), then you’re going to get a response that you don’t like. Next time, record the craziness with your cell phone & contact city officials.

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The favorite

Even if every poster was of kittens and puppies, it would scream insanity to have that all up in a building like that. The fact that it’s mostly offensive images magnifies it all the more. He’s mentally unstable and needs help. And the tenants/owners deserve better than this. Get him help and/or out of there.

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The Squirrel

This guy is a complete a**hole. I’ve been in Sunnyside for 15 years and have been looking to buy an apartment. I went to an open house in this building about 6 months ago and got completely berated by him for taking a photo in the building lobby. He is extremely aggressive and obviously unwell. The realtors tried to downplay the images in the lobby but they speak for themselves, the work of an unstable person. There have been many additions in the last 6 months since I was in there, this is definitely an ongoing project.

This is not the kind of building I would want live in, and I wish the current tenants luck in their fight to live in peace.

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Anonymous

I was doing laundry on 48th and saw this guy (didn’t know who he was at the time) standing outside making very vile comments to any women who walked by that wasn’t blond/blue eyed. One comment involved the coming ‘rape camps’ he seemed pretty excited about. I thought he was just some schizophrenic off his meds because he was saying some pretty deranged stuff. I wish I had called the police but they would have just said ‘free speech’. Also, I don’t care if it’s stars wars memorabilia and kitten posters, he’s an employee of the building he doesn’t own it. That stuffs a fire hazard and roach motel. I would be pissed if I was paying rent. I don’t need a history lesson when I walk in my door. As for ‘good stuff’ that’s what any super should do. Take the garbage out and fix things, not harass women on the street. I hope he gets canned like the rest of the nazi sympathizers. I have 4 uncles who fought in WWII and this is offensive to me on many levels. He’s very sick and I’ve seen it first hand.

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Fed up

I can’t believe the sickos defending him. The rally isn’t just about the signage in the building. It’s about the threats, harassment and intimidation of the other condo owners, renters AND the people in the surrounding blocks that have had the unfortunate experience of interacting with him. This isn’t about free speech. He’s free to be as racist as he wants. Want to support Trump? Put the bumper stickers on your own god damn car and, NOT on my home! Want to support Hitler under the guise of “representing history” (cough bullsh*t cough), put all the Nazi posters you like in your own home! If you’ve ever confronted him in the street about vandalizing property that DOESN’T belong to him, he tells you “go f*ck yourself”, scurries away like a pathetic little rat when he sees you on the phone with the cops and calls you a c*nt! Does that sound like a nice guy to you?! I’ve filed harassment charges, others have filed stalking charges and FINALLY, after months of reaching out to Van Bramer’s office, he took notice. Dragging this vile degenerate in a well deserved public shaming sends a clear message that he cares about his constituents and isn’t going to let some pathetic loser who thinks he can get away with abusive behavior, intimidate the entire neighborhood. Way to go Van Bramer! I don’t always agree with his style, but this takes guts. Drag him boo! Draaaaagggg him!

And kudos to the brave souls that finally stood up and shared their story with the media.

I can’t believe anyone is defending this scum. What a disgusting world we live in.

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Another Southie

Wow. What a charmer. I especially like how he yells m****erf****r right when he’s standing underneath the crucifix.

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FreeSpeechDammit

Geez there sure are a lot of snowflake liberals on this site.
This is freedom of speech plain and simple and a politician that is blocking it needs to be prosecuted.
You know they show pictures of Hitler on the internet and museums too. I don’t see van brahmin doing anything about that.
If you’re offended by hitler and Trump, grow a pair.

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johnny

When it suits Liberals, OWS, BLM, ANTIFA, RESIST and the like are nothing but Terrorists, Anarchists, Bully’s and Fascists who protest free speech.

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Neighborachy

Gee there sure are a lot of snowflake nazis on this site.

If you are offended that an entire neighborhood is sick of dealing with a mentally unhinged lunatic, move back to russia.

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eebs

You CAN’T be serious. Please tell me where you park your 1991 Ford Probe so i can cover it with pictures of unicorns, Hillary’s email servers and a big paper mache DONG, then call you a crybaby who doesn’t respect free speech.

“If you’re a offended by Hitler… grow a pair”? I mean, what does one have to DO to warrant “offense” if slaughtering millions doesn’t cut the mustard? If Hitler were here he’d be like “Nein. You should most DEFINITELY be offended by me. History has clearly shown me to be one of thee worst dudes. You literally cannot have my last name anymore.”

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Melcor Scott

This is not free speech. He doesn’t own the property. The rights of the tenants need to be protected unless the property MANAGER is the only one with rights. There are state, federal and local laws in the US and they aren’t only for people pushing hate.

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Hitler is offensive. period.

If you’re not offended by Hitler, you don’t deserve to be here. Move to Germany, see if any of them want to hang out with a hitler lover.

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Anonymous

No, it really is mayhem, it’s not about history… I own a condo in here. It doesn’t help that the first thing he tells people is that he’s friends with everyone in the mob… people aren’t exactly excited to stand up to that

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Sunnyside 11104

You own a condo in this building and won’t even put up your real name? What as an owner are you afraid of? You must not be a native NY’er.

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Another Southie

Did you not read the mob part? This guy is threatening people! He’s a bully who needs to be made to see that he can’t do that.

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Another Northie

Could the mob possibly bring a few pounds of Prociutto and a few loads of Semalina bread to the Rally? This could be a real good foodie venue as well!!!

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Cool Breeze

Maybe he can get us some fresh Cannolis to go along with hot tub, burgers and margaritas that Pinkies Up MFer requested ?

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Sunnyside 11104

I highly doubt this guy has any mob connections. Most people with mob connections don’t go around saying that they have my connections! If you are a condo owner in this building, you need to step up!

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James Warlburg

I will be attending the rally, it’s about time something was done about this weirdo. I live across the street from Neal Milano,he drives a car with Florida plates and puts up a fake construction sign to keep his spot. He also posts these lewd and lascivious signs outside outside of the building and within view of students of PS199. 47-55 39th place looks like a penitentiary with all the flags, uncle same statutes, chrome fence and bright lights, how this man is able to get away with this is beyond me. The tenants of that building should stop paying rent until Neal Milano is evicted. Why Florida licence plates and why isn’t his name on the building directory , what about his daughter barbara who I’ve seen posting Trump stickers on poles, she should be made to clean up the signs.

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Billy

Johnny- Typical pseudo conservative response. My mother lives on this block and on several occasions my wife and I have had run ins with this jerk who thinks the parking spots around his buildings are his private spots. When it happens to you or yours you’ll be whistling a different tune other then your silly Fox News talking point and narrative.

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johnny

Billy, Facts, Just the Facts, Not my fault you can not handle the truth,
Besides, What kind of a wimp are you if you could not take back a legal parking spot, Mother and Wife must be very Proud.

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108 Charlie

Just to be clear, you are advocating that people violently confront this lunatic? Because that’s the macho, tough guy thing to do? Does that make you a man?

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Bruno

Johnny or should I say macho Johnny- Billy never gave details of his confrontation with this guy. You may need a remedial reading class.

Cool Breeze

Maybe you can have RACHEL Maddow or Chris Matthews to get you back the spot. Wha wha wha.

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Another Southie

Typical conservative, unable to correctly choose between “there” and “their”. Spare us your supposed intellectual superiority.

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43rd@43rd

Advocate for freedom when it suits you; but against it when it doesn’t.
I disagree with this rally and all the counter-freedom rallies going on.

This is how freedom dies.

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Another Southie

Oh please. This man is being accused of impinging upon the rights of others though many of his actions. The posters are just one part of it. He has been accused here of causing others who live in this building to fear his retaliation lest they complain. One poster said Milano boasts of supposed mob connections as a way of threatening him and other tenants. This is not an open-and-shut case of freedom of expression. Sorry to burst your simplistic narrative bubble.

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Baby Mama Barbara

I rent in this building and I can assure you everyone hates this guy, the unit owners are responsible for allowing this guy to do what he does. We the renters are subject to harassment by him and his daughter Barbara who lives on the 6th floor, she is an unemployed baby mama with 2 little brats who call Neal Milano grand pa. Neal Milano is judgment proof, he purchased his unit with lotto winnings and because he owes so much money he put the units under his loser daughter Barbara’s name. So now Neal Milano can commit all the crimes he wants, you can sue him but you won’t get anything because he has no assets. He is able to serve on the board because the unit owners allowed for parents of unit owners to serve on the board – so there you have It again, the unit owners are responsible for this creep to terrorize the community and building. Also he has Florida tags on his car and a fake name under his unit #3B because he owes a lot of money and doesn’t want to be found, not that hard to figure this out. This creep used to live in Florida, do yourself a favor and pay for a criminal background check of this guy, you will see who he really is. I am asking the other renters who are reading this to stop paying rent, I am glad the councilman is holding a rally, if you lived in this building you will appreciate anything that is done to remove this evil man and his baby mama daughter out of the building. Anyone defending this creep should be ashamed of himself, ever notice the signs on the corner which read “s bag punk” Neal writes, “this is money for you” if you can identify this “s bag punk” directly across the street from PS199.

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Anonymous

you can’t stop paying rent if you know the law which apparently you do not — you have to go to court and put your rents in escrow — this is the law so read up –

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Squatter's rights?

What about squatter’s rights? Pretty sure its next to impossible to evict someone in NYC… might be worth looking into. Just trying to help the tenants find ways to eradicate the hate. My building voted and we fired the property manager/company and got a new one. We have 5 members on our board who we re-elect 1x a year.

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Hoof Hearted

The decor, bizarre as it may be, is on private property. Van Bramer has no business meddling there. He’s on another shameless grandstanding spree.

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Anonymous

JVB should have nothing to do with this he is meddling on private property and if you meddle on someone’s private property they should be arrested –

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Bruno

If people who reside in Van Bramers district are afraid to speak up for fear of retribution in the form of bullying, threats and vandalism by another resident and their neighbors are illegally being denied access to public parking spaces by the very same tactics by the same resident it most certainly is JVB’s duty to get involved.

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Anonymous

oh please anything for a photo-op with JVB — remember this is election year he does nothing otherwise – homeless are all over the place crime is up what really is he doing next all the statues in woodside will be coming down that will be next wait and see —

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Bruno

Anonymous- Not everyone feels as you do, that we should be elevating criminals and traitors with statues. Even Robert E Lee was even against erecting statues to Confederates. What next a statue to Dillinger, Al Capone, Mussolini, Herohito?

Simone

The images of Hitler and the Civil War are obviously presented in historical context. He also has pictures of FDR, Hirohito, and other historical figures. What sad times we live in that we condemn rather than admire a history buff with a taste for art. I would love to live in such an interesting building and read about the past. It’s also great for any children living in the building who could learn history in their own lobby. Did the people who are “offended” by pictures of historical figures and their symbols and flags ever buy a history book, or have a text book in school? As an educator, I think this lobby is awesome. I would love my students to create this kind of historical collage. He clearly has a passion for history. He also has every right to post whatever he likes in is own lobby.

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The R.

What right does he have? He doesn’t own the entire building. He is a shareholder. He should keep this stuff inside his apartment. A “history buff” that moonlights as a racist… Are you not reading that he has harassed minority families? Flying a Nazi flag under the guise of teaching history is the excuse now.

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Another Southie

How is an image of Hitler or Stalin next to one of FDR without any explanation of the good guy vs the bad guys “historical context”? Sounds like you’re a teacher – so you would probably agree that just showing kids 3 pictures with no other explanation wouldn’t really teach them anything.

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eebs

Yo, Simone Milano, while you were typing someone stole your parking spot! P.S. Have you ever been in an apartment building lobby? Usually they are painted some version of greige with a coordinating trim and occasionally feature a seasonal display above the mantel- like novelty gourds in the fall, or perhaps a tasteful silk flower arrangement and some curated stacked books. As an “educator” I hope you realize that learning about history is more complicated than walking through a crazy old man’s nightmare lobby. Good luck to the students in your ‘Mishmash of Propagandist Bullshit: 101’ elective!
P.P.S. Trump is not a “historical figure” and textbook is one word.

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Another Northie

I’m requesting a historical photo of Orange Juice Jones greatest hits album be posted on the wall.

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Chloe

You are obviously not an educator!!! Do you hang a picture of Hitler in your classroom? I highly doubt it!! If he wants this stuff in his apartment then good for him, he can put whatever he wants in his own apartment, but the lobby is a common area. He does not own it… it is shared by other people that are owners. Maybe people should plaster Bernie Sanders posters all over the place or draw a hitler mustash on Trump.. hey they can call it art!!!

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The R.

This is pathetic. Only a vile loser would subject people to this. I don’t understand how the tenants have let this linger for over 5 years. There are no excuses unless they all feel the same way. Building bylaws should allow for a majority of signatures to remove this coward as pres/manager.

Not only is he a miserable racist but he has terrible taste. Those cheap silver made in China railings sure look awful.

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Mark Salinas

This is the guy that wrapped the building in led lights and then installed that brass waterbed looking fence around the property. Im surprised his fake signage blocking parking spots outside the laundry has gone this far. Ive witnessed him trying to bully people around including the old laundromat owner by curse loudly and hovering over people. Sunnyside, get rid of this guy!

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Lisa

He added spaceship lights that shine in our windows all hours of the night. The boat alarms on the building that emit a high pitch frequency have thankfully died. We asked him about the boat alarms once. Asked him to please turn the frequency down as we were tired of hearing it all day. He told us to go f*ck ourselves. He vanadalizes private property (cars, air conditioners) with Trump stickers. A Muslim who lived in the building was outside crying because he hung a crucifix above the door along side giant frightful uncle sams. He pretends to be a veteran to avoid parking tickets. He puts fake signs out front to block people from parking. What else would you like to know? He may have done one or two things that are kind or good for the building, but the neighbors and tenants hate him. He’s a jerk.

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Another Southie

Wow – thanks for sharing these experiences. I figured he was a nutjob based on what I saw when walking by, but I’m horrified as to the depth of this man’s awfulness. Let’s hope there’s something that can be done. Best to you.

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Brett

I’ve often said the place looks like a concentration camp when walking by… it’s obvious the guy is an extremist on all fronts…can’t believe people are putting up with this crap either.

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Larry

JVB has to have a spokesperson talk for him to protect his ass he’s gotta have a rally in a private building that he doesn’t live in or have anything to do with if he isn’t careful he’s gonna get himself possibly hurt.
There’s a thousand things this guy could be working on but instead he’s reaping the limelight of the news again to get himself re elected.
This IS NOT any of his concern AT ALL!!
It’s up to the buildings tenants not Van Bramer he will do anything possible to get himself attention and keep his job.
If he’s not stirring the pot on Trump, he’s organizing a rally to cause other problems where he doesn’t belong.
Small business’s are suffering in the neighborhood and he doesn’t do a thing to help them, the neighborhood has so much garbage and shit everywhere and this little jerkoff is more concerned about a bullying super. What else is new??? A bullying super in NYC omg surprise surprise!!!
There’s drugs in the parks left and right all hours of the day, cars speeding, bicycles riding wrecklessly everywhere, homeless up and down the Blvd, but a super putting posters in a building is a bigger concern?
People wise up and stop feeding this guys ego.

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Bo

I agree with you entirely on the drugs and the homeless people. There are baggies everywhere and there are a group of ten people constantly face planting and drinking, all inside of the playground, not even in its surroundings. As a parent, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous and I have actually tried to address this many times over the years. While I think that this guy IS indeed ridiculous and that he needs to be tamed, JVB needs to realize that riding the wave of the issue du jour isn’t as important to the community as the actual ongoing issues in the community.

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Fed up

Did you know that if you plan your day well and are skilled at time management, you can tackle big issues as well as quality of life issues? This isn’t Jimmy’s first rodeo – he’s been a councilman a while now.

Also, this is a big issue. The man is maniacal and there is a chance that people are now in danger for speaking up.

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Billy

Larry- You couldn’t be any further from the truth. If JVB’s constituents rights are being infringed by this person JVB has a responsibility to get involved period. I’m a constituent, my wife is a constituent and my mother is a constituent who all have been harassed and at the very lease been denied our right to park in a legal public parking space by this creep.

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Anonymous

well i am a constitutent and JVB never told anybody about the homeless shelters that were in the quality inn or laquinta – so much for him telling the truth –

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108 Charlie

Oh so you’re threatening our elected official for doing his job. Good luck with that.

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Suncoast

And all the new trash cans? Must be where Van Bramer lives because I sure don’t see them on 41st Street and 47th Avenue. He does nothing to help the people he represents.

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request

submit a request through participatory budgeting for this year, put the pin on the map directly on these streets. I had to do the same for my area

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a neighbor nearby

how about the offensive and dangerous lights on 47 avenue? or the illegal rise with fencing that was completed without any permits? the inside and the outside of this building is a disaster. i believe the residents and other owners are terrified.

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property owners are wussies

this is actually pretty pathetic, they are condo owners and they have board, whatt kind of Board would allow this to happen in the lobby? the property manager actually WORKS FOR YOU.

The fact that you, the owners, sit there and do nothing in your home is really pathetic. The Board needs to be voted out if they allow this to take place, and residents are to blame for not voting them out.

If this man owned the place, thats another story, he can hang what he wishes, but he is just employed by the residents who allow this. Pathetic.

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Anonymous

The board is one member, him, and only he can vote to add members… however it got to that point seems insane, but now that it’s there… who knows what can be done.

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Bart Stone

Impossible. I’m president of my condo board. The declaration sets the board composition, and its always 3 or more. That can’t be changed. Plus the unit owners vote on who’s going to be on the board every year – that can’t be taken away from the owners. Whoever owns in this building needs to get their act together and take care of this by putting a new manager in place. The unit owners will be on the hook for whatever legal costs, etc, comes of this controversy. And yeah, how exactly does having this idiot run your building help you sell or rent your unit? Absolutely ridiculous state of affairs.

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SuSanne

If you read the comments available; there are plenty of tenants saying they don’t know of any other Board Members & if they exist, this guy will give anyone their names. See WCBS report on this to see the 2 Uncle Sam’s yuge figurines at the entrance.

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Board is a bunch of racist pussies

Yoire incorrect. Hes the president of the board, the rest of the board can easily replace him but obviously choose not to. Either the board is insane or they are a bunch of pussies and wont stand up. Residents at fault also for not voting out this board

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A.Bundy

it could also be that the board is being paid off. he fines tenants as he pleases, and the cut is probably shared. why else would the board allow him to do what he does if there is no profit to be made?

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claire

Some people would view his work as Art. He should open up tours and charge people for a history lesson.

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rita

That argument doesn’t work. Try tell that to all the people that shut down traffic when they come to view my neighbors Christmas lights! It is so annoying. What about my neighbors putting up “scary” looking posters and decorations during Halloween? We should ban all religious symbols and such in private homes halls next.

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a.bidge

How typically NewYork, ignore all the important things going on and have a rally about some posters! Even more ridiculous is that the posters are in a lobby, so unless you live in the building, you don’t have to even see them! C’mon Sunnysiders, mind your own, once in a while!

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Name withheld for fear of retribution

His activities spill onto our street. He put one of his Donald Trump bumper stickers on the front door of my building across the street. The lamp posts and other public fixtures have been tagged with “Bangladeshis For Donald Trump,” “Lock Her Up,” “Build The Wall,” “Kunte Kinte for Donald Trump” “Jews for Donald Trump” (etc.) bumper stickers for a year. People try to scratch them off…new ones appear.

This is an otherwise lovely, diverse block. Then you look around and see these disturbing, juvenile displays, and images meant to intimidate. At night, he has lights for security on his building so bright, you could land a plane on our street. I call the building The Citadel. It must be awful living there. It’s certainly unpleasant for the community.

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Another Southie

Those lights are awful!!!! I’d hate to live across the street from them. He’s made this building such an eyesore.

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Another Southie

Jeez dude, get a life. You really use 2 screen names to troll the comments section of the Sunnyside Post? SAD!

Sunnyside 11104

Fear of retribution?? Come on. Grow a set and confront the guy if he is putting stickers on YOUR property!

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Neighborachy

No. Don’t confront him. Be sure to get video and photos of the incident, report it to the police and JVB’s office. We shouldn’t have to get into physical altercations with an armed lunatic vandalizing our property. He belongs in jail.

‘Growing a set’ sounds real macho but the law is pretty specific on such matters. If you don’t like those laws, by all means move to another country.

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Sunnyside 11104

Since when does confronting someone mean starting a physical altercation with them? Some of you love anarchy. I meant approach Mr. Milano and let him know that the majority of people in the building do not approve of the lobby decor.
Get.That.On.Video.

New Yorker Since '78

@Anonymous, “a public rally seems a bit much.” What’s really “a bit much” are lobby displays of Hitler, Mussolini, Charlton Heston, tributes to the Confederacy, racist images, numerous depictions of guns, and a building directory that includes bogus listings for Snoop Dogg, Suge Knight, Preet Bharara, Rudolph Hess, and Josef Mengele. That’s more than “a bit much.” That’s a straight up hate display. In an ethnically diverse neighborhood like Sunnyside of all places!

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Anonymous

You’re missing the point. Tenants should be accurately listed on the buzzer directory and he’s singling out those with incorrect names. To be honest, with Suge Knight’s history, I wouldn’t call him a “model citizen.”

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Dick Hertz

I agree on the Oran Juice Jones suggestion. That was one of my favorite artists back in the day. He had a break out hit with his song “In The Rain”. He was a good man that Oran Juice Jones. BTW- Another Southie if you’re about to correct my spelling of Orange you would be incorrect. He spelled his name Oran. The music of that era is amazing.

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tori

I am sorry but this landlord may need help. I feel like we are picking on the mentally ill. Just my opinion.

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Anonymous

You are one of them that why your seain this be a good neighbor and help the community instead of being agencies it

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roy

I am offended by his display and I do not even live there. If he owns the building he should be forced to take it down. Tenants should withhold rent and claim harassment. Tenants have the right to protection from landlord harassment and the right to band together and form an association. What he displays in his own apt is his business but this is a public lobby. Think of the young children that have to pass through those images of hate.

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David Solimano

Think of the young children that will have those same “images of hate” in their history textbooks, as I did, and will read WWII history books and see them again, as I did . . .

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Another Southie

Seeing an image of Hitler right next to one of FDR with zero context nor discussion of the good guy vs the bad guy is NOT the same thing as images in a history textbook.

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Cool Breeze

You might be the spelling Bee champion of Woodside; but your incorrect about what the people from south Boston call themselves. Watch some Ray Donovan or the movie Departed… from now on your name is SKIPPY!

grge

Osama bin Laden is in textbooks too. Would you be ok with a poster of him plastered in your hallway entrance? What about a statue of him?

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Skippy

Good point! And I think a huge poster of Hillary should be added next to the Trump ones given that she was the first woman nominated by a major party. You’re good with that, right Neal? Because, you know, history.

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Tracy

This building is right beside a primary school. This guy installed a noise device to keep the children away. He is a bully on multiple levels. really don’t understand how would anyone tolerant or defend someone practice dictatorship in a share property for years

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Proud to call most comment-ers my compatriots, not this guy.

you must not be an American. Real Americans help their compatriots.

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Richard O' Connor

I agree with Marilyn,that this issue could have been taken care of in house in a democratic fashion by vote or election.If this man has broken some laws – why has he not been arrested. The truth is ,he hasn’t and I certainly don’t need a councilman telling me what and whats not offensive.This nothing more than a cheap political ploy and i truly disappointed in Jimmy.
Richard O’ Connor Sunnyside / Woodside

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Anonymous

Come visit the building sometime with him around and see if you feel this same way. Have a chat with him. As a renter, we have no voice in the building changes, and there is no clear indication who or how many are on the board to vote against what he’s doing. He intimidates and bullies EVERYONE who lives here. I imagine those that are on the board (if there are any others) have just decided it’s better to dodge any confrontation out of fear of retaliation.

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Anonymous

If it is so offensive to you and you are too gutless to stand up for yourselves you should move out.

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Anonymous

Who would buy a condo in this building now? Moving out isn’t so simple when no one will buy your property…

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Neighborachy

Nope. He should be arrested and locked up at a psych hospital. Normal people shouldn’t have to deal with insane assholes.

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L.Daily

What is your stake in this? This man is obviously harassing others. The residents are attempting appropriate intervention. Would you prefer that they attack Milano?

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Another Northie

Who’s bringing the Boones Farm Apple Wine? I heard 108 Charlie prefers Wild Irish Rose or Nightrain. You know what he says: “Ripple it’s 50 cent twice”

Melcor Scott

The display can be characterized as harassment under the law. The mayor has a hotline set up for whether you feel harassed. If you do, it must go.

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108 Charlee

Hey Melcor when you call the Mayor make sure is after 3PM, because that’s about when he wakes up.

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Neighborachy

He has broken laws, he just hasn’t been caught in the act of vandalizing peoples cars, etc.

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Melcor Scott

This is designed as a scare tactic. Public rallies against one lone nut? Way too much. Just fire the racist idiot and tear down his stupid muck.

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barret

Because some are probably afraid of being harassed or even evicted! These tenants are hard working people and families and they may need our help. We must lend them our voices. I would also wish someone to look at his past rentals and see if he has denied or evicted anyone and on what grounds. People need to speak up. We should not tolerate this anymore! Call 311, join the march! Get involved.

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tootiestooters

Agree totally. Property managers can be fired. They can contract with another company.

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Dick Hertz

Because they’re a bunch of pussies. That’s why. Cry cry cry. They need to move back to New Hampshire and Vermont and wallow in their Ben and Jerrys.

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Fed up

The man is a straight up psychopath. Aside from forcing everyone to go along with his “artwork”, he intimidates, threatens and assaults people. He’s been arrested multiple times for his abusive behavior. He also escalates his behavior, first putting Trump and “build the wall” stickers on lamp posts and other public property, then he put them on someone’s personal vehicle (vandalism), THEN, he trespassed in a nearby building and vandalized the elevator and even a tenant’s apartment door. That anyone would defend his despicable vile behavior is pathetic! I hope he gets all the karma he deserves in life. Pathetic loser with nothing better to do than harass and stalk people!

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Anonymous

Can’t agree with you more. Moved his phony constructiongarbage pick up sign in the street so I could park and when I came down the next day my passenger side mirror was broken. Wish I caught him doing it.

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Anonymous

This is the same guy who lives in New York but has Florida Plates on his car.
He also made up a metal sign about ten feet long on wheels which says Construction garbage pick up although there is no construction in that building.He puts that in the street so no one else can park on alternate side of the street parking days Thurs & Friday..He also is the only pr. Manager who puts his garbage in the street instead of on the sidewalk like all the other supers.Anything to make pRking difficult for other residents in the neighborhood..Yet he has a disabled parking placard where he never has to move his car.This guy is a total jerk..

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108 Charlee

I agree. Either move the barrier or by yourself a Huffy Ten speed and park it in your apt

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Dennis

Does anyone else think this is going too far, and having a rally in front of this private property is only inviting something criminal to happen to the tenants?

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Due to an earlier incident...

People forget that free speech is protects hate speech. Once hate speech is declared, its a slipper slope to what is determined as hate speech. How do you get rid of hate speech? Simply ignore it and ignore the media that covers it as well.

Remember that the Civil War is a euphemism for a Squashed Rebellion from the South. The South wanted to Secede from the North like the Colonies did in 1776. When you label Confederates as racists (which they were) you’re also forgetting that the wanted to Secede. The North should have let them but D.C. needed the agriculture profits and taxes anyway.

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108 Charlie

This has nothing to do with free speech. Neal is a menace to the neighborhood and should be locked up in a padded cell with his goofy Trump mask.

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Melcor Scott

The owner, not the property manager, has a right to free speech. The property manager is violating the privacy of the tenets by having his display in public areas of the privately owned building. Free speech. No. Not even close. This is the same type of intimidation campaign that is springing up around the nation, thanks to Bannon’s WH war room. Glad he’s out.

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