Tragic crusty coda: David McKee a.k.a. Natas, died in late August in Tompkins Square Park after his pit bull, Jax, earlier that month had gone on a bloody rampage in the East Village, attacking both a dog and a man. Jax’s victims included Sidney, famed punk-rock photographer Roberta Bayley’s pug, who was attacked outside her home on St. Mark’s Place. Sidney received emergency surgery but didn’t pull through. A few days later, Jax attacked Michael Puzzo, chomping him under his arm, after Puzzo tried to defend his girlfriend’s little dog, Bobito, from a Jax attack. One outreach worker had speculated that McKee might have been suffering alcohol-withdrawal effects and fallen and struck his head. Well, the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner recently told us the cause of death for Natas (“Satan” spelled backwards), who was a “crusty traveler.” “The cause of death is acute intoxication by the combined effects of heroin, benzodiazepine and alcohol. The manner of death is accident,” Julie Bolcer, the medical examiner’s director of public affairs, reported. “Accident” means it was not “homicide, suicide or natural,” Bolcer explained. By coincidence, a cousin of Natas recently posted a comment on The Villager’s article about the troubled young homeless man’s death, in which she also apologizes for the swath of terror he and Jax blazed through the East Village last summer. He wasn’t some “fauxbo.” He just had a really tough life. For more, see this week’s Letters to The Editor.
Bal says no! As we reported last week, Yuh-Line Niou has strongly called for a special election for the 65th Assembly District to be held on presidential primary day, April 19, as Governor Andrew Cuomo initially signaled he planned to do. Until now, though, Niou has been the only one taking a firm stand one way or the other on the issue. Word has it that other options would be to hold the “special” in June, or just wait till September and hold an open primary. This week, John Bal, another Assembly hopeful, weighed in, slamming the idea of a special election for the vacant seat formerly held by Sheldon Silver. “There should not be a special election to fill the 65th Assembly District seat,” he said. “The nominating process favors district leaders and political clubs — not our community. Grassroots candidates, such as myself and others, who are not a member of a political club are at a disadvantage.”
Heart-wrenching situation: We stopped by the other day to say hi to Ray at his candy store on Avenue A and E. Seventh St., and were disturbed to hear about the difficulty he’s having affording his heart medicine. Back in June, Ray, now 83, underwent heart surgery and had a pig valve put in, along with a pacemaker. But he still needs a virtual pharmacy cabinet of pricey pills. They cost him about $400 a month. He told us he tried forgoing the meds for one month to try to save money, but he really started to feel the effects. He showed us his bag full of pill bottles, and it’s quite a stash — big bottles, little bottles, big pills, little pills — you would think he’s a drug dealer. Obviously, he needs this medicine badly, so that he can keep serving up delicious egg creams and sugar-dusted beignets to the grateful neighborhood. How come Ray can’t have the medicine he needs covered by insurance? Obamacare — where are you?
Now we’re cooking! Like restaurants? Like being on the water? The Hudson River Park Trust is issuing a request for proposals, or R.F.P., for a short-term lease (four years, two two-year extensions) for a seasonal cafe space near the foot of the Christopher St. Pier. According to the Trust: “This unique waterfront space offers an enclosed cooking kiosk, dedicated outdoor seating and the opportunity for two mobile concession units. The Greenwich Village section of the park is one of the most popular, with frequent free Trust-sponsored events attracting even more park users.” If interested, better hurry up and apply! Responses are due Feb. 8. For more information, go to https://www.hudsonriverpark.org/about-us/bids-business-opportunities
