Over on Astor Place outside the downtown 6, Jerry Delakas remains businessless. As we first reported last Tuesday, the city shut down the newsstand he has run the past 26 years for "operating illegally." (Long story. Find a good recap here.)
East Village resident Kelly King and Community Board 2 member Marty Tessler have been helping organize support for Jerry. Last night, a "Save Jerry's Newsstand" Facebook page arrived … and there's another rally tomorrow afternoon from 4:30-6 p.m.
However, time is running out. Word is Jerry has until Saturday to pay the city $37,000 to keep his newsstand … or he will have to permanently vacate the space. Of course, the city shut down his newsstand 11 days ahead of the deadline, preventing him from making any revenue.
NY1 had a report on this situation last night:
“We're about to file our appeal when they slapped the padlock on, and as far as we're concerned he was entitled to stay here until his appeal was decided, we think it's a violation of his due process rights,” said Delakas’ lawyer, Arthur Schwartz.
Councilwoman Rosie Mendez says Delakas deserves to keep operating, this is his only source of income and he's the sole provider for a sick brother.
“In this great city, one of the things we're known for I think, is sort of having compassion and looking at when there is an exception to policy, I think this would be the case,” said Mendez.
Meanwhile, there are rumblings that some residents who live in the building above Starbucks want the newsstand to go away. There are also stories of a female resident who rips down the signs of support from Jerry's Newsstand every night.
