MANHATTAN

COUNCIL COMMITTEE DELAYS RESTAURANT DECISION

The battle over four tables and eight chairs on the Upper East Side took an unexpected turn yesterday. Earlier this week a City Council subcommittee voted unanimously to approve plans by the restaurant Le Bilboquet to add sidewalk seating near the townhouse of billionaire Ronald Perelman – despite his opposition. Yesterday, on the urging of Council Member Eva Moskowitz, the full committee opted to delay the vote until next week so additional evidence could be submitted opposing the plan. The decision drew criticism from the restaurant owner and his attorney, who accused Ms. Moskowitz of kowtowing to Mr. Perelman. “This is a real wake up call for anyone that wants to come down here and see the way the system works,” the attorney, Aaron Richard Golub said. Ms. Moskowitz vehemently denied the accusation, saying she had been lobbied by both sides and deferred to the community board, which came out against the sidewalk seating.

– Staff Reporter of the Sun

NANNIES, HOUSEKEEPERS WILL MARCH TO DEMAND RIGHTS

The largest coalition of nannies and housekeepers ever to organize in New York is expected to march through Lower Manhattan tomorrow. One thousand workers and their supporters will demand a “bill of rights” that would provide labor laws and protections, according to Domestic Workers United, an umbrella advocacy group organizing the demonstration.

– Staff Reporter of the Sun

STATE COURT RULES CITY BARRICADES VIOLATED LAW

Chinatown community members reported a victory yesterday regarding street closures in Lower Manhattan that they claim cause delays, have worsened traffic, and harmed business. A state Supreme Court ruled the city violated state environmental laws by placing barricades around Police headquarters after the September 11 attacks. Justice Walter Tolub faulted the NYPD for failing to take a “hard look” at the impact of its checkpoints, barriers, and street closures, and ordered the city to prepare a full environmental impact statement within 90 days.

– Staff Reporter of the Sun

BROOKLYN

‘CRAZY CABBIE’ SET TO PLEAD GUILTY ON TAX CHARGES

The heavily tattooed radio personality and former Howard Stern regular known as Crazy Cabbie is set to plead guilty in Brooklyn to a tax-related charge. Lee Anthony Mroszak, who now hosts an overnight show on K-ROCK, was listed yesterday on a Brooklyn federal court calender as set to plead guilty to an unspecified misdemeanor charge. The plea was re-scheduled for November. Federal authorities began investigating Mr. Mroszak after he allegedly made statements on the air related to not paying taxes, law enforcement sources said yesterday. Allan Passin, a lawyer for Mr. Mroszak, is traveling abroad and could not be reached for comment.

– Staff Reporter of the Sun

CITYWIDE

RINGLER NAMED DIRECTOR OF PORT AUTHORITY

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey yesterday named Kenneth Ringler Jr. as its executive director, officials said. Port Authority commissioners approved the appointment of Mr. Ringler, who was nominated in September by Governor Pataki. He will lead an agency that has a $4.5 billion annual budget and controls the major ports, airports, bridges, tunnels, and the PATH trains. Mr. Ringler had previously been the state commissioner of general services and executive deputy commissioner at the New York Department of Motor Vehicles.

– Special to the Sun