Save Coney Island! Zigun Resigns & Mermaid Queen Hunger Strikes.

As we are practically on the eve of the Mermaid Parade things are heating up out at Coney Island. If you keep up on the twists and turns of events out at Coney you might know that Dick Zigun "the unelected Mayor" of Coney Island and mastermind behind the Mermaid parade (which is celebrating it's 25th year!) recently resigned from his post as Director of the Coney Island Development Corporation. He resigned after the city presented a new plan with no hearings, no public input and no opportunity for directors of the CIDC to discuss it. The new plan, and I quote from an editorial written by Zigun will be "the focus of the June 24 hearing at 6 p.m. at Lincoln High School, would allow four hotel towers south of Surf Ave. in the amusement area, including one that would block the view of the landmarked Wonder Wheel from the subway."

The city plans to turn Coney Island into a shopping mall with Niketowns and other chainstores one can go to in any suburb or city center (in the new New York City). The amusement area will become a shadow of itself and the lure and the history of Coney Island will be but a memory. A shame since Dick Zigun really had a lot to do with the rejuvination of Coney Island.

Read Dick Zigun's statement in today's Daily News:
Coney Island Surf Should Remain Working People's Turf.

Also. From the Coney Island Message Board:
Reverend Billy and Savitri D have been named King Neptune and Queen Mermaid of the 2008 Coney Island Mermaid Parade, this Saturday June 21st. And so it is our freaky-monarchial DUTY to use this power to SAVE Coney Island from the gentrifying apocalypse of RETAIL ENTERTAINMENT HELL!

The Queen Mermaid will refuse to go back in the ocean! She will initiate a hunger strike during the parade, and will live in a window on Surf Ave and West 12th from the Mermaid Ball until the critical scoping meeting on June 24th at 6 pm. She is fasting to draw attention to a destructive scheme to reduce 60 acres of amusements to 9. She is fasting so YOU will come to this meeting, where the fate of Coney Island may be determined:

Coney Island Community Scoping Meeting!
June 24th at 6pm, at Lincoln High School, 2800 Ocean Parkway
Take Q train to Ocean Parkway or the F train to Avenue X

Visit her in person, visit her online! Keep her company via LIVE MERMAID CAM starting Sunday June 22 at 10 am. Spread the word! SAVE CONEY ISLAND!