I grew up in North Jersey, almost in the shadow of Giants Stadium. I was there when they poured the concrete over the still warm body of Mr. Hoffa.
How is The Island these days anyway? That guy ever get his wish and get that extra Z put in the Verrazano-Narrows?
Nah, just one "z." Mr. Giovanni da Verrazzano is still turning in his grave. The island is building up, especially since the dump closed down 15 or so years ago. There's a lot of new construction everywhere and house prices shot up like there's no tomorrow. Sandy did a number here ( the water stopped 1/2 a block from our house and we're 1.5 miles from the beach), so now they're buying out old houses that were flooded and building new ones on stilts. New Goethals bridge is under construction and looks to be about half-way done. Beyonne bridge is closed for renovations half of the time. Staten Island Expressway (aka Staten Island Parking Lot) was rebuilt, exits rearranged and new lanes were added - didn't help much though. Staten Island Yankees suck as much as the real Yankees (only I'm allowed to say that).
Otherwise, same old island.