Council endorsements
The following is a “community letter” sent by Downtown resident Bob Townley to Downtown Express and others regarding the First District City Council race, The New York Times and Downtown Express; and a letter Townley sent to the Times.
I am sending you below a copy of my letter to the editor to the New York Times. I have responded to their endorsement not based on the fact that they endorsed someone I don’t myself endorse but based on the reality that they insert themselves into community life but rarely cover local political issues. They give “occasion” looking at one community or another on rare occasions. They have not the right or the experience to endorse.
I may be just a dogmatic community activist, but the Downtown Express has the perfect right to endorse. They spend time and capital covering everything from the dog run to the cat parade! They sit in countless meetings.
To The Editor:
T
Yes, national, state and citywide offices — The Times covers those offices and gives its readers a lot of information. Allowing local candidates to insert some statements in your paper would be a start and would help your readers make an informed decision. Then you have a legitimate right to endorse. Again, you influence too much with your fine paper. It’s undemocratic. Think about it.
Bob Townley
To The Editor:
Re “Margaret Chin for City Council in First District” (editorial, Sept. 4 – 10):
Your rejection of Alan Gerson and endorsement of Margaret Chin were for all the right reasons. I laughed out loud at your description of Gerson’s “habit of explaining every nuance of an issue (which) makes it hard for people to figure out where he stands.”
As someone who has dealt with him for eight long years and has been confounded time and again by his ability to speak convincingly and at great length on all sides of every issue, I can confirm that you have captured perfectly the Alan Gerson we have come to know.
In your interview, Gerson acknow-ledged his office chronic disorganization. But rather than own up to it, he offered some fluff and hoped that we would ignore the reality of the last eight years. Now that he has a difficult election ahead, the promise of a consultant is too little, too late.
I agree with you Margaret Chin is an outstanding community person who has worked tirelessly and effectively in the community. She deserves our support and she certainly has mine.
John R. Scott
John R. Scott has volunteered on Margaret Chin’s campaign.
To The Editor:
We all hope to God that we never have to live through the horrific experience of 911. Regardless of how proximate it was to our own homes, we were patiently, but also patriotically resigned to the fact that, in terms of emergency response, Southbridge Towers was not a priority.
I presided over the Board of Directors at Southbridge Towers during those tragic days. Relying mostly upon ourselves, we formed a small army of residents to manage blackouts; a water shortage; no land phone communication; “homebound” residents without food, water, medication or elevator service.
It’s difficult to recall the worst of those days, but it’s easy to remember some of the heroes. Alan Gerson was one of them. It was not an “officious” government response we got from him, but a great human sensitivity and compassion. He was enormously resourceful in assisting our crippled community, and in some instances, I believe his ingenious intervention in accessing critically needed items, i.e., prescription drugs — probably saved lives. Throughout the crisis, he was here when he could be, and when not, maintained continual contact with us on his cell phone by using the resource of his City Council office to access critical emergency services
And through these years of rebuilding our community, Alan has striven to preserve affordable housing, has been stalwart in building new schools and savvy in creating intergenerational programs and even a youth recreation center.
Obviously, there is a list of local politicians who were instrumental in helping us cope during those terrible times.
For the past eight years, Alan Gerson has represented the greater Lower Manhattan, Chinatown and S.B.T. community with supreme competence during its greatest time of need
Joseph A. Morrone
To The Editor:
Re “Christine Quinn for City Council in Third District” (editorial, Sept. 4 – 10):
As we approach next week’s primary election, it’s easy to focus on just one specific neighborhood issue, like a new building going up on your block or construction on a local school. In doing so we ignore the many issues that affect the entire city, but have a huge impact on life in our community.
That’s why I agree so strongly with your assessment that Christine Quinn is the best candidate for City Council in District 3. In the last four years alone, Speaker Quinn has expanded the number of full-day pre-kindergarten seats and worked to improve test scores at struggling middle schools. She increased safety regulations to keep bars and clubs from bringing noise and violence into our neighborhoods. Chris stood up against hate crimes, and is fighting in Albany to bring marriage equality to New York State. She’s improved environmental standards and brought healthier foods into our schools and onto our streets. She’s helped reform campaign finance, and kept lobbyists from having too much influence over government. She’s balanced our budget without sacrificing safe streets and good schools. And she’s been working to create new jobs and help New Yorkers who are unemployed.
When it comes to the issues that are important to District 3, and to New York City, Christine Quinn has always delivered. I hope that on Tuesday, our neighbors keep that in mind, and join you in supporting her for re-election.
Brad Hoylman
Brad Hoylman is a volunteer on Christine Quinn’s campaign and is the Democratic district leader for Part A of the 66th Assembly District.
To The Editor:
Re “Christine Quinn for City Council in Third District” (editorial, Sept. 4 – 10):
I am disappointed that Downtown Express supports Quinn in spite of its acknowledgement that she has failed her constituents concerning the Spring St. Sanitation garage. You credit Quinn on tenant issues and parks, but her stance — or lack of one! — regarding the Spring St. garage indicates that she has, in fact, abandoned her district on those issues as well.
The Spring St. garage would be located across the street from residential buildings, and the mammoth garage (more than 110 feet high before mechanicals) would effectively set up a barrier between the neighborhood and the Hudson River Park.
Furthermore, her lack of action on the Spring St. garage is indicative of her environmental neglect. Quinn agreed to placement of a 5,000-ton salt shed at Spring St. in addition to a three-district garage. Salt dispersed from the shed will be corrosive to buildings, damage nearby parks and, most important, create a health hazard to families and their pets. The 500-plus daily trips to and from the garage would add to the already-high levels of traffic in the area and further deteriorate the air quality.
Quinn’s lack of support for the community’s alternative, Hudson Rise, reflects her ethical failure and fiscal imprudence. Hudson Rise would mitigate some of the traffic and air concerns by reducing the garage size and adding a rooftop park, and it would cost less than the city’s proposal.
It’s time we had a representative who represented us. I say, “Dump Quinn.”
Denise Levine
Denise Levine did some volunteer work for Maria Passannante-Derr’s campaign
POSTED
On Downtown Express.com
With no crying in her beer or tea, Yaffa closes Yaffa’s (News article, posted September 4)
Yaffa we will miss you and all of your wonderful crew! Good luck to everyone in your next adventures… Peace.
Vivian
I’m really sorry to hear this. I loved going to Yaffa’s and feel it really gave something to the community. It will be sorely missed.
Liat Silberman
