Decontrol is out of control
To the Editor:
Re “DCP Pledges Outreach, Provides Rezoning Details” (news, April 9, 2015):
As long as vacancy decontrol stands, it is utterly hypocritical of city planners to propose zoning changes to allow developers to build new housing on top of old buildings purportedly to achieve “affordable” units. Every day stabilized units in existing buildings are lost to vacancy decontrol — forever. How can our government officials be so blind? Or stupid? Or suckered by the mighty real estate industry juggernaut? Or worse?
On my block in Chelsea, one 23-unit building now has only three stabilized tenants left, and all three have received eviction threats based on bogus challenges to their status. There go 20 apartments that were full of ordinary people, going about their business, raising their kids, going to work, caring about their neighborhood. They have been replaced largely by frat boys tripling up in one-bedroom apartments, caring nothing about, and contributing nothing to, the community around them.
It is time to be rid of vacancy decontrol.
Pamela Wolff
Reader Feedback From Facebook
Re “Exit Stage Left Studio” (feature, April 9, 2015):
Cheryl, great to read your story! Its a good one : ) Side note: When I was a young kid studying acting in San Francisco at American Conservatory Theater, I would spend my lunch hours watching this young man, in white-face, start taming the crowds on the steps of Union Square. At first, only a few dozen were snagged, by the end of the summer, there were hundreds, if not, thousands watching. I got to see Robert Shields get his start, and it made me always a fan of the art : )
David M. Pincus
Co-Chair, Manhattan Community Board 4, QOL: ACES at Quality of Life: Arts, Culture, Education and Safety Committee
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Wow. How they distilled that much history into one inspiring piece is inspiring itself. Love Chelsea Now’s respect for Stage Left. Ditto @David M Pincus, the art of mime, powerful indeed. Music, photo and mime — three wordless art-forms!
A.L. Karno
Creighton University
Re “WWII Vet’s Lecture Brings Humanity to Wartime Horrors” (news, April 9, 2015):
Thank you Rick for all you did and all you do to keep the memories of those lost from fading.
Betty Samuels
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