Bring in the noise!
To The Editor:
Re “Drumbeat builds for reining in noisy music in Wash. Sq.” (news article, June 11):
I can no longer visit Washington Square Park like I did for the last 35 years because the gentry ran me out of New York City. I have plenty of “peace and quiet” now living in North Carolina, and I long for the noise and life that has been the Washington Square way for as long as anyone alive can remember.
I think it is really interesting that someone who identifies with the Stonewall Riots now wants quiet rights in the park. Ha!
For some reason, people seem to have been able to live around the park, with all the noise, for years and years, but now they are unable to live there anymore because of the noise. If that applies to you, I suggest that you move somewhere else. I had no choice since I am disabled and cannot afford New York City anymore.
Move, a–holes! I have no sympathy for you and your “noise problems” whatsoever. “Eat the Rich” is a slogan I heard from Yippies in Washington Square for years, and perhaps I should have listened to that more closely, since they are eating York City neighborhoods and parks bit by bit every day.
P.S.: I just called Jerry The Peddler and Aron Kay, the “Yippie Pie Man,” and suggested they revive the July 4 pot smoke-in in Washington Square Park this summer.
John Penley
Clayton keeping it real
To The Editor:
Re “Reform of 7th Community Council is long overdue” (talking point, by Clayton Patterson, June 4):
It’s a shame the L.E.S. has devolved into some manner of roving frat party. Great work by Clayton showing that the new New York is not always the “Sex in the City” wonderland that it is made out to be.
Simon John Heath
Backroom dealers
To The Editor:
Re “It’s a race!” (Scoopy’s Notebook, June 4):
I’m always dismayed, and amused, when so-called progressive activists work behind the scenes to try and influence others not to run for elected office. Whether they are worthwhile candidates or not, or your candidate of choice or not, it is patently undemocratic. It’s a gross and hypocritical display of the very political backroom dealing being criticized. Then, to talk about it openly, is the height of political vanity. Talk about the downside of being entrenched.
Patrick Shields
Let’s spread the word
To The Editor:
Re “Hope or hype? Battle of the small business bills” (talking point, by Sharon Woolums, June 4):
I can’t understand how this is not being discussed more. We are in a state of crisis. Every month 1,000 to 1,200 small businesses are forced to close due to rent hikes. It’s called the Small Business Jobs Survival Act for a reason. How many jobs are lost each time a small business loses its lease?
I went to a forum for the S.B.J.S.A. with Tom Angotti, the author of “New York For Sale.” “Right now,” he said, “there are banners up all over the city that say, ‘New York City: real estate capital of the world,’ and that pretty much sums up what the basic civic religion is in New York City.”
How many councilmembers have received campaign funds from the Real Estate Board of New York’s PAC? You might be surprised. But then you might not be surprised that they are satisfied with the status quo. Again, I can’t understand why this isn’t more widely known.
Robin Morris
Enough with ‘same old’
To The Editor:
Re “Hope or hype? Battle of the small business bills” (talking point, by Sharon Woolums, June 4):
The bottom line is we as a city are in a crisis! Either we solve this urgent matter costing us jobs at more than 8,000 per month, and destroying the fabric of every community in New York City on all of our main streets, in all five boroughs, or we do nothing — like Brewer’s 30-year-old “landlord bill.”
Or we can save small businesses before they become extinct in New York City by actually putting some fairness and rights on the tenant’s side for once and make the lease-renewal process work justly for all parties. This would end the illegal extortion of tenants, and give a good-standing tenant a right to a renewal for a new ten-year lease at a rational rate instead of 200, 300 or 1,000 percent increases!
The time for the same old political delays, like the Brewer bill, are over, and the time for real leadership to pass this important, long-overdue legislation to save small businesses has come! The Small Business Jobs Survival Act — the S.B.J.S.A. — is the solution, and will end this crisis, saving many tens of thousands of jobs each year!
Let’s put people, jobs and community first for a change with basic rights and fairness. Get involved NYC! For more information, go to www.saveNYCjobs.org .
Steven Barrison
Puma packed a punch
To The Editor:
Re “The ‘Kiss Punch’ poetry collider” (arts article, June 11):
What a great concept. Half the poets are half-comedians anyway. Thanks for the coverage of this unique scene, Puma. And Taylor Mali is great! You were in good company there, for sure.
Jeff Wright
Hating rent regulation
To The Editor:
Re “Pols arrested in Albany as rent war ratchets up” (news article, June 4):
Corey Johnson is the ever-consummate bleeding-heart liberal Chelsea/Village politician fighting for his right to hold office. What easier way to curry favor than to keep these arcane inequitable random laws on the books?
Of course, I will vote for any politician that fights for my number one concern: Keep my rent on my apartment low. What do I care if my neighbor who makes the same salary as I do pays three times more?
Donnie Moder
Who’s feeding rats?!
To The Editor:
Re “E.V. rat reservoir seems bottomless, they say” (news article, April 23):
Gerard Flynn’s survey of the East Village rat population was graphic and chilling. My dog frequently comes across diurnal Tompkins Park rodents even mid-afternoon.
However, Mr. Flynn is decidedly wrong in quoting Department of Health accusations of “crazies…who feed the pigeons.” Sorry, those few who throw bits of bread are rewarded by avian consumption of their largesse immediately. Rodent reality comes from the well-meaning missionary trucks that distribute food. Their recipients leave plates, cups and boxes of food on the sidewalk, under and on the benches, on the grass itself. Everywhere except in the garbage cans.
Harry Rolnick
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