Tower was the issue
To The Editor:
Re “Holy tweet!” (Scoopy’s Notebook, May 29):
Pastor Winnie Varghese’s tweet would give the misimpression that the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation was advocating for the preservation of the parking lot on the St. Luke’s campus. In reality, G.V.S.H.P. made it quite clear that we felt that the parking lot was, in fact, an appropriate place for new construction. What we objected to was the scale and design of the proposed tower to replace it, which was completely inappropriate for the neighborhood and especially for the historic and special St. Luke’s block. We were joined by scores of neighbors, community leaders and elected officials in expressing that belief.
Andrew Berman
Berman is executive director, Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
Landlords and legislators
To The Editor:
Re “Aren’t the millionaire landlords more the problem?” (talking point, by Brandon Kielbasa, May 29):
Yes, Brandon, millionaire landlords are more the problem. As The Villager detailed in its March 27, 2014, article “Nolita apartments illegally deregulated, building tenants say,” the landlord of my building has managed over the past 14 years to deregulate three-quarters of our rent-stabilized units, not clearly legally, and there are indications that our building is only the tip of the iceberg.
Meanwhile, deregulated units have been taken over for pricey illegal hotel rentals, which leads to conditions that jeopardize the health, safety and peaceful enjoyment of regular tenants.
As you know, I went up to Albany on May 6 to join leaders of the Real Rent Reform Campaign in opposing two bills that would pave over portions of the Multiple Dwelling Law of 2010 that protect our stretched stock of regulated affordable housing. So, legislators like Republican state Senator Martin Golden, Democratic Assemblymembers Keith Wright and Karim Camara and state Senator Diane Savino, who sponsor such legislation that would dismantle the 2010 illegal hotel law, are also more the problem.
My question is: Will Mayor de Blasio restore to rent-regulated status the hundreds of units that have been illegally deregulated? That’s an affordable housing plan my neighbors and I could get behind.
Georgette Fleischer
Fleischer is founder, Friends of Petrosino Square
A textbook campaign
To The Editor:
Re “Marlow is running against Li in C.B. 3 chairperson race” (news article, May 29):
“I like [her]…she’s a very nice person…very intelligent…[has] great things ahead of her…[but]…she needs to step away for a while… . She didn’t have a lot of experience…she’s struggling… .”
These statements by Chad Marlow are the kind of textbook, condescending wording often used to discredit a woman’s intellect and stature.
This has been a very tactical, persistent and systematic attempt to paint this board chairperson as incompetent and inexperienced by a few vocal people with clear political self-interest. But, in truth, this young woman is one of the most thoughtful, dynamic and gutsy leaders we’ve ever had. She has a community organizer’s background, not a lawyer or lobbyist’s background. They are different skill sets.
Also, how is a functionary who was formerly president of an established political club and a campaign consultant for Adolfo Carrion a “fresh start”?
The main reason almost anyone, in truth, runs for community board chairperson is as a stepping-stone to run for political office, such as city councilmember, for example. It’s really O.K. just to say that — not pretend to be “saving” the community from the alleged ravages of the current board chairperson. Even if you’re not a fan, Gigi Li is not Dick Cheney — really.
Thanks for the offer to “restore” our community board’s reputation. But I think Community Board 3, with its wild, independent, scrappy, but ultimately collegial and thoughtful ways is one of the finest and most diverse community boards in this city.
K Webster
Webster is a member, Community Board 3
Air-rights plan O.K.
To The Editor:
Re “Cuomo pushes deal for Pier 40 air rights sale without ULURP” (news article, May 22):
I’m no expert, but Pier 40 has needed funding for a long time. This sounds like a good plan to me — it preserves the park, and transferring air rights across the street is not inconsistent with the neighborhood or lack thereof.
Also, there is no plan that locals will be happy with — too many cooks in the kitchen. That’s why we elect leaders — to make these types of decisions.
Brian McQuillen
Scoopy notes
To The Editor:
Re “Jeremiah Joint-son” and “D.A. on McMillan” (Scoopy’s Notebook, May 29):
Just to clarify, I am happy that Clayton and Elsa have the property and are able to have a nest egg for their retirement, and I in no way care what they do with their money if they sell the building. This is probably about the only time I will be happy about gentrification raising property values on the L.E.S.
My main point was that Clayton’s vast photo archive should be saved. No one has collected such a large and amazing history of the L.E.S. and East Village, and I hope it will be kept together for future use and reference about an amazing time that is gone and will never be anywhere near as radical and artistic again.
As to Erin Duggan Kramer’s comments, the Manhattan district attorney got a conviction of Cecily McMillan based on a biased judge who sided with the prosecution about 99 percent of the time, blocked much of the video evidence, and also refused to let the jury hear evidence about the arresting officer’s past history.
Also, New York City has already paid out a huge amount of money for civil lawsuits based on police brutality and unconstitutional arrests at Zuccotti Park and elsewhere, and many more cases are pending. So Kramer’s comments about respect for the First Amendment by the D.A.’s Office, the N.Y.P.D. and the city administration are not based in reality — very much like her comments on the conviction they obtained in Cecily’s case, which I have no doubt will be overturned on appeal.
John Penley
E-mail letters, not longer than 250 words in length, to news@thevillager.com or fax to 212-229-2790 or mail to The Villager, Letters to the Editor, 515 Canal St., Suite 1C, NY, NY 10013. Please include phone number for confirmation purposes. The Villager reserves the right to edit letters for space, grammar, clarity and libel. The Villager does not publish anonymous letters.
