Biased report
To The Editor:
Re “Zipper reconsidered: N.Y.U. retools project it says it can still build” (news article, March 13):
As for Professor Magder’s statement about N.Y.U. Faculty Against the Sexton Plan being comprised of only 400 faculty, let’s put that into perspective: The University Open Space Priorities Space Committee that he chaired had only 22 faculty members, and 19 were handpicked by administrators. And he, himself, was selected by the administration to chair the committee. Furthermore, two individuals on the committee were senior administration members. The survey conducted by the Faculty Senators Council in spring 2012, on the other hand, had 1,146 faculty participants, with 718 opposed to the N.Y.U. 2031 development plan.
Marie Monaco
What about us?
To The Editor:
Re “Zipper reconsidered: N.Y.U. retools project it says it can still build” (news article, March 13):
The N.Y.U. working group has proposed the establishment of a “work-study center” away from the Zipper Building construction site for N.Y.U. faculty who currently live on the superblocks and “work at home and…have no other office options.”
Wow, well, speaking as a current Washington Square Village resident, wouldn’t it be just dandy if all of us non-N.Y.U. faculty living in the superblocks area could also have a “work-study center” during this would-be, ill-conceived, toxic construction period?
Milton Polsky, Ph.D., N.Y.U. ’73
Don’t dog history!
To The Editor:
Re “Rosie and the roses” (Scoopy’s Notebook, March 13):
Judge Mills’s decision — and Rosie Mendez’s agreement with it — ruling out designation of the Mercer-Houston Dog Run as parkland because of its private/members-only policy, completely ignores the history of this open-space strip. Community Board 2 stipulated this restrictive policy, along with formal bylaws, a constitution, elected officers, dues and insurance as requirements for approval of the dog run’s occupancy of that portion of the Mercer St. strip. The run, which opened on Oct. 26, 1981, was New York City’s first official dog run. Its long-term and continued existence should remain a source of pride to our community.
Rosanne Levitt
Levitt is a founding former member, Mercer-Houston Dog Run
New ULURP, now!
To The Editor:
Re “Zipper reconsidered: N.Y.U. retools project it says it can still build” (news article, March 13) and “Rosie and the roses” (Scoopy’s Notebook, March 13):
It sounds like a really political faculty study group acceded to a soon-to-retire President Sexton. How many were promoted to higher ranks? Did they look at other solutions?
One solution to the theater space crisis could be returning Skirball to N.Y.U. student use. (Or is it too lucrative to waste on students?)
The “new project” diverges from the ULURP previously presented, making us even more wary since it looks oddly fishy to us. So, in anticipation, the study group says to put the entrances on Mercer St., far away from faculty housing, which indicates much more foot traffic in our area at all hours, of not only students and faculty but theater attendees, too. Wow, what a nightmare for our community.
This whole “new project” needs rethinking now and should require a new ULURP. Mayor de Blasio, give us back our neighborhood!
As for Rosie Mendez, how silly can she get? Councilwoman Chin may be her “sister,” but Chin wasnʼt the one who saved 505 LaGuardia Place as affordable housing. No, it was Congressman Jerry Nadler! And we would like Snoopy [sic] to set the record straight.
Sylvia Rackow
Rackow is a member, Committee to Preserve Our Neighborhood
Horse hoopla
To The Editor:
The concern for carriage horses in the city seems to be misplaced, as I hear nothing about the terror and pain of the horses that are being rounded up and slaughtered for food out West, or those sent to Mexico and Canada for slaughtering. Not a word is being spoken about that. Where is the real concern?
Ruth Kuzub
It’s now or never
To The Editor:
Re “Rally blasts pavilion bistro as mayor remains mum” (news article, March 13):
The mayor has the legal right to cancel the Bloomberg-era restaurant contract. Children of all ages, seniors and residents need to have free use of their pavilion returned to them. After more than three decades, during which it was allowed to deteriorate, the newly renovated pavilion cannot be taken away from the community for the benefit of a commercial, high-end restaurant. Once it is taken away for commercial profit, the public will never get it back. We must urge the mayor to do the right thing and act to ensure the pavilion’s free year-round use by the community — not by a for-profit restaurant.
Edith Shanker
Pavilion power!
To The Editor:
Re “Rally blasts pavilion bistro as mayor remains mum” (news article, March 13):
In view of the many park articles (Washington Square, N.Y.U., Children’s Magical Garden) in the March 13 Villager, the coverage of the Union Square fight to save the pavilion and the north plaza for their traditional recreation and free-speech roles was much appreciated.
I would like to add that, in addition to Congresswoman Maloney and state Senator Hoylman, who were mentioned in your story, other elected officials who were present and spoke included Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, Borough President Gale Brewer and Councilmember Corey Johnson. State Senator Liz Krueger was represented.
Your readers can join these officials by asking the mayor to restore the pavilion to its traditional use as a sheltered recreational space for the adjacent playground. We don’t need another fancy restaurant in the Union Square area, which is already saturated with eating places. Write, phone or e-mail Mayor de Blasio at City Hall to add your voice to this campaign.
Carol Greitzer
Another heroic woman
To The Editor:
Re “An East Village artist reveals her fierce path to motherhood” (news article, March 13):
Excellent article. I have always admired Theresa. She has conquered and overcome hardships that would have stopped most of us. She has managed to survive as an artist in a city that has almost crushed the alternative art scene. And now she has a baby to take care of. I am sure she will be a great mother. There really are some heroic woman on the L.E.S. and I would say Theresa Byrnes is one of them.
Clayton Patterson
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