Page 36 - Demo

EditorialsitShouldn%u2019tBeUniqueSummer is a time when perhaps more than any other we in thecity, New York City in particular, are most aware of housing%u2014andof how much of it here is inadequate. We are also acutely aware ofjobs%u2014and of how many city residents, young people in particular,are without them. But one bright spot in this morass in a uniqueproject currently underway in Fort Greene.The project to rehabilitate a bombed-out building into four lowincome family co-ops is unique in a number of respects. It utilizesexisting stock for subsidized housing which will then come undercontrol of its %u201ctenants,%u201d it draws on both public and privateresources, and, most importantly, it utilizes existing muscle powerfor rehabilitation%u2014kids without jobs.To accomplish this worthwhile endeavor has taken more thanthe usual cooperation and coordination among politicians, schools,students, institutions and the city government. Obviously, it%u2019s therock-base enthusiasm and determination of those most directlyinvolved that has put this program into the works and that willmake it succeed. And the enthusiasm is not only high, it%u2019sSound Off F e e d b a ck from R e a d e rsinfectious, as our coverage this week of the program%u2019s progresstestifies.The kids, of course, are paid for their work and receive thebenefit of work-related experience. The publicity garnered theinstitutions and politicians involved doesn%u2019t hurt them, either, nordoes it lessen the value of their donations. But the party that reallybenefits here is the city itself, in a time when kids need jobs,houses need rehabilitating and neighborhoods and people alikeneed housing.Ironically, if not surprisingly, it is the City that has thus fardragged its feet on the project: the tools it has promised have yetto arrive. But the kids and supervisors have chosen to go ahead onthe project anyway.Yes, the Fort Greene project is a unique undertaking, andrightfully deserves the city-wide attention it has received. Allindications are that this is one housing %u201c project%u201d that won%u2019t fail.We only hope that what%u2019s unique today may be old hat stuff for thecity by tomorrow.About TimeIt%u2019s about time! At last I read in the PHOENIX that Harry C. Reid (former chairman of Atlantic Avenue Committee for the past three years) and Howard Lewis (the initiator of the Atlantic Antic) have won awards. How easy we forget these two giants of Boerum Hill and Atlantic Avenue.Two weeks ago at their annual luncheon of the Brooklyn Downtown Development Association (DBDA) Brooklyn Union Gas remembered these two giants, by presenting its third annual Cinderella award to them. The presentation was made by Led Rider, Director of the Cinderella revival. (There are three Cinderella programs on Atlantic Avenue alone, thanks to them.)I would like to see the PHOENIX do a story around Harry Reid and Howard Lewis as they have a great story to tell. I think a good time for such a story would be before Antic four. Talking of the Antic, I would like to take this time in thanking Harry Reid and Howard Lewis for bring me to Atlantic Avenue for the first Antic when I had a table sell merchandise. It just goes to show what can happen on Atlantic Avenue. From the first Antic to this one coming (Antic four) I have opened a gift shop (Atlantic Avenue Gift Shop) and just opened a restaurant (Delices de Saigon) and I%u2019m still planning some things. Thank you Harry and Howard and congratulations on your award. I hope there are more coming you. Thank you.%u2014John HamiltonDe Grussa, Chairman, Atlantic AvenuePromotion CommitteeUseless ChaffEver since Proposition 13 was passed by the voters in California, some concerned and honest citizens have been clamoring to have the same kind of legislation passed here in New york.The political office holders in New York began the scare tactics indicating that thousands of policemen, firemen, teachers, and sanitation men would be laid off.No mention is made of the thousands of useless hacks and hangers on that infest the New York payroll lists. It seems that their only contribution is to pick up their pay check.If some of this useless CHAFF were removed from the payroll, perhaps the honest taxpayers might improve their lot with the passage of a bill similar to proposition 13.%u2014Joseph Mangano,Member, 6th Street 400 Block AssociationMisunderstandingThe article by Peter Haley %u201c A Guide to the Candidates,%u201d (PHOENIX, July 13) though informative, creates quite a misunderstanding about my candidacy, the article appears to imply that I am running against the incumbent Assemblyman because he is white. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am running for Assemblywomen of the 57th District because the incumbent has not given his district adequate service, attention or leadership. To try and service hisconstituents from a law office in Manhattan is not what the voters of the 57th District deserve. And even though the incumbent takes pride in reading all bills presented in Albany, we need leadership to get the services that are sorely needed.Leadership is needed to get quality daycare for the 2,000 children who go to daycare centers. Leadership is needed to get quality services for senior citizens who visit the 20 senior citizen centers in the 57th District and we need leadership to improve our public schools.I can say that I have shown leadership in all these areas. I organized a citywide coalition and led a massive lobbying effort in Albany to forestall severe cuts in the State budget in day care services and other social services.As President of School Board #13 I have secured funds and programs to enrich the education in the schools. I am also familiar with concerns of people in the 57th Assembly District because of the numerous P.T.A., civic and other meetings I have attended. Not only do I feel I have the qualifications for the office I also have the kind of support that will make for a winning campaign. I am grateful for the 57th Assembly District Independent County Committee's support of my candidacy especially because they are truly a grassroots organization.That I happen to be a black running in a race against a white incumbent shouldn%u2019t be an issue. I hope the PHOENIX will continue to inform the voters on what the issues are in this campaign and not make issues where there are none.%u2014VelmanetteMontgomery, Willoughby Avenuer*. .2%u00ae----W 'r fcn%u00a3W AcTHE Ru3