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                                    Page Fourteen, PHOENIXChallenge AcceptedOur running exchange with Commissioner of Parks Clurman (see latest installment in adjoining column) may provide some concrete evidence that something will be done about our local parks problems during at least the year ahead.First we editorially recoiled in horror over his announced decision to %u201c abandon%u201d parks that the public neglected. He responded that this was just a way to get our attention. We responded that things happen too slowly or not at all. Now he responds that things are at least happening. Can%u2019t quarrel with that. In a parting shot, he says that he is not writing to excuse past delays.Fine. Let's start fresh and let%u2019s make certain we get everything out of Commissioner Clurman and the Parks Department that we can during the year ahead. He promises %u201c I do want it known that PRCA (Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Administration) will respond to issues quickly and directly.%u201d Let%u2019s make certain that throughout our Heights-Hill-Slope area, our parks problems get identified and our concern gets communicated to the Commissioner.In order to help this happen, The PHOENIX in the weeks ahead will begin to do some special coverage on parks and related problems. The Adopt-A-Park program, announced a few weeks ago, will put a local community person on the line to speak for and fight for every piece of park property in the area.Next week we will publish an up-to-date list of who is taking local responsibility for what parks, and help to fill in the blanks.Right now, we are asking for requests for information about individual problems. We promise that we will forward to the Commissioner individual problems we locate and hear about. If you have any knowledge of a problem with a park, playground, monument or marker, please let us know by filling out the coupon on this page and sending it to us.You can be certain that the PHOENIX will stay on top of Commissioner Clurman and get action where it is merited. We hope Mr. Clurman will be as diligent a problem-solver as he is a letter-writer.| Let Us HearS About Local| Park Problems%u25a0 Clip & Mail This CouponIfo The PHOENIXi| Location ________________________Nature of Problem _. _________Your N a m e ________________ _Your Phone________________ ___I M ail to PHOENIX, 130 Clinton St. Brooklyn 1120}IRobert Burke Jones, PresidentMichael A. Armstrong, Publisher132 CLINTON ST.,BROOKLYN 11201TEL. 643%u20141032Clurman Responds:%u2018I am notthe building, cleaning the monument, replacing paving stones, etc. only to have vandals negate our efforts. What we need is a commitment from the community to match ours.Fort Greene Park will also be under construction this spring. The rehabilitation of the Martyrs%u2019 Monument will begin this summer.The Pierrepont Street Playgroups is far from being a problem. It is one of our best maintained facilities. The public issue is the community's desire to provide a more sophisticated play space. We have and will continue to work with those involved in this effort. We are prepared to review plans and issue permits as fast as the committee can raise its funds.Cadman Plaza is an involved matter. There are various interests to be served. Although I cannot hopd to please all, I must point out that PRCA has spent a great deal of time and effort in seeking a formula which will accommodate all groups. We will continue to do so.I am not writing to excuse past delays or to place the blame elsewhere. I do want it known that PRCA will respond to issues, quickly and directly. This will put us in the position of saying \munity requests, instead of holding endless meetings designed to avoid giving an answer. But, it will clear the air and let us get down to work on real issues. Shall we begin?writingTo the EditorYour February 1 issue challenges PRCA to be specific and decisive. Well, let%u2019s take each issue you discuss.The Third Street Playground in Prospect Park will be under construction this spring. Indeed, the bidding process is about to begin.Carroll Park should be more than a point for public debate. It is an important local resource. PRCA has devoted a great deal of time and effort to making improvements here; repairingSincerely,Richard M. Clurman Administrator & Commissioner of ParksMr. Commissioner:How About The Old Stone House?St. Annes Auction SetAn event awaited by local Brownstoners and aoartment dwellers, the annual auction at St. Ann%u2019s School, will take place this year on Sat. evening, April 7, at.the school, 129 Pierrepont St.As usual, furniture, objets d%u2019art, antiques, china, silver, and original art will be up for bid. Gourmet dinners, trips to far off oiaces and other iavisfiarrangements will be auctioned tooThe committee organizing the occasion, which will benefit the school's scholarship fund, is asking for donations of worthy items large or small, from attics, basements and what nots. Pick up of heavy pieces can be arranged by phoning 858-8855 or 875-6159.Gilbert and Sullivan's %u201c Pirates of Penzance\be presented by the Berkeley Institute, 181 Lincoln PL on Mar. 9 at 8 p.m. Miss Ethel Orpen of the music department will direct the cast of 62 fifth and sixth graders. Students with major roles are Peter Brown as Pirate King; Tonya Tobias as Frederick; Mary Beth Guiffra as Ruth; Terry Thomas as Major General; Maria Carraciolo as Mabel.
                                
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