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\T TOLTirK---------^ W u ary2 g r rg7TPage 6 PHOENIX February 28,1974FI. Greene /Clinton HillLocals Show, Tell & Fight like HellTo Save Building from DemolitionBY DAN ICOLARIIn the February 21 PHOENIX, I mentioned a court hearing on vacant buildings, and described the almostdemise of 221-23 Clinton Avenue, a four-story apartment house. The hearing was an attempt by the community %u2014 the Clermont Area Rehabilitation Corporation, represented by 57th A.D. District Leader Abe Gerges %u2014 to show the court and the Buildings Department that the building was worth saving, and that the community was prepared to save it.On Tuesday morning, February 19, about ten Landm arks C om m ittee die hards met with Abe Gergos outside the court room and planned strategy. Jim Francis, a Fort Greene architect and builder, said he was ready to buy the building even in its half demolishedstate (no roof, no back wall), and was negotiating with the owner. Gerges described various programs under which rehabilitation m ight be financed. We entered the court room united and fairly confident. So did our adversary from the New York City Corporation Counsel%u2019s office. But neither side was ready for the Judge.He conducted the proceedings like a neurotic parent who pits child against child, tallies points on a scorecard, and then swoops down to finish off the weaker. In a begrudging concession to the %u201ccommunity\could barely conceal his mirth as he uttered the word), we were granted one day in which to produce title to the house and to seal off the building, which Corporation Counsel said was unsafe and a public nuisance.Next morning, while JimJfc* hungry%u2018DogRoom Service foryour patNow 1 here's no need to 1 w orry about running out of food fo ryo u rd o g or c a t N o r any need fo r you to run out - to th e corner store 'cause the cupboard is bare at chow time.With our home delivery service, you can order up your pet's favorite brand of food by the case or baq over the telephone. Choose from many popularbrands^ including Purina,Gaines,Kal Kan$Puss%u00a3 Boots,.\ryt m e , -trh /nT H E C O N V E N IE N C E 15 C O N S ip E %u00ab A B L E AMO TH E S A V IN 0 5 S IZ A B L E .Cali us today for more information:783-7327Francis ran all over town trying to get title, the valiant men and women of the abandoned buildings crew showed up and began securing ground-floor entrances front and rear, nailing up old doors, pieces of tin, whatever was available. Someone had alerted a Daily News reporter-photographer who recorded the event in the February 21 edition.We returned to court on Thursday, wary and wiser, armed with photos, the Daily News and, we hoped, title to the house. Abe Gerges sat inside the courtroom, while the rest of us waited for Jim Francis to arrive with the crucial document. The eleventh hour approached, the twelfth passed, and still no Jim and No Title. The second round commenced.Corporation Counsel%u2019s man was mad %u2014 beet-red and determined. Apparently he%u2019d assumed the community would try and get the Buildings Department %u2014 or someone %u2014 to do the sealing; he never expected residents would do it themselves. But it turns out the judge had exO rie n ta l-ty p e RugsB ra id e d rugsB ro a d lo o m R unners & R em nantsC a rp e tin g fo r H a llw a ys j j | & Stairs( Carpet ^C leaning Co.13 B ergen St. W M A 4 -6 4 3 5pected us to seal not only theground-floor entrances (whichwe%u2019d done), but the entire back wall and the roof as well! C o rp o ra tio n C o u n s e l produced a Buildings Department inspector who said the building was in exactly the same condition as it had been on the day of the first hearing (not true), and that the building is a public menace (debatable).Jim Francis still had not arrived, and the community%u2019s position was growing weaker and weaker. The judge began shifting in his chair, preparing to emit A Decision. But Abe Gerges was able to get a further concession: If by the end of the day the community could produce title to the building, the judge would grant us an additional five days to secure funds from the City to completely seal the building until rehabilitation begins. Phew! %u2014 but not quite.Although we now have title, although sources of funds are being explored, strong winds have blown parts of the scaffolding away, and rubble is falling into the street. The police and fire departments are edgy, and are pressuring us. The dem olition contractors will not be held responsible, and will not repair it. We are at a standstill, and our time runs out February 26th.Whether or not we succeed in saving the building, Fort Greene owes a lot to Abe Gerges. This man spent a difficult week on this case, phoning and meeting with people in powerful places, cajoling and pleading; he explored sources of funds for us, and advised us, staying in constant communication with Landm arks C om m ittee chairperson Jane C ollin. Gerges is a politician who produces %u2014 no rhetoric, no bullshit. Reform Dems please note.Carey SeeksClassmatesOn March 9, at the Catholic Teachers Association Annual Luncheon, to be held in the Raleigh Room of the Statler-Hilton Hotel, Congressman Hugh L. Carey will receive the Veronica S. Cassidy Award for distinguished service to education.Carey is looking for any and all of his classmates from the 1934 class of Park Slope%u2019s St. Augustine%u2019s Grammar School The Congressman said, %u201c I would like to share this honor with Sister Mary Morris, C.S.J., who was a lasting influence on my career and who taught me and others for many years at St. Augustine%u2019s.%u201c I would ask that any classmates from the 1934 class who wish to join with me in paying tribute to Sister Mary Morris, please contact my Brooklyn District Office at 596- 3839. Immediately following the Catholic Teachers Luncheon, I will host a reception in honor of Sister Mary Morris at the Statler-Hilton Hotel.%u201dBaroque Recital Set March 3On Sun., March 3, there will be a recital of Baroque Music by a South Brooklyn chamber music group at First Presbyterian Church. The free, public recital begins at 7 p.m.Steven Belenko, recorder, has concertised at City College and Columbia University. Jean Mandelbaum, harpischord, has appeared recently under the auspices of the Bernard Chamber Society in Manhattan. Flutist Karen Joseph has performed with the Harlem Philharmonic and in conjunction with the New York Philharm onic. The quartet is completed by soprano Valerie Saint-Rossy, who has won vocal awards in India, Keny and the States.The Program will include works by G. P. Telemann (TrioSonatas in Bb Major and A Minor), D. Scarlatti (Three Harpsichord Sonatas), J. J. Quantz and J. P. Rameau.ATTENTION; Seif-employed, Professionals.lean help you take %u25a0 UVtKrAladvantaqe of every \Y A I 1 D I h l f A I U l E to which the law entitles * Sl%u00ab\\wW lW iEyou. Expert consultation and preparation T I Vmeans big savings to you. I MColl for an appointment:LEONARD WALIT 65 BOND ST.( at Slate Si.) BROOKLYN, N.Y.l 1217 LW 6~7084The Woodward School321 Clinton Avenue Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205Telephone 638-2830C o e d u c a t io n a l,f u l l y i n t e g r a t e d , e d u c a t io n a l l y i n n o v a t i v e , e n r ic h e d p r o g r a m s N u r s e r y t h r o u g h G r a d e 8Call for brochure or appointmentProtect yourttuussSsole witha Free Se%u00ab%u00bb*irfrv ~ - - - - ,SurveyRoger Schi II izri o f AlL'SFCURJTYLOCKSMITHS* IS locking up t3ii ^SrooKjYft!'6i nsureoUCEHSeo dOHP%u00a30O ne year G uarantee on our Service24 Hour Emergency Service- Segal, Medico, 3MLock$Full line of locks, gates, domestic & foreign keys in our m odem Bkiu riis shopAll Security Locksmiths,Ire.624-8116 81 Pineapple Walk 624-8177COLLEGEBASKETBALLSt. Francisvs.NavySat., March 2Varsity game 8 15 pm Pre-lim game 6:00 pmGeneral Admission S?byaOull sToObu this aiea * best teams in action at St Franc is Coiiefle Borouqh Han Brooklyn neat an public transit