Chair Tony Avella with colleagues
Councilwoman Melinda Katz
(texting during seession)
Councilwoman Baez and Councilman Seabrook
(more texting during session)
Toll V.P. David Von Spreckelsen with his team
None of his colleagues had bothered to show up for that hearing, thereby missing the impassioned speeches by both Gowanus and Carroll Gardens residents, arguing that the site was too toxic and prone to flooding, the project too high and bulky and the affordable housing portion not guaranteed by the developer.
But none of this seemed to matter to any of the other Councilmembers. All they knew was that our Councilman Bill DeBlasio lent this project his "extreme support" as Councilwoman Katz reminded everyone. From the start, it felt as though the project was a done deal before the start of the U.L.U.R.P. process a year ago. After all, the Toll Brothers spent a sizable amount of money to lobby our elected officials.
Chair Tony Avella has won my gratitude and my admiration. He had asked the developer's representatives back a second time to clarify some issues regarding the environmental clean-up of the site. Avella also tried very hard to get a guarantee out of Toll Brothers' V.P. David Von Spreckelsen in regards to the affordable housing portion of the project. Unfortunately, he was not successful. But at least he tried to address the community's concerns, which is a lot more than can be said about Bill De Blasio.
Councilwoman Melinda Katz Explaining her 'yes' vote
Untitled from Katia Kelly on Vimeo.
Related reading:
Carroll Gardens And Gowanus Residents Showed Up To Testify, But Council Members Not There To Hear Them
For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking
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8 comments:
There must be a circle in Dante's hell for DeBlasio. A hypocrite who made sure that where he was living (Park Slope) had all the protection from overdevelopment he wanted, and now goes on to subject other neighborhoods to what he did not want in his own neighborhood.
Well if that isn't an arbitrary and capricious decision I don't know what is. Shall we start the countdown to when DeBlasio gets his campaign donation from Toll? I don't think intentionally putting constituents in harm's way is in the public advocate's job description. Go Norm!
The only way to really thank and appreciate Tony Avella for what an excellent public servant he has been is to support his candidacy for mayor and to send a contribution. He is not getting donations from the Real Estate industry, which owns this city because of his position on over development. He is also the sponsor of the pets in housing bill, which the RE industry opposes - as does Quinn who is in their pocket. Tony is probably the most ethical and principled Council Member and mayoral candidate. He deserves the support of the people.
This is what someone recently e-mailed me about Tony. This person is planning a fund raiser for him on the West Side of Manhattan.
"Tony’s experience will make him an excellent Mayor. He is the rare public servant who combines a thorough and concise knowledge of the issues, a recognition of the need for comprehensive versus ad hoc planning in the City, and a relentless dedication to low and middle income New Yorkers. He won election to the New York City Council from Northeast Queens in 2001 and was reelected with overwhelming majorities in 2003 and 2005.
As Chair of Zoning & Franchises for the Council and a member of five other committees (Higher Education, Housing & Buildings, Fire & Criminal Justice Services, Land Use, and Veterans), Tony has secured millions of dollars in capital funding to acquire state-of-the-art computer labs and install Internet access in his Council District’s schools. He has obtained millions of dollars to enhance existing parks and acquire new parkland in the District. An ardent preservationist, Tony has also created new zoning laws to stop the proliferation of McMansions and passed historic legislation that prevents the destruction of landmark buildings."
Go to www.tonyavellaformayor.com
Was just scrolling through your blog and saw the picture of Councilwoman Katz, she's been on a program through my organization!
Hi Sophia,
That wouldn't surprise me.
I have also heard that as the Land- Use Chairperson in our City Council she doesn't have a problem accepting campaign contributions from developers.
I would think that it is a conflict of interest, but hey, that's just me....
Yesterday, she was hugging the Toll Brothers' lawyer and greeting the Toll Crew like long-time friends (which they probably are.)
Reminder to myself: check out who contributes to her City Comptroller
campaign.
Toll bought this vote! Toll lobbying spending for this vote were more than $280,000. The question w should be asking is why didn't they gt 100% of the votes?
This city government doesn't care what the citizens think; they all believe that they know what is best for the collective "us" based on what the developers are whispering into their ears. It's not hard to see the puppet strings attached to these so called representatives!
just a small point - in the 2nd to last picture, that's not council member Sears, but an aide i think. Photo of CM Sears is here: http://council.nyc.gov/d25/html/members/home.shtml
Tony Avella votes no on anything. If you wanted to build an orphanage for the families of 9/11 victims he'd vote against it. He's a disgrace!
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