Community excluded from day ONE

The following is evidence that the community has been excluded from the planning process from day one. It is the text of the letter sent by Community Board 4 to Randy Levine. Read it! And do take note of the politicians who received a copy. Most of these have said they were unaware of community concerns.

While you're at it, pay special attention to the following sentences:

"We would hope that you will keep us informed of any new developments as it relates to the new Yankee Stadium and that we can foster a closer relationship based on mutual respect and understanding.

We would appreciate if you contact our board office to schedule a meeting where we can voice our concerns related to this project and to open a line of communication with your organization."

Of course the Yankees never deigned to inform the community of developments. How else to railroad a bad plan for the community?

If you would like a copy of the photo we have of it, send your request to savebronxparks@yahoo.com

Here's the letter:


June 29, 2005

Mr. Randy Levine
President
The New York Yankees
Yankee Stadium
Bronx, NY 10451

Dear Mr. Levine:

The following letter is to voice our disappointment for not being invited to a press conference you organized announcing the plans to develop a new Yankee Stadium. At the June 28, 2005 General Board Meeting, after some discussion ensued related to the board’s disappointment for being excluded in this press announcement, the Board Members voted unanimously to send you a letter in this regard.

We are particularly concerned that you did not include us in your list of invitees, given that we are the local governmental agency that will review the ULURP Applications attached to this new development. In addition, as the legal entity responsible for advocating on behalf of the residents’ interest in Community District Four, we are left with no answers when community residents question us on the details of this press conference.

We would hope that you will keep us informed of any new developments as it relates to the new Yankee Stadium and that we can foster a closer relationship based on mutual respect and understanding.

We would appreciate if you contact our board office to schedule a meeting where we can voice our concerns related to this project and to open a line of communication with your organization.

Please contact David Mojica, District Manager, at 718-299-080, to schedule a meeting between your organization and Community Board Four or for any other m matter.

Sincerely,

Ade A. Rasul
Chair

Cc: Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión, Jr.
Congressman Jose E. Serrano, 16th District
Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, 36th District
Senator José Marco Serrano, 28th District
Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, 84th District
Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, 79th District
Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene, 77th District
Councilwoman Maria Baez, 14th District
Councilwoman Helen Diane Foster, 16th District
Councilwoman Maria Del Carmen Arroyo, 17th District