Comments for Williamsburg Ink

Comment on Election Night Arrests Still Causing Controversy by Shayndi Raice Sigall

Shayndi Raice Sigall — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:15:58 +0000

Update: A reader commented on the non-descriptive nature of the term hipsters. He is certainly right that the term is vague and does not reflect properly on all of the people who were celebrating that night and were witness to the arrests. I used it because that’s how the article describes those in attendance, and since I was not present, I could not provide a more thoughtful description.

Comment on Charrette, Not Charade by anon#2

anon#2 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:43:08 +0000

Well, it’s interesting that anon “knows” exactly who was present and protesting. Yes, Los Sures, St. Nick’s & Legal Services were there; so what? We should note that also present were ACTUAL community members and folks from community organizations who have nothing to do with managing housing. These folks do not stand to make any money or deals out of a more fair process – but they do care about making sure there’s more affordable housing out there for the families they serve.

I do agree with “anon” that yes, there were fewer people at the protest than could have been. Anon doesn’t mention that there would have been more protesters in attendance if certain politicians had not pressured Brooklyn Catholic leadership to threaten their priests (who have been pretty active in the Broadway Triangle coalition) with suspension if they attended the protest.

I guess I would be more sympathetic to moving forward with the current proposal if it were less about protecting Vito Lopez’ special interests and more about the actual plans for the development of a sustainable and vibrant community.

Comment on Charrette, Not Charade by anon

anon — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:25:04 +0000

I guess what I don’t understand, and what doesn’t seem clear, is whether they oppose the current plans for the area, for example do they think the plan lacks affordable housing, or are they simply upset that they may not receive the grants to do the work or manage the housing?

Also, the folks in the picture are representative of a few organizations, Los Sures, St. Nicks, and Legal Services. They are far from representative of the entire neighborhood of Williamsburg, let alone Williamsburg, Bed Stuy, and Bushwick, which the area in question borders.

I guess I would be more sympathetic if this protest was less about process, and more about the actual plans for the development and the surrounding area.

Comment on Charrette, Not Charade by Shayndi Raice Sigall

Shayndi Raice Sigall — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:22:22 +0000

I actually counted the heads at the protest and there were indeed close to 100 people there. You are definitely correct that many of the people at the protest had a direct interest in being included in the development process, but that was the point. I also specifically wrote, “housing advocates, elected officials and community organizers are asking that a new charrette – design meeting – take place with all stakeholders having a seat at the table.” I think that makes clear that most of those in attendance were from some sort of organization. However, there were also many residents who did not belong or work for a specific group.

Comment on Charrette, Not Charade by anon

anon — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:36:16 +0000

It does seem dishonest to present this as a community protest when nearly everyone there (which was more like forty people) in the picture works for a not-for-profit that wants a piece of the pie.

Comment on Protest on the Broadway Triangle by BushwickBK.com » Bushwick Clicks 11/17/08

BushwickBK.com » Bushwick Clicks 11/17/08 — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:49:18 +0000

[...] Welfare Pays Big?: It seems there is a fight over a design charette the City organized to redevelop the “Broadway Triangle” in East [...]

Comment on Hello Williamsburg! by Mr WordPress

Mr WordPress — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:39:07 +0000

Hi, this is a comment.
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