NYCHA Budget Dept. Letter
Did Spotty publish the letter on NYCHA's Budget Department that is now making the rounds at 250 Broadway?
No, that letter is not connected to the Spotlight. The letter was faxed to me almost two weeks ago. But, after consulting with some other members of the Spotlight team, it was decided that running it, as is, would be counter-productive.
Instead, we decided that some time would be spent in trying to verify the many charges of discrimination found in that missive. If any verification could be found (test scores not weighed in order to favor one person over another, etc.), then we'd run with it.
We realized that there IS discrimination in NYCHA, as there is in almost any organization. And, while minorities suffer, by far, the harshest discrimination, almost all other peoples have faced the demon in one form or another.
Blacks have discriminated against whites, Irish against Italian, Puerto Rican against Dominican, and the opposite is equally true.
However, as the letter making the rounds lists specific charges, with names exposed of both the alleged discriminators and their victims, it would have been an important subject for a newsletter that claims to be the advocate for both the average NYCHA employee and tenant.
Unfortunately, now that someone has started passing the letter around, having Spotty's friends going around 250 looking for confirmation of that author's charges would place those friends in a dangerous spot. And, they could wind up unemployed.
So, we choose to drop that story. We do hope, in a future issue, to have something to say on how discrimination becomes an effective tool for management to use in order to sap strength from employee unity.
"Well, Joanna is at it again!"
That's how a recent communication from one of our reporters began.
That reporter, and others, has been informing us of changes that Ms. Aniello has instigated. And they have told us of some of the controversy those changes have wrought.
We're told that Ms. Aniello, no fan of Elliot Levine, has decided to show Mr. Levine the door and replace him with Mike Kramer.
This has some Tenant Leaders in frenzy. They thought that in Mr. Levine they had an advocate for their concerns.
Not that any of the Tenant Leaders were completely satisfied with what the Authority, through Mr. Levine, did to respond to their problems and/or requests. But, according to one leader, they knew that Mr. Levine was willing to actually listen to them and not just attend meetings.
Tenant Association members actually went to a Borough Meeting to complain about this inopportune switching of personnel. Ms. Lamb made a plea to leave well-enough alone and let Mr. Levine remain in charge.
This past Friday (Sept. 24, 1999), there was even a meeting in Paul Graziano's office to discuss this personnel change.
We hear that Joanna is practicing a little avoidance scheme by saying that Kramer is working on some "Special Project" and can't report to his new job quite yet. (Actually, Kramer wasn't even at work, and had even avoided the Hispanic dance on Friday.)
This afternoon at 5 PM there is supposed to be a meeting of Martinez, Graziano, Jaonna Aniello and other Execs to try and straighten this new Joanna mess out.
On top of all this, there are other, as yet unsubstantiated, rumors of changes at 250 Broadway.
Rumor has it that Bridgewater was canned, Heitzner transferred to Queens and Anthony Richburg moving to Manhattan.
We'll publish more on the Authority's
musical chairs as the changes progress.
The New York City Housing Authority 5 Year Plan
Taken from the official web site:
The New York City Housing Authority invites the public to comment on the proposed plans at a public hearing to be held on Wednesday, September 29, 1999, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Pace University's Schimmel Theatre 1 Pace Plaza (Spruce Street between Park Row and Gold Street) in lower Manhattan.
This location is also handicapped accessible and can be reached using public transportation. Speakers will be strictly limited to three minutes per person and are encouraged to state their remarks in summary fashion.
We also suggest that speakers submit comments in writing or, by mail, to the address shown below.
Written comments regarding the plan are encouraged.
Submissions must be received not later than September 29, 1999.
Comments can be sent via email at NYCHA's web page, or by ordinary mail (fax submissions will not be accepted) to the address set forth below:
New York City Housing Authority
Public Housing Agency Plan Comments
Church Street Station
P.O. Box 3422
New York, New York 10008-3422
Tenant response to the 5 Year Plan
When:
Wednesday, Sept. 29 6-9pm
Where:
Pace University, Schimmel Theatre, 1 Pace Plaza, across from City Hall
Who:
Lower East Side Public Housing Tenants will be testifying against the plan and will have a march and demonstration against the plan. CODA has endorsed this campaign to save public housing.
What:
Join the march to Pace University with our tenants from Houston & Avenue D at 5:00! Or show your support at Pace University at 6:00.
(Of course, with NYCHA's 3 minute rule, speakers won't have much of a chance to register their concerns.
But, who's listening anyway???)
© 1999 Public Housing Spotlight and John Ballinger. All rights reserved.
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