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J. Reyes-Montblanc (not verified) says:
Although there may be good reason of concern about the presence of the local elected officals in the West Harlem LDC, there is no argument that these are the democratically elected representatives of the WestSide Harlem community to City, State and Federal governments and not some nefarious foreign interests.
As the incorporator of the West harlem LDC, from which I resigned on June 15th 2005, as soon as it was organized and had an itnital Board of Directors, I believe I am in a good position to comment on this article.
First of all, the inclusion of elected officals was always intended, however under the By-Laws I originally established they were to come on the Board in 2008 when we anticipated the ULURP process to be completed to avoid any possible conflict of interest I resigned as I felt that as Chairman of Community Board 9 Manhattan, I should not be involved in the negotiations of any CBA with any developer.
The intent of the LDC was to avoid individual powerful organizations taking over a public benefits process as has happened in other Districts. The creation of the LDC was crafted to include every WestSide Harlem indigenous community interest segment through a representative.
Interests outside West Harlem were deliberately neither considered nor invited, just as our district resident interests were never part of any negotiations for projects in other districts, interests residing in other Upper Manhattan districts have no room in ours.
West Harlem interests groups with a well established umbrella organization, the umbrella organizations were given LDC seats; other interests without umbrella organizations meetings were held where representatives of that segment were present and democratiocally elected their own representatives to seat on the LDC Board of Directors.
The faith community elected their own and Rev. Butts either took part or didn't. Abyssinian Development Corporation operates in Central Harlem and does a wonderful job but it does not operate in WestSide Harlem and as far as I know has no projects in West Harlem to date. I am told that Rev. Butts has no love for CB9M and that he has not had anything to do with usin over 20 years for whatever reasons, however I, personally, have great respect and admiration for his work in Central Harlem althoughwe have barely met.
The elected officals decided to claim their seats in July of 2005 and the LDC Board was expanded to 28, including the 9 elected. A good or bad decision was in fact made and we have to work with that regardless of our like or dislike.
As I have assidously avoided any interference or involvement with the LDC since my resignation, I have only received periodic reports from CB9M 2 reps when they make their report to the Execuitve Committee and General Board, I cannot comment on the effects of the elected officals presence in the negotiations and won't.
Rev. Butts discomfiture is understanble in view of CU's refusal to negotaite with him, but CB9M voted to grant the West Harlem LDC the responsiblility to negotiate, sign,administer and enforce any CBA negotiated with ANY developer including Columbia University and the University, the Mayor and elected officials agreed that the WHLDC was to be the only entity with its wide community representation to neogtiate a CBA.
Whatever CBA the LDC and CU reach will be presented to CB9M for approvalwhen finalized. CB9M will vote to approve or disapprove it or require further negotations.
Until the process takes its course the good, honest and deopendable and hard working members of the LDC deserve the opportunity to finish their efforts.
I deeply regret the recent resignation of 3 members but they acted according to their conscience, in the mean time the work of the LDC continues and I for one would love to see it finished, regardless of the criticism of thsoe who feel leftout, and those who left took their voices with themselves so they really have removed themselves from the effort by their own volition, their conttributions of talent and ideas will be missed.
Respectfully yours
J. Reyes-Montblanc
Chairman
Community Board 9 Manhattan
565 West 125th Street
New York, NY 10027
Although there may be good reason of concern about the presence of the local elected officals in the West Harlem LDC, there is no argument that these are the democratically elected representatives of the WestSide Harlem community to City, State and Federal governments and not some nefarious foreign interests.
As the incorporator of the West harlem LDC, from which I resigned on June 15th 2005, as soon as it was organized and had an itnital Board of Directors, I believe I am in a good position to comment on this article.
First of all, the inclusion of elected officals was always intended, however under the By-Laws I originally established they were to come on the Board in 2008 when we anticipated the ULURP process to be completed to avoid any possible conflict of interest I resigned as I felt that as Chairman of Community Board 9 Manhattan, I should not be involved in the negotiations of any CBA with any developer.
The intent of the LDC was to avoid individual powerful organizations taking over a public benefits process as has happened in other Districts. The creation of the LDC was crafted to include every WestSide Harlem indigenous community interest segment through a representative.
Interests outside West Harlem were deliberately neither considered nor invited, just as our district resident interests were never part of any negotiations for projects in other districts, interests residing in other Upper Manhattan districts have no room in ours.
West Harlem interests groups with a well established umbrella organization, the umbrella organizations were given LDC seats; other interests without umbrella organizations meetings were held where representatives of that segment were present and democratiocally elected their own representatives to seat on the LDC Board of Directors.
The faith community elected their own and Rev. Butts either took part or didn't. Abyssinian Development Corporation operates in Central Harlem and does a wonderful job but it does not operate in WestSide Harlem and as far as I know has no projects in West Harlem to date. I am told that Rev. Butts has no love for CB9M and that he has not had anything to do with usin over 20 years for whatever reasons, however I, personally, have great respect and admiration for his work in Central Harlem althoughwe have barely met.
The elected officals decided to claim their seats in July of 2005 and the LDC Board was expanded to 28, including the 9 elected. A good or bad decision was in fact made and we have to work with that regardless of our like or dislike.
As I have assidously avoided any interference or involvement with the LDC since my resignation, I have only received periodic reports from CB9M 2 reps when they make their report to the Execuitve Committee and General Board, I cannot comment on the effects of the elected officals presence in the negotiations and won't.
Rev. Butts discomfiture is understanble in view of CU's refusal to negotaite with him, but CB9M voted to grant the West Harlem LDC the responsiblility to negotiate, sign,administer and enforce any CBA negotiated with ANY developer including Columbia University and the University, the Mayor and elected officials agreed that the WHLDC was to be the only entity with its wide community representation to neogtiate a CBA.
Whatever CBA the LDC and CU reach will be presented to CB9M for approvalwhen finalized. CB9M will vote to approve or disapprove it or require further negotations.
Until the process takes its course the good, honest and deopendable and hard working members of the LDC deserve the opportunity to finish their efforts.
I deeply regret the recent resignation of 3 members but they acted according to their conscience, in the mean time the work of the LDC continues and I for one would love to see it finished, regardless of the criticism of thsoe who feel leftout, and those who left took their voices with themselves so they really have removed themselves from the effort by their own volition, their conttributions of talent and ideas will be missed.
Respectfully yours
J. Reyes-Montblanc
Chairman
Community Board 9 Manhattan
565 West 125th Street
New York, NY 10027