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January 21, 2005
Slicing up the pie
NY Daily News: Daily News columnist Errol Louis takes local politicians to task for not supporting initiatives created to help women- and minority-owned businesses get a larger slice of the pie in recent development boom. Louis singles out Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James and describes how her local office was recently picketed by union and ACORN members.
NoLandGrab: Like Letitia James, Errol Louis is an ardent champion of groups who have traditionally been shut out of economic opportunities. Their visions for lower income neighborhoods is not that different.
The fact that they are not allies in the Ratner-arena controversy, is a testament to Ratner's ability to divide and conquer. While Louis is satisfied to accept what concessions have been extracted from Ratner, James is pursuing an alternative vision that includes affordable housing and jobs, but avoids destroying existing housing, jobs and neighborhoods.
Also, has anyone noticed that Errol Louis and Letitia James both have first names for last names?
The ACORN/union rally is just a taste of the power of Ratner's new alliances and how he will use their voices to try to defeat Letitia James in her bid for reelection. Consider this rally a "shot across the bow." Just because Ratner's coalition pickets James's office doesn't mean that her position has failed.
Posted by lumi at January 21, 2005 9:05 AM