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August 20, 2006
Once Unintentional. Twice Purposeful?
Develop Don't Destroy
The ESDC, on July 18th, announced a scheduled "community forum" on the "Atlantic Yards" proposal on September 12th. We still don't know what a "community forum" is, but we do know its not the rushed public hearing coming up this Wednesday, August 23rd.The problem with the September 12th "forum" is that the 12th also happens to be primary election day–a day candidates, political activists, and voters prefer to keep clear of any and all non-primary events. Its the latest, and perhaps most egregious, insult to the democratic process and a basic sense of fair play associated with the Forest City Enterprises and Empire State Development Corporation's (ESDC) development proposal.
In answer to criticims of the misguided September 12th date, an ESDC spokesperson said the following in the Courier Life papers this weekend:
[ESDC spokesperson Jessica] Copen called the scheduling of the forum on primary day “not intentional.”Okay, we'll buy that. But if it wasn't "intentional" and that is the ESDC's response, then the ESDC can certainly see that "intentional" or not, it's a terrible choice of dates. So now that they are aware of the conflict and have excused themselves of intent, why are they not changing the date of the "community forum" (whatever that is?). Or will they?
Posted by amy at August 20, 2006 8:20 PM