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May 23, 2007
The Brownstone 9: Markowitz Purges Community Board 6
The Real Estate Observer
By Matthew Schuerman
REO carried a quote from former Community Board 6 Chairperson Jerry Armer, who has proved himself to be a real class act during the past three years:
“I’m rather disappointed. I think that it could have been handled better and I think that I will continue to work for my community and the greater good of the community through the Community Board,” said one of the deposed members, Jerry Armer, who had served on the board for more than 20 years and was chairman at the time the votes were taken. “What we were doing was giving the community a voice and reflecting the community.”
Behind the scenes Markowitz has been threatening to do this for a while, so you'd think that his office would have its story straight in time for a timely press release:
A spokeswoman for Mr. Markowitz would not explain the appointments, or lack thereof, so it was a little hard to ascertain just what was the motivation, or even if all the displaced members had voted against Atlantic Yards. She said that a statement would be coming out shortly.
De Blasio has said all along that he wouldn't jeopardize the affordable-housing component of the project, despite what his constituents thought:
But last week, Councilman Bill de Blasio defended his right not to recommend members who voted against Atlantic Yards, saying that it was a vote against affordable housing, which is one of his core beliefs.
NoLandGrab: A little history, back in November 2004, Atlantic Yards critics were concerned about professional connections between developer Forest City Ratner and CB6 Chairperson Jerry Armer:
"A group of anti-Atlantic Yards community activists have filed a complaint with the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board charging that Community Board 6 chairman Jerry Armer’s job with the Metrotech Business Improvement District conflicts with his role as leader of the board in discussing [Ratner's proposal]."
The fact that Armer emerged as a dedicated advocate for the community probably came as no surprise to those who have known him for many years. But back in the day, when people were struggling to understand Bruce Ratner's controversial Atlantic Yards project and its impacts on the community, most people hardly knew what to think.
The Borough President and FCR also seemed fairly confident that they could bypass the Community Boards' role, but use them for publicity purposes.
Clearly, both sides misunderestimated Mr. Armer.
Posted by lumi at May 23, 2007 8:22 AM