LETTERS

Organizing Inspiring

Linda Daniels’ May 1998 article about organizing the tenants in her building was inspiring. I hope the efforts of the 101 West 140th Street Tenants Association improve the conditions in the building and make landlords realize the strength and effectiveness of a well-organized tenants association. I look forward to updates from Ms. Daniels.

Miranda Schwartz Manhattan

Too Complicated?

I find it hard to understand the articles in Tenant. They are written in a style that is not very simple. (If it’s only me, ignore this letter.) Since I am a rent-controlled tenant, I am interested in news about the 32.4% MBR increase and how it is going to affect me. (I am 86 years old.)

Rubin Lishinsky Brooklyn

We try to write as understandably as possible (which often means explaining legal concepts without sounding like a law book) but subjects like the MBR system can be quite complicated. How do other readers feel?

RGB: The Fix Was In

I feel compelled to write concerning the “predetermined” outcome of the Rent Guidelines Board’s vote. It had already been decided, and what is most sad is that it was entirely politically motivated. The landlords have once again, through enormous contributions, bought out the RGB as well as others. Many people have already lost their apartments, due to harassment and unjust increases, but landlords are still claiming they are losing money—yet not a single one will substantiate their claims with actual figures, not their creative bookkeeping. Despite this year’s minimal increase in costs, they are still crying poverty and determined to vastly increase the homeless population. Even this year’s unseasonably warm winter will still prompt fuel increases for rent-controlled tenants. Landlords will not be happy unless we return to feudal times, where the people worked the land, paid overwhelming taxes, and turned over all they earned to landlords.

Anne Reifman Manhattan