HK Alert: CALL AND FAX PETER VALLONE!

[Hellskitchen]

Hell's Kitchen Alert                                      7/21/98
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CALL AND FAX PETER VALLONE!

Yesterday, we told you about the backroom deal between Council Speaker Vallone and Mayor Giuliani
that left a number of skyscraper development sites in the Clinton neighborhood, pierced the
Special Clinton District for the first time since 1973 and removed community board, environmental
and City Council 'Special Permit' review from the process.

The deal was voted out of the committee last Wednesday and it went back to City Planning for a
"scope session." It will come back for a full City Council vote shortly, as early as July 28, but
more likely on either August 5th and 6th. It's a long shot, but Vallone has been known to back off
when faced with a large public outcry.

   WHAT: Phone & Fax City Council Speaker Peter Vallone
   WHEN: Now, and Tomorrow, and Continuing
   WHY:  to convince him to remove all skyscrapers from the 
         west side of Eighth Avenue and to ensure rational 
         development through a 'Special Permit' process.

THREE PLACES TO CALL, FAX AND WRITE PETER VALLONE
(try to do all three, but if not, do it in this order)

Friends of Vallone (Gubernatorial Campaign office)
31-19 37th Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
tel: (718) 433-1998   fax (718) 433-1999

Hon. Peter F. Vallone (City Hall Office)
Speaker, NY City Council
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
tel: (718) 274-4500   fax (718) 726-0357

Hon. Peter F. Vallone (District Office)
Speaker, NY City Council
22-45 31st St.
Astoria, NY 11105
tel (212) 788-7210   fax (212) 788-7207 

WHAT TO DO WHEN CALLING

Ask to speak to someone about the Theater Subdistrict Zoning Plan. If you are calling the Campaign
Headquarters, they might tell you to call City Hall. Don't fall for that one and tell them this is
a campaign issue as your vote depends on his action. Demand to speak to someone. They might try to
just take your name and phone number. Again, don't let them. You want to speak to someone to
explain your case. Who can you speak to?

Kevin McCabe (Campaign Director)
Karen Perischelli
Mark Benoit
Jennifer St. Johns (Volunteer Coordinator)
Tom Flutt

Remember, don't harass them, but engage them and force them to think and talk about the issue for
several minutes. Be firm and convincing that Vallone just lost (at least) 5,000 votes and he must
move on this issue to get them back. Remind them that Vallone made a campaign theme of saving NY's
Middle Class. When he allows development to run rampant over NYC neighborhoods, he's doing just
the opposite. Remember, the receptionist is not the target -- the receptionist's boss is. Be
courteous to the person who answers the phone, even as you tie up the line.

Remember, Peter Vallone is running for Governor and needs your vote. Remind him your vote will
depend directly on his actions on this issue.

WHAT TO TELL THEM

Tell them you are aware that Vallone refused to meet with Clinton/Hell's Kitchen neighborhood
residents opposed to the plan (CSDC asked several times) while he met with the Broadway Initiative
proponents.

Also tell them you are aware that Vallone took money from theater owners (Nederlander) and the
Broadway Initiative high-priced lobbyist Ethan Geto shortly before the vote. Tell them taking
money for a vote is not putting "New York First" (the Vallone campaign slogan)

Tell them that his decision will lead to pressures for tenants, will drive out small business and
devastate Clinton. Tell them you will continue to be vocal on this issue throughout the campaign
(even if he wins the primary).

WHAT TO ASK FOR

We want two things:

1. Removal of all skyscraper development sites (zoning increase to Floor-Area-Ratio of 14.4) on
the west side of Eighth Avenue. The deal left the blocks from 42nd to 45th Streets still in the
plan. This is part of Clinton, not part of the Theater District or Midtown.

2. We want a real 'Special Permit' to cover the area affected by the plan. Buildings that go up on
the east side of Eighth Avenue will impact this neighborhood, and there must be community,
environmental and council oversight.

Vallone has the power to take this issue back to City Council before the vote. Don't buy into the
notion (if anyone says) that it is a done deal. It's a long shot, but not a done deal.

IS IT BEING EFFECTIVE?

Yes, Since last Wednesday, when the deal happened, inside reports indicate they have been
"inundated" with calls and faxes. Although they aren't acting on the issue yet, they are starting
to understand the depth of the opposition.

SO YOU'RE NOT FROM CLINTON/HELL'S KITCHEN

That's OK, we need support from all NYC neighborhoods. This is not just a local development issue
and creates a precedent for bad development in all NYC neighborhoods. This is why many community
boards, neighborhood, housing and civic groups from all over town are supporting Clinton in this
battle.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?

Call Betsy McCaughey Ross and Charles Hynes (both are running against Vallone is the primary) and
encourage them to take public stands on this issue. It's in their interest to do so and can smoke
out Vallone.

Betsy McCaughey Ross Campaign (212) 772-9516 Charles Hynes Campaign (212) 766-1762

Volunteer for CSDC's Phone Bank and Tables (call either 245-5268, 245-7432 or 362-9784) and Flyer
Distribution network (call 977-4684)

IS THAT ALL

Good, grief, NO!!! Join us in paying a visit to Vallone's District office this Thursday from 4-6
p.m. to protest his actions devastating NYC neighborhoods (see address above, and take the "N"
line to Ditmars Boulevard). More info coming in the next newsletter to follow.