Gothamist's Nathan Tempey just published a piece on 60 Clarkson that gets the story right. At least, the story thus far. This quote from our pal Merlinda gets it about right:
"[Residents] participate in block parties, they send their kids to the public schools, they're active in local civic life," she said. "It's a community. You can't just destroy that because you see dollar signs when you close your eyes."As she describes it, the building is like a family. People have really pulled together to make the best of a tough situation, many waiting for years for the chance to exchange vouchers for a permanent residence. That is, it's really tough to get back on your feet when you don't have an address to call your own.
As Paul Harvey used to say "and now for the rest of the story..."
Please set aside some time to come by 60 Clarkson tomorrow for a meaningful rally and press conference. We'll try to have as many of the families and block residents and press and elected officials as possible to stand in solidarity, asking the landlord Barry Hers(ko) not kick out tenants immediately, but give them a chance to use vouchers and other means to find a decent next place to live. Is 60, 90 days too much to ask? The Q thinks it makes sense for current homeless clients to be allowed to stay longterm and turn their vouchers into leases right there if they choose, as proper rent stabilized tenants. But the reality is that 60 Clarkson is not going to be a decent home as long as Hersko has his way with it. The best we can hope for is that he's held accountable for his practices and slumlording, and that the building remains affordable to all comers. Though we've heard through the street that he wants to rent to white people now. So don't expect any new navigation from his busted moral compass.
Please join us tomorrow. At the very least, it'll be fun to see everyone out and supporting each other. If that's not what this life is about, then I simply don't know what is.
12 comments:
It's been already established that this guy doesn't have a fucking conscience so why appeal to it? He should be forced by law to do the right thing.
This property belongs to him by right. He should be allowed to do as he wants with it.
What do you mean "by right?" Actually, the only reason anyone is allowed to "own" land or anything for that matter is because we as a society have bestowed the right. And we govern that right through laws. If we make a law, or change a law, that takes away the guys "right" to own, you're darn tootin we can take it away from him. Or fine him. Or compel him by force of law and jail time.
Owning a building in which people live comes with many responsibilities and regulations. Break them, and you've broken the covenant that allows such ownership in the first place.
I don't know where you got your information, Anon, but your very right to live or to own is not a given. A state can give, and it can taketh away. Only God has higher authority, and he doesn't get involved in landlord disputes very often. Except for that case of the worldwide flood (eminent domain, don't you know).
re:"This property belongs to him by right. He should be allowed to do as he wants with it."
...unless the law says otherwise.
Did they teach you that at Randian School Of Glibertarians anon 2:37? Learn how the law works before you make such a comment in the future anon. The courts have the final say with regards to land ownership, not the landlord. The city can take this dirtbag to court and remove him from the equation. Landlords are not heads of state and cannot do as they wish if they are not following the rules and regulations.
Sure. He doesnt have the right to remove residents the way he tried. But he can decide to sell his property. And i think within this whole story, those two things are being confused. He decided to buy this building. He decided to be a landlord. Yes, he has been a piss poor landlord. And he cannot remove tenats the way he tried. However, they still need to get out because he has decided to sell his property. And people gotta deal with that.
Anon, do you live in NYC? If he sells the building, the tenants most certainly do not have to leave.
Anon 10:59. If you decide to own a multi-family building in NYC, and many other cities, you're in for a big surprise. BUT...here's the upside! Barry's mother bought the building in the mid '90s for less than a million bucks. Were he sell it today with NO work and NO evictions, he could get $20 million easy. Not bad for being a heartless dick for 20 years. If you share those qualities, you too could become fabulously wealthy.
This model should and could be applied to 60 Clarkson and any building facing severe neglect. No, the residents are not squatters, but they've persevered through challenging circumstances brought on by someone unfairly profiting.
"The very first squatters to occupy Umbrella House, a tenement built around 1900, were convinced that the city was warehousing empty buildings while private landlords profited. There were few places more hospitable to that perspective than the East Village, which seemed to be a province in perpetual revolt."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/realestate/umbrella-house-east-village-co-op-run-by-former-squatters.html
Well as a tenant fighting for everyone at 60 clarkson i just have a few things to say...
Barry is a piece of work that doesnt do shit, this building isnt his, he might own it but it belongs to the ppl of 60.
While barry is probably sleeping on a thousand dollar bed ours cost $20 while he is eating with stainless steel silverware we are eating with disposable Due to mouses and roaches sleeping on our things. As me and my 6 kids live these challenges everyday. Ppl are looking at us like were crazy, but were not just like everyone reading this u have a bed, u have silverware, u might not have to worry about everyday worrys like 60 clarkson but one day u will be in our shoes and ur gonna want someone to help and listen.... And to the one that thinks he's right up there ur really wrong.... Ppl dont have to go because someone wants to sell a shity property.. That just means the next person will be getting paid to either to better or nothing at all..
I believe that we will win.
It feels like we did
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