For
Immediate Release: October 6, 2005
The Crain's Insider Says Ratner Opponents Wield Political
Power
Leading Ratner Opponents, Letitia James and Norman Siegel
Thump Ratner Supporters in Districts Impacted by the
Developer's 18 Skyscraper and Arena Plan
BROOKLYN, NY-- Civil rights attorney Norman Siegel didn't win
his primary against incumbent public advocate Betsy Gotbaum,
but the candidate known as "the people's advocate" did win three
Assembly districts in the citywide race. Mr. Siegel, vocal and
high profile opponent of the Forest City Ratner plan to build
18 skyscrapers and an arena in Prospect Heights and Park Slope,
Brooklyn, won the 57th and 52nd Assembly districts. The proposed
Ratner development would be located in both of those districts.
They were two of the three districts Mr. Siegel won. Some of
these results were published in The Crain's Insider today (www.dddb.net/crains/crains.gif).
"Norman Siegel won in the districts and neighborhoods that would
be most impacted by the Ratner project. It is clear that his
strong opposition to the Ratner proposal garnered him the support
to put him over the top in the neighborhoods of Prospect Heights,
Park Slope, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Downtown
Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens and Boerum Hill," Develop
Don't Destroy spokesman Daniel Goldstein said. "Large majorities
in these communities are opposed to the Ratner plan, and they
have shown that their opposition must be respected by any candidate
seeking their vote for Citywide or district office."
A leading issue in the public advocate campaign was overdevelopment
throughout the City and the abuse of eminent domain, particularly
for Ratner's Atlantic Yards project. During two debates Mr.
Siegel challenged Ms. Gotbaum's support of the Ratner plan and
her false claims that the developer would not have the State
use eminent domain. (More on Ms. Gotbaum's eminent domain flip
flop can be found in the current issue of The Brooklyn Rail
at: www.brooklynrail.org/LOCAL/hackworld.html)
Councilwoman Letitia James, who represents the 35th City Council
district where the Ratner proposal is located, handily defeated
her primary opponent and Ratner ally, Eric Blackwell, 85% -
15%. Mr. Blackwell is a supporter of the Ratner proposal and
was a co-founder of Brooklyn United for Innovative Local Development
(BUILD) which was exposed as an "astroturf" organization funded
by Forest City Ratner just last week (see: 'Snake
in the Grassroots' in the Daily News). Councilwoman James
has been the leading political opponent of the Ratner proposal,
standing staunchly against the project throughout her first
term. The Ratner plan has been, by far, the big issue in her
district for the past two years. The Councilwoman has claimed
her victory as a referendum against the Ratner plan.
Goldstein concluded, "The organized and individual opposition
to the Ratner proposal--which straddles neighborhoods, race
and economic class--can claim political power when we look at
these electoral results. The opposition claims victory on these
political referenda on Ratner's plans. The two mayoral candidates
seeking votes in Brooklyn would be wise to take note of this."
|
|
|