Stripped and searching for answers
To The Editor:
Re “N.Y.U. wants Parks to own two of the superblock strips” (news article, Sept. 15):
“Under the plan, N.Y.U. will be opening up the massive interior courtyard of its northern superblock to public access.” This is typical misleading N.Y.U.-speak. The Sasaki garden (the “massive interior courtyard”) is already open to the public and is a popular spot for tenants, other community members and students to recreate and socialize.
Moreover, this particular open green space is the largest, most planned and most architecturally celebrated of all those under discussion. Yet, just because it owns the land, N.Y.U., a miserable custodian of this rich and treasured resource (its letting it go to seed as I type and calling it run-down and “not nice”) seems bent on destroying it while proclaiming itself a guardian of green.
Tell us again, N.Y.U.: What’s the problem with FiDi, where your needs could be met without encroaching on the community, where you would be welcome and contextual? Once again, why must you violate Greenwich Village with your Midtown-style skyscrapers?
Jezebel Jones
Doesn’t dig N.Y.U. proposal
To The Editor:
Re “N.Y.U. wants Parks to own two of the superblock strips” (news article, Sept. 15):
N.YU.’s proposal is a crime and a disaster. As usual, N.Y.U. continues to be tone-deaf to the needs and life of the local community. It is nothing but a vicious land-grab. The Department of Transportation strips that have been here the longest (La Guardia Corner Garden and the Time Landscape) should be immediately given parks status and removed from all consideration of being built on or being built under.
Moreover, N.Y.U.’s desire to dig under the D.OT. strips is an ecological disaster and a health risk to the entire neighborhood. It’s also, in my book, wanton destruction of public (D.O.T.) property.
It is up to all of us in what remains of the Village to prevent N.Y.U.’s monstrous plan from happening.
Rhoma Mostel
Disease ratted out in Tompkins Square
To The Editor:
Re “Dog run manager fears rat disease could kill canines” (news article, Sept. 15):
Thanks so much to Betsy Kim for her well-written article. I understand how difficult writing medical- and science-based articles can be — and even more difficult when reporting on animal health issues because veterinary statistics are far less accurate than those gathered for human health issues.
I think you navigated that difficult territory well by not creating undue alarm. You reported on our neighbor’s experience with the disease and used your source’s opinions about the rats causing the disease to force readers to draw their own conclusions.
As I mentioned, we can’t trace the disease directly to the rats in Tompkins Square. However, there have been at least two other articles published in The New York Times over the past decade in which veterinarians directly link the disease to rodents in city parks. I know we’ll never fully eliminate the rats; however, it stands to reason that with more rats there will be more cases of leptosporosis.
Thanks again for your interest and the care you took in crafting an excellent article. We are always in debt to editor Lincoln Anderson for making the paper what it should be — the very best at tackling local issues, providing serious reporting and never taking the heat off the front page until the issues are resolved.
Garrett Rosso
Volunteer manager, Tompkins Square dog run
Going batty over rats
To The Editor:
Re “Dog run manager fears rat disease could kill canines” (news article, Sept. 15):
They need to plug up those holes with cement containing glass shards. Dog owners, come out at night and bring a bat! Arrest those pigeon and squirrels feeders. All this, 24/7. Rat poison is dangerous to children, dogs, adults and precious hawks.
Dottie Wilson
Keying in to cool
To The Editor:
Re “For locksmith, creativity is the key to happiness” (news article, Sept. 15):
Really cool and interesting. As a fellow locksmith (in Texas), I can really appreciate Philip Mortillaro’s work. Keys are symbolic, and at first glance may seem just repetitive and the same, but actually, they carry a lot of history with them and are each unique.
Nimi Zackay
On Life support
To The Editor:
Re “Life is suspended for Life Cafe; Famed eatery closes — for now” (Sept. 15):
As a regular visitor to Life Cafe, I have observed how unstable the building has become over the past year. There’s not a straight line in the place. Wine glasses slide off the tables!
I now fear for the safety of the tenants who live in the apartments above as the building is obviously very sick and in need of urgent reconstructive repair. The actions of the landlords have and continue to be completely irresponsible.
J.G. Sunderland
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