WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES AUGUST 29, 2019 13
LAST CHANCE TO
STOP JAIL PLAN
Editor’s note: The following letter
was originally submitted by the author
to Marisa Lago, chairperson of the
City Planning Commission, and the
commission’s membership.
On Sept. 3, you are scheduled to vote
on the mayor’s repugnant proposal
to erect four high-rise jails, one each
in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan
and Queens.
Having been a homeowner in Kew
Gardens since 1957, my perspective
is that of a Queens homeowner —
although I suspect most of the intense
criticism of the mayor’s proposal
may be shared by residents of
four boroughs.
The aims and proposals of the
Lippman Commission were noble and
deserved adoption. Instead they were
badly distorted. Recommended small,
community jails are emerging as very
large, borough-wide jails! (Since when
is a “borough” a “community” when,
in fact, each borough comprises many
differing, diverse communities?)
A series of smaller neighborhood,
community-based jails in each borough
might be deserving of consideration.
By now you must all be very aware
of the concocted presentations by the
Mayor’s Offi ce of Criminal Justice in
their eff ort to justify the validity of
the concepts put forward as substitutes
for plans traditionally required
in a ULURP procedure. “Design/
Build,” the procedure adopted for the
construction of these four mega-jails,
is incompatible with the requirements
of a legitimate ULURP process and no
contrary declaration will legitimize
the process.
The thousands of pages produced
by the city for the Environmental
Impact Studies — and the countless
rebuttals submitted by community
representatives in opposition — are
all evidence of diligent lawyers
and dedicated community leaders
and activists trying to make a
rational case for — or against — the
mayor’s proposals.
We have been led to believe that
money and funding are not part
of your jurisdiction and that still
unreliable cost estimates (since there
are no plans!) which range between
10.6 and 30 billion dollars pose no
problem. This in a city with dire needs
in housing, education, homelessness
and transportation!
Attempts to have the Council study
the cost of maintaining and restoring
Rikers have so far failed. Moving
Rikers’ existing culture to four megajails
on the “mainland” will hardly
transform its culture.
Most of all, Members of the
Commission, if you approve this
project, you will be responsible for
New York City acquiring, living with
and being known worldwide for its four
high-rise mega-jails, with no adequate
outdoor athletic facilities, created in a
rash, poorly researched, preposterous
campaign to create something that may
have short term political signifi cance,
but little else.
Murray H. Berger, Kew Gardens
PROUD OF
OUR LABOR
Aft er a period of relative dormancy,
the annual Labor Day Parade has in
recent years undergone a terrific
revival of interest and participation.
This year it will be held on Saturday,
Sept. 7, and New Yorkers, mindful of the
extraordinary challenges we now face,
ought to attend in record numbers.
Not only around Labor Day, but
all year round, as we marvel at the
infrastructure of this city, we should
salute the workers who rendered these
architectural and engineering dreams
a reality.
Many of these workers acquired
their brilliant skills as students in our
public school career and technical
education programs.
Look up at the wondrous new
World Trade Center structures. You
have got to respect the responsibility
and expertise shown by electricians,
plumbers and other specialized
professionals who have mastered
their roles and implemented all the
tasks and logistics of this and countless
other complex projects that require
intensive coordination and allow no
room for error.
These workers build and keep safe
our bridges, tunnels, water supply,
highways and sewage disposal
operations. Many other categories
of critical jobs that we all depend
on are being filled by career and
technical education student alumni.
Their preparation is not easy. The
coursework is as substantial as that of
any traditional academic major.
Historically, New York City public
schools have been on the cutting
edge of quality career and technical
education nationwide. They still hold
the banner high, so let us reinvigorate
them by publicly supporting them with
every chance we get.
Advancing the cause of career and
public education is not a partisan issue.
It is a practical idea and a necessity that
will continue to benefi t all.
Ron Isaac, Fresh Meadows
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The views expressed in all letters and
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LETTERS AND COMMENTS
SNAPS
THE ICONIC PEPSI COLA SIGN IN LIC
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Kew Gardens residents rallied in April at Queens Borough Hall against a
plan for a new jail in their community. Photo: Mark Hallum/QNS
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