As of 2002...Where It Ended
LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR
Lou & Mimi Holtzman
99 Orchard St. 2C
NYC NY 10002
July 8, 2002
Governor George Pataki
Dear Governor Pataki,
PLEASE HELP US. In November
of 2001, the Empire State Development Corporation informed us they were
considering the use of the "Eminent Domain" law to take our private
property at 99 Orchard Street in New York City. They decided that the Lower
Eastside Tenement Museum should have our building for "the good of the
public". What an outrage!
The ESDC started the process
as they threatened to do. We went through 3 public hearings and many months of
pure hell. Going through these proceedings has caused personal financial losses
and great emotional strain. To think that the Tenement Museum could try and take
away what has been in our family for 4 generations, made us angry. We are
lifelong residents of New York State. Law abiding, tax paying New Yorkers.
But we went through the
process. Really had no choice. We were prepared to fight this to the Supreme
Court if necessary. After the last hearing, we were told that we would have a
decision from the E.S.D.C. within 90 days. The ninety days were up on May 8,
2002 and we have heard nothing.
Governor Pataki, we need
closure on this an answer. As it appears now, if the E.S.D.C. wants to begin
"Eminent Domain" proceedings against us in the future, they can begin
the process all over again. Weve become accustomed to ill treatment from the
Tenement Museum in their efforts to acquire our building, but to have the ESDC
bully us this way is absolutely intolerable.
We would like a
"Memorandum of Understanding" from the ESDC guaranteeing they will
never again attempt to invoke the law of "Eminent Domain" to take 99
Orchard Street from us.
{We
are delighted that you are helping Robert DeNiro get film festivals off the
ground in Tribeca. But we too are lower Manhattanites for many generations and
our cries for help seem to fall on deaf ears. Call off the ESDC attack dogs.}
Thank You,
Sincerely
Lou & Mimi Holtzman
Here is the
answer from the Governor.
He just put it back to Charles Gargano, head of the E.S.D.C.
It is a comedy routine, Mr. Gargano is the last person we expect any help from.
They are all drunk with power, aloof to the reality of damage Mr. Gargano
and his E.S.D.C. are doing to private citizens. You and your property can be
next!
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