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By Gloria Sukenick, CRDC Housing Chair
Councilman Robert Jackson deserves applause and support for his effort to give our mom & pop
stores and small businesses the protection they need to be able to continue providing jobs and
serving their communities.
He was on hand Saturday, October 25th at 9th Avenue between 17th and 18th Streets, where a
number of small stores are being threatened with eviction…and one store is in the process of
being vacated right now. Councilman Jackson spoke about his bill to a group of store owners,
Chelsea residents and local activists.
There is not a neighborhood in our city that has not seen huge numbers of their small stores and
businesses fall victim to rent gouging by greedy landlords….and have seen the gates come down
on businesses they have depended on for years. Many of the stores remain empty for long periods
of time, as well, due to the over-the-top rents being asked.
In Chelsea, there is a story of a long time Chinese restaurant that now is forced to charge for dry
noodles in order to satisfy the landlord’s huge increases.
There is no question that this bill should be supported by our elected officials. This legislation
would involve mediation between tenant and landlord and arbitration only when tenant and
landlord fail to reach mutual agreement. The only costs involved would go to a not-for-profit
arbitrator organization and would be the responsibility of both parties.
This bill should have the active support it deserves from all of our elected officials --- there is not
a neighborhood in all of New York City that has not seen the very nature and connection of their
communities ripped apart by masses of drug stores….banks (though that may soon end)…upscale
restaurants…high-priced boutiques and the like. This bill looks like ‘just what the doctor
ordered’.
So…to all our elected officials…GET ON BOARD AND VOTE YES ON THIS NEEDED
LEGISLATION THAT WILL PROTECT SMALL STORES AND BUSINESSES AND THE
SERVICES AND JOBS THEY PROVIDE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
Keep Fighting! |
