In the October 18 2012 issue of the Westchester Guardian
http://westchesterguardian.com/10_18_12/10_18_fin.pdf
A highly spirited march from the American Legion to City Hall by a group of veterans and supporters of the Save Our Armory Committee was held on October l0 to protest the selection of a plan City Council had chosen to redevelop the Armory. This group was joined in front of City Hall by a large contingent of New Rochelle Police Officers who were protesting their lack of a contract and reduced number of officers. Former Mayor Len Paduano said when he was in office he never laid off one police officer and was supportive of his Police and Fire Departments. After the speeches, the group entered the New Rochelle City Council chambers and many of them participated in the Citizens to be Heard portion of the City Council meeting.
Claudio Carpano, President of the New Rochelle Police Benevolent Association, accused Mayor Bramson of traveling the “wrong way” on public safety. He said there are thirty less officers now than there were three years ago. Other communities, he continued, have higher per capita police presence. James O’Toole emphasized the City of New Rochelle had allowed the Armory “to be destroyed.” He felt a referendum to determine what the people want should be held on the two Armory proposals, (Good Profit which was selected, and the Save our Armory proposal by Shop Architects). The Save Our Armory Committee group according to Jim Murphy had worked for 15 years to present the militia Armory, and the one constant throughout all this process has been the “opposition of the Mayor.” This is the only State Naval Armory and Murphy could not understand the Council’s rush to make a decision on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Peter Parente, Co-chair of the Save Our Armory group, said they were “not here because we are sore losers.” He added Good Profit was practicing and preparing since January and some principals were donors to the Mayor’s campaign. The City Council had been asked to come to a presentation of their plan by Shop Architects. Brian Stendrian felt the veterans proposal to have a hall for opera presentations is what the people want and Council should not make it what they want it to be. Vince Malfetano summed up the way many people were feeling about the vote to give the MOU to Good Profit which is mainly an organic vegetable market: “What you are doing is killing the spirit of citizen involvement in this city. After 15 years of work by the Save Our Armory Committee “I hear deadlines, don’t insult me.”
After a long session of Citizens to be Heard, Mayor Bramson in a prepared speech stated he had listened that evening to charges that the Council decision was wrong or biased. The facts, he countered, were that in April a request for the proposals for the Armory had been discussed and open competition was encouraged. In May he continued, a request for proposals was issued and no advanced notice had been given to either group. At this point, many people in the audience stood up and walked out. Peter Parente as he left added a comment that Good Profit was preparing since January. Bramson said the Good Profit was not a fruit stand but more like Chelsea Market. Both teams had a chance to present on August 7, but the veterans wanted more time. He added the Department of Development had given another deadline for additional information. The Save Our Armory group did not answer fully. He continued by criticizing the Save Our Armory’s request to Council to view their updated presentation in September. (The Council made a 5-2 advisory decision along party lines in September even though the official timetable said the designation for the MOU would be made in October.)
Bramson concluded that what the speakers have demanded that evening was “a better set of rules.” He suggested he is siding with many people in New Rochelle who do not come to speak at meetings and do not agree with the sentiments expressed that evening. He felt Council’s job is to hear all the people including “the quiet people who do not show up at hearings.” These comments were made despite the l00 or more protesters including the Police Officers who have been working without a contract. Can anyone now predict how the City Council will make decisions in the future?