Letters to the Editor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
‘Day Care Workers Unionize’
It’s no secret that ACORN, or Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is a longtime supporter of organizing labor unions.
What is a secret is the union busting tactics they employ when their own employees decide to organize [“Lawmakers to Announce Plan to Let Some Day Care Workers Unionize,” Jill Gardiner, New York, February 27, 2006].
A former ACORN organizer in Dallas has acknowledged that local leaders were “under enormous pressure by ACORN national management to engage in illegal union-busting tactics.”
This pattern and practice was uncovered by the National Labor Relations Board when staff interviews revealed ACORN threatened employees with discharge if they attempted to unionize.
Complaints show that such intimidation was not the actions of a few “rogue” regional offices but committed in many states. ACORN’s union-busting is just another example of their failure to practice the policy they preach.
MICHAEL FLYNN
Director of Legislative Affairs Employment Policies Institute
www.epionline.org
Washington, D.C.
‘Landmarking of Fieldston’
One of the reasons the Landmarks Preservation Commission wants to landmark Fieldston, as Robert Tierney said on January 10 during a meeting, is that the Landmarks Preservation Commission has been hoping to “acquire more private homes” and “more landmarks in the boroughs” to add to its many buildings in Manhattan [“Commission Expected to Okay Landmarking of Fieldston,” David Lombino, New York, February 23, 2006].
Mr. Tierney has expressed delight that with Fieldston, the Landmarks Preservation Commission would be adding 257 private homes in the Bronx to its roster.
As for Horace Mann, its head master, Thomas Kelly, said it had decided to support the designation, but he asked for exemptions for Horace Mann’s properties on Tibbett Avenue.
During a conversation after the hearing, Mr. Kelly explained that after examining the issue for several weeks with its lawyers, it concluded that for it, an institution on the fringe of Fieldston, landmarking would have no downside, if the exemptions for their properties were granted, and it would be more efficacious for them now and in their future dealings to support the designation.
At no time did Dr. Kelly say that Horace Mann changed its position based on the merits or speak for anyone else. Horace Mann’s decision was made on what was politically efficacious for them alone.
On January 5, I personally handed Mr. Tierney about 120 petitions, only a handful of which were for postponing the vote; the rest were unequivocally against the designation. How many letters does Mr. Tierney have now?
At the hearing, 131 petitions signed by residents opposed to the designation were submitted to the Planning Commission. With 257 properties in the designation report, and at least three of those homes not even in Fieldston, 131 petitions opposing the designation is the clear majority. And that number is growing daily as more people become informed.
ELLEN RODMAN
Riverdale, N.Y
Ms. Rodman is the vice president of the Fieldston Homeowners Association.
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