This open letter was originally published prior to the Democratic Primary Elections in NYC, in which Councilman Vann faced a crowded field of contenders to replace him in the 2010 NYC Council Term.
Dear Mr. Grannum,
I’ve just read your OP-Ed in Our Time Press, which was co-authored with Rhonda Lewis, President of Bridge Street Development Corporation, titled
“Councilman Vann: The Quintessential Community Organizer and A Champion for Homeownership in Central Brooklyn“
(article published in Vol. 14, No. 34 in circulation for August 27th – September 2nd)
For the record, my remarks are solely my own, as I’m not a surrogate for any campaign challenging Councilman Vann in the upcoming Democratic Primary on September 15th 2009.
But your editorial attempts to establish a position on behalf of Councilman Vann that, at best, deflects any responsibility for his and other Council Members inaction on Persistent Housing Scandals, Inferior Real Estate Development and Rising Foreclosure Crisis.
While this might be comforting to the incumbent and his supporters, it’s of little solace to the victims of
- House Theft
- Equity Theft
- Predatory Lending
- Foreclosure Rescue Scams, and
- Poor Construction/Development
Councilman Vann has served in office long enough to witness constituents become the target of Ponzi schemes by unsophisticated operatives who have mastered the loopholes in New York City’s deed recording process.
- See It Took 90 minutes to Steal the Empire State Building[NY Daily News]
And having lived in Bedford Stuyvesant for many years, he’s seen Mortgage Discrimination occur in central Brooklyn in different forms: Redlining in the 70’s and Predatory Lending in the 90’s.
And while you’ve stated correctly that…
…Lenders are regulated by the Federal and State governments, not the City Council. Local legislators, like Al Vann, have no authority to stop the abusive practices of brokers and lenders,
local government’s response to a crisis affecting its residents deserves scrutiny, particularly if the response has been inadequate (i.e., Complaints by First Time Home Buyers and Tenants) or anemic (i.e., NYC Neighborhood Stabilization Program).
Your editorial makes note of Councilman Vann’s
distinguished record for protecting existing and creating new homeowners in central Brooklyn
In support, you mention his efforts to protect Seniors, the Disabled and Handicapped from losing their homes to Lien Certificate Sales of delinquent property tax and water bills.
For the record, he only introduced the legislation in August 2009. There have been at least 2 auctions of tax and water lien certificates since the City Council passed legislation in January 2008 that resulted in the highest Property Tax rates in 30 years.
- see City Council Approves 7% Property Tax Increase [New York Times]
- see Taxes Rise as NYC Families struggle thru Bad Economy[NY Daily News]
You go on to note his staunch advocacy for affordable housing. One example noted by The Daily News was his sponsorship of $300,000 from the City Council’s Capital Discretionary Fund to go to Delight Construction to build 29 affordable 2 family homes within his district.
However, when Shanita Wells, an original buyer of one of the units constructed in 2006, met with Councilman Vann and a representative from Delight Construction to air her complaints about shoddy and unfinished construction, she left without resolution or assurances.
To date, HPD is monitoring Delight Construction and forcing them to make required repairs after numerous complaints by first time homebuyers and tenants.
Perhaps it’s just a coincidence that Councilman Vann accepted a $3,000 campaign donation from Mohammed Aziz, the owner of Delight Construction.
- see City Politicians Receive Campaign Donations from Who they Funneled Tax Dollars to [NY Daily News]
In addition, you note his leadership in securing resources for homeowners to avoid mortgage foreclosure by funding “Know the Facts, Don’t Lose Your Home“, a coalition of not for profit organizations which includes Bridge Street Development Corporation.
On the surface, this effort appears noble and sympathetic to the 1,000 plus families it claims have been served through education and outreach initiatives. What hasn’t been shared with the Our Time Press readers is how successful the effort has been in mitigating losses.
As a real estate executive, I know first hand that counseling will never supercede a creditor’s interests in a property as outlined in a mortgage note. Market based solutions advocated by the Bedford Stuyvesant Real Estate Board are a start towards stemming the homeowner’s loss rate to mortgage foreclosure.
What Has Al Vann Really Championed?
The very lucrative world of real estate and it’s well heeled, deep pocketed players.
Just at the moment when all his committee assignments accomplished a significant achievement: the Fulton Park Urban Renewal Project and the Re-Zoning of the Fulton Street Commercial Corridor, long term residents and their children may never reap the benefits of what both developments have promised.
However, the folks at Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and Pratt Center for Community Development are grateful for the leadership he provided. Finally, a use for 1576 Fulton Street…
and it only took 30 years to do it!
While serving as Chairperson of the Community Development committee, he conducted an oversight hearing on January 22nd 2009 on the following issue: Post Effects of Foreclosure on Community Development (you can click on link to view the entire 10 page report, it’s a quick read)
Given the date, it would appear that Councilman Vann and other council members determined it was a foregone conclusion and decided it wasn’t necessary to Champion the cause of existing homeownership.
Having taken a hands off approach to crafting a plan, Mayor Bloomberg and HPD decided how a $24 million grant would be utilized; by purchasing homes at 85% of appraised market value after failing to sell at scheduled courthouse auctions.
Allowing the Bloomberg Administration to advance their plan to create affordable housing opportunities at the expense of families losing their homes to foreclosure.
As elementary his committee report appears, one could not refute a joint committee hearing with the Committee on Civil Rights, chaired by Larry Seabrook, that was held on December 16th 2008 to examine Current Issues Facing New York City’s Black Population (you can click on link to view entire 10 page report, it’s a quick read also)
Having read both reports, I couldn’t disagree more on the assertions made on Councilman Vann’s behalf by both Rhonda Lewis and yourself.
{ 3 comments }
Michael:
Thank you for your stalwart efforts. You have more patience than I, to deal with these puppets; and their minions.
Hit it Donny: “Take it from me; someday, we’ll all be free.”!
Keeping hope alive.
Peace.
REB
I agree with you. After living next months of noise problems being generated by the residents of a large HUD, section 8 building on my corner. I called Vann several times and received an answering machine on each occassion. Finally, I left my contact information and someone (not Vann) called me back. He generously suggested I call 311, which, of course, I had already done, and that was all he could suggest.
Really? There’s nothing you can do about people breaking the law in a property where the owner/operator profts are 100% subsidized. In any case, I spent a few hours over a couple of days and was able to threaten the right person to make the noise stop.
And as far as the reports – cut and paste from other studies – they simply reiterate statistics that any person who lives in Bed Stuy already knows – and experiences. No proposed solutions, only a proposal to create a committee. Typical. And so sad.
These guys have no shame that they are busy reproducing the do-nothing clubby structure of the people they vilify – Republicans. Certainly, they will not be receiving my vote.
Thanks for your many informative posts.
Esimo,
I’ve read your comment at least 10 times and couldn’t help but identify personally with everything you stated. It’s unfortunate that such a small segment of the population votes in an individual that can demonstrate the apathy he has over the years.
However, I’m reminded of something my mother would say, “Time has a way of settling the score” and that “No one ever leaves this Earth without making payment in full”.
Fortunately, we can leave things to a higher power.
Al Vann will, at some point, come to terms with where his heart has been about his role as a leader in his community…and what he could have been to his community.
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