Tenants Seek Representation
Westbeth is our home, and in many cases, the source of our livelihood. Many tenants have been here since day one when we opened in 1970 and the “average” tenant has probably lived here for over 25 years. Our lives are invested in this institution.
We are grateful to all of those who serve, or have served, on our Board of Directors. Still, our board members rarely serve more than five years, with the exception of Westbeth residents on the board, and many serve less than three years. The biggest stakeholders in Westbeth are its’ artists and their families.
For over twenty-five years, the tenants’ recommendations to the Board were seated on the Board. The residents of Westbeth had people of their choosing, helping to set policy and voicing their concerns on how those policies would impact the artists and residents of Westbeth.
For the last ten years, that has not been the case. The Board now hand picks residents whom they feel will best represent the voice of the Board, not the tenants. These residents serve with distinction on the Board, but their voices have been marginalized.
New York and The West Village are ever changing, and at times, many feel that the changes are not always for the good. We understand that things will change in Westbeth as well, but we want to make sure it remains housing for artists at the lowest price possible.
We believe that the Board of Directors also has the same goal. However, we feel that it is essential that the artists and residents of Westbeth, who will have to live with the policies set by the Board, have a voice in setting those policies. All of our elected officials, Congressman Nadler, Borough President Brewer, State Senator Hoylman, Assembly member Glick and Councilmember Johnson, support the direct election of three tenants to the Board, elected by the residents of Westbeth. The residents of Westbeth voted by a margin of 95% to 5% in favor of the direct election of three tenants to the board.
The Charities Bureau of the Attorney General’s office has ruled that the residents have the right to see documents related to our governance. Rather than comply, our Board has chosen to sue the Attorney General. It only makes us suspicious of what is in those documents.
But all of this is nonsense. Funds needed for capital improvements are being wasted on attorneys’ fees. It is time for the Westbeth Board to seat three representatives, elected by the tenants, on the Westbeth Board so we can all work together to secure Westbeth’s future for the next generations of Westbeth artists. The Board does not have to this, but it is the right thing to do, so just do it so we can move on to find solutions to our challenges.
George Cominskie, President
Westbeth Artists Residents Council
