Dear James,
I wanted to thank you for the commentary you provided in your advertisement in the Op-Ed section of the New York Times on Wednesday, September 27th.
Having lived on the west end of Bank Street for many decades, I hated the idea of Diller Island, not only for allowing Barry Diller’s blatant ego trip, but also for the truly appalling choice of location, its ostentatious vulgarity, and particularly for the autocratic way it was foisted on us.
I was also stunned by the Times’ obsession with it! In case you missed it, I recommend perusing Susan Brownmiller’s letter in The Villager (dated September 21st) regarding the neighborhood’s reaction. She so succinctly hit the nail on the head!
Thank you again.
—Maggie B
Dear Maggie,
Thanks so much for your kind words about my ad, and for the reference to the Brownmiller letter. I’ve also been closely following the coverage in the Times, and find the paper, for the most part (especially the editorial page), shamefully on the side of Diller and all those ‘Daddy knows best’ rich elitists and their political enablers, who seem to assume that they know what’s best for the poor, beleaguered masses hungering for their dose of free entertainment.
I did notice, however, several articles which gave a much more balanced account of the whole saga, and (in the case of one article) actually seemed to be subtly on the anti-development side.
I also treasure undeveloped open space along the river, and walk my dog there almost every day. One group, of which I am a member, which is keeping a close eye on plans for the development of Pier 40, is the Village Community Boathouse (villagecommunityboathouse.org). They are strong supporters of free public access to the river, and also (like me) very strong supporters of keeping the playing fields there—a vital resource treasured by thousands of New Yorkers. I think this may be our next big battle, assuming that the whole sorry saga of Diller Island is now really behind us.
Thanks again, and best wishes to you,
—James Ward
