STATEMENT BY WEST HARLEM LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, REGARDING RESIGNATION OF THREE BOARD MEMBERS

From: PatJonesNY@aol.com
Date: Sat, 1 Dec 2007 10:06:08 EST
Subject: This WHLDC Statement was released on November 29th
To: reysmont@yahoo.com

For Immediate Release

November 29, 2007

Contacts: Pat Jones, President,WHLDC
or Susan Russell, Secretary, WHLDC
jones@whldc.org, russell@whldc.org
917-446-7709 or 917-405-5743

STATEMENT BY WEST HARLEM LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, REGARDING RESIGNATION OF THREE BOARD MEMBERS

Today three West Harlem Local Development Corporation (WHLDC) board members announced they were to resign. The WHLDC remains committed to the goals outlined in the WHLDC mission statement notwithstanding. With a short period of time left in the negotiation process, our goal is to conclude a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Columbia University containing meaningful benefits that will make tangible improvements in the lives of West Harlem residents.

Entrusted with doing the people’s work and making certain that the terms of a CBA address the community’s needs and desires as they relate to the proposed Columbia University expansion, the WHLDC has held open forums, convened public sessions of its weekly general meetings and included many community members in its working groups to ensure that the public is kept informed and community feedback is obtained. As is consistent with public outcry, the WHLDC remains opposed to the use of eminent domain for private conveyance.

WHLDC members selected by our elected officials total only nine of the twenty-eight seats on the WHLDC. We have worked to ensure a balanced Board of Directors reflective of the people, institutions and interests of the community of West Harlem.

The WHLDC continues to welcome public input at its meetings and remains vigilant in accomplishing its charge of successfully negotiating a CBA in what portends to be truly a unique chapter in the history of the City of New York.