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To the editor,

I live in the Ingersoll Houses, near the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and take exception to the statements made by the writer of the Nov. 17 article, “This ‘Admiral’ is demoted.”

Saving historic homes may be significant to some people, but to the people who live in a neighborhood that doesn’t have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, it is of much less importance. We are concerned for the health of our families, and the lack of availability of fresh produce is a critical issue.

For many years, the Navy Yard has been trying to build a supermarket that will make fresh produce available to the community. This is exactly what the community needs — not the restoration of old historic buildings that will be of little use and create virtually no jobs for the people living in the Housing Authority developments near the Navy Yard.

As a suggestion, maybe a story on the good things the Navy Yard has done for the community should be written.

Ed Brown, Fort Greene

The writer is the president of the Ingersoll Tenants Association

• • •

To the editor,

I, too, have admired the fractured facades of the Admirals Row, but was surprised by the tone of Dana Rubinstein’s article, which seemed to ignore two essential points. First, as mentioned in the article, these buildings were abandoned in the 1970s and were not maintained, hence their present condition. Second, and more important, is the implication that there are already an abundance of tomatoes for purchase by the residents of the Farragut, Whitman, and Ingersoll houses. I’ve been working in the area for more than three years, and it ain’t no farmer’s market.

Historical preservation is important, and there are still so many New York structures in more salvageable condition that need our attention. As enraged as I often am by insensitive development, I don’t believe it to be the case here. Accusations about razing Brooklyn’s history should be somewhat tempered by the announcement about of the creation of the historical center in the Commandant’s House, which is being done in partnership with community groups and humanities institutions and should provide, for the first time, easy access to the Navy Yard’s illustrious past.

I wish people had rallied earlier to save these buildings before they reached their present state of decrepitude, but continuing the debate over Admirals Row strikes me as a little classist as it suggests that only major refurbishment of these mansions will best serve the needs of the community. Which community? Who benefits most and how soon?

The focus on the Row’s restoration seems to eclipse present and essential needs of its living neighbors who might prefer having access to fresh produce within walking distance from their homes. You don’t have to be Jane Jacobs to know that the vitality of a community relies on amenities like a decent grocery store, having a place to work, and a nice place to hang out.

It seems to me that the Navy Yard deserves credit for bringing in some of these essentials.

Pamela Talese, Fort Greene

Brewing up help

To the editor,

My heart goes out to the Hindy family (“Brewer wants safer streets after son’s death,” Nov. 24), which will now undertake a long, hard journey. I applaud Steve Hindy’s clearsightedness at this time of great pain in asking people to support Transportation Alternatives and its efforts to make biking safe.

I know this first hand. After the tragic cycling death of my husband, Dr. Carl Henry Nacht, in June, 2006, I started working with Transportation Alternatives and that work has contributed in a most meaningful way to my own healing from this terrible loss and trauma (I was riding with my husband at the time of his being hit by a truck).

Knowing that I am making a contribution to changing the city’s mindset and improving its infrastructure for cycling has truly helped my children and me.

Mary Beth Kelly, Manhattan

Mailer was a hero

To the editor,

Your story about the death of Norman Mailer (“Heights resident Norman Mailer, 84,” Nov. 17) was an amazing trip down memory lane.

In 1969, mayoral candidate Mailer was ahead of his time by calling for New York City to become the 51st State. Big Apple residents would have been better off financially. Tax dollars sent to Albany would have stayed here. Two New York City senators in Washington could have fought for a bigger share of federal assistance.

Larry Penner, Great Neck, NY

What the F?!

To the editor,

I am getting more and more disappointed in your judgment and actions (“Fix for Fourth Avenue station looks F’in great,” Nov. 24).

The word “F’in” can be one of two words, one worse than the other. If that’s how you think you’re going to get readership, then good luck to you.

But I will not be picking up your paper any more. You enjoy it.

Callie Bergeris, Larchmont, NY

Gersh is great

To the editor,

I have been a fan of your editor, Gersh Kuntzman, since he used to write columns in Newsweek, so I am so happy to rediscover his pieces in The Brooklyn Paper. As a law student, I really should be reading property law, but Kuntzman’s pieces are more interesting.

Can I just say that he’s the funniest writer in the world? Well, I just said it. I have often used his jokes with hot girls here, and they’ve always worked!

PS: I just wanted to add here that while regurgitating Kuntzman’s jokes elicits laughter, the girls tend to end up going home with chaps other than my marvelous self. Any tips for this ardent acolyte?

Kaps Komireddi, London, England

Editor’s note: Tips? About women? From Gersh Kuntzman? You have got to be kidding!

©2007 The Brooklyn Paper