It’s a war of words in Williamsburg.
Community Board 1 leaders are taking issue with a St. Nicholas NPC staff member who criticized the board earlier this month for its vote over the Broadway Triangle.
Tempers flared following a CB1 vote over the Broadway Triangle when Williamsburg−based St. Nick’s lead housing organizer Alison Cordero chastised Councilmember David Yassky for supporting the rezoning of the 31−acre South Williamsburg site and board members for approving the rezoning, during the meeting’s public session on July 14.
“There are some people, frankly, who were bought off and we know who they are and I unfortunately think that they include our councilmember,” said Cordero in her written testimony to the board. “I hope also that (Yassky) will reconsider his position and I hope that the people who are running for that (Council) position will also reconsider.”
The statement drew the attention of District Manager and City Council candidate Gerry Esposito and new CB1 Chair Chris Olechowski, who believe that Cordero was speaking on behalf of the entire St. Nicholas NPC organization. With the urging of Esposito, Olechowski fired off an e−mail to community board members and St. Nicks President Nancy Zapata the next day, saying he was “greatly disturbed” by Cordero’s comments and asking Zapata to investigate the matter.
“It greatly concerns me, as the chair of the board, that Ms. Cordero would make such a flagrant attack on my character and proceed to preach to the members of my board about ‘searching their conscience’ simply because they chose to vote contrary to her position,” said Olechowski, in the e−mail.
St. Nicholas Executive Director Michael Rochford, who attended the community board meeting but was not present during Cordero’s speech, stood by his staff member, praising her twenty plus years of work as an advocate for Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods. Rochford said Cordero spoke on her own behalf and has reached out to Olechowski and other community board members regarding the issue. He said St. Nicks is reviewing the matter.
“I have known Chris Olechowski for many hears and have the highest regard for him as the chairman of Community Board 1,” said Rochford. “I am sure if Chris had a concern, he would call me and we would resolve this. I want to make sure we maintain a high level of cooperation and make sure things don’t spin out of control.”
Some community board members speculated that Esposito may have urged Olechowski to send the message alerting Zapata of the statement. Cordero and other St. Nicholas NPC (11 Catherine Street) staff members have been volunteering for Councilmember Diana Reyna (D−Williamsburg, Bushwick), who is seeking reelection for a third term in the 34th District. Calls to Esposito, who is also running in that race, were not returned.
Esposito has been canvassing heavily in Italian Williamsburg and South Williamsburg, neighborhoods within St. Nicholas’ catchment area for tenant advocacy. Reyna volunteers have been canvassing in these neighborhoods too, as have volunteers for Maritza Davila, a housing organizer for the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, who is also mounting a strong campaign for Reyna’s Council seat.
When reached for comment during a City Hall forum on July 16, Cordero referred all comments on the matter to Rochford. Rochford said that Cordero made her statement on her own behalf, but he was surprised that so many community board members voted for the rezoning after previously stating their objections to the process that moved it through.
