New Haven Independent

Posted by: IN THE TRENCHES | March 9, 2009 7:16 PM

Looks to me like the good ol' "concerned" residents want to see to it that poor people stay away from their section of New Haven once again. Why would they oppose a laundromat? Could it be because they only expect Poor(Black and Hispanic) to patronize this laundromat? They act as if the developers are attempting to open a night club. I personally am getting a little tired of Ol Eli appointing himself the spokesperson for the Dwight/Edgewood "conservative" residents. Why doesn't he just come out and say, "we have enough problems with poor people of color in this neighborhood, the last thing we need is another congregation spot." That's all it's about. "Certain" residents think that their concerns are the end-all/be-all.

Posted by: jackie | March 9, 2009 8:14 PM

"Why would they oppose a laundromat?"

Because, as Greer argues, there is a high incidences of crime and litter at the company's other laundromat locations.

Sounds like reason enough to be suspicious of the establishment. Quit the race baiting.

Posted by: norton street | March 9, 2009 8:31 PM

in the trenches, although you may be partially right i think you are being unfair to mr. greer.

there is a laundromat 2 blocks to the east and 2 blocks to the west from this location. and laundromat's tend to degrade areas, and this stretch of whalley needs some value and meaning not just another box with parking in front. im not opposed to the laudromat, but i am opposed to that site being single use. this type of development design belongs in the suburbs, not here. fine have a laudromat but also have some other retail their and residential units above, and make the building match with the neighborhood. i believe greer's objection is that its the same old crap being plopped into our neighborhoods, we deserve better (not necessarily better types of businesses but design).

Posted by: robn | March 9, 2009 9:46 PM

Has the criminal element come to love the fresh-spring-like fragrance of fresh laundry? God I hope so, but in any event, this protest seems like much ado about nothing. Whats really going on here?

Posted by: Alex | March 10, 2009 4:08 AM

" need one parking space for every 2 machines. " That would for every two washing machines - you don't count the dryers for goodness sake. Sounds to me like they expect people of color to show up and do laundry. That's really dangerous. Come on!

With the economy the way it is, more and more people need laundromats and some new, fresher ones in the area would be an improvement and likely not add to crime.

I'm so weary of this sly racism. New England is so much worse than the South when it comes to race.

Posted by: STYLENE | March 10, 2009 9:14 AM

I AGREE WITH IN THE TRENCHES. ELI GREER DOES NOT REPRESENT THE WHOLE WEB NEIGHBORHOOD. IT'S A LAUNDROMAT FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.!!!!

Posted by: New_Haven_Resident | March 10, 2009 10:08 AM

We all know the "REAL" reason why they don't want a Laundromat. Hey not everyone out there are as fortune as others.

Posted by: We need that laundromat | March 10, 2009 11:10 AM

Liz has got the wrong idea, not everyone has a Laundry room in there home. I for one live a block away and yes I would like to see a laundromat close by my house.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | March 10, 2009 11:33 AM

I liked Eli Greer better as a gun toting activist protector of the neighborhood better than Eli the clean undies warrior with a free attorney who has more time than clients on hand. Frivilous lawsuit costs taxpayers money. These are the same people by the way, who are against street vendors too. Just put a wall and post a sign on who is allowed to do business on Whalley. Then they can come and kiss the ring.

Posted by: thinkagain | March 10, 2009 1:20 PM

Perhaps the Greer's believe that they can attract and keep more viable tenants in their rental properties if this is denied? Seems like one of those protesting a bit much - money must be involved. Is it the Greer's? BTW, have the Greer's paid all their fines for lead-based paint in their many housing units yet?

Posted by: Marcus Paca | March 10, 2009 1:31 PM

Certain person's can easily rally the "neighborhood" organizations to champion their causes. What's a little more difficult is getting the "ordinary" stakeholders, i.e. renters, the elderly, (those w/o washers and dryers; those who may not attend monthly WEB or Special District meetings, to have their voices heard. Personally, I did not want another Laundromat, in that location, on Whalley Ave. I feel there are other businesses/organizations that could help make that prime real estate bring property values up. At the same time, the dissenting voices did not bring any viable alternatives to the table when it counted and the BZA made a decision based on the information on hand. Now that this is going to be caught up in legal proceedings for the near future, maybe we all can provide input and lobby for something more feasible for the entire community. Its time to let our voices be heard. Please attend the Management Team and Special Services meetings where these issues are being argued. Contact your alderperson!

Posted by: Ann | March 10, 2009 8:30 PM

WE DON'T NEED A LAUNDRAMAT IN THAT SPACE...

I AM BLACK. A LAUNDRAMAT WILL BRING EXTRA TRAFFIC, GARBAGE IN THE LOT, AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT NEGATIVE ELEMENT WILL BRING INTO THE AREA...MARK MY WORD...

GREER AND HIS PEOPLE HAVE MADE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD BETTER FOR ALL RACES...IF YOU STOP AND THINK FOR A MINUTE...AND GREER AND HIS GROUP ARE WELL RESPECTED BY THE WORKING MINORITES IN THIS AREA...

ANITA

Posted by: nfjanette | March 10, 2009 10:42 PM

Please attend the Management Team and Special Services meetings where these issues are being argued. Contact your alderperson!

Finally, a reasonable comment. Venting your spleen anonymously on the pages of NHI won't change anything. If you have a different vision of what would be best for the WEB area, attend the management meetings, listen to the different thoughts and concerns of neighbors, and then voice your opinion where it will have to most impact. If you care enough to vent, you should care enough to set aside a few hours a month to actually work toward improving the area.

Posted by: Edward_H | March 11, 2009 12:21 AM

At the same time, the dissenting voices did not bring any viable alternatives to the table when it counted and the BZA made a decision based on the information on hand.

This is the most logical statement I have read in the NHI, other than my own, in a very long time.

Posted by: Divine Shabazz | March 11, 2009 11:04 AM

I said it before and I will say it again, Eliezer Greer does not represent the views and concerns of the entire Whalley community. I do not recall anyone appointing this man a spokesperson for us. For those of you who are in disbelief and denial, please come to grips with the truth about there being two Whalley Avenues; the one and the world that he lives in and the one and the world that people of color, like me, live in. Like it or not, this laundromat issue has raised critical issues regarding joblessness, drugs, prejudice, discrimination and the relationship between Blacks and Jews. Those of us who live at the core of Whalley Avenue are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Rabbi Greer and are starting to find his photo opportunities and grandstanding as a bit self-serving for the benefit of his enclave in the Whalley community. So what if he is a property owner! That says nothing about the social infrastructure, Black and white, poor and affluent, Black and Jew in the Whalley community. Unless serious efforts are made to address the problems of things such as joblessness and alienation, a vicious cycle of attitudes on both sides will become increasingly hardened. My overall position in this matter then becomes; where is our council member on this issue? When are the meetings? When are they held? How do the grassroots become a part of the political process that seems to be by passing us in the Whalley community? Liz McCormick, do not forget about Whalley Avenue's Black community!

Posted by: nfjanette | March 11, 2009 1:57 PM

How about putting some of that energy into more constructive use? There is no lack of opportunity to contribute on the community management teams.

Whalley-Edgewood-Beaver Hill (WEB) Management Team meetings are every month at 7 PM on the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings take place at the police substation at 386 Whalley Avenue.

Posted by: Black Minister | March 11, 2009 9:49 PM

LOCAL BLACK MINISTER --

FOR THE RECORD --

1) I HAVE WORKED WITH THEM FOR MANY YEARS AND I'M BLACK!
2) THE GREERS HAVE WORKED WITH ALL RACES AND CREEDS FOR DECADES FOR THE BENEFIT OF NEW HAVEN!
3) GREER JR.'S WARD CO-CHAIR IS BLACK!
4) GREER PROMOTES ALL CAUSES IN THIS CITY FOR WHITES/HISPANICS AND BLACKS! (SOCCER LEAGUE OF BLVD)
5)GREER MADE THE CITY SAFER FOR JEWS AND BLACKS!
6) THE GREERS HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY FOR THIS CITY AND BLESS THEM FOR THEIR HARD WORK!
7) GREER HAS RAISED PROPERTY VALUES FOR EVERYONE!
8) GREER IS A COMMUNITY BUILDER AND A GREAT VOICE OF THE PEOPLE!
9) GREER HAS HELPED OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS' AND CAUSES NOT JUST EDGEWOOD!
10)GREER AND BLACKS PATROL AND CONTINUE TO MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFER TOGETHER!

THESE VITRIOLIC, FALSE STATEMENTS SOW HATE AND DISCORD AND MUST STOP THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN THIS CITY, OTHERS HAVE TRIED TO USE THE RACE-CARD AND IT HAS FAILED. HAIL THE GREERS! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK FOR ALL OF NEW HAVEN FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN AND GRAND-CHILDREN!!

BLESS THIS WONDERFUL CITY!!!

Posted by: Divine Shabazz | March 12, 2009 1:49 AM

My dear brother; It sounds as if you have been co-opted by whatever fictitious relationship you claim to have with the Greer's for whatever reason. It looks like you are either a fan or a fanatic. Make no mistake here; I too have respect for the Greer family and the rest of the Jewish community on our precious Whalley Avenue and wherever else Blacks and Jews share and negotiate public space. Watching from the sidelines for a couple of years, there are actually some things that I agree on with Rabbi Greer. Armed patrolling Jews and Blacks was not one of them. What if his most outrageous idea had backfired? Then what, another Crown Heights or Bensonhurst?

Furthermore, what becomes problematic and deeply troubling at times is Rabbi Greer's misunderstanding of the social and cultural dynamics that he claims is undermining the quality of life of our neighborhood. Who does he think he is? What makes him the decision maker of all things in and around our hood? The social implications and consequences of his grandiose behavior have resulted in a groundswell that has quietly formed a consensus about him. The frustration about him and his "concerned only about his property mentality" has been powerfully building for many residents who have sat back and watched him engage in one endeavor after the next, supposedly on the community's behalf, without ever canvassing the hood: to at least get a pulse as to where folks are at with it.

I blame Liz McCormick for allowing things to come to this. Clearly, she has fallen asleep behind the wheel on things in the Whalley community. When was the last time there was an open dialogue between Blacks and Jews in this area? In terms of the meeting place for the Management Team, word has it that Rabbi Greer owns that too. Perhaps a more neutral ground for the meetings would be more appropriate. Maybe then, people will not think of it as being fruitless to attend them because of the Greers' controlling interest. Let's think outside the box people if we truly want to engage folks in the political process and not intimidate and alienate them.

What about the Black community, Liz McCormick?

Posted by: your neighbor | March 12, 2009 10:14 AM

Hey--

First you call Greer --- then you call our minister's FANATICS. Maybe you're the angry fanatic. Welcome to our cohesive neighborhood and calm down. Stop pointing fingers at political leaders and community figures start helping yourself.

Enough. See you at the next block party!