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Congratulatory Letter to the New Chair of Community Board 2 - June 12, 2003
Hon. James Smith
Chair — Community Board 2
#3 Washington Square Village
New York, NY 10012
Dear Mr. Smith,
On behalf of members of the Greenwich Village Block Associations, congratulations
on your recent election as chair of Community Board 2. As you may be aware,
the GVBA has had numerous concerns regarding CB2. In the hope that improvements
may be forthcoming, members have requested that I contact you to request
a meeting so that our concerns may be aired and solutions may be discussed.
I also enclose, for your edification, a pertinent ruling by the New York
City Conflict of Interest Board so that you will have time to review it.
We are optimistic that you will want to improve relations between the Board
and the residential community. If you are unfamiliar with the GVBA, you
may find it helpful to look at our web site — www.gvba.org. You may
contact me by phone (_______) or by email( _______) so that we can make
necessary arrangements.
The
following response was received from Jim Smith
Thank you for your kind follow-up wishes which I received today by certified
mail. The signed receipt is on its way back to you. I am touched by the extraordinary
measures you have taken to be sure I know of your good wishes. As for a meeting,
I would look to sometime in the Autumn when more folks tend to be in town.
But I do think the interests of GVBA and the mission of the board coincide
and are already well-known to eachother.
With every good wish, Jim Smith, Chair - CB #2
P.S. I did read the advisory of the Conflicts of Interest Board you sent
and the cover letter. I'm amazed that you would have been inquiring regarding
Ms. La Frieda whose business in no way involves a liquor license. As for
Mr. Rinaolo, he is one of several licensees who chair liquor license committees
in Manhattan. I know you agree with me that he is a superb chair and one
I would not part with willingly. The civility, intelligence, even-handedness
and savvy he brings, in short, his sophistication as a veteran Manhattan
restaurateur make him ideal for the portfolio he tends as Chair of our Business
Committee.
Fortunately, as I read it, the CIB's opinion is merely advisory. Inquiries
have been made of the Borough President's office for guidance and if it should
be deemed in any way applicable to CB #2's situation, then we will seek advice
on how to appeal. Bob's is one to keep, don't you agree? JS