A Timeline of Infamy

"Scourge" of the Courtesy Dates Back to 80s; Waging War To Close Hotel Began in 1995

Fall 1995 – West Hempstead Civic Association (WHCA) forms Committee to Close the Courtesy. WHCA President Nick D’Alessandro and Executive Vice President Seth Bykofsky selected to co-chair the committee and spearhead a grassroots movement to close hotel.

Late Fall 1995 through 1998 – WHCA leadership meets repeatedly with Town Of Hempstead (TOH) Supervisor, Greg Peterson, and Town Councilman, Joe Ra, with respect to closing the Courtesy. “Assurances” given that Courtesy will be closed. Joe Ra saying, “I will close the Courtesy!” The taking of the hotel by Eminent Domain (Condemnation) is discussed. Community meets, rallies, protests repeatedly. No action is taken by the Town.

1999-2000 – Repeated meetings with TOH Supervisor Rich Guardino and Town Councilman N. Scott Banks. Banks calls continued operation of Courtesy “an outrage and an affront to the dignity of the good people of West Hempstead.” Supervisor Guardino says he has a “special place in his heart for West Hempstead,” and will “work with the community” to close down the Courtesy. The taking of the hotel by Eminent Domain is again discussed. No action is taken by the Town.

2000 – Introduced by Town Councilman N. Scott Banks, the Town Board adopts a Nuisance Law, including therein a padlock provision that permits the Town to close a commercial premises – upon due notice – when there have been more than 2 predicate felony arrests upon the premises within a 12-month period.

October 2001 – Petitions, bearing the signatures of nearly 4,000 West Hempsteaders, demanding immediate closure of the Courtesy, are hand delivered to Supervisor Guardino.

2001-2002 - Multiple felony arrests – rape, assault, prostitution, drug possession/sale, kidnapping, weapons charges – upon the premises of the Courtesy. Town takes no action to padlock hotel under its own Nuisance Law.

2001-2003 - Numerous “walks-about-town” with Town Councilman Joe Kearney. Courtesy Hotel, the scene of ongoing and longstanding criminal activity, much of it heinous in nature, is “highlight” of the tour. Community leaders, including Seth Bykofsky of the West Hempstead Civic Association, Scott Jablow of the Cathedral Gardens Civic Association, and Greg Yuknek of the Chamber of Commerce, implore Councilman Kearney to have the Town padlock the hotel. Action is promised. No action is taken by the Town.

2002-Mid-2005 – Ongoing discussions with Town Supervisor, Kate Murray, and, from 2003 on, regular meetings with Town Councilman, Ed Ambrosino (attended, on occasion, by Town Attorney, Joe Ra). Closure of Courtesy always on community’s front burner. Supervisor Murray calls Courtesy a “scourge” upon community, and says, “Courtesy will be closed. You have my word.” Supervisor again asked to invoke padlock provision. Town refuses, citing “obstacles,” and proceeds instead during this time with a civil suit designed to close the Courtesy under the Nuisance law. Lawsuit goes nowhere. Condemnation discussed. Supervisor Murray says, “Condemnation is not the way to go!”

May 2003 – Petitions, bearing the signatures of nearly 5000 West Hempstead residents, demanding the immediate closure of the Courtesy, hand delivered to Supervisor Murray’s office. Supervisor not available to receive them. Originals left with receptionist at desk on the 4th floor of Town Hall.

June 2005 – Supervisor Murray addresses Annual Meeting of the West Hempstead Civic Association. Tells residents that condemnation proceedings – as used effectively to close the Oceanside Motel – would not, on a cost basis, be feasible vis-à-vis the closure of the Courtesy. Instead, Town would conduct a “Blight Study,” and proceed to close the Courtesy by Eminent Domain under the Town’s Urban Renewal law [Article 15 of New York State General Municipal Law], a process expected to take 18 months. Supervisor asked by residents to padlock hotel under Nuisance law in the interim. No action taken by the Town.

Fall 2005 – “Buoyed” by the Supreme Court’s Decision in Kelo (a decision that did not change the law, but merely affirmed its longstanding application), Supervisor Murray says condemnation of the Courtesy is now a good idea. Wheels set in motion for Condemnation Proceedings to go forward.

September 2005 – Town Board, with hundreds of West Hempsteaders appearing at Town Hall for support, adopts site plan and maps as necessary step toward the commencement of a Condemnation Proceeding, then, waiting until the 11th hour, flubs the requisite publication in Newsday. No Condemnation Proceeding is commenced.

May 2006 – Town Board adopts “Blight Study” as first step toward Eminent Domain under Town’s Urban Renewal law [Actually, Article 15 of New York State General Municipal Law.] "The town continues to work closely with the West Hempstead community to develop a plan for this area,” concluded Murray. "We are committed to making this an even better community in which to live, work and shop. West Hempstead has a bright and promising future."

Summer 2006 – Trammell-Crow enters into private contract with corporate owner of Courtesy for redevelopment of property as high-end rental units, subject to approval of zoning changes by the Town of Hempstead. Town takes “wait and see” stance.

December 2006 – Town of Hempstead issues a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) from interested developers in furtherance of intended “Urban” renewal. Courtesy remains open for business as usual, notwithstanding ongoing violent criminal activity.

February 2007 – Standing room only crowd attends WHCA meeting at West Hempstead Middle School, and hears “options” as presented by Charles Theofan, Commissioner of the Town’s Department of Planning & Economic Development. First Deputy Commander Kanavan of the 5th Precinct, NCPD, informs audience that, in 2006 alone, there were some 94 “reports” emanating from the Courtesy (meaning officers actually wrote up an incident report); 46 actual arrests (many of which were Felonies); and more than 200 calls for assistance. Residents demand that Courtesy be closed NOW, charging Theofan with taking that message to Town Supervisor Kate Murray, and asking why she has failed to padlock the Courtesy under the applicable provisions of the Town’s Nuisance law.

TODAY – The Courtesy remains open. Waterbeds available. The next felony only a short-stay away!
- - -
CONTACT TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD SUPERVISOR KATE MURRAY TODAY AND TELL HER TO PADLOCK THE COURTESY NOW!

Telephone: [Kate Murray's Helpline] 516-489-6000
E-Mail: KateMurray@tohmail.org
Snail Mail:
Supervisor Kate Murray
Town of Hempstead
1 Washington Avenue
Hempstead, New York 11550