Move Over, Rod Serling. . .

From The West Hempstead Beacon:

Twilight Zoning

To the Editor:

Submitted for your approval. One downtrodden no-tell hotel. The epicenter of officially designated blight. To the east, a waste transfer station, where refuse sojourns through the night in its travels between no place and nowhere. To the west, a seemingly abandoned, litter-strewn, railroad right-of-way, home to rusting shopping carts and the invisible castaways of humanity.

The end of the line, both figuratively and literally, the screeching of a train’s steel against the cold tracks, piercing the deafening silence of a community’s collective voice, too long ignored, too often diminished to a whisper. A lonely whistle-stop somewhere west of a village that both time and Town forgot.

A Zoning Board that sits as Planning Board, rarely adept at either. “Twenty miles of ugly” along the turnpike. Down the avenue, a vigil to the ghosts of glory days past.

A people, not proud of their newly-acquired designation as “blighted,” who have offered up, over years that now meander into decades, a litany of reasons to close and raze that hellish hotel, only to hear in the echoes a barrage of excuses from Town Hall – the evils of Condemnation, the short-comings of Eminent Domain, the impracticalities of the Nuisance Law.

To endure, as no free and taxpaying people should have to, the consequences of malignant neglect on the part of a government that reacts but with hollow words and smiling photo ops.

That reasonable and resourceful “mix” of residential, retail, and recreational use – as proffered by the West Hempstead community since the cause of closing the Courtesy and revitalizing this gateway was first taken up in 1995 – would be the preferred route, all things being equal.

Then again, in the Town of Hempstead, few things are equal, the considerations of affiliation and connection, appearances of self-dealing and shortsightedness, oft times dismissive of that which should be the overriding measures of a government’s deliberations and decision-making, to wit, the preservation of the character of a community, and the promotion of the best and highest interests of its residents.

Whether the blight with which this hamlet is burdened is forever removed by way of Condemnation or private sale, through the long-in-coming will of government intervention or the workings of the free market, these are the reflections on a town government that has lost sight of its obligation to serve, not the parochial interests of the few, but rather, the greater good of the many.

Yes, somewhere in that vast void between darkness and light, lies a hamlet whose battle weary citizens, stakeholders in a land of broken promises, persistent in the cause, descend yet again upon Town Hall to make their case and speak their minds. Somewhere, in that place we call, The Twilight Zone.

Sincerely yours,
Seth D. Bykofsky
West Hempstead, New York
- - -
The writer is a longtime community advocate and former president of the West Hempstead Civic Association.

Blogger's Note: The Town of Hempstead Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on July 11, 2007, on the merits of the Town's Urban Renewal Plan as prepared by the Department of Economic Development.

More than 150 residents were in attendance, the majority of whom questioned the efficacy of the Town's plan, called for the immediate closure and sale of the Courtesy Hotel, and demanded consideration of the Trammell-Crow proposal for redevelopment.

The Zoning Board reserved decision before adjourning for the evening.

Residents Pan Town's Urban Renewal Plan

Plan Precludes Development By Trammell-Crow; Ignores Voice Of Community

From the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald:

By Matthew McGevna

Civic leaders in West Hempstead are unhappy with the Town of Hempstead's recently unveiled plan for the 10.5 acres of property surrounding the Courtesy Hotel.

They say the town's Office of Planning and Economic Development is ignoring what they would like to see done with the parcels of blighted land.

The town's draft Urban Renewal Plan (URP), the product of a months-long study by the independent consulting firm Saccardi & Schiff, was scheduled for a public meeting before the Board of Zoning Appeals on Wednesday. The plan recommends, among other things, that developers build no more than 45 units per acre on the property where the Courtesy stands, preferably townhouses or senior housing. It also calls for additional commuter parking near the West Hempstead train station, and the preservation of open space on land south of the hotel site. The URP also recommends a mix of residential homes and commercial businesses on both sides of Hempstead Avenue.

But critics of the plan say there is no need to mix residences with businesses, and they don't see townhouses as a viable option, because families will be reluctant to buy there. "This isn't what I consider planning at its best," said West Hempstead Civic Association President Rosalie Norton. "I think the plan is ignoring West Hempstead residents."

Over the past several months, thousands of residents have signed letters and petitions endorsing the proposed plan of Trammell Crow Residential, a development firm currently in negotiation with Bruce Zwelsky, the owner of the Courtesy, to purchase the property. Trammell Crow¹s plan is to build multiple-story apartment buildings, believing that the complex would attract young professionals who would use the nearby train station to commute to New York City. The plan calls for 220 units in total, breaking down to roughly 80 units per acre. Since it began negotiating with Zwelsky, Trammell Crow¹s application for a zoning variance to accommodate its plan has been pending in the town's building department. In the meantime, the Office of Planning and Economic Development has requested and received a number of other proposals from other developers, and is considering Trammell Crow and three other candidates: the Sheldrake Organization, Breslin Realty and the Benjamin Group. To date, the only firm that has approached members of the West Hempstead community for their input is Trammell Crow.

The URP recommends zoning for 45 units per acre, half the density of Trammell Crow's plan. The URP includes an Environmental Assessment Form, which considers a project's environmental impact on the community. According to the form, 80 units per acre would not dramatically impact water use, land use, sewage, traffic or the local school district. The 5th Precinct even reported that its service to the area would actually decrease, because so much of its activity centers on the Courtesy. Still, the URP concludes that 80 units per acre would be too dense for the area, principally because such a project has never been built anywhere else within the town, and might establish a regrettable precedent.

"Just because you allowed it in one area, doesn¹t mean you have to allow it in all the others," said Norton. "Saccardi & Schiff determined that the area can handle 80, but the URP is recommending 45. They're going to ignore thousands of residents who say 80 units is fine."

"I think [Saccardi & Schiff] are taking cues from the Town of Hempstead," said Cathedral Gardens Civic Association President Scott Jablow. "The town is trying to do whatever they can to knock out the Trammell Crow project."

"I wouldn't exactly call the plan visionary," said Tony Brita, a member of the West Hempstead Board of Education. "We're in a position where we need to think of different ways to house people, and [the Trammell Crow proposal] was a new model, and the Town of Hempstead chose to play it safe."

"What disturbs me is the preclusion of the Trammell Crow proposal in its entirety, and [the town] basically thumbing its nose at the community at large," said Seth Bykofsky, a West Hempstead resident and activist. "The town refuses to consider projects other than what the town wants itself."

Many West Hempstead residents favor the Trammell Crow proposal because they believe it is more appropriate for the area, and because the developer has invited community input since day one. Its proposal would also produce an additional $1.1 million per year in tax revenue for the town. At 45 units per acre, the URP determined a tax revenue of just under $738,000 per year. "We want maximum tax money," Norton said. "We need as much as we can get in tax revenue."

Wednesday's meeting was the first opportunity for residents to voice their disapproval with the URP. If the plan is adopted by the town board, the board's next step is to choose the winning developer. Opponents of the plan say they will keep fighting as long as they have to, even if the fight carries over to Election Day.

Council members Edward Ambrosino and James Darcy, who represent West Hempstead, are running for re-election in November, along with Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "We're going to try to contact each council member," Jablow said. "And if the Democrats put a decent, hard-working opponent against Murray, I'd vote for that person. I'm that disappointed in [Murray's] actions. 'I've had it with her."

Comments about this story? Mal-wheditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.

©Herald Community 2007

Public Hearing on the Fate of the Courtesy: Wednesday, July 11 at 5 PM

NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT!!! WEST HEMPSTEAD RESIDENTS CALLED UPON TO WEIGH IN ON THE FATE OF THE COURTESY HOTEL.

Zoning Board of Appeals to hold public Hearing on proposed Urban Renewal Plan
THIS WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 at 5 pm
Bennett Meeting Pavilion
Town Hall
1 Washington Street, Hempstead

From the West Hempstead Civic Association:

PRIVATE SALE/TRAMMEL CROW PLAN

220 upscale luxury apartments in 5 story buildings, with covered parking, large open green spaces, 62 feet apart, with 15 foot set back on 2.7 acre Courtesy Hotel Site
More discretionary income spent in local businesses
MAXIMUM tax revenue generation for WH = LOWER TAXES
Highly experienced, high quality builder
Highly experienced, ON SITE management team
NO NEED TO RELOCATE CURRENT COURTESY HOTEL RESIDENTS
NO NEED TO FIND NEW LOCATION FOR COURTESY HOTEL TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS
COURTESY GONE BY END OF 2007 and AREA QUICKLY REDEVELOPED

TOH FEDERALLY FUNDED URBAN RENEWAL PLAN

4 story buildings with 10 foot set back, 20 feet apart over 7 acres with uncovered parking, resulting in over 300+ units of unknown quality
Courtesy Hotel owner has VOWED to sue, appeal repeatedly and do all in his power to prevent TOH plan, resulting in costly legal battles and many hidden tax burdens being passed to residents
Will generate FAR less tax revenue
Relies on unknown plan with unknown developer, resembling failed projects in neighboring areas
Must find suitable housing for current residents of Courtesy – will they move them to the Capri next?
Must find new location for Courtesy Hotel (which the owner may appeal)
Will drive the highly reputable Trammel Crow Residential plan away
Likely to continue to drag on into the unforeseeable future
Same old, same old…

WHICH IS BETTER FOR WEST HEMPSTEAD?

TELL THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS THE TRAMMELL CROW PLAN IS BEST FOR WEST HEMPSTEAD AND, AS A VOTING TAXPAYER, YOU WANT THE HOTEL SOLD THIS YEAR.

Please make every effort to attend this meeting – put a face to the 2000+ letters and petitions submitted to Kate Murray on June 5th.

This is a critical moment for our town – the outcome depends on our determination and action!

Need a ride or more information? Contact the WHCA at 516-733-0879

Town Vows To "Fight The Blight" In West Hempstead

Kate Murray's "Mission Accomplished" Banner To Hang From The Courtesy

“Fight The Blight” In West Hempstead
[Sung to the tune of The Bear Climbed Over The Mountain*]

Folks, it takes an entire Fleet of enemas to generate this much crap! As Ripley would say, “you can believe it, or NOT!”

*The Bear Climbed Over the Mountain

The bear climbed over the mountain,
The bear climbed over the mountain,
The bear climbed over the mountain,
And what do you think he saw?

He saw another mountain,
He saw another mountain,
He saw another mountain,
And what do you think he did?

He climbed the other mountain,
He climbed the other mountain,
He climbed the other mountain,
And what do you think he saw?

And on and on it goes. . .

The draft Urban Renewal Plan, now before the Hempstead Town Board of Zoning Appeals (copy available for review at the West Hempstead Public Library) calls for a density at half that proposed under the Trammell-Crow redevelopment plan -- effectively putting a nail in the coffin for the project favored by the West Hempstead community.

The Town's Board of Zoning Appeals (ZBA) has scheduled a public hearing on the draft Urban Renewal Plan for Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 5 PM at the Town Meeting Pavilion, 1 Washington Street, Hempstead.

ALL WEST HEMPSTEAD RESIDENTS, AND THOSE SIMILARLY CONCERNED WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THIS GATEWAY TO THE WEST HEMPSTEAD COMMUNITY ARE URGED TO REVIEW THE PLAN AND TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC HEARING ON JULY 11th.

Those unable to attend the July 11th Hearing are encouraged to offer comment in writing by letter to:

Hon. Gerald G. Wright,
Chairman
Zoning Board of Appeals
Town of Hempstead
1 Washington Street
Hempstead, New York 11550

If Only West Hempstead Had The D'Amatos

Tear down a beach club in posh Atlantic Beach and build 100 condo units?

Sure, No problem. If you’re name is D’Amato – Al, Armand, Christopher, Katuria – if you think it, you can will it. At the very least, you can get it by the Town of Hempstead Zoning Board of Appeals, where Al’s wife, Kat, sits, collecting full-time benefits for part-time work.

All right. So this is America. Free Enterprise. Whatever the market will bear. Capitalism at its best.

A bona fide, if not politically connected developer (D’Amato’s Park Strategies group), enters into a deal with a private entity, the Sands of Atlantic Beach (Jem Caterers), to develop the property with upscale condo units. So what’s wrong with that?

In a free market, absolutely nothing, as long as the residents of Atlantic Beach stand behind the plan, which appears, at first report, to be anything but the case.

A change in Town Zoning to facilitate and accommodate this redevelopment? You got it, Al. All you have to do is ask!

So why is it that, in West Hempstead, where a bona fide developer, Trammel-Crow, enters into a contract with a private entity, the owners of the Courtesy Hotel, to purchase the property and redevelop the site with luxury apartment units – a project that appears to have the almost universal support of the community – the Town of Hempstead balks, bails, and bellyaches when it comes to this community’s will?

West Hempstead needs its Al D’Amato, we suppose – or at least its Kat on the Courtesy’s hot, tin roof!
- - -
D'Amatos' condo plan
BY EDEN LAIKIN
eden.laikin@newsday.com

Former Sen. Alfonse D'Amato, his brother and son have proposed a multimillion-dollar, 100-condo development for the site of the 50-year-old Sands beach and catering club in Atlantic Beach.

Residents in this quaint beach community, which borders the Atlantic Ocean and Reynolds Channel, plan to fight the proposal they said would negatively impact their lifestyles.

"Their plan, if passed, would be detrimental to our community and our beachfront," according to a letter sent around the neighborhood by a resident. It "clearly disregards the nature of our community and the beauty and fragility of our beaches."

The proposal hinges on the partners getting approval to change the 12-acre property's zoning from marine recreation to multi-family dwelling. The plan calls for 20 buildings each with five luxury condos at 2,200 to 2,400 square feet with an indoor garage. It would be within the new zoning, said an attorney for the group. The development partners - D'Amato, his brother, Armand, and son, Christopher - would also build an outdoor pool, gatehouse and 233 parking spaces.

No one from the Sands returned calls for comment, but the application was signed and authorized by Jem Caterers, on behalf of the Sands.

Christopher D'Amato, a lawyer in his father's consulting and lobbying firm, Park Strategies, said this would be the group's first major development project. A disclosure form filed with the town named Alfonse D'Amato as having 60 percent interest and Christopher and Armand, each with 20 percent interest.

Raina Russo, the Atlantic Beach estates' resident who wrote the letter critical of the project, said that as a developer herself, she doesn't oppose development or change.

"I'm fighting this plan," Russo said. "I think this plan shows a lack of consideration for the members who live in the community. I am looking to make changes and improve the quality of life for Atlantic Beach residents."

Diedra Sehr, who has lived in the community for 28 years, is against the zoning change."It's going to destroy the little enclave we live in," she said. "We'll lose the feeling we have of this beach community and that's why I bought my house."

This is not the first time that an application to the town by the former senator who still wields influence there has raised questions. Last year, his wife Katuria, who sits on the town's Zoning Board of Appeals, had to recuse herself from a decision regarding applications by her husband to improve their Lido Beach home.

Should the proposal be approved by the town board, after undergoing reviews by various town and county agencies, it could come before the zoning board, where D'Amato's wife is a member.

Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.

A Day At Town Hall, A Night With The Insane!

Civic Association Delivers "Close & Sell the Courtesy" Petitions Containing Over 2,000 Signatures To Supervisor Murray

“I am delighted to see that rumors to the effect that Hempstead Town Hall had been condemned and demolished have been greatly exaggerated.”

And NOW we remember why we rarely attend Town Board meetings anymore. Who could listen to all that jibber-jabber – from both the elected and the electorate – while still keeping either some semblance of sanity or even a straight face?

At last night’s meeting – from which we did not find egress until nearly 11 PM (and through which we, as West Hempsteaders, still can find no relief) – we heard the myriad stories of the plight of residents; stories told, again, again, and again, seemingly since time immemorial (or at least since Al D’Amato was Town Supervisor, which was about the same time).

A “renaissance” in Oceanside, as Councilman Santino lamented over seven illegal signs for cigarettes, posted on a fence alongside a Long Beach Road gas station. [Only SEVEN illegal signs, Tony? Come to West Hempstead. Walk the Turnpike or the Avenue. We’ll give you more illegal signs than there is MTBE in West Hempstead’s water – and we’ll throw in a few illegal accessory apartments for good measure.]

We heard the tale of “blight” in Roosevelt. Hmmm. Not that we’ve cornered the market on blight in West Hempstead, but at least ours gets the official designation from the Hempstead Town Board.

Then there were allegations of “torture” on the waterfront (a dispute between two neighbors over a fence and Riparian rights) – we know of torture in West Hempstead, both from the criminality that spills over into our once suburban haven by two supernovas of iniquity, the Courtesy and the Capri, and from the Town of Hempstead which, going on 12 ½ years now, has ignored a community’s impassioned pleas to close and demolish that which both Supervisor and Councilman have labeled a “scourge.”

And the excessive noise – coming from the night clubs on Barnum Isle, rattling the comatose at Long Beach Hospital, and reaching even the hearing impaired at the Bayview Nursing Home – which, compared to the excessive “noise” West Hempsteaders get from Town Hall (by way of letters and glossy Murraygrams, cycling through the rehashed verbiage of promises past), is but a mere din, barely audible over the sounds of silence that pass for action from the Town.

Ah, the tables turned on our Supervisor – a photo op in reverse, Ms. Murray now the unwitting recipient of petitions and letters with thousands of signatures demanding the closure of the Courtesy, all caught on camera at a forum most public. There will be no denying that the Town has been put on notice – again – of a community’s will. [Watch for Kate to be photo-shopped out of the pictures!]

A new day about to dawn over Washington Street, and the thought of borrowowing a line from President Reagan. You know, that famous exchange with the President of the then Soviet Union: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that hotel!” Better still, that old reverse psychology: “Keep the Courtesy open for all eternity, Madam Supervisor. That notorious hotel may well be the salvation of the West Hempstead community, after all!”

Not so much as a chuckle. [Where’s Don Clavin when you need him?] We could have all stayed at home, eaten dinner, taken in the ballgame, or watched a rerun of House. We came. We spoke. We heard much of the same from the Supervisor, and absolutely nothing from the Town Board (not even advices from Councilman Santino that we “enjoy” having the Courtesy in our backyard).

It was a night, not to remember, at Town Hall, but, rather, to add to the endless timeline of one hotel’s assault upon community, and one community’s courageous battle to pull the monkey – now a 500-pound gorilla – off its back. [The Town’s timeline, of course, only goes back as far as 2005. Memories before then not only fade, apparently, but are recast in the image of Greg Peterson crossing the Delaware.]

You really should come out to meetings of the Hempstead Town Board more often. Not just because misery loves company, but as each of us, at one time or another in our lives of quiet desperation, should bear witness to hypocrisy in action!

KEEP THE PRESSURE ON AT TOWN HALL!

Come To The June 5th Town Board Meeting; Be Proactive In Demanding The Closure And Sale Of The Courtesy

From the West Hempstead Civic Association --

Town of Hempstead - Town Board Meeting: Courtesy Hotel Closure & Sale
Date: Tuesday June 5, 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Bennett Pavillion, 1 Washington St., Hempstead

When you sign in, indicate you are there to have the Courtesy closed and sold this year. The WHCA will bring all the letters and petitions gathered to date, and present them to Supervisor Murray and the Town Board. We ask that everyone attend and bring your neighbors and friends. We need to concentrate and focus our efforts on getting the Town to make necessary zoning changes to allow the sale of the Courtesy to take place this year. Only with a huge turnout of residents will be able to demonstrate the extent of our support for the sale of the Courtesy. Please contact president@westhempsteadcivic.org to RSVP and to get additional information, or call 516-485-5132.

More On The Mothers Day Rally

From The Three Village Times:

Moms Rally to Close the Courtesy
Mother's Day Rally Held to Close Hotel
By Joe Rizza

It seems that the members of the West Hempstead Civic Association have tried everything to close the Courtesy Hotel. This past Sunday, members tried a rally on Mother's Day to close the hotel that is seen by many as a blight on the community.

One of the moms who was rallying against the Courtesy Hotel was Rosalie Norton, the West Hempstead Civic Association president, who organized the rally. Norton, a mother of three and grandmother of seven, contacted a number of groups for the rally, which, she estimates, attracted over 100 people.

As far back as the fall of 1995, the West Hempstead Civic Association formed a Committee to Close the Courtesy Hotel. The (then) executive vice president, Seth Bykofsky, who is also the former president of the West Hempstead Civic Association, is still waiting for the hotel to close.

"I'm at a loss for words," said Bykofsky. "Everyone wants the Courtesy closed, even those with the authority to shut it down today, and yet, the infamous no-tell hotel is open and thriving."

The Town of Hempstead has been unsuccessful in closing the Courtesy Hotel under its public nuisance law. However, the town is proceeding with an urban renewal plan, which calls for a partnership with a developer for the redevelopment of the area the hotel is located in.

One of those developers is Trammell Crow Residential, which, according to Gary Lewi of Rubenstein Associates, a public relations firm that is representing Trammell Crow, the company is under contract with the hotel owners to purchase the property.

Trammell Crow is proposing to put, according to information found on the West Hempstead Civic Association website, 220 apartment units over five floors on the 2.79 acre parcel of land. The front of the development will face Hempstead Avenue across the street from the parking lot of National Wholesale Liquidators and the back of the development will run along the train tracks of the West Hempstead Long Island Railroad station.

Norton is in favor of the Trammell Crow plan and she hopes the town will grant the zoning changes necessary for the company to purchase the hotel and build its residential complex.

Trammell Crow is one of four developers the town is looking at to develop the property through the town's urban renewal plan. "Why would you want to go with any other than Trammell Crow when you know they're in a private deal to purchase the property? They are in contract with [Courtesy owner Bruce] Zwelsky to purchase that property. Zwelsky hopes to sell it and we, as a community, want it sold," said Norton.

Members of the West Hempstead Civic Association seem to have tried every thing from submitting over 1,400 letters and petitions to the town board urging the closing of the hotel and its sale to Trammell Crow to the Mother's Day rally, which was attended by Legislator Vincent Muscarella and Assemblyman Tom Alfano.

"The bottom line is the Courtesy has to close and we have to begin the process of redeveloping the area. The community has waited long enough and it has to get done. The days of residents reading about assault, rape, drug dealing and sex offenders must come to an end. The community has spoken strongly today," said Alfano.

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray is preaching patience and promised that the hotel would be closed by year's end. Also joining Murray from the town was Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino, who is also all for the closure of the hotel.

Murray takes exception to the notion that the town hasn't tried to close the Courtesy Hotel.

Murray said the town tried to close the hotel under its public nuisance law, but was not successful in court. "That was a setback but I haven't stopped," the supervisor said. "I'm the first supervisor in the town who has gone out this far to get this thing closed and I won't stop until it is closed."

Murray also said there is a notion that the town is standing in the way of the sale between Trammell Crow and the owner of the hotel, which is not true. According to Murray, if Trammell Crow intended to build under the current zoning, the hotel would have been gone by now. But since the developer needs a zoning change for their proposal, a State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) review must be conducted, which is something the developer hasn't done.

However, attorney Al D'Agostino, who is handling the change in zoning application for Trammell Crow, said he is waiting for the consultant the town selected to provide direction for the review.
According to D'Agostino, a petition was filed in December to change to town's zoning to allow for the construction of 220 residential apartments.

D'Agostino said he is now waiting for the consultant, Frederick P. Clark Associates, which the town selected at a cost of $10,000 to Trammell Crow, to provide direction for the review but the consultant hasn't started the process.

"We just have not been able to get any direction from them as to what they want," D'Agostino said. "We're not just sitting. We've made several inquiries and just have not been able to get a response."

Email the Three Village TimesCopyright ©2007 Anton Community Newspapers, Inc.

The Courtesy Hotel Will Be Closed When. . .

1. An F-5 tornado touches down at the hotel's apex, a waterbed on the 4th floor serving as "ground zero";

2. A terrorist plot hatched at the hotel -- over Continental breakfast -- is uncovered by the Town of Hempstead Public Safety Patrol, the Courtesy thereafter leveled by a bevy of B-52s;

3. A Tsunami, generated when Hall's Pond overflows its banks, the inadequate drainage along the length and across the breadth of Hempstead Avenue unable to contain the tide, washes the hotel into Oceanside;

4. The voters return Town Supervisor Kate Murray -- TO LEVITTOWN!

How would you close the Courtesy Hotel?

We say, PADLOCK IT!

Promises, Promises. . .

"The Courtesy will be closed by the end of the year."
--Hempstead Town Supervisor, Kate Murray

Hmmm. Now where, when, and from whom have we heard that before?

Let's see.

From Joe Ra (then Town Councilman, now Town Attorney) in the 1990s.

From Town Councilman Joe Kearney (now retired out of state) in the early 2000s.

And what do you know, from Town Supervisor Kate Murray herself, in 2003 (shortly after her appointment), and in 2005 (in the midst of a hotly contested election), at a press confrence held right behind the infamous Courtesy Hotel.

Say it loud enough. Tell it long enough. And some folks will begin to believe it as the truth.

Actions speak louder than words, Madam Supervisor. Padlock the Courtesy NOW. Keep your promise to the West Hempstead community.

E-mail Supervisor Murray at katemurray@tohmail.org.

'Close The Courtesy' Rally May 13th

From The West Hempstead Civic Association:

WEST HEMPSTEAD MOTHERS
MOTHER’S DAY RALLY

CLOSE & SELL THE COURTESY HOTEL THIS YEAR

SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2007
10:45 AM-11:15 AM

Location: Hempstead Avenue parking field across from the Courtesy Hotel

All mothers, grandmothers, moms to be, bring your children and show the TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD we are united in insisting the Hotel must be closed and sold this year. The “Reign of Terror” must end NOW.

Courtesy Is Contagious!

Sex Offenders Found In Residence At Neighboring Capri Motel

Sex offenders to the left of us, predators to the right, and West Hempsteaders stuck in the middle with little relief in sight!

Aside from the two Level 3 Sex Offenders in residence at the Courtesy hotel, the West Hempstead Civiv Association now informs that there are two Sex Offenders (Level 3 and Level 2 – but they try harder) at the Capri Motel on Hempstead Turnpike.

Upon information and belief, there are families with children housed at the Capri!

The Fifth Precinct reported in February that the Courtesy was the number one hotspot in the Precinct in 2006, followed closely by the Capri.

Why wasn’t the Capri Condemned prior to the sale of the adjacent property to Stop & Shop?
And why isn’t the Capri even on the radar at Hempstead Town Hall?

How many indignities must one community suffer? How much should homeowners, taxpayers, and decent, law-abiding citizens be made to endure?
- - -
Level 2 Sex Offender at the Capri

Level 3 Sex Offender at the Capri

Sex Offenders in residence in West Hempstead

Ambrosino Calls For Immediate Closure Of Courtesy

From the Three Village Times:

Ambrosino: Close Courtesy Now

The members of the West Hempstead Civic Association have been clamoring for the Town of Hempstead to close the Courtesy Hotel for years. The town, having failed to close the hotel under its public nuisance law, is now trying to facilitate the development of the area around the hotel through an urban renewal plan. However, at least one member of the town board joins the civic association's philosophy that the town should close the Courtesy now and ask questions later.

Councilman Ed Ambrosino, who is one of six members of the Hempstead Town Board, said the town should do whatever it can to close the hotel immediately.

Ambrosino, a Republican, said he supports Town Supervisor Kate Murray, also a Republican, in trying to develop the area around the hotel. "I know the supervisor wants to take it down immediately, but I think we need to take aggressive action to pursue a remedy, craft legislation, do whatever we need to do to take it down immediately," he said.

The thought was that the town had legislation to close premises that were deemed to be public nuisances through a public nuisance law that the town board adopted in 2000.

According to a letter sent to concerned residents by Murray and Ambrosino, the town had sought a restraining order and injunction against hotel owners in 2004 to shut the hotel but the town was ruled against by the Supreme Court.

While Ambrosino believes the re-development of the site is important, he said he would prefer the town close the hotel immediately and then proceed with the development of the site.

Ambrosino suggested that if the public nuisance law isn't working as it's written perhaps the town board and the supervisor should look at rewriting the law to make it work. "The most important thing for me right now is to have the hotel stop functioning. After that, let's see what happens," he said. "If we don't meet the requirements, let's redraft the law to make us meet the requirements. The community has had enough and I stand with the community."

- Joe Rizza

Fast Track To Nowhere!

From The New York Times: Town Takes Different Tack to Shut Down a Hotel

And still, the answer to that time-worn question – WHY IS THE COURTESY STILL OPEN? -- eludes us.

The Nuisance Law was “technically” inadequate in 2004, 2005, 2006 [as it was when it was adopted in 2000.] So why not amend that law (assuming the Town couldn’t get it right in the first instance) – in 2004, 2005, 2006 -- so as to withstand the scrutiny of the courts?

“We’re looking at it now,” they’ll tell you at Town Hall.

Sure. Look at it. Hold it up to the light. Pass it through. Put it to the test. And see which comes first – a condemnation, the padlocking of the hotel, or the Messiah. [My money is on the Messiah!]

Blight studies. Environmental studies. Studies of the studies. And we are no closer today to ridding our community of the horrors of this hotel then when Kate Murray stood before us in 2005, “buoyed”, and said that she would not rest until the Courtesy was closed. [Note the black circles under her eyes. . .]

The only “fast track” here is for Town Supervisor Kate Murray to lead instead of wallow. Make believe you give a damn. Test the law today as it has never been tested. PADLOCK THE COURTESY HOTEL!
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The Supervisor's e-mail address is katemurray@tohmail.org [Just how Kate Murray can be reached, is anybody's guess!]

A Sign of the Times

"Padlock" Replaces "Police Booth" As Courtesy Signage

In fact, signs are popping up all over town!

E-mail Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray at katemurray@tohmail.org and tell her that the "sign" she's been waiting for has arrived. PADLOCK THE COURTESY NOW!

Yet Another Sex Offender At The Courtesy

Convicted of "Deviate Sexual Intercourse," and Sentenced to "150 Month(s) to 25 Year(s) State Prison," Predator takes up Residence at Courtesy Hotel

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse...

Forget that second gunman on the grassy knoll. We now have a second sexual predator in residence at the Courtesy hotel.

Check out Current Reported Offender Details at the New York Sex Offender Registry.
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From Newsday's 'Spin Cycle'. . .
W. Hempstead: Alfano In The Fray

Join the fight to padlock the Courtesy NOW!

Send an e-mail to Assemblyman Tom Alfano at alfanot@assembly.state.ny.us and let him know that you want the pressure on Hempstead Town Hall kept up.

Send an e-mail to Town Supervisor Kate Murray at katemurray@tohmail.org and demand that the Courtesy be padlocked immediately!

Send an e-mail to Town Attorney Joe Ra at JRa@tohmail.org and ask him why he hasn’t put the owners of the Courtesy on notice of the hotel’s continuing violation of the Town’s Nuisance Law.

Send an e-mail to Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino at eambrosino@tohmail.org telling him its time to break ranks with Supervisor Murray, to take his fellow councilmembers to task, and to move forward with the four easy steps necessary to close the Courtesy.

Send an e-mail to County Legislator Vincent Muscarella at vmuscarella@nassaucountyny.gov and ask him to publicly condemn the continued operation of the Courtesy and to act accordingly.

Send an e-mail to State Senator Dean Skelos at skelos@senate.state.ny.us asking him about that Police Booth that’s been “coming soon” since October of 2005.

Send an e-mail to Dana Williams of the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald at dwilliams@liherald.com, to Joe Rizza of the Three Village Times at jrizza@antonnews.com, and to Barbara Yohe of the Beacon at thebeaconnews@aol.com, asking them to keep the Courtesy on the front pages.

LET’S KEEP THE PRESSURE ON TOWN SUPERVISOR KATE MURRAY.

LET’S MAKE THE COURTESY HISTORY!

Together, we will win the fight to close the Courtesy, to return civility to our town, and to revitalize this gateway to our community!

Civic Leaders Continue To Urge Town To Close Courtesy

From The Three Village Times. . .

Civic Leaders Urge Town to Close Courtesy
Town Hopes Urban Renewal Plan Is the Answer

The Courtesy Hotel. Photo by Andrew Vardakis

The West Hempstead Civic Association has been urging Town of Hempstead officials to get moving on closing the Courtesy Hotel, which is thought by many to be a blight on the community. But the town says that they are doing what they can to close the hotel.

"The only thing standing between the closure of the Courtesy and the revitalization of the southeast gateway to West Hempstead is the will of the Town Supervisor to get the job done, " said former civic association president and longtime community activist Seth Bykofsky.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has taken criticism for not being able to close the Courtesy, but, according to a letter recently sent out to residents who expressed concerns over the hotel, the town has tried in the past to close the hotel.

A town spokesperson said the town is exploring all options and the Courtesy Hotel is not being ignored. The recent letter, signed by Murray and Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino, stated "we will not rest until this blight on West Hempstead is shut down forever."

Civic leaders want to close the Courtesy through a public nuisance law enacted by the town in 2000. According to the letter, the town sought to utilize its public nuisance law to close the hotel.

In 2004, the town sought a restraining order and an injunction against the hotel owners. However, the Supreme Court ruled against the town.

Civic leaders then hoped the town would use the power of eminent domain to take ownership of the hotel to close it. However, condemnation proceedings weren't commenced. "In the absence of an urban renewal plan and the absence of the idea of developing the property, the town would have had to have been prepared to pay for the acquisition so they did not go forward with that. Then it was decided let's utilize the urban renewal process," said Charles Theofan, commissioner of the town's Department of Planning and Economic Development.

The town board adopted a blight study for the area around the hotel, which includes a delicatessen, gasoline station, municipal parking fields, vacant structures, a Long Island Rail Road station and the hotel. The town also has asked for developers to submit their qualifications to develop the area. The town board hopes to adopt the urban renewal plan, which will act as the plan for the redevelopment of the area this summer.

"Upon adoption by the town board, we will direct that the properties be acquired through condemnation for redevelopment by the private sector," stated the letter.

Four developers have been notified that they have been selected to produce competing proposals to redevelop the area. Among the selected developers is the Trammell Crow Company, which has entered into contract to purchase the Courtesy Hotel, according to the hotel. The town's urban renewal project will not interfere with the ability of Trammell Crow to seek zoning changes for its proposed development of the hotel, according to the town.

As if pressure from the civic association isn't enough, Assemblyman Tom Alfano has also gotten into the act of pressuring the town to close the Courtesy. Alfano, who was a candidate to become town supervisor when former supervisor Rich Guardino stepped down and was ultimately succeeded by Murray, has put out a flier urging the town to close the hotel. "After six years of discussion, the Courtesy needs to be shut down immediately," stated Alfano in a letter to Murray that was printed on the flier.

Although it's been over six years since the hotel has been in the civic association's radar, civic leaders may have to show more patience while the town's urban renewal plan is followed.

- Joe Rizza

The Latest Word From Town Hall

A Message From Supervisor Murray And Councilman Ambrosino

Publisher's Note: Oddly, the Town references the commencement of a court action under the so-called Nuisance Law. Interestingly, no court action is required in order to invoke the padlock provision of said law. The Town's most recent missive does not so much as mention the word "padlock."

READ Four Easy Steps To Close The Courtesy

Are we missing something here, or are they?
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KATE MURRAY
Supervisor

OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISORTOWN OF HEMPSTEAD

ONE WASHINGTON STREET, HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. 11550-4923

(516) 489-5000

April 4, 2007

Dear Resident,

Thank you for contacting the town with regard to the Courtesy Hotel. We share your frustration over the fact that the hotel is still standing, and we will not rest until this blight on West Hempstead is shut down forever. We have taken several steps to shutter the facility and redevelop it along with several other properties surrounding the site.

Many residents have called upon the town to commence a “nuisance action” against the hotel’s owners based on the illegal and dangerous activities that have occurred on the premises. In fact, we have utilized our public nuisance law to close down the hotel once and for all! In 2004, we sought a restraining order and an injunction against the hotel owners. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court ruled against us.

More recently, we have called upon the town attorney to explore commencing a new public nuisance action, based on new facts, to shutter the Courtesy. Simultaneously, we have demanded that Nassau County cease placing social service clients at the hotel.

Increased police surveillance has been requested and we have sought required county cooperation to place a police booth at the location.

We know you will be interested in an update on the town’s other efforts related to edevelopment of several parcels of property surrounding Hempstead Avenue and Westminster Road/Woodfield Road.

Several months ago, the Hempstead Town Board adopted a blight study determining that the Courtesy Hotel and the area surrounding the aforementioned intersection was blighted. This area includes a delicatessen, a gasoline station, municipal parking fields, vacant structures, a Long Island Rail Road station as well as the hotel. This study established the foundation for an Urban Renewal Plan, which is being developed by the town’s Department of Planning and Economic Development. The Plan will set forth a blueprint to redevelop and revitalize the entire area. Upon adoption by the town board, we will direct that the properties be acquired through condemnation for redevelopment by the private sector.

In anticipation of the proposed Urban Renewal Plan, we have overseen an effort by the Department of Planning and Economic Development to gauge interest by the private sector to redevelop the subject area. In fact, nine developers responded to town solicitations in this regard. Furthermore, four of the aforementioned developers have been notified that they have been selected to produce competing proposals to redevelop the blighted zone.

One of the selected developers, the Tramwell Crow Company, has entered into a contract to purchase the Courtesy Hotel. You should be aware that the Planning Department’s Urban Renewal Project will not interfere with or inhibit the ability of Tramwell Crow to seek zoning changes for its proposed development.

Our goals concerning the Courtesy Hotel are simple and straightforward…let’s shut the doors to this eyesore forever! Further, let’s redevelop the hotel and the surrounding area for the benefit of West Hempstead neighbors.

We hope that this update is helpful and provides insight regarding our efforts to make West Hempstead an even greater place in which to live.

Sincerely,

KATE MURRAY

Supervisor

EDWARD AMBROSINO
Councilman

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Nice letter.

Unfortunately, it adds absolutely nothing new to the mix, and begs the question (or avoids it, entirely) as to why the Courtesy has not been closed utilizing the padlock provision of the Town's Nuisance Law.

That's the question that West Hempstead residents should be asking of Town of Hempstead officials?

E-mail Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino and tell them you want the Courtesy padlocked NOW!

The Courtesy Hotel In The News. . .

. . .And Its Not Good!

From the Three Village Times
Will the Courtesy Close by Election Day?

From the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald
Sex Offender Living In Hotel

From Newsday
Effort to shutter Courtesy renews

From the Malverne/West Hempstead Herald
Curtains for the Courtesy?

And OLD NEWS (September, 2005) from the Three Village Times
Town Still Trying to Close Down Courtesy

STILL trying to close down the Courtesy? Hmmm. . .

How about, TRY HARDER!
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Keep sending those e-mails to Town Supervisor Kate Murray. Tell her you want the Courtesy closed NOW! KateMurray@tohmail.org

Four Easy Steps To Close The Courtesy

Residents to Town: "Take The First Step..."

Closing the Courtesy Hotel is as easy as 1-2-3. Okay. Its actually 1-2-3-4.

Truth is, the Town of Hempstead has the power to padlock the Courtesy, and all the Supervisor and Town Board have to do is take four small steps. . .

STEP 1: Two predicate Felony arrests within 12 consecutive months. [We have that and more!]

STEP 2: Town Attorney puts owner of Courtesy on written notice of its violations of the Nuisance Law.

STEP 3: Town Board schedules and holds a public hearing, upon due notice, to determine whether, in fact, the Courtesy is in violation of the Nuisance Law, and so finding, fashions a remedy – to wit, invoking the padlock provision.

STEP 4: Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, acting under color of the Nuisance Law and the authority of the Town Board, padlocks the Courtesy.

Then, watch the sales price plummet, and the wrecking ball fly!
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SEND AN E-MAIL TO KATE MURRAY. TELL THE SUPERVISOR TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD CLOSING THE COURTESY NOW! KateMurray@tohmail.org

What's Old Is New Again???

How Quickly We Are Asked To Forget, As History At The Courtesy Repeats Itself -- Again, Again, And Again!

Where is former Town Councilman Joe Kearney when we need more foot-in-mouth rhetoric from the Town of Hempstead?

How fortunate for Town Supervisor Kate Murray that we peons in the hither regions of the Town have such short memories!

Call it GROUNDHOG DAY in the Town of Hempstead. Yeah.

That's the ticket. BILL MURRAY FOR TOWN SUPERVISOR!
---
From the September 15, 2000 edition of the Three Village Times (emphasis added):

Banks: Courtesy Hotel Not Courteous
Town Councilman Says West Hempstead Hotel Is Blight on Community
By Joe Rizza

Citing the violation of the Town of Hemsptead Public Nuisance Law, which went into effect last month, Councilman N. Scott Banks publicly spoke out against the Courtesy Hotel, located on Hempstead Avenue in West Hempstead. Banks urged the town to take action against the hotel, which he said is the source of numerous criminal activities, and has become a detriment to the surrounding areas.

Banks, who was elected to the town board this past November, said he had been concerned about the hotel since 1995. "From the start of getting involved in this government, I decided we're going to do something about this because this particular facility is bringing our community down. It affects our quality of life that we have in West Hemsptead," Banks said at a press conference he called on Thursday, Sept. 7 in the hotel's parking lot.

Banks also said the presence of the Courtesy Hotel is preventing the surrounding area from being developed. "What has happened here through neglect, be it of the town ignoring the wishes and needs of the community, nothing has gotten done," he said.

In January, Banks submitted a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request for the purposes of inquiring about possible criminal activity having occurred at the Courtesy. Banks said he learned that from 1997 through early 1999, there were 40 incidents involving the police either at the hotel or in its vicinity. Among some of the crimes committed, according to Banks, include drug dealing, prostitution and violent sexual assaults.

The issue of the Courtesy Hotel may have sparked a political battle between Banks and Town Councilman Joe Kearney since both are running against each other in the second councilmatic district in the upcoming election.

Banks, a Democrat, said he proposed a nuisance law to the town back in June, which was modeled after the Town of Babylon's public nuisance law, to guard against facilities that threaten the health and welfare of a community and bring that community down. Kearney said a public nuisance law was drafted at the request of Town of Hempstead Supervisor Richard Guardino, Councilman Anthony Santino and himself - all Republicans.

Banks said he found Guardino's public nuisance law to be too difficult to understand and too draconian. When it came time to vote on Guardino's proposed public nuisance law, Banks abstained, although, he said, he is in favor of having a strong law.

Despite Banks' abstention, the law was passed on August 8 and went into effect on August 17. Although the law wasn't written the way Banks would have liked, he is still urging the board to use it in the case of the Courtesy Hotel. "Since we have a public nuisance law in effect, let's use it," he said. "Let's use it right now to give the people of the Courtesy Hotel notice that they are violating our rights in the Town of Hempstead. I am sick and tired of standing around, walking past this facility and watching drug dealers on the corners. I'm sick and tired of hearing and speaking to police officers telling me they made prostitution and drug arrests."

Kearney believes it was his lead as well as that of Guardino and Santino that got the law passed.

"I'm happy that Mr. Banks has decided to get on board and follow my lead," he said, adding that he disagrees with Banks holding a press conference concerning the Courtesy Hotel. "What we did after the law became effective is what we should have done, without hoopla."

On August 18, the day after the law went into effect, Guardino and Kearney directed the town's attorney, Joe Ra, to contact the police and let them know the law had gone into effect and to look into predicate offenses, Kearney said. "The law was being enforced with respect to the Courtesy Hotel quietly, efficiently, and effectively without the need of a press conference the day after it became effective," he added.

Banks, however, has a different view of the situation. The town, he said, has done nothing about the problem. "This has been going on for years. No political leader or representative from anywhere has done anything about this facility. They just ignored it," he said. "Enough is enough. This community is getting killed by this place. I think this is the number one issue in West Hempstead right now."

Kearney said he and Guardino know of the problems at the Courtesy Hotel and they have been working with police. In fact, Kearney said the owner of the hotel has been cooperative. "He's not looking to avoid responsibility," he added.

Under the law, Kearney said, there have to be two arrests at a location from the effective date of the law. "On August 18, we asked the police to monitor the situation and to let us know if and when the two arrests occur. They are looking into that now and we hope to hear as soon as they have the information," said Kearney last week, adding that police have not notified the town as to whether the Courtesy Hotel is in violation of the public nuisance law.

Once it is determined that the public nuisance law has been violated, the town can take action. The town then can schedule a hearing for the town board to hear evidence and testimony and then consider, by vote, whether or not there is a public nuisance at a particular location. If there is an affirmative determination by the town board, the town can order the shut down of the facility, although there can be an appeal process. Another course of action for the town is to move directly into court, seeking an injunction and asking that the facility be shut down. Representatives would then prosecute the case in court under the law.

Banks said he is demanding that the Town of Hemsptead take immediate action against the Courtesy Hotel since, the hotel, he said is in violation of the town's public nuisance law.

According to Banks, an arrest made at the hotel would require the town to give notice to the facility that it is in violation. A second arrest made within the period of a year gives the town the option of holding a hearing to take action against the hotel, whether it is shutting it down, fining it or taking other types of action so as instituting conditions of operation. "If we can't close it down, we could make them clean up their act too so we have to work in any direction we can," he said.

Banks, a resident of West Hempstead, also stated he would like the town to make an effort to close down the Courtesy Hotel. However, according to Inspector William McHale of Nassau Police's Fifth Squad, the Courtesy Hotel is not yet in violation of the Town of Hempstead's public nuisance law.

The way the law is written, there have to be two arrests at a location; they have to be arrests for incidents that occurred within the actual building and they have to be for certain offenses, said McHale.

"As it stands at this moment, the Nassau County Police Department has not charged or arrested any individual in the building for any offenses [contained within the law since it took effect]," said McHale on Tuesday. "That's not to say that there have not been arrests in or about the building for various things. There have been several arrests in the building for certain things but none of which come under the categories."

Those categories in which arrests can cause a violation of the public nuisance law include prostitution offenses, controlled substances offenses, alcohol and beverage control law violations and unlawfully dealing with a child. "It has to be offenses in the law and it has to be in the building," said McHale, adding that there have been arrests for involving at least two of the offenses including possession of drugs and prostitution but those incidents occurred in the street.

"Those types of offenses are much more difficult to make arrests for [in the building] than those same types of offenses in the street."

The police inspector said the fifth squad wants to cooperate with the town the best it can and help the town deal with issues it views as important. McHale also said arrests that would violate the public nuisance law are public information. The town's attorney, he said, has been checking to see if there have, in fact, been arrests that would violate the law.
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The Deputy Commander of the Fifth Precinct confirmed at the February 28th meeting of the West Hempstead Civic Association that there were a multitude of Felony arrests inside the Courtesy Hotel in 2006, certainly enough upon which to institute action under the Town's Nuisance Law.

How many Felonies -- rapes, assaults, drug and weapon possessions, prostitution, endangerment of the welfare of children -- have there been at the Courtesy since September of 2000?

Enough to have shuttered the doors to the hotel ten times over!

SEND AN E-MAIL TO KATE MURRAY. KateMurray@tohmail.org. DEMAND THE CLOSURE OF THE COURTESY NOW!

Can Anybody Say "PADLOCK?"

Town Nuisance Law Merely A Nuisance To Town of Hempstead
Why Won't Supervisor Kate Murray Padlock The Courtesy?

You really have to wonder.

First Kate Murray is against condemnation. Then she's for it. But the Town STILL has not commenced a Condemnation Proceeding to close the Courtesy Hotel.

Then Kate Murray is against invoking the padlock provision of the Town's Nuisance Law. Now she's looking at the "option" of renewing a failed civil suit brought under the Nuisance Law.

The Town's Communications office tells West Hempstead civic leaders -- time and time again -- that a Condemnation Proceeding is underway, and that the reason the Supervisor cannot padlock the Courtesy is the pendency of the Town's civil action brought under the Nuisance Law, the civil suit precluding resort to the padlock provision.

There is no pending Condemnation Proceeding, and never was, and even assuming, for argument sake, that the Supervisor's hands were tied (and mouth gagged, apparently, given her utter failure to personally go on the record here), with respect to preclusion of padlocking during the pendency of the civil suit, we learn now, through Newsday's report, that the civil suit was dismissed on appeal, years ago.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING STANDING BETWEEN THE SUPERVISOR OF THE TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD AND THE PADLOCKING OF THE COURTESY BUT FOR THE WILL OF THE SUPERVISOR TO ACT!

Ask the Town why they have not closed the Courtesy -- as West Hempsteaders have been doing for a dozen years -- and you'll get the old song and dance.

"Well. Ah. Ya know." "We're working on it." "These things take time!"

Now, the Town wants our community to wait until July, when the Town "hopes" to adopt an Urban renewal plan -- itself only a prelude to a long, drawn-out condemnation process.

We say, "time has run out," both on the Courtesy and on the patience of the good people of this community.

We're tired of the excuses, the runaround, the smokescreen, and, yes, the out-and-out lies that flow from the Town's press office.

At this point, Supervisor Kate Murray has but two options as far as the residents of West Hempstead are concerned: PADLOCK THE COURTESY OR RESIGN FROM OFFICE!

E-MAIL SUPERVISOR KATE MURRAY -- KateMurray@tohmail.org -- AND TELL HER TO PADLOCK THE COURTESY HOTEL NOW!
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Effort to shutter Courtesy renews
By Eden Laikin
eden.laikin@newsday.com

The 12-year campaign by West Hempstead residents to shut the Courtesy Hotel has moved into the electronic age: Residents have sent more than 130 e-mails to Hempstead town officials, asking that it be padlocked immediately.

The West Hempstead Civic Association began its crusade in 1995, and is now urging Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Edward Ambrosino to speed up redevelopment plans for the area and close the Hempstead Avenue hotel.

"It's very simple: there's a law on the books, known as the nuisance law, which contains a padlock provision permitting the town to close the hotel after two predicate felony arrests," said Seth Bykofsky, former president of the association. "All we are asking is for the supervisor to apply the letter of the law ... "

The group has pointed to drug activity and police arrests at the hotel as having an impact on their quality of life. Last month, town officials spoke to 200 residents who gathered at the West Hempstead Middle School to voice their anger about the hotel, where police said they have responded 28 times this year. Most recently, a Level 3 sex offender, paroled after being convicted of raping a 9-year-old girl, moved into the Courtesy.

Hotel owner Bruce Zwelsky could not be reached for comment, but he has said the business has increased security.

Assemb. Tom Alfano (R-North Valley Stream) said he also sent a letter to Murray, asking her to condemn the hotel. "It is a source of violence, danger and embarrassment to the residents," the letter read. "Instances of rape, assault and drug violations cannot continue; it is unacceptable. "

Town officials say they are working to redevelop the area. Hempstead is pursuing several initiatives, including preparing an urban renewal plan, which they hope will be adopted by the town board by July, town spokesman Mike Deery said.

"That will give us the authority to acquire any properties affected by the plan and/or to commence condemnation hearings," he said.

The town tried to close the hotel in 2004 under the nuisance law, but its order was overturned by an appellate court. Deery said the town is exploring the option of renewing the nuisance case.

In 2005, the town initiated a "blight study," as the first step toward condemning the property. That process, they said, would take about 18 months. In December, the town issued a request for qualifications from interested developers. And last month, the list of potential developers was narrowed to four.

Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.

Sex Offender Takes Up Residence At Courtesy

Just When You Thought It Couldn't Get Any Worse. . .

In room 411 of the infamous Courtesy Hotel, William Wright, convicted (Rape - 1st Degree; Sodomy - 1st Degree) Level 3 Sex Offender (Female, 9 Years; Female, Younger than 17 years), begins his "parole" smack, dab at the eastern gateway to our West Hempstead.

Click HERE to access NYS Sex Offender Registry

Among other conditions of his Parole, Wright is to have "NO UNSUPERVISED CONTACT WITH MINOR CHILDREN UNDER AGE OF 18."

And yet, there he is, in residence at the Courtesy Hotel on Hempstead Avenue, a short stroll from West Hempstead's residential neighborhoods and business district.

Tell us, do you know where your children are? Are they safe from harm? Why is the West Hempstead community continuously placed at risk?

And speaking of supervision, where is Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray? Why does she remain silent as the Courtesy's doors remain open?

Send an e-mail to Kate Murray, and ask her when the Courtesy Hotel will be closed. KateMurray@tohmail.org

Demand that the Supervisor invoke the padlock provision of the Town's Nuisance Law to padlock the Courtesy TODAY!

Tale Of Two Towns

If Only The Courtesy Was On Knoll Lane

The Town’s response vis-à-vis the Courtesy Hotel – or lack thereof – brings to mind events of yesteryear (as in, “déjà vu, all over again):

In the mid-1990s, West Hempsteaders were fighting to close an after-hours club (Café Wandyful) situated on the Turnpike near Mayfair Avenue, its parking lot abutting residential properties. Noise, lewdness, and rough-housing spilling into the streets until dawn; nude, table-top dancing; you name it, Café Wandyful was dishing it out – all without license or permit.

Up in arms, the community – with Scott Jablow (President of the Cathedral Gardens Civic Association) and Seth Bykofsky (then Executive Vice President of the fledgling West Hempstead Civic Association) leading the charge – enlisted what it hoped would be the aid of the Town of Hempstead (Greg Peterson, then Supervisor) to help close the club, which was operating outside the variances and conditions issued by the Town’s Board of Zoning Appeals.

The Town issued summonses, and eventually brought suit against Café Wandyful, which lawsuit languished for what seemed like an eternity.

Then, out of the blue, and some two-years into the war on Wandyful, a story appeared in Newsday, detailing the seemingly overnight closure of a similar after-hours club with like untoward propensities located on the Turnpike in East Meadow, which club was shut down by the Town of Hempstead, swiftly, summarily, and apparently without resort to protracted litigation.

The difference between West Hempstead’s Café Wandyful and the East Meadow “gentlemen’s” club? The East Meadow club was just a stone’s throw away from the East Meadow home of one Greg Peterson, Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead.

Seizing upon this injustice and the negative ensuing press highlighting the blatant inconsistency in the Town’s actions, West Hempstead’s civic leaders prevailed upon Supervisor Peterson to immediately take up the community’s cause.

Righting the wrong – and taking center stage before the media (flashy jewelry, and all) – Greg Peterson himself argued the case against Café Wandyful before the State Supreme Court in Mineola, and, lo and behold, within a matter of weeks, the doors to the notorious after-hours club were shuttered forever.

We'd venture a very strong guess here, that if a no-tell hotel similar in nature to West Hempstead’s Courtesy was in operation but a stone’s throw from the Levittown house on Knoll Lane in which current Town Supervisor Kate Murray resides, its doors would have been padlocked, the wrecking ball swinging away with abandon, years ago.

Unfortunately, in the unincorporated areas of Hempstead Town west of Levittown, it is the residents and taxpayers who are left abandoned, having to fend for themselves to hold on to what little remains of that ever-diminishing quality of life!

Assemblyman Tom Alfano's Public Statement on the Courtesy

Assemblyman Tom Alfano, a true friend of the West Hempstead community and longtime ally in the battle to close the Courtesy Hotel, made the following statement today:

"The Courtesy must be padlocked, shut and wiped off the map of West Hempstead now. It's an embarrassment, a disgrace and a clear and present danger to the community."

--Thomas W. Alfano, Assemblyman, 21st Assembly District

West Hempstead Residents To Town Supervisor Kate Murray --

"PADLOCK THE COURTESY HOTEL NOW!"

When residents of the unicorporated hamlet of West Hempstead joined a standing room only crowd at the community's middle school for a civic meeting last week, the Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, Kate Murray -- conspicuous by her absence -- got an earful in absentia:

"We want the infamous, crime-ridden Courtesy Hotel closed NOW!"

Its not like West Hempstead residents haven't been calling for the closure of this hourly-rate haven for rapists, drug dealers, prostitutes, and the like for years on end.

The battle to shutter the hotel -- and to clean up the eastern gateway to West Hempstead -- now enters its 12th year, and residents are now well into their third Town Supervisor.

The Town of Hempstead, having jurisdiction over zoning, building codes, and enforcement, has final say over what will become of this "scourge" upon the West Hempstead community, and yet, for more than a decade, the Town has done little to move the hotel toward closure, vehement protests of the citizenry notwithstanding.

West Hempstead residents -- and those who reside within the Town of Hempstead who are concerned about their neighbors' quality of life -- are urged to send an e-mail to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, demanding the immediate closure of the Courtesy Hotel.

In 2000, upon the introduction of then Town Councilman N. Scott Banks, the Hempstead Town Board adopted a so-called Nuisance Law.The Nuisance Law contains a "padlock provision" which permits the Town of Hempstead, upon appropriate notice, to padlock the doors to the hotel upon two (2) felony arrests committed within 12 consecutive months.

In 2006 alone, there were 94 “reports” to the 5th Precinct of the Nassau County Police Department emanating from the Courtesy in 2006 (meaning officers actually wrote up an incident report); 46 actual arrests (many felonies); and more than 200 calls. [Prior years, dating back to the 1990s, bore similar reports and arrests.]

Shortly after the enactment of the Nuisance Law in 2000, and continuing to date, community and civic leaders in West Hempstead have made demand after demand upon the Town of Hempstead to envoke the padlock provisions of the Nuisance Law, all to no avail.

Dating back to 1995, through no less that three Town Supervisors -- Greg Peterson, Rich Guardino, and Kate Murray -- West Hempstead residents have asked the Town of Hempstead to take appropriate action [condemnation, civil enforcement, padlocking under the Nuisance Law] to forever close the Courtesy Hotel, all to no avail.

With a contract for private sale pending with a respected and reputable developer -- Trammell-Crow -- pending, and other avenues of renewal and redevelopment at hand and under consideration, residents of West Hempstead now need and deserve the breathing room, permitting the opportunity to review, examine, and ultimately select the best proposal for the redevelopment of the Courtesy site.

Such "breathing room" can only be had through the Town of Hempstead's immediate closure of the Courtesy.

CLICK HERE TO SEND AN E-MAIL TO TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD SUPERVISOR KATE MURRAY. Remind her that this is an election year. Tell her to CLOSE THE COURTESY NOW!

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!
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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

Closing The Courtesy Hotel Is So Easy. . .

. . .Even A Cave Man Can Do It!

A Kate Murray, on the other hand. . . Well, that's not so easy.

[Open to a scene at West Hempstead's Venus Restaurant, where a caveman sits across the table from an indignant, pouting Town Supervisor. Both are staring at menu. Kate Murray looks up at caveman and begins to speak]

KATE: Your ad was totally insensitive and offensive.

CAVEMAN: Sorry, Kate, we didn’t realize you were still around…

WAITER: Would you like to order?

CAVEMAN: I'll have the cheeseburger deluxe, extra onions.

KATE: Frankly, I've lost my appetite. Just give me some of that MTBE water West Hempstead is so famous for.
[Kate’s cell phone rings. She picks it up.]
It’s my father, brother, and third cousin four times removed – all calling from their patronage jobs at Town Hall. I’ll put them on speaker…

CAVEMAN: Look, Kate, we just assumed, since you hadn’t closed the Courtesy, fixed the potholes in our streets, removed illegal basement apartments, improved the facades in our business districts, or cited the multitude of code violations along the Avenue and the Turnpike, that you were extinct.

KATE: (sarcastic) Sure, okay. I bring you garbage collection at four times the going rate, special taxing jurisdictions that bleed homeowners dry, and do everything I can to reinvent the wheel, no matter what the issue. Sorry I took so long getting these things to you.

[Fade to black]
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SEND AN E-MAIL TO TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD SUPERVISOR KATE MURRAY. TELL HER TO COME OUT OF HER CAVE AND PADLOCK THE COURTESY! KateMurray@tohmail.org