Please Mr. Vallone! Don't desert the Middle Class!

[Hellskitchen]

The following is a letter sent to City Council Speaker Peter Vallone
on Tuesday, June 16 (followed by a copy of the fundraising invitation):

Dear Speaker Vallone:

We recently became aware that your campaign will be holding a fundraising event on June 18 where a
number of the listed Patrons or Benefactors have been identified as well-known developers,
lobbyists or theater owners.

Surely you are aware of Mayor Giuliani’s upcoming Theater Subdistrict/Eighth Avenue Zoning
proposal that would, if passed by City Council, adversely impact the low-rise and middle-class
Clinton neighborhood west of Eighth Avenue, undermine the Special Clinton District and establish
precedents for unleashing Transfer of Development Rights (AKA “air rights”) in wide receiving
areas, without community review (ULURP) or Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) in other areas of
the city.

Moreover, although the plan would be a windfall to a few theater owners, it would be disastrous
for the larger theatrical industry, many of whom live in Clinton—where affordable housing and
small businesses will suffer the consequences of inappropriate development. The proceeds from air
rights sales amount to only 5-10% of the Broadway Initiative’s operating budget, with the
remainder expected to come from the theatrical unions themselves.

We believe it is inappropriate for your campaign to accept money from theater owners such as
Nederlanders and lobbyists for the Broadway Initiative, such as Ethan Geto only two months before
City Council is slated to vote on this proposal.

We are aware that the Nederlanders, in particular, are part owners of the New York Yankees while
at the same time, you are pursuing a referendum on the ballot regarding the funding of a potential
new stadium in our neighborhood. We are aware that the Nederlanders purchased development sites on
Eighth Avenue (presumably at lower prices, see Crains, Feb. 19, 1996) in anticipation of the
current rezoning proposal. We are aware that although the Nederlanders had an extra $40,000
available last year, which they contributed to Mayor Giuliani’s re-election campaign (resulting in
a fine for illegal campaign contributions), they and other theater owners now claim they cannot
maintain their theater buildings and therefore must convince others that “saving theater” is
necessary by selling development rights in an unprecedented fashion. We are also aware that Ethan
Geto is a paid lobbyist for the Broadway Initiative, a group that, we are discovering, has
blatantly misrepresented its goals and financing structures to City Planning Commission and others
in city government.

We understand that political campaigns cost money, but it is also just as true that the final
arbiters, the voters, must have confidence in a candidate. Although we don’t expect, at this late
date, that you would cancel this apparently well-planned event, we wish to make sure you
understand we are aware of these problematic relationships. We wish the need to raise money from
developers and such conflicted interests was not necessary, but as you enjoy the performances of
Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris, please realize artistry and contributions like theirs is
nurtured in communities like Clinton.

Many groups and organizations, from many boroughs and interests, are voicing opposition to the
Theater Subdistrict zoning proposal (a list is enclosed). When this plan comes before City
Council, we hope you’ll have a wider representation of opinion influencing your position than
those bending your ear this Thursday.

Sincerely,
John Fisher
Clinton Special District Coalition

============================================================

VALLONE FUNDRAISER INVITATION
(how many names and their interests can you identify?)

Ann Reinking, Honorary Chair and The Host Committee

request the pleasure of your company at
An Evening of Dance and Music 
with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Mark Morris

in honor of
Peter F. Vallone
Thursday, June 18, 1998

6:00 PM Cocktail reception at the Plaza Hotel
        59th Street at Central Park South

8:00 PM Performance at the Florence Gould Hall
        55 East 59th Street
        
9:15 PM Patron Reception with Mikhail Baryshnikov, 
        Mark Morris and Peter Vallone at the home of 
        Pamela and Bob Rosenberg - 125 East 61st Street
        
Seating is limited to 350. 
Tickets will be distributed at door before performance

PATRONS

Pat and Arthur Altshul
Susan Burden
Barbaralee Diamonstein and Carl Spielvogel
Barbara Fife
Dan Klores

BENEFACTORS

Norman Adler
Robert H. Arnow
Elizabeth H. Berger
Lois Carswell
Constance L. Clapp
Larry E. Condon
Gordon J. Daviis
Michael K. DeChiara
Lucille Falcone
Ethan Geto
Serena Harding-Jones
Judith M. Hoffman
Robert A. Kandel
Edith W. Kean
Paul Kellogg
Allan F. Kramer II
Lawrence Lederman
Warner LeRoy
Kennith Lipper
Peter L. Malkin
Martin J. McLaughlin
Julia Miles
James Nederlander
Martin Oppenheimer
Alton E. Peters
Judith & Herbert Schlosser
Irwin Schneiderman
Martin E. Segal
Kenneth L. Wallach

[ ] Yes! I want to support Peter Vallone and 
    attend the June 18th performance.

[ ] I would like to be a PATRON ($5,000 per couple) 
    and attend the Post-Performance Reception with 
    Peter Vallone, Mikhaol Baryshnikov and Mark Morris.
    
[ ] I would like to be a BENEFACTOR ($1,000 per person) 
    and attend the Pre-Performance Cocktail Reception 
    with Peter Vallone.
    
[ ] I would like to be listed on the program as a 
    Patron/Benefactor

[ ] I would like ___ $500 ticket(s) for the performance 
    and Pre-Performance Cocktail reception with Peter Vallone.
    
[ ] No, I cannot attend but enclosed is my contribution of $_________