Letters to the Editor

A ‘Vow’ fulfilled

To The Editor:
On behalf of Power Productions, The Directors Company and the creative team working on the stage production of “Irena’s Vow” by Oscar-nominee Dan Gordon, we want to express our compliments to journalist Diane Vacca for a job well done on the article ”Broadway producer’s mission is ‘Irena’s Vow’” (news article, June 20) about the true life account of Irena Gut Opdyke’s heroism during World War II and her astonishing feat of hiding 12 Jewish refugees in the basement of a high-ranking Nazi officer’s villa for two years.

Two very vital contributors were inadvertently omitted from the article: The Invictus Theater Company, who discovered this amazing play and helped nurture it in its early stages, and The Polish Cultural Institute of New York, which has been very supportive of the project in numerous ways, from the early readings through the preparation for its world premiere this fall at the Baruch Performing Arts Center.

But most of all, we want to fulfill “Irena’s Vow” by reaching out to students in the area and inviting them to attend this important and moving production. For group rates or more information on the show, please call The Directors Company at 212-246-5877.
Stan Raiff
Raiff is the founder of Power Productions, a theatrical production company

It’s your transit system

To The Editor:
As a New Yorker, I have always known that we are blessed to have the largest mass transit system in the Western Hemisphere right here in our backyard. As the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, I’ve come to appreciate the advantage it gives us as a region. It is truly an economic engine and asset in and of itself. Most important, it is your asset, and one that we must work together to protect.

The value of our transportation network has become even more apparent over the past few weeks as people across the country have been digging into their pockets and their savings to deal with astronomical rises in the cost of their daily commutes. Twenty to 30 percent increases in the price of gas — in only a few days or weeks — are really stressing drivers and the economy. By comparison, the cost of our subway, bus or rail rides continue to be the best deals around.

I know you probably don’t think of it this way, but the transportation network belongs to you, the public. As a New Yorker, you are actually an investor who has a stake — not just in whether the fare goes up — but in how the system is financed and what’s needed to bring it to a state of good repair.

The system that moves 8.5 million people each day costs billions of dollars to maintain each year, far more than just what gets put in the fare box. The rest of the money needed to run, rebuild and expand the system comes from a broad range of financing mechanisms provided by our partners in the city, state and federal government.

So, you see, the services that the system provides are, therefore, dependent on a combination of what the public is willing to pay at the farebox and also what they are willing to pay elsewhere. As we propose our next five-year capital plan to the state, it’s something all of you, as riders and owners, should focus on. The current five-year plan, which runs through 2009, totals $21 billion — and the next five-year plan will most assuredly be bigger — so we’re talking about a major investment here.

Capital funding is crucial to the system and, therefore, to the region’s economy, and we need it. But you, as owners, should be active participants in the public discussion. Let your elected officials know that the transit system matters to you and how you think it should be improved. Be supportive of government funding — but expect financial clarity, budget transparency and operational efficiency in return.

We on the M.T.A. board will, assuredly, do our part, but I am asking all of you to take ownership in what we are doing to move the M.T.A. ahead. This is a partnership and we need each other to make it a go.
H. Dale Hemmerdinger
Hemmerdinger is chairman, Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Mendez just doesn’t get it

To The Editor:
Re “Washington’s and Robeson’s spirits haunt pavilion plan” and “Partnership hails achievements it has cultivated” (news articles, June 13):

When it comes to Union Square Park, Councilmember Rosie Mendez just doesn’t get it.

The issue is not about getting a smaller restaurant, or the inclusion of a takeout counter for folks who can’t afford a pricey eating establishment. The issue is the Parks Department’s usurpation and privatization of the children’s pavilion, a space that was formerly used for recreation purposes. There are many young adults, some who may be constituents of Rosie’s, who fondly recall playing in the pavilion before the Parks Department allowed it to deteriorate. The building’s proximity to the new playground demands its renewed use as a sheltered recreation space, and a place where there could be arts programs, as well as events that tie in with the farmers market.

There may be parks where a restaurant would be appropriate, but crowded, heavily used Union Square Park is not one of these, located as it is where there are more than 100 eating places within a couple of blocks, including 17 right on the square. Let’s not lose this unique opportunity to provide a beautiful, sheltered recreation area adjacent to what we hope will be an attractive and innovative new playground.
Carol Greitzer
Greitzer was a city councilmember from 1969-’91, during which Union Square was among the Downtown areas she represented