"We cannot allow our current elected officials to Shepard through more luxury development that destroys our community"

Yetta Kurland, running to be the next City Council Member from the 3rd District, is taking a stand against putting three towers of luxury condominiums between 44th and 45th Streets, West of 10th Avenue.

"This proposed development goes against everything the Mayor and our Council Members have said about being sensitive to community concerns."

These development efforts are connected to the Hudson Rail Yard development that is actively being supported by current sitting Council Member, Christine Quinn.

"Didn't we learn from the crisis in school overcrowding earlier this year? These luxury high rises will eclipse and overwhelm PS 51 nearby. The school operated last year at overcapacity. Plans for a new school do not address the problems that will come with thousands of families in the proposed development let alone resolve the current crisis with overcrowding.

"Nor does the proposed development contemplate the effect it will have on automobile traffic in the area, already a nightmare, not to mention the small businesses that will be forced to shut down.

"Our elected officials are not listening to the people of the community. They are listening to the developers.

"My opponent went out of her way to speak in support of plans to develop high-rise luxury condominiums in the Hudson Rail Yards at the past Community Board 4 hearing even though there will be no permanent affordable housing whatsoever on site. She also refuses to take a stand to stop the overdevelopment proposed around PS51" Ms. Kurland said.

"Meanwhile, there are fewer affordable housing units than ever before in the area, and more homeless families. It is ironic that Council Speaker Quinn is advancing new luxury condominium development at a time when they are also advancing a bail-out plan to rescue developers called HARP which takes tax payers money and gives them to developers.