30 Seconds of Fame
A report on the CB2 meeting in the irreverent words of Ms. Marge Colt:
Well, I went to the meeting. For those who have never attended the monthly meeting of the full board of CB2 it is an odd event attended by very odd people. I felt more than normal, like a girl from Ohio who wandered into the wrong room. There is a lot of back slapping and kissing among the members who sit separated from the masses. Smith, I think it is, has a long ponytail and stepped out of the 70′s, Carol Yancey is unfortunately not our friend even if she lives at #2 and once was Pres. of the HSA. The public is allowed to speak on whatever is on their mind or anything that bugs them. You get 2 minutes and there is a timer held by Carol. A few people blabbered on about Washington Square Park turning into a dust bowl, etc. and as I had signed in to speak I stood up and said that as the V.P. of the HSA I represented Horatio Street and was voicing our strong opposition to a permission for a sidewalk cafe for PM. I then handed in my copies of the two letters that were emailed to me. The interesting thing is that there was no agenda that told what the committee would be discussing so whether or not PM was on their list, I really do not know. I did not see any PM people there, however, so I have a feeling it was not on the agenda. I may be wrong. Then the phony Englishman from Gansevoort Hotel got up to plead his case that getting the liquor license for the roof had nothing to do with the noise problem from the restaurant below. Arthur Strickler pointed out that he was the manager of the hotel and that everything went together. He did not seem to get very far with them. The hotel had the entire entourage in a row. (That is a very motley crew and as I left they were conferencing in the hall so I was able to plow through with a stony look on my face. I saw outside the building their stretch limousine and driver waiting. That is how the other half lives.) Anyway, I raised my hand to ask a question, actually to make a point voiced as a question, and it was then that I learned that only members of the board can ask questions.
It is a pity that we did not have more letters. We really should send someone monthly and find something to gripe about so they know we are there. It is quite painless as the public session only lasts 1 hour and then you can leave.
Personally, it makes me even more eager to get to Portugal and just talk to fishermen.
Marjorie Colt
www.roomstolet.net
