ISC asks councilmen to avoid 'rush to judgment'
By Bob Pockrass
Friday, May 12, 2006
International Speedway Corp. has asked New York City Council members from Staten Island to avoid a "rush to judgment" over its proposed three-quarter mile race track in the borough.
Staten Island representatives James Oddo and Andrew Lanza sent a letter May 8 to ISC board members that emphasized their strong opposition to the Proposal, and ISC President Lesa France Kennedy responded in a May 11 letter, stating that ISC wants to continue the public hearing process.
The first public hearing was halted because of an unruly crowd April 27.
"Despite strong rhetoric in your letter, the process remains alive, and there is a long way to go before anything is decided," Kennedy wrote. "Any attempt to sever the democratic process would be unfair and send a chilling signal to any company seeking to do business on Staten Island."
The New York City Council has the final vote on the proposal, and that vote likely won't come until summer 2007. Staten Island has three of the 51 representatives on the City Council, and all of them have come out against the track.
Kennedy wrote that ISC is proud of its proposal that transforms "an old polluted industrial site into open parkland." She also said that ISC's plans are not set in stone, and ISC will make changes.
"If what we present to the community isn't acceptable - we'll do all we can to make changes and address public concerns," Kennedy wrote. "At the end of the process, if the citizens are unhappy with the project, then the elected leaders will vote with a full and informed understanding.
"What more can you ask for? Let's put aside the political grandstanding and work together to do what is best for Staten Island."
