Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn (page 1)

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Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn

August 05, 2004	On NY1 Now: News All Day	Weather: Wet & Cloudy, High 79

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	Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
AUGUST 05TH, 2004 They're known for their Watchtower literature and their towering buildings at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Now, Jehovah's Witnesses want to expand their religious headquarters beyond the Manhattan Bridge, transforming a three-acre parking lot into a large residential complex that would house nearly 2,000 members. ?Our current plans call for buildings of 20, 18, 16 and 14 stories with the dining hall and assembly hall and being about three stories,? said Richard Devine of the Watchtower Society, an organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. Their dream is to build this on property. But the Watchtower Society still has to go through the city's land-use review process to get the proper approvals and a zoning change that would turn a manufacturing district into a residential one. There are already about 2,000 people living in the area, which is on the edge of DUMBO and Vinegar Hill. ?This project would double the population of DUMBO-Vinegar Hill, which is a huge impact on a neighborhood,? said City Councilman David Yassky. ?My concern is whether the infrastructure of the neighborhood can handle that.? Yassky and the local community board have asked the Watchtower Society to make improvements to the neighborhood, like fixing up a public park. The organization says that although that is a reasonable request, it is not interested in Yassky's recommendation to upgrade the York Street train station as well. Some residents say Jehovah?s Witnesses should be doing more to accommodate the community, like adding retail space and scaling down the project. ?The height is an issue, because it's out of the context with the neighborhood,? said Christy Nyberg of the DUMBO Neighborhood Association. ?This is a really large project to put down in a relatively small neighborhood.? The Watchtower Society says that it's considering reducing the height of one of its buildings but that retail is out of the question because it conflicts with its standing as a religious non-profit. However, the society says the main building would have a well-lit, large, open lobby to add to the vibrancy of the community, as well as green open space. Plans also call for underground parking for more than 1,000 cars. ?Ten years ago you couldn't have imagined it as a place to live, and so we never bought it with the idea that that would be a future use,? Devine said. ?But obviously the area has changed quite a bit. We've seen a real resurgence there.? The next step for the Watchtower Society is a public hearing held by the Brooklyn borough president, expected to happen early next month. Then, the plan goes before the city Planning Commission and the City Council. - Jeanine Ramirez

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wednesday	: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	I see this goes before the city council. anyway to block this?
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willyloman	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	I'm a little confused about why they need so much new housing there, when everything I read indicates they are down-sizing Brooklyn and moving away. Can anyone clarify?
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metatron	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	It's all about making money. They sell off many of their other Brooklyn properties which have greatly appreciated thru the years and then build new buildings on land they already own using mostly free labor from Witnesses who love construction work. They come out ahead. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ metatron
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kls	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	Oh but the end is coming anytime now, so why the need to expand and they use their donations only for the purpose of preaching ,RIGHT! Gawn they make me so sick.
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RunningMan	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	The neighborhood must really hate this. 2000 people who use infrastructure, but do not pay tax or participate in the community in any way, while blocking everyone else's view with highrises. I hope one of those big cracks in the earth from the Paradise book opens up and swallows the whole place at Armageddon.
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BONEZZ	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	I think we should all call Watchtower spokesman, Dick Devine (isn't that what they do to their members?), and give him hell! Maybe some calls to the councilman too. I don't think an organization that is currently embroiled in child abuse suits around the country should be allowed to expand their operations into a nice family neighborhood like Dumbo. -BONEZZ
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qwerty	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	They're known for their Watchtower literature and their towering buildings at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Sounds about right. Their not know for Bible education. I wonder why! Qwerty
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Odrade	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	ditto what everyone else has said, plus: the society says the main building would have a well-lit, large, open lobby to add to the vibrancy of the community, as well as green open space. and this would serve the community how? when they have security gates, security doors, and security guards to keep everyone out who does not have a WTS issued ID pass? I agree, is there anyway we can help stop this? O
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BONEZZ	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	I found David Yassky's website and while he does not have a direct email, they do offer the following info and email address..... The District Office: Constituent Services, Scheduling and Press The district office is devoted principally to local matters and constituent services. The staff divides their office responsibilities on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. Scheduling requests are also handled at the district office. Please see the descriptions below for the appropriate person to contact if you have a problem or request. For questions pertaining to Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Greenpoint, Fulton Ferry Landing, DUMBO, and Vinegar Hill, please contact Marian Wood, Director of Constituent Services. She works at the district office and can be reached at (718) 875-5200 ext. 13. Her email is Marian.Wood@council.nyc.ny.us. SHOULDN'T THE DUMBO NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILIES KNOW THAT THERE ARE FILES IN THE HEADQUARTERS NEXT DOOR TO THEM WITH OVER 20,000 CHILD ABUSERS?? Should the city council at least postpone their request until after some of the abuse cases are resolved? Maybe I (or someone) can dig up the address of the loyal opposition. We need to band with them. -BONEZZ
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BONEZZ	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	Hate to be a P.I.A. pestering everyone about this but I really think we could have some effect here. Remember the letters and emails to the U.N. got them to put a page up. Maybe enough emails to the council would do something ... or we should at least give the loyal opposition some ammunition. Gawd, how I love throwing monkey wrenches in their scummy machinery! -BONEZZ
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cyber-sista	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	The last witness I spoke with (or who spoke at me last week) was gushing on about a kid from here who had just gone over to NY to work on a big project there. We are very far from NY and the witnesses here are all under the impression that the society is totally pulling out of NY city area because of the dangers of being there. I don't even think the majority of the witnesses know this big project is going there. For what purpose are they housing all these witnesses if there is no factory for them to work there? The only thing I can think of is that they will build these residenses with free labor and then sell them off in a few years for a huge non-profit organization tax free profit. How do they justify this project as having to do with anything related to the bible education work?
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Odrade	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	I don't know if an argument against the standing of the allegations of abuse cover-up--as heinous as it is--would be sufficient to get the WTS request to build delayed or dismissed. I think as a community, though, they might be very interested in hearing the truth about what a black hole this project will create as far as community. Community spirit is nothing to the JWs as WE all know, but they don't. Lack of participation in street fairs, community efforts like fundraisers, neighborhood cleanup efforts, retail. About the only improvement it brings to the area is an increase in restaurant business from visiting JWs. As was mentioned, 2000 people who do not have taxable income, and who will not socialize with their "dead" neighbors... I think testimony about this would be worthwhile. Also, I agree with Metatron. I hadn't thought of it like that before, was thinking in terms of them building Dumbo residences, then selling those, but they have all that prime real estate on the Brooklyn Heights promenade and spread all throughout the nicer neighborhoods... what a bonanza if they can get this built, move everyone in, then start selling off buildings like the Towers, Standish, 50 and 54, etc. Smoosh everything down to Dumbo, 90 Sands and the 25 bldg. Free up a LOT of real estate to sell...
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BONEZZ	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	PING! That's the sound of cyber-sista hitting the nail on the head. -BONEZZ
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hillary_step	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	Hello, ?Ten years ago you couldn't have imagined it as a place to live, and so we never bought it with the idea that that would be a future use,? Devine said. ?But obviously the area has changed quite a bit. We've seen a real resurgence there.? Nice to see the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses investing in the future of this 'Wicked System of Things' while it castigates its own adherents for even thinking of putting down 'roots' in this 'old system'. How many live in rented accomodation borrowing money from their relatives to survive who once thought that they would now be living in Paradise. I hope any lurkers who might be reading this thread think very carefully about the implications of listening to the Governing Body before they pay heed to common sense. HS
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RevMalk	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	More info on what we can do to protest the expansion. 85jaystreet.org http://lambsroar.com/db/index.php?showtopic=1124 Download PDF Letters: Don't have time to compose a letter ... no problem. Download a pdf, print it out and sign it. · Amanda Burden · Bill Vinnicombe · David Yassky · Joan Millman · Martin Connor · Marty Markowitz · Shirley McRae Copy and Paste Click here to go to an HTML page where you can copy a letter so that you may paste it into your own e-mail or text document. Contacts: Amanda Burden Director Department of City Planning 22 Reade Street New York, NY 10007 Mr. Bill Vinnicombe Land Use Committee, Community Board #2 350 Jay Street, 8th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 Hon. Marty Markowitz Brooklyn Borough President 209 Joralemon Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Hon. Martin Connor New York State Senate Legislative Office Building, Room 408 Albany, NY 12247 Ms. Shirley McRae Chair, Community Board #2 350 Jay Street, 8th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 Hon. David Yassky New York City Councilman, Distric 33 114 Court Street, 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 Assemblywoman Joan Millman 52nd District 341 Smith Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
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BONEZZ	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	Thanks Rev...went to the oppositions website http://85jaystreet.org/cando/ and got this info... Revenue Lost As a religious organization, the Jehovah's Witnesses who occupy 85 Jay will not pay valuable taxes. As the proposed structure will house one third of the poplulation of the neighborhood, it is important to consider how taxing the building will be on the area and its resources relative to its contribution. Write! Make sure you are heard...write to your elected officials and representatives to let them know what you think. You can send letters to the addresses on the left or send e-mail to the officials listed below. Hon. Martin Connor connor@senate.state.ny.us Assemblywoman Joan Millman millmaj@assembly.state.ny.us Hon. David Yassky yassky@council.nyc.ny.us Amanda Burden, Director http://home.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildcp.html -BONEZZ
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BONEZZ	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	Metatron is correct. That is what they no doubt will do. If the community as a whole is enraged with the WTBS though, I think the politicians will listen to them and WE need to give them the ammo. One other note, we should let all the New Yorkers know how the WTBS acted when 9/11 happened...closed, locked doors, no sending young men over to help, etc. They have no sense of community or regard for their "worldly" neighbors. The WTBS views them as "bird food." Hell, just quote their publications! -BONEZZ
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cyber-sista	Re: Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	They have no sense of community or regard for their "worldly" neighbors. The WTBS views them as "bird food." Hell, just quote their publications YES! You don't have to dig up any dirt on the WT--just a little witness from their own publications could say it all.
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Sunspot	Re: Jehovah's Witnesses Seek To Expand Presence In Brooklyn
	When would letters/emails have to be sent in? Is there a deadline date of when protests are to be considered? I had read about this proposal some time ago, but didn't realize that there was much we/I could do about it---thinking it was a local concern. How much weight do you think would be pulled from letters of protest from outside the DUMBO area? Annie
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