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A Few Words from Our Treasurer and Legal Committee Chairs Even though we've just won a terrific legal victory that included the awarding of attorney's fees to the PCGTA, it is still absolutely crucial that every member be current with their dues. We have many rivers yet to cross in this protracted struggle to keep an affordable roof over our heads and we should all have a realistic long-range view of our individual responsibilities. First, even though the Court granted us attorneny's fees, the most probable and effective use of this part of our victory is as leverage in any negotiated settlement. These negotiations are, by themselves, not only expensive in terms of legal bills but also in terms of the costs of our Development Consultant. We should also be aware that even though supposedly "good faith" negotiations have been offered by landlord Bruner, he has also continued to harass individual tenants with eviction notices for groundless reasons. This indicates that negotiations could be terminated at any moment or simply be a tactic in a war of attrition that Bruner expects to win. He has kept all his legal options open by setting in motion his appeal of Judge Daher's decision. As his shyster, Stephen Deutsch of Foley, Hoag and Eliot stated in the South End News when the decision was announced, "It's not a question of whether the Piano Factory becomes a market rate building but when." The PCGTA will maintain its policy of providing legal protection only to those tenants who are considered to be members in good standing as determined by our Dues Committee. This must also apply to the benefits that may be obtained in the future. When you write out your dues check, simply ask yourself if compared to the rent you would have been paying by now whether it's been worth it. The answer is obvious.
By Phil Salkind, Treasurer and Jeff Gould, Legal Committee Chair
Do Not Sign on the Dotted Line Once again, our landlord has slipped a missive under our doors, this time having to do with changes and demands in the building's policy toward pets. This demanding letter has been passed on to our lawyers and we will inform you as soon as possible what our response will be. In the meantime, DO NOT SIGN THE PET POLICY. It contains many ridiculous clauses; for example, demanding that no pet be left alone for longer than eight hours would make it impossible for most of us to have full-time jobs. Also, it behooves us to remain on the moral high road here, so, as tantalizing as it may be, please do not fill out the questionnaire portion and return it to the office with ironic or joke answers, for example; "My only pets are rats and roaches". This memo may deserve sarcasm, but we will have a proper and reasoned response to it soon. So, stay tuned, and don't let the cat out of the bag.
The transparent "NO GREED" signs have sprouted up like spring flowers in many of the Piano Factory's windows. In combination with the huge new WARNING! signs on the apartment doors, this creates a one-two punch that is difficult to ignore. However, some people took signs that they haven't yet posted. If you have extra NO GREED signs lying around your apartment and haven't put them up, please do so, or return them to Kevin Scorgie and he will re-distribute them to other tenants. If you need more of either sign, contact Kevin.
On Wednesday, April 16, 1997 the first negotiation session between representatives of the Piano Craft Guild Tenants' Association and representatives of Simeon Bruner took place at the offices of our attorney Harvey Shapiro. Representing the PCGTA were Mr. Shapiro, our Development Consultant Emily Achtenberg, Jeff Purcell of Greater Boston Legal Services, and tenants Stella Acelas, Paul Foley, Jeff Gould, Dottie Guild, Fredericka King and Marjorie McDermott. Tenants observing were David Mynott and Berenike Balmied. Representing landlord Bruner were attorney Dick Bluestein and Melanie Nordquist. As anticipated, this first meeting served merely to introduce the players to each other. Discussion was cordial, if perhaps somewhat restrained. Mr. Bluestein stated that Bruner's preference at this time is for "transitional protection for people in their current status". Though acknowledging our recent legal victories, he anticipated that the legal playing field would eventually swing back in their direction and level off. He said that Bruner has no plans to sell the building. An attempt was made to set certain ground rules, particularly around the issue of keeping the negotiations completely confidential versus open access for all PCGTA members, but no agreement could be reached at this first meeting. The next meeting with Mr. Bluestein and Ms. Nordquist has been scheduled for the week of May 12, 1997 at Mr. Bluestein's office in Boston. As we enter the second half of our second year of this struggle, it becomes increasingly obvious how much each and every member of the PCGTA must educate themselves about as many aspects of this fight as they possibly can, and know what to say and when to say it; be prepared for the moment but cultivate the long view. Pay your dues; come to meetings; join a sub-committee. We've won resounding victories in the past -- other tenants unions look to us for guidance and leadership -- and we can continue to win in the future.
At the PCGTA Board meeting on Tuesday, April 22, Board members Jon Rosbrook and Donna Asali drew the three winning tickets in our big free dinner raffle. And the winners are: Drawing 1: Donna Jarvis of Cambridge (Brunch for two at Claremont Cafe and Dinner for two at Sonsie) Drawing 2: Paul Ring of Revere ($50 Gift Certificate at Fig's and Dinner for two at Jae's Cafe) Drawing 3: Doug Baker of Somerville ($25 Gift Certificate at Cottonwood's and Dinner for two at Azita) The raffle was tremendously successful and raised funds for our legal defense and development costs. Congratulations to the three winners, thanks to everyone who sold tickets and everyone who bought them, and a special thank you to the fabulous six restaurants who donated their services. Patronize these restaurants: they support our efforts!
Moratorium Bill, Enabling Act & Home Rule Petitions
On April 2, PCGTA members Dottie Guild, Tom Stankowiczs, Bill O'Connell, and Chuck Smith met Margaret Turner at the offices of Greater Boston Legal Services to prepare informational documents for the State House hearings on the five pieces of legislation relative to affordable housing in Massachusetts (the Moratorium Bill, the Enabling Act, and three Home Rule Petitions). Collating the documents and preparing the packages took the entire morning. When the group arrived at the State House to distribute the packages, they discovered that their room list was out of date. Managing to obtain a new list, they found that this, too, was incorrect. As a result, it took much longer to distribute the packets than anticipated, but each and every one was delivered. Many at the State House were impressed with the efficiency of the team. The next day, April 3, the hearing was held on the five bills at the State House. Tenants from all over the state were present or represented. The House Majority Whip testified on behalf of the Christopher Columbus Elderly Housing. Margaret Turner of GBLS testified. Ed Shannihan of the Real Estate Board insulted the PCGTA and accused us of exploiting tenants (!). Over five hours later, Dottie Guild testified. The Piano Factory struggle was alluded to during the entire hearing. The five bills have now gone to Executive Committee. We'll be sure to alert you when they come up for a vote.
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