Co-op boards shouldn’t block fair transactions
Orinda, Calif.: An exposé is warranted covering the seemingly increasing co-op practice whereby some boards are rejecting highly qualified buyers solely because the board incorrectly deems the sale price to be too low, often without taking into account the characteristics or condition of the apartment.
The most seriously harmed victims here are the sellers, whose investment is thereby rendered illiquid while they continue to incur fees. If a seller accepts an offer, the co-op board often rejects the sale if the price is below its idealistic minimum. Yet, if the seller asks a price at or above the co-op’s unrealistic valuation, no knowledgeable buyer will purchase the unit. This catch-22 is especially devastating to seniors who need to urgently move out of their apartment — for example, to assisted living — but are repeatedly blocked from selling it. Sales of condos are not subject to this egregious limitation, and there needs to be legislation prohibiting this ruinous behavior by co-ops.
While a board’s intent may be to preserve apartment values in a building by locking out sales below desirable yet unrealistic valuations, in reality their actions can make some co-op apartments less valuable, as it renders them a potentially illiquid housing option and worthless investment.
Co-ops house people of all economic statuses in NYC, and a co-op’s unreasonable rejection based on pricing not only victimizes qualified buyers, who spend time and money on a good-faith application process unaware that they will have no chance of closing, but it can cause sellers to effectively lose their entire investment, plus interest. Joel Libove
Missed one
Sunnyside: Shame on NYC’s supposed hometown newspaper for failing to even mention Curtis Sliwa during your coverage of the mayoral race. In a Sunday article about candidates sticking to their message (“Mayoral rivals sticking to messages in the wake of Kirk’s assassination,” Sept. 14), the three other candidates are mentioned, including Mayor Adams, who trails Sliwa in every poll. And it isn’t the first occurrence. How can you claim to be covering the election properly for all of NYC if you intentionally ignore the candidate who is currently polling at number three? Brian Augello
Choose wisely
Davis, Calif.: It seems that Gov. Hochul now believes she will score political points by deflecting voter attention onto President Trump and away from Zohran Mamdani’s promises of giveaways that can’t work in the real world. But Trump is not on the list of critical concerns facing NYC. The next New York City mayoral election is critical to the city’s future, and will have consequences that can’t easily be undone if the city deteriorates even more. Conditions in NYC need to be addressed by someone with experience managing an incredibly complex urban environment. Voters, choose carefully and thoughtfully, not emotionally. The future of a great city hangs in the balance. Julia Lutch
Dearth of details
Holliswood: Re “How a Mayor Mamdani can fix the NYPD’s oversight” op-ed, Sept. 14): Amazing. The Daily News allows Fred Davie to go on a screed against the NYPD without once mentioning the facts of the case he’s railing about. Here are the facts. Allan Feliz was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt. He produced a drivers license that was not his. The license had warrants for arrest attached to it. Feliz was on federal parole for sale of a controlled substance and had such items on him at the time of the encounter. He exited the vehicle when commanded, but immediately got back in and tried to drive away. After his partner struggled with him to stop. And to stop his partner from being dragged by the vehicle, the then-sergeant shot Feliz. Shame on the Daily News for publishing an article that didn’t have all the relevant facts. Gregory W. Chupa
Serious statement
Brooklyn: Hannah Einbinder may have won the Emmy Award for best supporting actress in a comedy, but her remark of “Free Palestine” was no joke. Einbinder and other so-called Jewish activists who denounce Israel at every opportunity should only go live among the Palestinians. Let us see how long they would last. Shame on them. Am Yisrael Chai — the people (nation) of Israel live. Ed Greenspan
Inexcusable ignorance
Bedford, N.Y.: Jerry Seinfeld is perhaps one of the dumbest comedians alive, with his views on Palestine and his complete disregard for the suffering of millions beyond appalling (“Seinfeld gets serious on Israel and gets it right,” op-ed, Sept. 13). He grew up in the U.S., so I assume he didn’t attend grade school where he was taught he was one of the “chosen” and therefore superior to others, and wasn’t brainwashed into thinking that Palestinians were inferior to him. Those things are taught to kids in Israel, which accounts for the cruelty and savagery inflicted on Palestinians by soldiers in the IDF. So, where do Seinfeld’s views come from? Yes, there are Neanderthals around who hold similar views, but they’re not so arrogant as to preach to others. Has Seinfeld bought into the notion that no matter what Israel does to “defend” itself, it is always the victim, even when it’s committing atrocities? Mr. Seinfeld, you’re a disgrace. Celine Secada
Sad, not saintly
Manhattan: Leonard Greene got it right in his Sunday column (“Kirk’s death is tragic, but he did say some awful things,” Sept. 14). Physical violence — whether fist or firearm — is no way to conduct political argument, and the act of assassinating Charlie Kirk should be condemned by all, regardless of political and policy views. But Kirk’s propagation of exclusionary ideas (like Christian nationalism) planted him firmly against our nation’s central aspiration to build a society in which all people are free and equal. From his words, we see that he is no candidate for sainthood. Now, and always, it is time to stand up for the ideals that made America the place that taught the world the meaning of freedom, and to continue striving to be a more perfect union. Richard Mark
Vile views
Bronx: There is absolutely no way we can condone political violence for anyone, and I send my condolences to Kirk’s wife and children. However, I will not join the chorus making him out to be some mild-mannered fellow just exchanging opinions. I had never heard of him before, so I had to do some research and was shocked by what I found. His words brought me pain to think that there is still such a movement in the U.S. that would spew those words. I won’t repeat his words about MLK, Michelle Obama, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson or civil rights legislation. If it were up to him, I wouldn’t have received the college education I did because Black women do not have the “brain power.” I do not wish his tragic fate upon him, but I will not hold him as a saint. Pauline Graham Binder
Wrong adjective
Brooklyn: When someone kills or attempts to kill another person with a high-powered rifle, it can be referred to as many things. A heinous act, the act of a “crazy” person, etc. It is never a cowardly act. It can be spun that way to attempt to make people feel better, but it’s simply not the case. Cowardice is the lack of courageous behavior. To be courageous is to be undeterred by pain or danger. Pick another description. Peter Magnotta
Gun guy, gun victim
Darien, Conn.: Can someone ask the NRA how to keep innocents alive in our formerly more peaceful country? It has gotten completely out of hand when Kirk is murdered after he promotes the NRA. Dan Singer
Unofficial expenditure
Flushing: After Kirk was killed on Sept. 10, Vice President JD Vance flew his casket from Salt Lake City to Phoenix on Air Force Two. My question: Who is paying for the cost of this flight? Probable answer: We taxpayers. Next question: Why should the cost of this very partisan flight be borne by non-MAGA Americans? Irvin Barnett
Signature script
Brooklyn: To Voicer Susan Burgos: My sentiments exactly. Can anyone please explain to me how, if you don’t know cursive, do you sign documents? Josie Oliveri
