Helping NYC homeowners won’t harm neighborhoods
Brooklyn: Your Nov. 18 op-ed on Intro 948-A (“Airbnb will wreck New York City’s neighborhoods“) repeats several false claims that have already been publicly debunked, and misleads readers about what the bill actually does.
Intro 948-A is not an Airbnb bill. It was drafted by New York City homeowners, not corporations, and it existed before the Intro 1107 legislation. The bill applies exclusively to natural persons in their primary residences and maintains every single prohibition on commercial short-term rentals already established in Local Law 18. The article claims that 948-A “re-legalizes commercial STR activity,” yet the bill does not open a single commercial loophole. It does not legalize multi-unit STRs, entire-apartment rentals or corporate operations. It also does not alter the fire code, weaken primary-residence verification or change any part of the current registration system.
The piece also leaves out critical legal context. New York State law already allows up to four boarders in a family unit — the very standard 948-A aligns with. And Local Law 18 already permits unlimited short-term stays for registered hosts. The claim that 948-A introduces “unlimited nights” is simply incorrect. Finally, the article incorrectly characterizes one- and two-family homes as part of the city’s “rental stock.” Under state law, they are classified as private dwellings. They are not required to operate as rentals, particularly when New York’s landlord-tenant laws make long-term renting financially dangerous for small homeowners.
The public deserves accurate information, not talking points from special interests. The Daily News should correct the record immediately. Tony Lindsay, president, New York Homeowners Alliance Corp.
Seems so easy
Smithtown, L.I.: Boomer Voicer Julia Eisen, like her parents and so many others, pay below market-regulated rent. They have never owned a house or a co-op. They’ll keep the energy-inefficient windows or 25-year-old refrigerator if it means not paying for any major capital improvements. Her rent may be a fraction of her income, who knows? But what does she care? After all, she’s entitled to all this based on her seniority in her apartment. Andrew Ross
Nothing done
Brooklyn: In order to solve the housing and affordability problem here in our city, the first thing we have to do is get the federal, state and city governments the hell out of the housing business altogether. For decades, the morons in Washington, D.C., have sent millions of dollars to NYCHA. Look at the conditions of their buildings. Has the quality of life of its residents really improved? The idiots in Albany, with their antiquated rent laws and rules, have allowed more than 100,000 rent-stabilized apartments to become vacant across our city, and the number keeps increasing. For years, the schmucks on the City Council have promised an overhaul of our unfair property tax assessment and rates for small home and apartment owners. Another Christmas is upon us, and still no present under our trees. Joseph Savino
Deadly delay
Manhattan: Re “City releases info on Ground Zero toxins” (Nov. 23): Witness the photograph taken on Sept. 13, 2001 — dozens of rescue workers stand resolutely at attention as other workers apparently pull someone from the mouth of a monstrosity formerly known as the World Trade Center. We may have better helped these courageous rescuers as they began to sicken and die from the ravages of the 9/11 terror attack if such oft-requested information had been provided years ago. Susan A. Stark
A greener shade of blue
West Hempstead, L.I.: Antonio Delgado has shown the courage and integrity New York deserves as we continue the struggle against President Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” agenda. While Gov. Hochul just caved to Trump’s desires in approving the NESE fracked gas pipeline, Delgado will fight to move New York off fossil fuels to protect our water, our climate and our wallets. Support Delgado in the Democratic primary in June. Joseph M. Varon
Odd coupling
Clearwater, Fla.: Trump has a genuine gift — the art of negotiating. Odds were against both Trump and Zohran Mamdani to be smiling after their Oval Office meeting. Perhaps with a little friendly persuasion, Mamdani will reevaluate socialist ideologies. But the positive meeting between the two men may have the left-wing extremists on edge. After all, Mamdani was cavorting with the enemy. In the meantime, Trump and Mamdani certainly make for strange bedfellows. JoAnn Lee Frank
For the birds
Forest Hills: The White House should skip the turkey pardon ceremony this year. Trump has already pardoned enough turkeys. Alan Hirschberg
Ultimatum
Richmond Hill: It seems like just another lie — no, sorry, a change of tune — from Trump. He presented his very unpopular Ukraine peace plan and then took it back when many countries and even the U.S. protested this plan. Then he stated that the proposal was not his final offer. If that’s the truth, why did he tell Ukraine that they have until Thursday to accept the plan or the U.S. would not support them? These terms certainly sounded like a final offer. Ene Kelly
Broken agreement
Toronto: A major problem with the U.S. peace plan is that it recognizes an aggressive act that is directly contrary to the letter and spirit of the United Nations Charter, which explicitly prohibits the use of force to acquire territory. In the mid-1940s, American leaders and diplomats played a crucial role in drafting the charter. The other major powers, including the Soviet Union, agreed with the wording. Russian President Vladimir Putin may be justifiably angry with the ghost of Joseph Stalin for agreeing to wording that may put constraints on his expansionist tendencies. The 28-point American peace plan contains some interesting proposals, but it should not require Ukraine to give up land seized by force. It is far too early to abandon the idealism of American leaders and diplomats from the 1940s. Bruce Couchman
Untenable terms
Jacksonville, Fla.: Why is it that our wannabe king who occupies the Oval Office is in charge of demanding that Ukrainians cede one-fifth of their country to their communist neighbor that illegally invaded them? If Mexico wanted to take Texas back, would The Donald permit that too? It’s outrageous that our American president is siding with a killer dictator instead of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his suffering Ukrainians! And our Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be traveling to Geneva to strong-arm Ukraine to accept our president’s so-called peace plan, which will force Ukraine to essentially surrender to its attacker! This is unfathomable! This is not America! Carl J.C. Hafner
Be grateful
Glendale: As the nation prepares for Thanksgiving and the official kickoff of the holiday season begins, I want to thank our fellow New Yorkers and readers of this paper for showing their true colors when it comes to believing in the message of what the season means. Those inclined to embrace skepticism related to our future are the people most responsible for fanning the flames of our cultural divide. It’s sad when we witness anyone attempting to create peace being immediately opposed. There’s nothing worse than a person who wants dissension to appease their own personal feelings of hatred. As Thanksgiving approaches, think about what you are thankful for instead of seeking ways to promote hate. The media is not your friend. Be grateful, not hateful. It’ll make you feel better and make gatherings more enjoyable. Jonathan Kiddrane
Ceaseless fire
Providence, R.I.: Re “Deadly Israeli airstrikes test fragile truce in Gaza with at least 24 killed” (Nov. 23): No doubt of each side’s goal / They each want full control / Until they learn to share / They’ll be a warring pair. Felicia Nimue Ackerman
Thoughts & a prayer
Brooklyn: As I read about Tatiana Schlossberg (“Tragedy again comes calling on JFK’s family,” Nov. 23), my thoughts went to this: She took the time in her short time left to write a prolific legacy about her struggle. I pray for a miracle for her. I also want to thank her for her book, which will help others. The memories of happier times give family and friends strength when someone I know dies. I wish that also for Tatiana. Sharon Cesario
