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To the editor,

I do support affordable housing, so I find it interesting that your reporter attributed my opposition to the Fifth Avenue Committee’s supportive housing plan to NIMBY-ism (“Battle over Fifth Ave housing,” April 14, Park Slope Edition).

I believe the makeup of this facility should better represent the makeup of our small emergent community. Developing a facility that is solely designed for single-room occupancy limits the future potential for the building.

Because it is financed by the city, its funding could be increased or decreased depending on the administration in control, a fact that presents a serious long-term risk to our neighborhood. Anyone who would deny my right as a father to protect the interests of my family should look deep within his own self and imagine how he might feel if he was in my position.

I’m sure that most of the people who would be housed at that facility are harmless. I’m also aware of the 48 911 calls regarding the Fifth Avenue Committee’s 551 Warren St. facility between April 2006 and April 2007. Granted many were for EMS, but others were for various crimes.

See our Web site, www.16thstreetaction. com, to read documentation and video clips from community meetings and understand our position.

Matthew P. Dwyer, Park Slope

Editor’s note: The NIMBY-ism charge came from Planning Commissioner Karen Phillips.

• • •

To the editor,

It seems like anyone who doesn’t take the Fifth Avenue Committee’s word is branded a fear-mongering NIMBY elitist. Local residents have a right to ask hard questions about this facility. If this is not done right, it can be a big problem for our community.

A lot of community groups that support this project had no problem with saying “not in my back yard” when they didn’t approve of certain private development. Now these groups think the residents of 16th street don’t deserve to know why there were 48 911 calls to 575 Warren St. last year or how the Fifth Avenue Committee will handle security.

They say we should just “trust” that the FAC will take care of it, but we have talked with neighboring residents at the Warren Street facility and they told us they still have problems after five years.

Why should we trust the Fifth Avenue Committee? After all, we have found multiple inconsistencies in the group’s handouts (view them at www.16thstreetaction.com/ data/ FAC_handout.pdf).

Local residents want the Fifth Avenue Committee to stop playing games, come to the table and answer the community’s questions. Even Councilman Bill DeBlasio, a supporter of the project, has said that the Fifth Avenue Committee needs to do more in regards to community involvement.

Christopher Grimaldi, Park Slope

• • •

To the editor,

Designing an apartment building for occupancy by a single group is not an example of integrating housing with the community, but an example of segregation.

Segregated housing is one of the banes of the disability community, whose desires differ in no way from any other group of people. A better idea would be to integrate the supportive housing with apartments at market value. Harold A. Maio, Ft Myers, Fla.

The writer is on the advisory board of the American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

Gentile rips the city

To the exalted editor,

Hardworking New Yorkers who work to contribute to quality of life in the Big Apple have the perception of an increasingly adversarial relationship with their city government.

As The Brooklyn Paper recently reported, the Department of Transportation came up with a near-secret proposal to turn Sixth and Seventh avenues in Park Slope into one-way streets. Only the activism of Community Board 6, local elected officials, and neighborhood residents thwarted this ill-advised plan.

We see the same pattern with the Department of Sanitation’s recent ticketing blitzes. Violations are often based on minor infractions beyond the “violator’s” control, or on entirely bogus accusations. Worse, the adjudication process is unduly complicated, penalizing with time and expense those citizens who dispute their tickets in good faith

The city must work in consultation and cooperation with citizens whose objective is betterment of life in New York. Plans that impact residents and merchants require transparency and outreach. The government’s most important mandate is to work in service of, not in opposition to, stakeholders in our communities.

When New Yorkers do their best to contribute to each other’s quality of life, they expect city officials to act responsibly and reasonably in return. In fairness, they deserve no less.

Vince Gentile, Bay Ridge

The writer is a Democratic City Councilman from Bay Ridge.

Herbie’s not alone

To the editor,

It was inspiring to read about the happy ending for Herbie, who braved the Brooklyn streets to escape the slaughterhouse (“Herbie the cow in Hereford Heaven,” April 7).

But other farm animals have the same desire to live free from pain and suffering. Just like our beloved dogs and cats, farm animals deserve protection and humane treatment. Millions of animals on factory farms endure the cruelty of being confined in cages and crates so small they can hardly move for their entire lives. Alyson Bodai, Washington, DC

The writer works for the Humane Society of the United States.

Dogs on a roll

To the editor,

It’s enough that I have to dodge “breeders” with their damn strollers on Bedford Avenue, but it’s a whole other thing when dogs enter into the equation (“Hot dog on a roll,” April 14). Now our sidewalks are going to be polluted with more strollers, along with these designer yippy flapdoodle rat-looking dogs in tow.

This is the end of civilization as we know it. When we can’t even help our school system, fix the shortage of housing, and solve the shameful state of homelessness in this city, anyone who buys one of those yippee annoying dog strollers should be forced to volunteer time at a soup kitchen.

Ana Roman, Williamburg

• • •

To the editor,

My doggie stroller is one of the best things I ever purchased. My Pomeranian is 15 years old and has arthritis in her legs, so I can take this for walks and when she is tired, we can continue to stay out for a long time. This sure cuts down on her anxiety level!

Brenda (last name withheld), Manhattan

• • •

To the editor,

I think the doggie stroller is a wonderful item. What is wrong with taking your dog for a little walk? They get tired just like we do. Your article was very well written. I enjoyed it.

Millie Edmonds, Warminster, Pa.

©2007 The Brooklyn Paper