Letters

From the man who weaponizes and monetizes empathy and altruism comes a new set of pronouncements. Quoted in last week’s Press, Ralph Fasano, executive director of Concern for “Independent” Living, pooh-poohed the idea of much opposition to his compromised Liberty Gardens development [“County Road 39 Housing Proposal Developers Release Environmental Impact Statement,” 27east.com, September 20], and denied that his facilities are shelters, “run down, filled with drugs and alcohol,” stating, “It’s really just housing.”

Just housing? In the annals of disingenuousness, this is on a par with “slightly pregnant.”

“Just housing”:

• Does not require a “primary diagnosis of serious mental illness.”

• Does not require certification of physical/mental disability.

• Does not require “low or very low income.”

• Does not require “extensive support services.”

• Does not require live-in trained support staff.

• Does not require “linkages to community resources.”

• Does not require 24/7 security staff and locked gates.

Liberty Gardens is a facility, no matter how Fasano and Jay Schneiderman wiggle to have it appear otherwise. Mr. Fasano focuses on his last development and insists that people object at first to all his developments and then are won over.

Rather than accepting marketing lingo and PR assurances from Fasano, the public (and SEQRA) required a judicious analysis of this proposed “local, workforce housing,” as touted by Schneiderman — worrisome as the increased density, sewage, traffic and safety concerns were at this inappropriate place.

Objections arose as the public’s due diligence exposed and documented the truth of what was really being proposed by Fasano, aided by the Town Board by nonexisting oversight, and intentional ambiguity about eligibility. Then came the fatal shooting at Medford.

Fasano states that he “knows there is support out there.” If this claim refers to other than the veterans he cynically ginned up and bused here as marketing tools, there has been ample time for his phantom “support” to reveal itself.

Lastly, Fasano evokes the church’s blessing in a Hail Mary pass at privilege. Given the transgressions and sins of omission committed in pursuit of his project, his last hope may be to appeal directly to God.

Frances Genovese

Southampton