LPC Budget Rumor

As you all know, despite the hard work of landmarks advocates and our allies in the City Council, the Landmarks Preservation Commission received only $300,000 of the $1 Million we asked for in the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget. The increase was disappointing, but a step in the right direction (hey, at least their budget increased). What you may not have heard is that during the final budget process, LPC Chair Robert Tierney and his staff informed the City Council that LPC had no use for an additional $1 Million, essentially undercutting our collective efforts. Our friends on the City Council were undermined by the very agency they were trying to help!

This was especially strange, since Chairman Tierney gave his initial support for the $1 Million increase and largely stayed out of the process, altogether, until the last minute. Others in the administration had also previously indicated a willingness to go along with the increase if advanced by the City Council. We certainly know how the LPC could spend an additional $1 million dollars if they had it! If you find this disappointing, you have a chance to have your voice heard tomorrow, June 27th, (or today, June 28th, if you are reading this on Wednesday) as Chairman Tierney's appointment will be considered by the City Council's Committee on Privileges & Elections. The meeting details are as follows:

Committee(s) on: Rules, Privileges & Elections
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Council Chambers - City Hall
Chairperson(s): Diana Reyna
Details:

M 638 - Communication from the Mayor - Submitting the name of Thomas Tsang, M.D. to the Council for its advice and consent regarding his appointment to the Board of Health, Pursuant to Sections 31 and 553 of the City Charter.

M 640 - Communication from the Mayor - Submitting the name of Roberta Washington to the Council for its advice and consent regarding her appointment to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Pursuant to Sections 31 and 3020 of the City Charter.

M 641 - Communication from the Mayor - Submitting the name of Robert B. Tierney to the Council for its advice and consent regarding his reappointment to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Pursuant to Sections 31 and 3020 of the City Charter.