In both articles there is an evident emphasis of the unbearable, filthy conditions in Willets Point, as well as a reference to the mayor’s intention to implement a controversial plan to rehabilitate and improve life in the “iron triangle”.
The opposing group, as described by Fernanada Santos in “A Dilapidated Tract of Queens, and a Fight to Control Its Future”, is in fact comprised of two distinct subgroups with very different interests: the owners of the area’s largest businesses, who are willing to fight and not sell their lands, and poor auto shop workers and shop owners, who simply can’t afford to give up their only source of income.
What strikes me the most, however, are the statistics that indicate that the new plan would create 5,300 jobs and that, on the other hand, only a small number as 1,700 workers are currently employed in the area of Willets Points.
Why then, instead of rethinking the new plan, (which practically requires services and workers who have similar skills to the skills that current employees in Willets Points have -mainly construction work), and composing a new compromising plan- all the efforts, time and money are invested in arguing about it?
Liron
