MTOPP’s 2014 Accomplishments

MTOPP’s Accomplishments!

There are a lot of new comers to this tremendous struggle as there should be as we grow in awareness as to what is transpiring.  In that space a lot of people also don’t know all that MTOPP and its members have done and this is a quick review of all the accomplishments and work dozens of people have put in to bring consciousness and empowerment to the people!

April and May:

• MTOPP is formed, a website is created, weekly meeting begin
• MTOPP Protest at City Hall against Luxury development
• MTOPP meet with Mayor’s people to discuss issues.
• MTOPP holds Press Conference in Front of Mayor’s office
• MTOPP generates 1,000 email contact list and over 1,500 signatures going against the 626 Flatbush Ave development.
• MTOPP Demonstration in Brooklyn against 626 Development plan

June 2014:

• June – August 2014 – MTOPP sits down with City Planning & CB9 members and others about proposed study.
• MTOPP member is arrested trying to stop 626 Flatbush development
• June 2014 – MTOPP warns the community about Eric Adams plans for Tourism on Empire Blvd and high-rise development.

July 2014:

• MTOPP Brings Famous City Planning Attorney to The Community!
• MTOPP creates Face Book Page
• MTOPP begins online phone and web campaigns!
• MTOPP meets with various local officials to discuss the issues about Empire Blvd.
• MTOPP exposes the “Bate and Switch Scam” that was presented to the community by Eric Adams, City Planning and other members of CB9.

August 2014:

• MTOPP organizes the first opposition to the Resolution for the Study at a meeting with City Planning, CB9 members and homeowners and tenants in the community.
• Creates, distributes and post on website, educational emails on Rezoning
• MTOPP and other Tenant groups conducts the March/Demonstration against displacement and development in our community.
• MTOPP Organizes Free legal representation for Residents and Tenant Groups
• MTOPP Begins organizing tenant groups.
• MTOPP begins FOIL request of Pearl Miles and CB9 to discover how the present Resolution to up zone our community happen!
• MTOPP  Shows  the documentary “My Brooklyn” to the community.

September 2014:

• MTOPP conducts the First Town Hall meeting about the Up zoning Study, displacement and Luxury development in our community.  Guests included, Hon. Charles Barron, Professor Tom Angotti, Chair of Urban Development for Hunter College, Rob Robinson from Take Back the Land etc…
• MTOPP, Equality for Flatbush, Hon. Davis and residents stop Community Board 9 from approving the parameters of the study to send to City Planning!
• MTOPP, Equality For Flatbush, Hon. Davis and residents gets CB9 to present a motion to rescind the Motion  to study up zoning of our community!
• MTOPP Presents 4,000 signatures to CB9 that go against the resolution and demands Mayor meet with the community to “Preserve” our affordable community!
• MTOPP member files the first Lawsuit against Pearl Miles, District Manager and CB9, for failing to respond to FOIL requests.

October 2014:

• MTOPP member files the second Lawsuit against Pearl Miles, District Manager and CB9, for its continuation to not respond to FOIL requests!
• MTOPP Begins Presentations at Colleges on Gentrification!
• MTOPP Demonstrates against Pearl Miles and CB9!
• MTOPP creates the first informational video on the CB9 Resolution
• MTOPP Distributes informational packet to residents about displacement, affordability scam, resolution and politicians roles.
• MTOPP and community residents demonstrate against the exclusion of the community at a CB9 general meeting!
• MTOPP gets over 500 signatures to demand that CB9 put the resolution back on the agenda!
• MTOPP request Pearl Miles provide voting record for Sept 23 vote, Pearl Miles refuses to give it!
• MTOPP  Shows  the documentary “My Brooklyn” to the community!

November 2014:

1. MTOPP starts a Post Card campaign and an email campaign to get Public Advocate, Leticia James involved in addressing CB9’s violation of the City Charter, Open Meeting Law, Freedom of Information and Constitutional Law.
2. MTOPP files an Article 78 in Supreme Court to stop the violation of our rights!
3. MTOPP stages another demonstration at CB9 meeting to ensure the community is allowed to speak at the CB meeting!
4. MTOPP uncovers fraudulent behavior by Pearl Miles District Manager in tallying up the votes on September 23, 2014.
5. MTOPP successfully rescinds the resolution of March 25, 2014!
6. MTOPP conducts if first Fund raiser!
7. MTOPP produces a child being evicted due displacement at CB 9 Board meeting

Accomplishments 2014:

And what has all this activity accomplished!

1. They are no longer saying they can keep the buildings at six stories. So that scam has been exposed!
2. We showed City Planning and the Mayor there is no community consensus on this resolution.
3. We have exposed Pearl Miles deception and lies she created in the resolution.
4. We educated the community and brought awareness to what is happening.
5. We have organized the community to get involved in this process, to come out to meetings, to question the representatives.
6. We have helped tenants from getting evicted.
7. We have provided legal services to tenant groups.
8. We stopped the resolution from moving forward into City Planning hands.
9. We have exposed CB9’s lack of knowledge about how to run a Community Board.
10. We are bringing transparency to this whole process of community involvement!
11. Brought out this issue into the public.
12. Now have this issue in front of a Judge.
13. Exposed Pearl Miles fraudulent behavior!

How many members are in MTOPP?

The question that keeps being posed is how many members are there in MTOPP, there sure as hell isn’t just one! There are dozens of people who have assisted with all of our activities. Some are consistently showing up, some come and do one thing and are done and others come on as needed basis.  Some distribute flyers, or make phone calls. Others hand out petitions, others do the research, pick up flyers, represent us at other demonstrations and meet with other groups.

MTOPP would not be as successful as it is, if this was truly just a one woman show. The opposition would like to project that to discredit all that has been done, but we are creating a movement and it is from the people and it can’t and it won’t be stopped!