What Bill Moyers Said to Barbara Deb
A Landmark 76 Exclusive: History in the Making.
Statement, in part, by Bill Moyers to Louise Mirrer and Barbara Debs.
8:55PM: Wednesday 1/31/07: at the 4th U meeting.
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“Question? I would like to ask Miss Debs (Barbara Knowles Debs, former NYHS president holding the stage mic) a question”
“My name is Bill Moyers.”
(The room drew applause and then settled into total silence.)
“I’m a neighbor and greatly appreciate what you’ve done at the Society over the last 20 years. I love the place. I’ve filmed there for several of my documentaries including a four part series on the Hudson River. I come over from time to time just to walk through it and think about the past. The slavery exhibit was magnificent and important. From the Gospel choirs on Sunday afternoons to the lectures every week, you have one of the most exciting programs in the City. And significant.
(pause)
“I came prepared to support the renovation of the main building.
I believe in your mission. You need the new space. I came with an open mind. But this meeting has changed my mind. Because I can’t support Project One unless you can assure me that my support won’t lead to a high rise tower disrupting one of the most historic landscapes in America.”
(The crowd burst into applause. I jumped up out of my seat as did many, and a standing ovation ensued.)
“If my neighbors and I support the renovation of your main building, can you assure me that we will not then see a high rise building rise above the Society?”
(applause)
Miss Debs: “No.”
Bill Moyers: “Thank you”
Miss Debs: …but I would like to add something else and that is that these two projects are, as Louise has said repeatedly, entirely separate.
…that is, in that in the financial basis of them, in architectural basis of them…
..uh, if you choose to support the renovations to the existing building which I hope you will continue to do . I am sorry that youve changed your mind. I hope that maybe you will change it back again. But you wil have another chance to look at, to talk about, to argue against, any expansion project that may occur in the future.”
Bill Moyers: “Miss Deb. Will all due respect…
as this meeting progressed I was thinking of the Texas card shark who said to his competitor ‘Play the cards fair, Ruben. I know what I dealt you’.
(audience responded with laughter)
I wasn’t born yesterday . I saw the design that was given by friends of the Society or by Dr. Mirrer herself to the New York Times. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. I know how the system works in this city. I know what is happening here. You want our support for the renovation of your main building even as you proceed, apace, with a specific request to prepare to build a high rise tower. They wouldn’t do this in the center of Paris. They wouldn’t disturb so historic configuration of the skyline. But you want to do it here. I said I came here wanting to support your renovation. But I cannot, and will not, support it until we have assurance that you do not intend to disrupt the configuration of a skyscape that is both historic and unique. In the beginning of this meeting Dr. Mirrer said ‘let’s stick to the facts’.
The fact is… once you take space like this away, you never get it back”.
(Applause and standing ovation- )
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Transcribed by Joseph Bolanos, President: Landmark 76- West 76th Street Park Block Association.
Release approval granted. [email protected] 917 549 5111