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The famed Munson Diner was moved last year from Manhattan to Liberty with much fanfare. An investment group was put together between friends with the intention that if they bring the landmark here it could help stimulate Liberty’s economy.
The group of investors is connected politically. Indeed, they are part of the movers and shakers in the Town and Village of Liberty. I might also add that several of these people are my personal friends. And, I am certain their intent was to bring something fun and exciting to Sullivan County. I don’t even think they were looking to turn a profit.
The Munson Diner was part of their dream for us. It quickly became an investment which had gone terribly sour. They now need an exit strategy, and a grant could help them with that goal.
Look - everyone has a dream. I know I do with my desire to set up an Internet Hub in Sullivan County.
But, unlike those involved in the Munson Diner, my connections do not run as deep. I do not know how to write grants and apply for public funds for allcompany.com. As most people, I do not even know what is available out there.
These people on the other hand know how to apply for grants, they know what is available, and they know how to utilize the system.
Applying for a “Restore NY Grant” to benefit business interests of certain individuals - does not make it illegal. However, it can give the appearance of impropriety.
The uproar over the Munson Diner is there for numerous reasons.
People such as Clarence Barber, the Democratic candidate for Liberty Town Council, is rightfully angry that a grant was applied for to rehabilitate a building which was moved from New York City to Liberty by a for profit investment group.
His argument is blunt. Why the Munson Diner when there are so many other vacant businesses in Liberty? After all, it was never even an opened business here.
Barber is concerned that those involved in the Munson Diner project have deep political ties, and that is why the Liberty CDC applied for the grant.
Unfortunately, those connected are usually the first to know about these things. In reality that is what happens. That is why every merchant and commercial building owner in Liberty should contact the Liberty CDC to see what is available. Apparently they are not going to contact you.
Barber, the former town Highway Supervisor, has other gripes as well.
He is livid that he was rejected by the Democratic controlled Liberty Town Board to fill Sean Hanofee’s seat even though the Democratic Committee supported him.
Instead, under the insistence of Supervisor Frank DeMayo they kept the seat vacant. This is unprecedented when it comes to party politics. Usually the party in control appoints their candidate until an election is held. Such was the case in filling Greg Goldstein’s vacancy on the Legislature with Elwin Wood.
The Republican Candidate for Hanofee’s seat is Gary Siegel, who is a personal friend of DeMayo’s.
Although Siegel is on the board of the Liberty CDC, and he along with his close friends has money invested in the Munson Diner project, he says he removed himself from any involvement when it came to applying for the grant.
Siegel is committed and dedicated to Liberty. He has been involved in every aspect of its current redevelopment and rehabilitation - all on a voluntary basis. He will step up to the plate to help anyone he can.
Siegel should not be the scapegoat or poster child for what people are now irate about. But, Barber must be heard and listened to.
I think everyone will agree that bringing the Munson Diner to Liberty was a bad idea.
Instead of a dining establishment, maybe the New York Landmark could be turned into a museum.
In any event, the renowned Seinfeld Diner is a big mess, and if something is not done with it, it will become another major eyesore in Sullivan County.
Maybe Jerry Seinfeld could help find a solution?
Wait I see a sitcom or reality show here - a show about nothing which had a Diner in it, and what happened to that Diner. |
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