Elected officials: Jesuits are stonewalling Staten Island on Mount Manresa

Mt. Manresa supporters await the decision. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)
Steve Zaffarano



By Letters to the Editor/Staten Island Advance
on November 05, 2013 at 6:55 PM, updated November 06, 2013 at 1:50 AM




By State Sen. DIANE SAVINO,
Assemblywoman NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS
and Councilman JAMES ODDO

SPECIAL TO THE ADVANCE

As elected representatives, we are often faced with criticism from those who disagree with our views on the issues.

Recently, Rev. Mark Hallinan wrote a letter to the editor in which he mischaracterized our commitment to the fight to save Mount Manresa from development, and we’d like to set the record straight.

Since news broke of the Society of Jesus’ plans to sell Mount Manresa to a wealthy development group, residents and elected leaders from across the community have lamented the action and worked to offer mutually beneficial alternatives.

As time has passed, it has become increasingly clear — and gravely disappointing — that the Jesuits are only interested in completing their sale as constructed, unwilling to work with the community they have partnered with so successfully over the last 100 years.

Over the past year, we have teamed with people and groups like The Committee to Save Mount Manresa, not only to express our opposition to the sale, but to devise other ways to transfer the property that will protect all interested parties, while continuing the Jesuits’ track record of service to the community.

That valuable service has earned the facility tax-free status, a reasonable, albeit expensive, show of good will by taxpayers. This arrangement has been maintained amicably for generations, under the simple premise that Staten Islanders benefit from Mount Manresa and it would be here in perpetuity.

Unfortunately, the Jesuits’ refusal to engage with their community partners regarding this sale is a violation of that relationship.

While residents, community groups and elected officials have devised alternatives and embraced an open dialogue with the Jesuits, their efforts have fallen on deaf ears.

The Jesuits’ refusal to work with Staten Islanders was never clearer than during a recent court hearing regarding an injunction we have filed to block the sale as currently constructed. Acting State Supreme Court Justice Charles Troia asked the Jesuits if they would be willing to work toward a solution that would preserve the land for public use and help the developmentally disabled, while still providing their group the $15 million they seek.

The answer was a flat-out “no.”

In his letter, Rev. Hallinan wrote that elected officials should “put up or shut up.”

We strongly suggest he look within the Society of Jesus for answers as to why a better deal for all was not reached.

Putting aside the legal issues involved with the sale that are still pending, we believe the Jesuits have a moral obligation to seek a mutually beneficial resolution to the sale of Mount Manresa.

It is true that Staten Islanders have benefited greatly from the services provided on this historic property, and for that we will forever be thankful. Due to its tax-free status, however, the Jesuits have benefited from Staten Island’s generosity as well.

This has been a symbiotic relationship for over 100 years. As such, it is right and just that the Jesuits invest in the community that has invested so much into them.


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