Wow. And I generally LIKE people. Really, I do.
So I call the guy, David Shavolian, who bought 19 Clarkson in order to tear it down and build a six story building. You know, on a 20x100 foot lot, because...well, because he can. I ask him what his plans are so I can make sure that rumors don't get out of hand. "Why are you telling me I can't do what is my legal right?" he says. I say I'm not telling you what you can do or can't do. I just want to know your plan.
"Why should I tell you my plans? They're all legal!" I say because we're going to find out anyway when he files and we want to know what we're dealing with, from his own words. "What, so you can harass me?" No, I say. We don't want to harass you. But we would prefer if you didn't tear down a perfectly fine home in the middle of a group of rowhouses. The neighbors are very concerned for their homes, and we think it breaks up a nice block of old houses. "Those houses are a hundred years old. Why would anyone live in one of those when they can live in a nice new apartment, anyway?" Matter of taste, I say.
"I got phone calls coming in from Chicago. People called me and said you were the president of some block association. Why aren't you welcoming me to the block? Your neighborhood is full of awful people. I'll bring in some nice people. Families. If anything you should be thanking me." I tell him my neighbors aren't awful; but they are very angry. "Are you angry?" he asks. "No, but if you don't calm down I will be very soon.""You just try to beat me then. I'll win. I'll make you pay. Pay a lot.""How are you going to make me pay? Are you threatening me?""That guy who lives next door. Tell him to leave me alone.""I'm not going to tell him what to do. Nobody can tell him what to do. He's a proud man, and you're threatening his house that he's lived in for 30 years." And so on.
So no, it didn't go very well. For the time being, I won't have to deal with him personally. After a couple of "wrap it up" texts back and forth between him and me, it's very clear he has no intention of making peace with anyone. Oh, and the complaint against him claiming sexual harassment? Emphasis on the ass, apparently. More on this most lovely specimen of a human being here. Granted, they're allegations that were settled. But now that I've actually spoken to the guy, there's no confusion in my mind...the guy is horrible. May the good lord take pity on his soul.
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So I call the guy, David Shavolian, who bought 19 Clarkson in order to tear it down and build a six story building. You know, on a 20x100 foot lot, because...well, because he can. I ask him what his plans are so I can make sure that rumors don't get out of hand. "Why are you telling me I can't do what is my legal right?" he says. I say I'm not telling you what you can do or can't do. I just want to know your plan.
"Why should I tell you my plans? They're all legal!" I say because we're going to find out anyway when he files and we want to know what we're dealing with, from his own words. "What, so you can harass me?" No, I say. We don't want to harass you. But we would prefer if you didn't tear down a perfectly fine home in the middle of a group of rowhouses. The neighbors are very concerned for their homes, and we think it breaks up a nice block of old houses. "Those houses are a hundred years old. Why would anyone live in one of those when they can live in a nice new apartment, anyway?" Matter of taste, I say.
"I got phone calls coming in from Chicago. People called me and said you were the president of some block association. Why aren't you welcoming me to the block? Your neighborhood is full of awful people. I'll bring in some nice people. Families. If anything you should be thanking me." I tell him my neighbors aren't awful; but they are very angry. "Are you angry?" he asks. "No, but if you don't calm down I will be very soon.""You just try to beat me then. I'll win. I'll make you pay. Pay a lot.""How are you going to make me pay? Are you threatening me?""That guy who lives next door. Tell him to leave me alone.""I'm not going to tell him what to do. Nobody can tell him what to do. He's a proud man, and you're threatening his house that he's lived in for 30 years." And so on.
So no, it didn't go very well. For the time being, I won't have to deal with him personally. After a couple of "wrap it up" texts back and forth between him and me, it's very clear he has no intention of making peace with anyone. Oh, and the complaint against him claiming sexual harassment? Emphasis on the ass, apparently. More on this most lovely specimen of a human being here. Granted, they're allegations that were settled. But now that I've actually spoken to the guy, there's no confusion in my mind...the guy is horrible. May the good lord take pity on his soul.
