CALL IN TO STOP THE BID!
EVEN IF YOU DON'T GO TO SMITH, YOU CAN STILL CALL! It will show
Carol Christ and Paul Spector that other people, not just Smith
students, are paying attention!
Tell Paul
Spector, our City Councilor, and Carol Christ to tell them the Smith community
doesn’t want the BID and we demand the withdrawal of Smith’s signature from the
petition!
As Smithies we have power to stop
the BID from happening! 60% of the real property owners must sign the petition before
City Council can make the final decision. Land that belongs to Smith College
makes up 40% of the district so Smith's signature has huge implications. Carol
Christ wholeheartedly supports the BID because Smith "promotes an
economically viable downtown," even though it would potentially push the
homeless off the street and downtown residents out of their homes. Tell her what WE think is good for the
Smith community – and that we value diversity, anti-classism and public domain!
President
Carol Christ: (413) 585-2100 (8:30 am-
4:30 pm)
Representative
Paul Spector: (413) 250-5226
Sample
Script:
(feel free to personalize with your own thoughts)
“My name is
__________ and I am a Smith student/alumni/faculty member/Pioneer Valley resident. I am calling because I
oppose the Business Improvement District Plan. I am concerned by many aspects
of the BID, including:
· The proposed BID’s lack of
accountability to the public and to community needs, as the BID would be governed
by a private board of directors.
· The
BID would raise rent for downtown residents within the district boundaries by
raising taxes in the district, making rent unaffordable for many current
residents, including Smith & Five College students
· The
BID goal to “increase panhandling intervention” that would deny citizens
freedom of speech on public sidewalks.
For Carol
Christ: As a responsible member of the Northampton community and an institution
accountable to its students and faculty members, I urge you to revoke Smith
College’s signature from the BID.”
For Paul
Spector: As our representative in the City Council, I urge you to vote against
the BID.”