Funding Questions About Bowne House Restoration Persist

As a Bowne descendant and Trustee of the Bowne House Historical Society, I was deeply disappointed to see (in the news article, Bowne House money not cut, dated June 4, 2009) that the Executive Director of the city's Historic House Trust, Franklin Vagnone, is persisting in his efforts to deny the fact that the city notified Bowne House Board President Rosemary Vietor in writing on March 24 that Bowne House would not be receiving the $604,000 promised to its restoration project this year (according to Vagnone, the figure is actually $628,000).

It remains a mystery as to why the administrator of the city's Historic House Trust, an individual new to our community, would continue in his obvious efforts to obfuscate the facts and mislead the public. This is not what New Yorkers expect or deserve from a man charged with the duty to oversee budgets underwritten with public funds.

Vagnone's failure to adhere to the standards of transparency inherent in matters of public funding casts serious doubt on the management of the complex restoration process needed to sustain the ancient and historic Bowne House, a true American treasure. Sadly, Vagnone's posture and strategy here also undermines the faith that the public should be able to have in the city's Historic House Trust.

And in light of the fact that Rosemary Vietor, President of the Bowne House Board, received an unequivocal statement from the city (the March 24 communication) notifying her that not only is the $604,000 being pulled from this year's city budget, but that all future budgets are subject to cuts (thereby eliminating any guarantee that Bowne House will ever receive the promised money), it is also difficult to discern why Ms. Vietor has failed in this, and many other news articles, to be forthright about this public funding issue (Vietor: “As far as we know, the funding is intact”).

If $1.7 million dollars were, in fact, allocated to the Bowne House restoration, as Vagnone claims in this news article, certainly the most efficient way to resolve and diffuse the funding questions would have been for Vagnone and Vietor to simply share this good news with the Board. This would seem especially wise given the fact that in order to legally transfer the house to the city, unanimous approval from the Bowne House Board Members is required. Notification of the $1.7 million might have allowed Board Members to breathe a sigh of relief.

Oh and, just for the record, my open letter to Mayor Bloomberg asking him to restore the $604,000 to the FY '09 city budget was copied to the entire Bowne House Board along with the collective of elected officials (Queens Borough President Helen Marshall; Senator Frank Padavan; Council Member John Liu and Congressman Gary Ackerman) all of whom represent the public interests of historic Bowne House.

Sadly, the fact is that I even wrote to this new fellow, Vagnone, who instead of responding directly to a member of the public whom he was brought here (from Philadelphia) to serve, chose instead to attempt to discredit me, and my efforts to have the money that was promised to Bowne House restored to this year's city budget, in the Press.

Historic Bowne House and the public deserve better from the city.

Sincerely,

Susan Kathryn Hefti
Bowne Descendant & Trustee, Bowne House Historical Society

QBP Marshals Support for Historic Bowne House!

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall has long been a loyal friend & supporter of Historic Bowne House (circa 1661) in Flushing, NY. A former school teacher, well versed in the invaluable lessons this historic site evokes, the Borough President works hard to make sure the 17th century house and its incomparable narrative endure for future generations.

So it's really no surprise that BP Marshall wants the city to keep its promise of the $604,000 that Bowne House was supposed to receive for its restoration project this year. The Queens Borough President is advocating to both Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the NYC Council for the restoration of the promised public funding to the FY '09 city budget!

Bowne House can not wait another 4 years, nor even another 4 months, for these promised matching funds. So we are deeply grateful to have Queens Borough President Helen Marshall rallying support for the immediate restoration of the promised $604,000!

Now, let's hope the other Elected Officials join Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and Senator Frank Padavan in their strong support of Bowne House, the birthplace of religious freedom in America!

And YOU can also help by just clicking on this link: http://bownehouseupdate.blogspot.com/2009/05/save-historic-bowne-house-from-city_24.html & cutting & pasting & sending the letter to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg letting him know that it is imperative that Bowne House receive the matching funds it was promised for the 2009 Fiscal Year budget - and letting the Mayor know that you want to see the city fulfill its promise to Bowne House NOW!!!

Many thanks to Queens Borough President Helen Marshall & Senator Frank Padavan - and to everybody who took the time to send letters to our Elected Officials on behalf of Bowne House!

..........................................................................................

For more information, please contact us at bownehouse1661@gmail.com

Padavan Goes to Bat for Bowne House!

Good news & thanks for your help!!!

Senator Frank Padavan has been deeply moved by the flood of letters he continues to receive about the city's proposal to cut $604,000 that was promised in matching funds to the Bowne House restoration project for the 2009 city budget.

After receiving letters from all over the country, Senator Padavan wasted no time in stepping up to the plate again on behalf of historic Bowne House (circa 1661), this time writing a letter to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg asking his Honor to see to it that the $604,000 in matching funds that was promised to the Bowne House restoration project for the 2009 city budget be immediately & fully restored!!!

The Senator's very persuasive letter to the Mayor explains that the money already raised by Bowne House was "done through hard work with the knowledge that the Parks Department would be providing the other necessary funds to preserve the historical treasure which Bowne House is." The Senator's letter goes on to say that "Bowne House is in desperate need of the funds" and he points out that "the only thing preventing the house from being destroyed is a tarp over the roof."

Bowne House is lucky to have such a stalwart supporter like Senator Frank Padavan! Now, let's hope the other Elected Officials join Padavan in his strong support of Bowne House, the birthplace of religious freedom in America!

And YOU can help to make that happen right now by just clicking on this link: http://bownehouseupdate.blogspot.com/2009/05/save-historic-bowne-house-from-city_24.html & cutting & pasting & sending the letter to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg letting him know that Bowne House can not wait another 4 years, or even another 4 months, to receive the matching funds it was promised for the 2009 Fiscal Year budget - and letting the Mayor know that you want to see the city fulfill its promise to Bowne House NOW!!!

Many thanks to Senator Frank Padavan & to everybody who took the time to send the letter to him on behalf of Bowne House!