Little Pink House_ A True Story of Defiance and Courage - Jeff Benedict [30]
February 23, 1998
It was a busy day for Jay Levin. First, his firm and the state amended the original consulting contract between Levin and Ellef. Levin had done a lot more work since that contract had been signed. The amendment reflected the additional work and resulted in an additional payment of $120,000 to Levin’s firm.
Also that day, Levin sent Valentini a letter on his law firm’s letterhead. “It is widely and completely known that the Italian Dramatic Club is not to be touched by anyone,” Levin wrote. “It is the understanding of every agency of State government from the Governor through DECD through DEP through DOT. It is an absolute complete understanding. Anyone who says otherwise is lying to a member of the Club and I will confront that person personally who is spreading the rumor.”
When Valentini received Levin’s letter, he framed it and hung it on a wall inside the club, displaying it like a trophy.
Steve Percy made sure Claire and Milne knew the deal. “We are not pursuing the Italian Dramatic Club,” Percy told them in a personal letter he faxed to them.
Every other property in the neighborhood, however, remained on the get list.
With pressure on them to secure options from homeowners who hadn’t said yes on the initial approach, Realtors descended on the Fort Trumbull neighborhood again.
Seated at the kitchen table, her head buried in nursing manuals, Susette heard a knock at the front door. A woman identified herself as a real-estate agent representing the NLDC. Eager to find out the NLDC’s plans, Susette invited her in.
“Oh, it’s very nice in here,” the agent said, looking around.
Susette told her a little about the house. The agent offered her $68,000 to sell.
“I’m not interested in selling my property,” Susette said.
If she didn’t sell, the agent warned, the property would be taken by eminent domain. Susette said nothing.
The agent insisted she knew how Susette felt. Years earlier, she said, her grandfather’s farm had been taken by eminent domain to make room for a road.
“Well, if you know how I feel and you already know about eminent domain,” Susette said, “then you have a lot of nerve doing this kind of work.”
The agent headed for the door, telling Susette to keep in mind the city’s intention to move forward with its plan. “It’s better to take the money now,” she said, “knowing you’ll get this amount now rather than having to fight for it later.”
A couple of weeks later, the same agent showed up on Susette’s doorstep again.
“Oh, you’re back,” Susette said.
This time, the agent offered $78,000 for the house, a $10,000 increase from her last offer.
“I’m not interested in selling my property, and I’m not interested in talking to you about selling my property,” Susette said. “And if you come here again, I’m going to throw you off the porch. So get out.”
“But—”
“Get out before I throw you off.”
Retreating, the agent said she’d follow up by mail.
“Whatever,” Susette said, before slamming the door in her face.
Days later, Susette got a letter from the agent. “I’m getting in touch with you again to bring to your attention some additional information,” she said. The letter included a document titled “NLDC GUIDELINES.” It listed the reasons the NLDC wanted Susette’s neighborhood and what it would do to facilitate her departure:
1. The NLDC is interested in developing the property around the area of Fort Trumbull in support of the recently announced Pfizer development.
2. The plans around that area have not been developed yet, but will attempt to create an appropriate complement to the Pfizer development.
3. Agents will exhaust all reasonable possibilities to relocate