Over the summer, when members of the Eileen Dugan Senior Center were forced to relocate to the basement because the landlord had rented the ground floor to a new daycare franchise, longtime Carroll Gardens resident Celia Maniero Cacace, 77, wasn't afraid like the others to speak out in opposition.
Though it was the first time we had ever chatted, it wasn't the first time she had raised her voice in dissent.
As a 20-year-plus member of Community Board 6, Cacace is known among colleagues and friends for being as outspoken at meetings as she is on the sidewalk, having contributed to the neighborhood over the years in various ways.
From coordinating summer jobs for youth, to overseeing cleanup crews for the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrow, to organizing festivals in Carroll Park and reactivating the original Society of Mother Cabrini of South Brooklyn, Cacace is the exemplar of someone who gets involved. She put as much passion behind an individual's "problems with bad landlords, unfair evictions, and seniors who didn’t understand their meds," says PortSide New York's Carolina Salguero, as when the Barclays Center/Atlantic Yards reared its head.
At the time, Cacace once again was unafraid to express her disapproval to CB6 on the development project, even when it "led to borough president Marty Markowitz not re-appointing her to another term," according to the New York Post.
But now, after so many years of fighting on behalf of others, Cacace is the one in need of a champion: Her first-floor, First Place apartment is being sold—forcing her to be out by Jan. 14.
Having tried unsuccessfully for the last six months to find another home for the same $500-a-month she paid in rent, Cacace must leave the place she loves to move in with a son who lives in Wisconsin.
That is, unless someone can find a way to bring her back.
"Despite the best efforts of many dedicated to her cause, no one has been able to help," said District Manager Craig Hammerman in an e-mail. "So, for now at least, she'll be leaving Brooklyn until the angels smile upon her and a viable housing alternative emerges."
A Celia Cacace Tribute Party and the launch of the "Bring Celia Back from Wisconsin" campaign will be held on Sunday, Jan. 13 from 3:30pm to 6:30pm at Mama Maria’s Restaurant located at 307 Court St. Tickets are $30; $10 for seniors. Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar.
Donations will be accepted, leads on inexpensive rentals are encouraged, and memories of Celia are expected to be shared.
RSVP by Jan. 10 to info@BrooklynCB6.org or (718) 643-3027, ext 201.
Thanks so much for putting this out there! Great article. Best, Maria
Moved a long time ago, but as a kid growing up on president street I remember Cecelia being involved in everything that involved the community!! What a great woman she is who always put her fellow neighbors first!! I hope help comes her way!!!! Hat off to you Cecelia and best of luck!!!!xox SallyJo
Celia has been a huge part of the community since i Was a little girl.. She was always involved with any event that happened in the neighborhood always lent a helping hand to whoever needed it... I only hope that Celia can find the help she needs....she deserves to be kept in the neighborhood that has always been home to Her... Since she has always been the root and heart of it!!! Good luck Celia my prayers are with you!!!
That's right, keep building those ugly eyesores to house newbies and let's kick out people like Celia, who did a lot to make this neighborhood what it is today.
An owner cannot evict a tenant from a rent stabilized apartment outside of NYC or a rent controlled apartment statewide when a member of the household lawfully occupying the apartment is a senior citizen, 62 years or older; or, is a disabled person, or is any person who has been a tenant in the building for 20 years or more." The address http://www.nyshcr.org/Rent/FactSheets/orafac10.htm.
or older and has lived in a rent regulated, which includes rent-controlled and rent-stabilized (other than NYC rent stabilized), building for 20 years or more, the landlord may not recover the apartment for his or her own personal use as long as the lease is not violated. If the tenant or the tenant’s spouse is a senior citizen and lives in a NYC rent stabilized apartment, the landlord may not recover the apartment for his or her primary residence unless the tenant is offered a comparable or superior apartment in the same neighborhood at the same or lower regulated rent and a payment of moving expenses." Address: http://www.ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/Housing_Guide_for_Seniors_2011.pdf I hope these sites can help aid in keeping her there. It isn't Carroll Gardens with out her
She lived there her whole life, and while I do not like Brooklyn, she does. The hand-wringing and grimacing does nothing. I see lots of talk, and no action. It's my mom, and I will take care of her. Thanks for nothing.
I am in CHT and we have gone through all of these regs due to the conversion. We have rent control and rent stabilized apts and they remain untouched in status until the lease holder releases the apartment. I hope this might help Cecilia. She should be able to get someone to legally champion her cause.
I'd bet that the ratio of space made available in Carroll Gardens and Cobble Hill is minimal during this crisis.