NOW here’s a revolution we can all get behind. Some Staten Islanders are taking a page from the young, pierced and wired radicals who last week took over the cafeteria at New York University for two days
Only these protesters don’t use cellphones and laptops. They’re armed with canes, walkers and typewriters. Their battle scars, though, are real.
“We have two Purple Heart recipients,” said Leroy Tepper, 80, the ringleader. “We’re not going to take this!”
Tepper, with some 10 of his elderly neighbors joining in solidarity, staged a sit-in Monday in the lobby of the Elmwood Park II luxury condominium in New Springville, where he’s lived for two years. So what was the problem? Smoking in the hallway? Shuffle-board court inaccessible?
No. These vintage citizens’ civil and human rights have been violated!
It started last summer. Building management warned the crew against congregating on cushioned benches in the lobby after dinner for an hour – a ritual they’ve participated in for years.
The guys kibitz, talk politics, flirt with the ladies and watch the comings and goings.
Then earlier this month, five men received $25 fines in the mail for violating condo rules. Management warns they may hit them up for $25 a day.
“I’m so aggravated! This is what we fought in the war for?” said Tom Milazzo, 79, a Korean War vet who gets around with the aid of a walker.
“We don’t smoke. We don’t drink,” said Milazzo, who’s lived in the condo 21 years.
“All we want is to sit in the lobby after dinner and shmooze,” said Tepper. “We’re keeping each other out of trouble. Is that too much to ask?”
Apparently, yes.
In the last few months, residents began receiving “harassing” letters about lobby assembly. The targets included Ron Silver, a Purple Heart recipient from the Korean War, Charlie Montemarano, a World War II vet of 90, and Thomas Raia, who at 66 is the baby of the bunch.
Condo director Cheryl Ruiz told me the men “should have been fined for every night they’ve been there.” She said she’s received complaints about loud conversation, but admitted the whiners quickly changed their stories when pressed.
Still, “You start to allow them there, and their kids want to play there. You’ve got to put in some controls.”
The residents were given access to a basement space as a consolation. But when I visited, the room was freezing, the toilet stuffed.
Tepper and Milazzo vow to sit in the lobby as long as it takes. After they rest.
Are we going to take this?
Hell, no!