The Artists at Cottage Street Studios deserve the opportunity to talk to their landlord about the proposed rent increase. Since April, the artist tenants have made numerous attempts to meet with Riverside Industries to discuss and negotiate their rents, yet Riverside has refused to engage with their tenants. Riverside has hidden behind accusations against the tenants, inaccurate property assessments on which to base their rent demands and, apparently, delay tactics. The company told the tenants they would receive their new leases by July 1. Yet only some tenants received their proposed 3-year leases on July 18, three weeks late. Others still haven’t received a lease. Tenants are suppose to make the decision to stay and pay the extreme increase for the next three years, or leave, in less than two weeks. Shame on Riverside Industries, which portrays itself as the benevolent underdog getting accosted by the greedy artists who care nothing for the Riverside’s bottom line. But it is clear who the greedy one is. It is Riverside Industries.

Patricia Misisco

Easthampton