December 30, 1990

DURING a recent gathering of Bridgeport-area business leaders, bankers huddled in conversation about the unraveling economy, agreeing that things could get much worse before they get better. But instead of grabbing another round of cocktails, the bankers sipped from cups of English tea served by attendants in Victorian-style outfits. And instead of driving carrot sticks into dip, they nibbled on scones with freshly whipped cream and jam. The greenhouse at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport had been decked out for an old-fashioned garden party. Botanical prints and candlestick lamps adorned the room, and fresh flowers and antique tea-serving pieces were displayed on the white table linen. Soft classical music complemented the conversation.

OVER the last several years, a string of well-publicized murders on Long Island seem to run counter to a popular stereotype of violent crime. The crimes were not committed by poor, uneducated individuals for money or during a robbery or assault. These killings attracted widespread attention in the media, fueling fear and concern, including a how-can-it-happen-here? attitude.

All across America, state and city governments have been stricken by financial crises that were not even imagined a year ago. More than half are facing serious financial shortfalls, and many are considering Draconian measures, including huge layoffs of public employees and major cutbacks in social services and public works. Some states, like Connecticut and Rhode Island, must find a way to cut their budgets by 20 percent in the next few months.

Last June, Coronet Properties of Manhattan agreed to halt sales at Skyview-on-the-Hudson, a 1,300-unit cooperative conversion in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, after running into financial trouble. More than 400 apartments had been sold. Late in the summer, one of Coronet's lenders, the First New York Bank for Business, invested in unsold units in the complex at 5800 Arlington Avenue. It and its partners are trying to jump-start sales through a new marketing campaign. "We are not holding a fire sale but have cut the prices to reflect the change in the market since apartments first went on sale," said Dr. Georgette Bennett, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for First New York, which took unsold shares in exchange for the settlement of Coronet Properties' debts. The 25-year-old complex, on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River, comprises three 20-story buildings and has two parks, two playgrounds, two tennis courts, an outdoor pool and a clubhouse. Prices, now about 20 percent lower than originally, range from about $90,000 for an unrenovated one-bedroom unit to about $250,000 for a renovated four-bedroom apartment.

The Kansas City Chiefs strode into Soldier Field today as the team that had plenty to fight for while the Chicago Bears put up their fists and offered a challenge but were flattened. Kansas City built an 18-10 lead entering the final quarter and then watched Nick Lowery boot his fifth field goal of the game to seal a 21-10 victory before 60,262 fans. The game left both teams with 11-5 records but Chicago had already clinched its sixth division title in the last seven years and the home-field advantage in the opening week of the playoffs. Chicago will be host to either Dallas or New Orleans next weekend.