In the District
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Read Council Member Garodnick's Summer 2010 newsletter, The Fourth.
Read Council Member Garodnick's Environmental Resource Guide for information and local government resources to help you live a greener lifestyle.
Garodnick Stands Up for the Future of the City's Community Gardens
With new rules under consideration that could jeopardize the future of community gardens, Council Member Garodnick called for stronger measures to "ensure the permanency of these neighborhood gems." In testimony before the Parks Department, Council Member Garodnick said the agency's rules should more closely resemble those that have been in place since an agreement of 2002, which is now expiring. While he noted that he does not have any community gardens in his district, Council Member Garodnick praised the gardens for "help[ing] to anchor and beautify a neighborhood by providing a gathering space for volunteer gardeners to work toward a communal endeavor, as well as educational, therapeutic and recreational opportunities for children and adults."
August 10
Garodnick Promotes Openness, Democracy in Charter Testimony
As the Charter Revision Commission weighed changes to New York City Charter, our governing document, Council Member Garodnick called for reforms to term limits, campaign finance, the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and the land use and planning processes in order to improve openness and efficiency in City government.
Council Member Garodnick also cautioned the Commission against rushing to move any ballot proposals forward without ample community input: “Because of the notable lack of knowledge and interest in this process to date, I recommend strongly that the work of this Commission not conclude until November 2011 to allow full and complete consideration of all potential ideas,” he said.
August 10
Garodnick Applauds Stuyvesant Town Tenants’ Major Legal Victory on Retroactive Damages in Rent Overcharge Case
Council Member Garodnick applauded another significant legal victory for tenants of Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village in the Roberts v. Tishman Speyer case — one that opens the door for them to receive considerable damages for rent overcharges.
In a strongly worded decision by Justice Richard B. Lowe III, the New York Supreme Court ruled that tenants are entitled to retroactive damages for rent-overcharge claims because their landlord — first MetLife, and then Tishman Speyer — had improperly deregulated apartments that were receiving the J-51 tax abatement.
“This is another huge win for tenants,” said Council Member Garodnick. “The Court of Appeals first resolved the question of liability — now we are getting a clearer picture of damages. MetLife should not fight this any further. Residents were illegally overcharged for years, and we expect them to get the recovery they deserve.”
August 5
Garodnick Stands Up Against Hate Crimes on National Night Out
On the National Night Out Against Crime, Council Member Garodnick spent part of the evening in his district, and part of it in Port Richmond, Staten Island, to support Council Member Debi Rose, Speaker Christine Quinn, community and religious leaders and local advocates as they laid out an aggressive plan of action to respond to a string of hate crimes there.
"When the safety of our community and the pride in our diversity are challenged by those who would use violence and intimidation, it is a challenge to us all. And we will not back down from it," Council Member Garodnick said.
"The decency of New Yorkers runs much deeper than the hate of the few who persist in these attacks. We will summon every ounce of energy and courage from the community, and use every tool at our disposal, to stand up to vicious acts of hatred in New York City."
August 3
West 50s Residents Turn Out In Large Numbers for Garodnick Quality of Life Town Hall
Over 150 residents of the West 50s voiced their concerns about pedicabs, bicycles, garbage pickup and other concerns at Council Member Garodnick's town hall forum on quality life issues in that neighborhood.
The Council Member brought in representatives of the NYPD and other relevant City agencies to respond to explain the existing laws and follow up on the concerns they heard directly. For his part, Council Member Garodnick committed to bringing in the NYPD's Manhattan South Borough Command for extra enforcement, exploring legislative proposals to further regulate pedicab parking, and responding to each of the specific constituent complaints that were raised.
Watch video clips from the town hall
July 29
