Browsing: Politics

Politics Participatory Budgeting Million Dollar Question

It’s the third year of participatory budgeting in District 39, which means neighbors have another chance to tell Councilmember Brad Lander what projects you’d like to see funded in our area. Ideas for projects have already been submitted, and now it’s time to see what proposals have made it through volunteer-led committees and will be up
Politics Snow Boots, Snowy Sidewalk

A proposed amendment to existing laws about sidewalk snow and ice removal could mean heftier penalties for those who don’t shovel, but clear walks for pedestrians. Councilmember David Greenfield is proposing that the city use municipal workers to clear a sidewalk they would normally ticket (fines currently start at $100 if a sidewalk isn’t cleared within four
Politics Brad Lander

Our Councilmember Brad Lander has always been pretty accessible, but he’s about to get a little more open to your questions. He’s one of three city leaders who will be part of a new site called AskThem that lets the public ask their officials questions directly. How it works is you enter your address and find your
Politics Brad Lander

Following the confirmation of Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito as the City Council speaker, some of her allies have been getting press as they’ve been appointed to various leadership positions in the Council. One of her close ties is our own Councilmember Brad Lander, whose work on the Council with Mark-Viverito goes back several years, and who just got
Police & Fire Cannabis sativa, via wiki

Newly inaugurated Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson first announced back in October his intention to decriminalize up to 15 grams of marijuana “in public view” (as opposed to in one’s apartment, for instance), issuing only fines instead of necessitating arrests and prosecution. Now that Governor Cuomo has moved toward a limited medical marijuana initiative, however, he has reversed his idea of decriminalizing
Neighbors Bill de Blasio acceptance speech

After much speculation over where the de Blasios would live after January’s inauguration, it was announced on Wednesday that the mayor-elect and his family will head up to Gracie Mansion. “For a variety of reasons, like logistical and security concerns, we’ve decided to move to Gracie Mansion,” the de Blasios wrote on their Transition NYC website. “It’s a practical choice
Neighbors Lobster Patrick Stewart via Twitter

With all the talk about Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio hailing from Park Slope, another neighbor’s close-call in the race has so far gone unnoticed. So how close did Patrick Stewart, the pizza-loving, Broadway-acting, former Star Trek captain come to being Mayor Sir Patrick Stewart? Okay, not close at all. New York magazine took a look
Neighbors Bill de Blasio smackdown video still

It’s official, ladies and gents, New York City’s next mayor has a signature dance. The de Blasio family performed the celebratory “Smackdown” at the Armory on Tuesday night, to the roaring approval of their exuberant supporters. The one exception came from a guy posing for a photo near us who, upon realizing something big was happening
Politics Bill de Blasio acceptance speech

The Slope was represented in a big way tonight as Bill de Blasio was elected the 109th Mayor of New York City. With about half of precincts reporting at the time of this post, de Blasio is the projected winner with over 70% of the votes. At his victory party at the Park Slope Armory
Politics Bill de Blasio Steve Buscemi phone back

He cast his vote at the Park Slope Library, his local polling place, this morning at around 10am, and his campaign will host a party tonight at the Park Slope Armory. He’s touted his experience with kids attending NYC public schools, and has made appearances in the neighborhood. Throughout his campaign, mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio
Politics I Voted Sticker, by rebeccabknyc on Instagram

It’s election day, and the polls have been open since 6am — and will remain open until 9pm, so get out there and vote! Check out this post for all the things you need to know, then let us know how your experience was in Park Slope. Was it smooth sailing, or did you encounter
Politics Vote Here Sign

Tuesday, November 5 is election day, and polls will be open from 6am to 9pm. Here are some of the things you should know before casting your vote tomorrow: • Find out where your polling site is with this locator. Some sites have relocated or combined (for instance, voters who may have used PS 282 perviously
News Major Owens, via FB

Major Owens, who served Brooklyn — including parts of Park Slope — in Congress , passed away last night at the age of 77. Owens, who was known to fight for education, civil rights, and economic equality, was in our area notably critical of the Atlantic Yards project. He earned the nickname the “rappin’ rep” because
Politics Participatory Budgeting Online Map

It’s the third year of participatory budgeting in District 39, and Councilmember Brad Lander now has a website where you can enter ideas and show your support for ones others have suggested. Anyone can post ideas, whether you live, work, or even just pass through the district. Eligible ideas must be for “capital” projects: i.e., physical