Month: July 2013

On July 18, 2013, over 120 people filled the Irondale Theater in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for a City Council candidate forum on sustainability issues.

The New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Transportation Alternatives sponsored the lively debate. Additional support was provided by a host of local civic groups.

Many candidates from the crowded race for the Democratic nomination in District 35 were in attendance, including Olanike Alabi, Laurie Cumbo, Ede Fox, Richard Hurley and Jelani Mashariki. NYLCVEF President Marcia Brystryn was the evening’s emcee and moderated the event alongside Noah Budnick of Transportation Alternatives, Deborah Howard of the Pratt Area Community Council and James Subudhi of the Brooklyn Movement Center.

District 35 provides a compelling example of the kinds of sustainability challenges that face New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs. Development issues are of particular importance, as residents have recently grappled with the benefits and drawbacks of major development projects like the Barclays Center and the attendant commercial development along Atlantic Avenue.

The candidates debated a range of related issues, including the expansion of local bus routes, the viability of additional pedestrian plazas and bike share locations, and the rezoning of previously industrial areas for new economic purposes. The conversation provided attendees with a robust perspective on the candidates’ sustainability positions ahead of the September primary.

Scores of Bronx residents turned out at the Bronx Library on July 22, 2013 for NYLCVEF’s District 15 City Council Forum.

Those in attendance heard candidates including Kenny Agosto, Albert Alvarez, Raquel Batista, Joel Rivera, Cynthia Thompkins and Ritchie Torres articulate their positions on important sustainability issues facing the district.

The forum was hosted by the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, alongside Bronx Health Reach and the Mary Mitchell Family and Youth Center. It was moderated by the Education Fund’s Marcia Bystryn, as well as Kelly Moltzen from Bronx Health Reach and Lili Hurley from the Mary Mitchell Center.

District 15 encompasses Bathgate, Belmont, Crotona, Fordham, East Tremont, Van Nest and West Farms.

Food policy, air quality and affordable housing were all important issues for the audience. Food quality was a particularly pressing concern, and a frequent topic of discussion. Attendees voiced their demand for more healthy, local food, and all of the candidates emphasized the vital importance of creating better food policy for a more sustainable community.

Scores of Southeast Queens residents came to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Rosedale on July 11, 2013 for a City Council candidate forum on sustainability. The candidates running for District 31 who were in attendance included Herbert Binger, Michael Duncan, Scherie Murray and incumbent Councilman Donovan Richards.

The forum was co-hosted by the Eastern Queens Alliance, a prominent civic umbrella group in the borough. EQA chairperson Barbara Brown and NYLCVEF President Marcia Bystryn moderated the lively exchange.

District 31 faces critical choices on a range of sustainability issues in the 2013 municipal elections. The district includes Far Rockaway and many parts of the Jamaica Bay floodplain, areas still struggling to rebound from the effects Hurricane Sandy.

Other sustainability issues that face the district are the sparse public transportation options, air, water and noise pollution created by John F. Kennedy International Airport, and the protection of Idlewild Park from illegal dumpers.

The candidates highlighted their personal and professional experience with the issues and outlined their strategy for a more sustainable and healthy future.

Scores of Queens residents turned out in Jackson Heights on Monday for the first-ever Queens Borough President Forum on Sustainability. Five candidates, including Tony Arcabascio, Tony Avella, Leroy G. Comrie, Melinda R. Katz and Peter F. Vallone, Jr. spoke.

The event was a rousing success, and was co-hosted by the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. The forum was moderated by JHBG’s Edwin Westley and NYLCVEF President Marcia Bystryn.

Queens currently faces a number of unique environmental challenges-particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The next borough president has the potential to play a critical role in making the borough a sustainability leader.

All of the major candidates came to share their beliefs on these important challenges, and welcomed questions from audience members. A wide variety of sustainability issues were discussed-including transportation, green jobs, solid waste management, parks funding, climate change and more.

One item of discussion, the planned CitiField mall, was covered in the NY Daily News.

You can view our photo gallery from the event here .

The forum was just the latest step in NYLCVEF’s ongoing campaign to elevate the dialogue around sustainability issues in New York City, both in the current election cycle and in the long term. We look forward to hosting additional forums in all five boroughs throughout the summer.

We would also like to thank our many partner organizations from throughout the borough for their participation and support.

NYLCVEF’s Harlem City Council District 7 forum on July 9, 2013 was a great success, continuing the initiative to inform voters on candidate’s environmental views. Scores of local residents made their way to the Convent Avenue Baptist Church for a memorable discussion on sustainability, hosted by the Education Fund as well as WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

Nine candidates were in attendance, including Alicia Barksdale, David Sasscer-Burgos, Brodie Enoch, Christina Gonzalez, Joyce Johnson, Mark Levine, Mark Otto, Zead Ramadan and Ruben Dario Vargas .

The panel presented their opinions on a large range of issues encompassing green infrastructure, environmental education and transportation, touching even on issues of public housing and stop-and-frisk.

The forum was moderated by Peggy Shepard, Executive Director of WE ACT, and Marcia Bystryn, NYLCVEF President.