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Local Politics
Thursday, February 9

New Commander, 20th Precinct
Project FIND, Senior Services
Contenders for Gale Brewer’s Position
Updates on hydrofracking, the W75th sliver building.

(click on 4 smaller images to enlarge)

Brian McGinn, new commanding officer of the 20th precinct, came to meet us.	W75BA treasure Liz DeVito presented her report at the meeting.
Dee Rieber, W75BA president, spoke about hydrofracking.	Marc Landis, a contender for Gale Brewer's NYC Council seat, addressed the group.	Debra Escort described the many programs Project FIND offers for seniors.

Proposed sliver building at 207 West 75t
Thursday,November 10

Sliver buildings are tall slender buildings constructed on lots with a narrow frontage.

Led by member Pat Kiernan, W75BA is joining forces with neighbors to hinder a 10-unit, 14-story “sliver” high-end condo building at 207 West 75th Street — a short, already overcrowded block.

The lot is 107' 5½" x 25". and was sold April 28 to The Philippe for 5½ million dollars. Permits currently exist for a façade renovation and a construction fence. The owner has applied for five variances with the NYC Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) that would allow him to build to the height of 14 stories.

After two well attended Community Board 7 Land Use Committee meetings, where community members opposed to the project well outnumbered those siding with the developer, the committee voted to reject the developers’ request for a variance to build above seven stories. The developer claims that this would present a financial hardship for him.

The full community board reviewed the findings by the Land Use Committee on November 1 and concluded that the developer should not be given any variances.
This only provides an “advisory” opinion that the BSA should reject the application, but it’s a great foundation for the arguments that we will make in a few weeks at the first public hearing on the sliver building variances on November 30.

Thursday, April 14: Manhattan Day School Library

Guest Speaker: Leslie Albrecht, Reporter/Producer, DNAinfo.com 
Special Guests: Carl Bevelhymer, West 55th Street Block Association,
Melissa Elstein, West 80’s Neighborhood Association

Among the ideas and legislative proposals on the table for dealing with neighborhood issues: picketing Duane Reade at 72nd and Broadway has been scheduled for Sunday, May 1, at 1 p.m. Can you come? If yes, Please send email Coalition for a Livable West Side <livablenewyork@erols.com>with phrase - "will come" in the subject heading And please share this message with your neighbors and friends.

Also up for discussion: truck traffic on W75.

Thursday, February 17
Hydrofracking in NY State Imperils NYC Water Supply
Guests:
Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President (left)
Kate Sinding, National Resource Defense Council

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has called hydrofracking the No. 1 environmental and public health issue facing our city. NYS Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal calls it "the worst environmental mistake of this generation."

Hydraulic fracturing — or hydrofracking — is a method of natural gas extraction that requires the use of chemicals and vast amounts of water to release gas from rock formations deep underground. 

We will be showing clips from the movie Gasland to help members understand the issue in more depth.

The NYC watershed supplies some of the best drinking water in the country to more than 9 million New Yorkers. Hydrofracking would contaminate it forever! Join us on February 17 to learn more about this threat and what we can do to save our water.

Schoharie Reservoir

Thursday, October 21

Manhattan District Attorney’s Office: What they are doing and how it affects us
West Side Campaign Against Hunger — the state of the hungry & homeless on the UWS
Nominees for W75BA Annual Giving
Dismount rules for Riverside Park bikers

Thursday, May 6
Special guests from TimeBanksNYC
A citywide network of neighbors helping neighbors, swapping skills and services

Come find out how you can give time and your expertise in exchange for skilled help from another TimeBanks memberoffering some help you need. Tutoring in English, for example, in exchange for meal preparation or errand-running.

Tackling the Tough Issues
Thursday, February 11, 6:45 pm

Senator Tom Duane will talk about what is happening (or not happening) in Albany
Gale Brewer’s office will be on hand to address our questions (We have a lot to talk about!)
Jill Greenbaum, Founder and Director of Schools Unite Nerwork will talk about her work
Steve Burman, Founder and CEO of Credit Advocates Counseling Corp will talk about the services available through CACC

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