Brooklyn, NY – Borough Park Residents Come Out to Participate in City Budgeting

Brooklyn, NY – About 100 people gathered Wednesday night in Bais Yaakov to learn about Participatory Budgeting, a new initiative from City Councilmember Brad Lander.

At the neighborhood assembly, participants learned more about their new role in setting our budgeting priorities and then offered their ideas for projects that could be built in Boro Park.

Participatory Budgeting is an exciting initiative that puts budgeting decisions directly in the hands of the people those decisions will impact most, the residents.
Some suggested installing security cameras in parks and subway stations.

“It was very exciting to be a part of the participatory budget meeting last night. There were some really great ideas presented,” said Rena Lax, a resident of Borough Park. “There was one plan that was introduced that was very well received. In light of the recent abduction and unfortunate murder of Leiby Kletzky an idea, one resident suggested creating a database of all private and public cameras. If, G-d forbid, such an occurrence happens again, the police would be able to access the database so the person who was lost or taken could be traced from the place last seen.”

Other suggestions included ADA accessible (elevators) subway stations and more parking. There were requests of new shelving and furniture for the Borough Park Public Library and air-conditioning for schools. Residents would also like to see more play equipment outfitted in public school yards, that would be open to everyone.

“The outcome is not as important as the actual engagement process,” said Alexander Rapaport of Masbia soup kitchen. “It raises ideas that would bring more results than the actual million dollars that is being debated.”

“It was very educational and productive and I hope it will have good results,” remarked Yitzchok Fleischer.

Over the coming months, residents of this district will form committees that will turn last night’s ideas into project proposals, and then residents through Councilmember Lander’s district will decide which ideas get funded at the ballot box. All are welcome to take leading roles and become budget delegates to shape ideas into tangible plans. Voting will take place in March 2012. All residents of the 39th council district, over the age of 18, are eligible to vote, but you do not have to live in the district to participate in the planning process.
“Participatory budgeting is an opportunity for you and your neighbors to give me your ideas for what needs to be built or repaired in our community – and then you get to decide what gets funded in a vote next spring,” said Councilmember Lander. “If we work together, I really believe that this process will not only lead to great projects, but toward a renewal of local democracy in our community.”

Participatory Budgeting is your opportunity to tell Councilmember Brad Lander what needs to be built or repaired in our community. Councilmember Lander is committing to let us, the residents of this district, allocate $1 million in capital funding to the projects that you think are most important.