Dear John 


Please note! We are in the formal “communications blackout” period, less than 90 days from the November general election. To comply with election law, we are restricted with what we can discuss in mass communications until Election Day. We will continue to keep our community updated but bear with us as we pare down and change content to comply with election law. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.


Participatory Budgeting Ideas Map is Live!

Our office is excited to release the online ideas map for Cycle 13 of Participatory Budgeting, an initiative where we allocate $1.5 million dollars in capital funding and $50,000 in expense funding to projects submitted and then voted on by our neighbors. Ideas collection lasts until 11/9, and we are looking for community members to share their ideas with us about how to make our neighborhoods better with improvements to libraries, schools, parks, and streets or public programming like workshops, classes, or studies. Previously funded projects that community members submitted included the Repair Café at Big Reuse (which started on 10/14), PS 124’s Family Resource Center, and a restoration of the Bandshell Lawn. Please submit your idea online today!


We will also be tabling at the PTA Fun Run (10/28) for ideas and hosting an ideas collection event themed on economic justice on 10/21. You can RSVP and check out the rest of our upcoming events here.


After the ideas collection phase ends, our office will be convening our Civic Assembly (based on a type of democratic initiative called a Citizen's Assembly). This will be a group of community members who will come together to deliberate on which Participatory Budgeting project ideas will be developed for the ballot. Essentially, they will act as a jury to review all the submitted project ideas and help develop a list of community priorities. In order to have this group be representative of District 39, we are asking for nominations of community members to serve on the assembly. Please nominate friends, family, and peers from your community that you think could help us develop our list of community priorities from the ideas submitted through Participatory Budgeting.


Community Bulletin

  • A little outside the district but People In Need is working with New York Presbyterian Hospital to host a free flu shot clinic on 10/24 from 10 AM - 1 PM at 786 Coney Island Avenue. No RSVP is needed; just show up!

  • You asked for more Brown Bins - so we’re giving you more Brown Bins! Following up on the success of our Kensington giveaway, we’re partnering with the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) for a compost bin giveaway on 10/25 in Carroll Park. RSVP today to reserve your compost bin and do it quickly because supplies are limited.

  • Join our office and the Windsor Terrace Food Coop to celebrate National Apple Month, local food access programs, and food justice champions in Windsor Terrace on 10/28 from 1 PM - 3 PM for an apple tasting! We will be voting on Windsor Terrace’s favorite apple variety!

  • Next Sunday, 10/29, our friends at DSNY are hosting a compost giveaway right outside the district in Kensington’s Newkirk Community Garden! RSVP to reserve two free 40-pound bags of high-quality compost.

  • Optimum’s 16th Annual Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest is underway, and the submission deadline of 10/3 is fast approaching! This contest is open to middle and high school students (grades 6-12). This is a great opportunity for students to share their experiences and how they connect with Hispanic culture. There is a grand prize of $3,000 and a finalist prize of an iPad! More information on how to apply here!

  • Running a small business is tough, but New York City has your back. Once you find your commercial space, be sure to reach out to the Commercial Lease Assistance (CLA) Program from NYC Small Business Services. It offers free attorneys to review your lease, help negotiate terms, challenge landlords who try to harass or intimidate you, and overall make sure your lease allows your business to thrive. Visit their website or call 888-SBS-4NYC to learn more!

  • If you run a small business and you’re looking for City services, there’s now a simple one-stop-shop for everything you need. Check out the MyCity Business site resources, permitting information, and everything else you need to help your business thrive in NYC.

  • Do you have extra paint lying around? Before you send it to a landfill, consider recycling the paint at a retailer near you. The Paintcare recycling program provides year-round, easy-to-access drop-off sites for households and businesses to divert leftover paint from landfills by recycling it back into paint or other beneficial applications such as fuels and cement additives. Check out the drop-off sites listed below.

    • Mazzone Ace Hardware (470 Court St): (718) 624-8494

    • Mazzone Ace Hardware (476 Bergen St): (718) 783-3333

    • Sherwin-Williams (555 5th Ave): (718) 369-0819

    • Big Reuse (1 12th Street): (718) 725-8925


In Solidarity,

Shahana