For so much of the past year, it’s been hard to think about the future. We’ve been fighting to get through each day, to keep our loved ones safe and healthy, and just to keep moving forward. But as vaccines become more widely available, as spring arrives, and as American Rescue Plan money gives us a chance to restore our economy, it’s a great time to start thinking about the future we want to build together in our community.

Participatory budgeting gives us a chance to do just that. So I’m delighted to announce that Participatory Budgeting Vote Week 2021 -- our tenth year -- has begun! You can vote online starting today, any time through April 14th.

VOTE NOW IN PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING VOTE WEEK 2021!  

Click HERE to access the ballot and vote for the projects you want to see funded this coming year. The ballot contains detailed descriptions of each project (in English, Bangla and Spanish). You can vote for 3 capital projects (out of 5 choices) and 4 expense projects (out of 9 choices).

If you want to learn a little more about the projects before voting, we have three great opportunities for you:

• Read more detailed descriptions of the projects on the District 39 PB website.

• Join me this Wednesday April 7 at 7:30 PM for our virtual “PB Expo.” You will meet many of the volunteers who have worked to make this cycle happen and hear more about the projects. Register here.

• Look out for PB vote week “pop-ups” around the district. Volunteers will be out and about to discuss the projects and get out the vote. This afternoon, I will be at Kensington Plaza (Church Avenue and Beverly Road) from 1:30 - 3 PM. (And sign up here if you’d like to volunteer to be part of one of our pop-up voting sites. It’s fun, safe, and easy).

But feel free just to go ahead and vote now. The ballot contains project descriptions that you can reference when voting. Vote week runs through April 14 -- so vote as soon as you can, and then encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to do so as well. 

Anyone 11 and older living in District 39 (Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront, much of Gowanus, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, most of Kensington, and a bit of Borough Park) can vote. 

For anyone living in District 33 (Brooklyn Heights, Boerum Hill, Williamsburgh), District 38 (Red Hook, Sunset Park), or District 5 (Upper East Side, Roosevelt Island), the vote link will take you to the ballots for those districts as well. Unfortunately, participatory budgeting is only happening in those four City Council districts this year. 

For me, this year, participatory budgeting reflects this spirit of an inclusive recovery. It’s our chance to have a say together on things we want for the future of our community, as we emerge from the pandemic. So I hope you’ll take this chance to make your voice heard. 

VOTE NOW

Thank you in advance for your vote,

Brad