Author Archives

emil mella

Everything I’ve Heard About: CULTURE

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Everything I've Heard About: CULTURE These are difficult times, and we’re doing our best to keep Manhattan informed – which is why we’ve been putting out our daily COVID-19 newsletter (sign up here!). As we all self-isolate, New Yorkers are leaning more than ever on books, movies, music and other great works of art – but just as we find support in the arts, times like these remind us how essential it is that… Read more

Everything I’ve Heard About: FOOD

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Everything I've Heard About: FOOD These are difficult times, and we’re doing our best to keep Manhattan informed – which is why we’ve been putting out our daily COVID-19 newsletter (sign up here!). This crisis has placed how we feed ourselves and our families front and center in all of our minds. This post compiles information from our newsletter to help keep you posted on the resources and information available to you, what we’re… Read more

Everything I’ve Heard About: MONEY

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Everything I've Heard About: MONEY These are difficult times, and we’re doing our best to keep Manhattan informed – which is why we’ve been putting out our daily COVID-19 newsletter (sign up here!). The effect of coronavirus on paychecks has been sizable, and while local, state and federal governments, along with some businesses, have put a variety measures in place to give New Yorkers a break, it’s hard to keep track of it all.… Read more

Everything I’ve Heard About: EDUCATION

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Everything I've Heard About: EDUCATION These are difficult times, and we’re doing our best to keep Manhattan informed – which is why we’ve been putting out our daily COVID-19 newsletter (sign up here!). One of the most challenging parts of this crisis have come from how it has impacted education – from college to pre-K, students are going home as families learn how to best grapple with e-learning platforms. We’ve been sending out information… Read more

Everything I’ve Heard About: DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERING

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Everything I've Heard About: DONATIONS & VOLUNTEERING These are difficult times, and we’re doing our best to keep Manhattan informed – which is why we’ve been putting out our daily COVID-19 newsletter (sign up here!). As the situation around COVID-19 develops, so many New Yorkers want to serve their communities – it goes without saying that in so many cases, the best way to do so is just to stay home! But for those in healthy… Read more

Deadline extended! Apply to join your local community board by Feb. 14.

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I’m looking for passionate and engaged New Yorkers who are dedicated to making a difference in their neighborhoods. Community Boards play an important role in shaping the character of our city. If you live or work in one of Manhattan’s 12 community districts, you’re eligible to apply for the 2020-2022 class of CB members. The online application must be completed in one sitting, so I suggest you read the paper… Read more

Our deed restriction law in action!

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Gale speaking at podium at State of the Borough After the Rivington House debacle, Council Member Chin and I passed a law in December of 2016 that requires notification of any deed restriction removal request to the local Council Member, the Community Board, and the Borough President. I were pleased this week when I was notified of the request to lift the deed restriction at 142 W. 131st Street. I then was able to write a letter to the… Read more

Religious Facilities Task Force

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Religious institutions are a bedrock of neighborhood life and identity, and serve as a social and cultural resource for thousands of New Yorkers. When religious congregations are faced with real estate challenges and must move or close, the impacts on the surrounding community can be significant. Since 2014, my office has worked to assist them in meeting their challenges – which have been particularly serious in Central and East Harlem,… Read more

Fighting the epidemic of anti-Semitism

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It’s no secret that we’re now facing an epidemic of anti-Semitism across the country, including right here in New York, as the recent attacks in Monsey so tragically demonstrated. In her New York Times op-ed, Congresswoman Nita Lowey said, “We are no longer talking about isolated, occasional actions—bad enough as those are—but a regular phenomenon. Like an epidemic, it must be treated comprehensively, addressing root causes.” I totally agree.… Read more