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<title>Scott Stringer - Manhattan Borough President</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/</link>
<description>Latest Blog posts</description>
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<title>Painting Roofs White to Create a Greener New York</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=517</link>
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This morning, Borough President Scott Stringer, joined by Go Green! Lower East Side and community groups, announced the start of the Model Block Project, a new program to turn one block of the Lower East Side into a model for energy conservation.]]>
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<title>BP Stringer Calls on City to Restructure its Animal Shelter System</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=516</link>
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&nbsp;Today Borough President Stringer held a press conference with Assemblymembers Linda Rosenthal and Micah Kellner and animal advocates, urging New York City to completely restructure NYC Animal Care and Control (AC&amp;C)--and to honor its promise to build full-service animal shelters in all five boroughs. These goals were outlined in a popular online petition the Borough President sent out earlier this week, and which has received more than 2,500 signatures in two and a half days.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosts 4th Annual Iftar Dinner</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=515</link>
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Last night Borough President Scott Stringer hosted his 4th Annual Iftar Dinner. This event, which drew 150 people, brought together Muslims and non-Muslims from around New York City to say evening prayers, break the Ramadan fast, and honor individuals and organizations.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and the Super Sprowtz Teach Children About Healthy Eating </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=514</link>
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&nbsp;On Wednesday, August 4, Manhattan Borough President Scott M.
Stringer was joined at Union Settlement by his super friends, the Super
Sprowtz, to teach over 200 children about the healthy eating, fitness, and
sustainability. Standing with the Borough President were Erica Eggplant, Colby
Carrot, Zach Zucchini, Brian Broccoli and Suzy Sweetpea, whose superpowers come
from their nutritional composition.&nbsp;&nbsp;]]>
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<title>National Night Out: Law Enforcement and the Community Come Together to Promote Crime Prevention</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=513</link>
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Last night, Borough President Stringer joined law enforcement officers and citizens in participating in National Night Out. National Night Out is an annual event, observed by cities and towns across the country, that promotes the joint efforts of police departments and community members to prevent crime.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Launches Harlem Farm Share</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=511</link>
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On Wednesday, June 27, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer announced the launch of Harlem Farm Share, a new community supported agricultural resource for the residents of&nbsp;Manhattan&#8217;s&nbsp;West Harlem&nbsp;neighborhood.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Releases Chinese and Spanish Versions of City&#8217;s First-Ever Guide to Rights and Services for Immigrants</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=510</link>
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On July 22, Manhattan Borough President&nbsp;Scott Stringer&nbsp;announced the release of Chinese and Spanish-language versions of his groundbreaking&nbsp;Immigrant Rights and Services Manual,&nbsp;the first comprehensive resource of its kind that informs immigrants of their rights and responsibilities in navigating government benefits and services.]]>
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<title>Stringer's Swingers and Liu's Crew Battle for Softball Supremacy in Central Park</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=509</link>
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On Monday, July 18th, teams from Manhattan
Borough President&#8217;s Scott M. Stringers office and from City Comptroller John
Liu&#8217;s office battled for supremacy in a softball game in Central
 Park. Stringer&#8217;s Swingers and Liu&#8217;s Crew played a friendly, lively
game late into the evening, with the stands filled with supporters from across
the city for both teams. With the sun setting, Stringer&#8217;s Swingers won in
walk-off fashion in the 10th with a game winning home run.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Demands Action from the Department of Transportation on 72nd Street Bowtie of Death</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=508</link>
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&nbsp; Photo Credit: Noah Kazis, Streetsblog.org&nbsp;One year after the Upper West Side
community gathered together and called for immediate action from the City and
the Department of Transportation at the dangerous &#8220;bow-tie of death&#8221;
intersection, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer stood again with
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and community activists to demand action on
proposed safety redesigns.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Return of the Manhattan Borough Historian's Quiz: Our City of Islands</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=507</link>
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Back by popular demand, the Manhattan Borough Historian&#8217;s Quiz!Each month, our Borough Historian will test your knowledge of the City we all love with several thought-provoking and exciting questions.This month, see how much you know about New York City&nbsp;and its
satellite islands!



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<title>Borough President Stringer Honors Award-Winning History Students</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=505</link>
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Last week, at the annual History 
Recognition Day ceremony, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer addressed a 
gathering of young history scholars at his offices and inducted them into the 
Manhattan Borough President's Society of Student Historians. The honorees were 
Manhattan middle and high 
school students who had won awards in this year's History Day competition. 
History Day is a nationwide contest much like a science fair except that it 
deals with historical topics. A packed house of about 100 proud students, 
parents and teachers were in attendance.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Urges DOE to Keep its Promises to Teachers Recruited from the Caribbean</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=504</link>
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On Wednesday, June 29, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer stood on the steps of City Hall flanked by elected officials, advocates, and teachers, to urge the Department of Education to keep its promises and help over 500 teachers navigate a pathway to permanent citizenship.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Marches in NYC Pride March</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=503</link>
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 In the wake of the momentous vote to bring marriage 
equality to New York State, Manhattan Borough President Scott 
Stringer marched in the 44th Annual New York City Pride March to 
celebrate the rights and freedoms of all New Yorkers regardless of race, gender 
or sexual orientation. Borough President Stringer joined a group of almost a 
half million people who came out to rejoice in a victory that has been decades 
in the making.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosts Annual LGBT Pride Month Celebration and Awards Ceremony</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=502</link>
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&nbsp;With New York
closer than it has ever been before to achieving marriage equality, Manhattan
Borough President Scott Stringer hosted his annual LGBT Pride Month Celebration
and Awards Ceremony at the LGBT Community
Center.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Marches and Testifies Against Proposed Rent Hikes</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=501</link>
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On Monday, June 20, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. 
Stringer marched with local elected officials, affordable housing advocates, and 
community members in protest of the proposed rent hike by the Rent Guidelines 
Board.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Calls on City to Close the Books on Debilitating Library Cuts</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=500</link>
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With the budget deadline looming, Manhattan
 Borough President Scott M. Stringer stood on the steps of
City Hall with a coalition of writers, library representatives and staff
members from all five boroughs, to protest debilitating cuts proposed in the
Mayor&#8217;s recent FY12 budget for the public library system.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates Opening of New Eco-Center and Green Roof at P.S. 6</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=499</link>
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&nbsp;After years of hard work and preparation, the Eric Dutt
Eco-Center opened today at P.S. 6 on the Upper East Side.
The Center is the first rooftop eco-center at
a New York City public school,
and will provide students from P.S.6 and surrounding schools with an 800 sq ft.
greenhouse, solar panels, a weather station, turtle pond, and planting areas
for gardening.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer Takes Part in &quot;Daycare Provider for a Day&quot; Event</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=498</link>
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In the face of drastic funding cuts for child care 
services in New York City, Manhattan Borough President Scott 
Stringer today took part in the first &#8220;Daycare Provider for a Day&#8221; program. &nbsp;The 
Borough President spent the morning at a home day care site where providers 
educate and care for pre-school children. &nbsp;This visit gave the Borough President 
an opportunity to talk with daycare providers about their vitally important 
work, and to get a sense of how the proposed cuts would affect them.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Amidst Scandals, Borough President Stringer Calls for Freeze of  &quot;New And Non Essential&quot; DOE Contracts</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=497</link>
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For weeks the Department of Education has been plagued by scandals shedding light on its use of outside consultants, and its secretive, opaque budget process. Amid the latest revelations&#8212;that George Raab, the department&#8217;s former CFO, used DOE time and resources to set up a private firm for him and his consultant friends--Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer has demanded a halt to &#8220;new and non-essential&#8221; contracts pending a top to bottom probe of DOE&#8217;s contracting process.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Holds Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Cuts to Child Care and Early Education</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=496</link>
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On Wednesday, May 25, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer hosted a town hall meeting at&nbsp;Goddard&nbsp;Riverside&nbsp;Center&nbsp;on the&nbsp;Upper West Side&nbsp;to discuss the Mayor&#8217;s proposed cuts to early child care and education. These cuts will leave thousands of&nbsp;New York City&#8217;s hardest working families stranded, and dismantle the child care system as we know it.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott Stringer Says to DOE: &#8220;One Week Is Not Enough&#8221; </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=495</link>
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For numerous parents throughout the city,  this year&#8217;s Community Education Council and Citywide Education Council  election process has been a frustrating process, and one that has proved  to be deeply flawed throughout the 5 boroughs.&nbsp; Following a Department  of Education announcement recognizing that it had handled these  elections poorly, and would subsequently be postponing them by one week,  Borough President Scott Stringer and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio  joined with parents and education advocates outside Tweed Courthouse at a  press conference to tell the DOE that one week was not enough time to  fix the highly flawed and undemocratic election process. ]]>
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<title>Go Green East Harlem Hosts Textile Recycling Day</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=482</link>
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On Saturday April 30th Borough President Scott Stringer&#8217;s Go Green East Harlem initiative hosted a Textile Recycling Day at East Harlem&#8217;s historic La Marqueta--along with GrowNYC&#8217;s Office of Recycling Outreach and Education. The event in honor of Earth Day, held in conjunction with volunteers from CityYear and New York Cares, was a huge success. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
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<title>BP Celebrates Denim Day, Encourages Sexual Violence Prevention</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=481</link>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;  Borough President Scott Stringer helped to celebrate the first city-wide observance of Denim Day on Wednesday, an international event aimed at raising awareness about sexual violence.   &nbsp;]]>
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<title>BP Stringer Exposes &quot;Classic Ripoff&quot; That Steals Millions from New York City Consumers</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=480</link>
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   &nbsp;For years, New York City Con Ed customers have been paying a surcharge for renewable energy projects as part of their monthly bills. Their contributions have totaled more than $350 million since the program&#8217;s launch in 2004, making up nearly 40% of the total funds collected. But, as Borough President Stringer explained on Sunday, consumers aren&#8217;t getting much back in return from the fund, which is overseen by the New York State Public Service Commission and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.   ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Releases Report on Challenges Facing Community-Based Farmers Markets</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=479</link>
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  Borough President Stringer spoke out Tuesday in favor of reforming city regulations that burden farmers markets, in hopes of attracting more healthy food sources to New York&#8217;s underserved neighborhoods. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Demands Department of Transportation Correct Wrong-Way Bus Signs on Upper East Side</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=478</link>
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  For the millions of tourists who visit New York City from all over the world every year, Manhattan can be a confusing place- especially when the bus signs around Museum Mile seem to be contradicting each other.    Borough President Scott Stringer called for a change today in the bus signs running along Fifth Avenue in-between 110th and 59th streets.&nbsp; &nbsp;]]>
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<title>BP Stringer, Manhattan SWAB and Citizens Committee for NYC Announce Winners of the First-Ever Manhattan Community-Scale Composting Contest</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=477</link>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This weekend at the P.S. 11 William T. Harris School Garden, Borough President Stringer, the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board and the Citizens Committee for NYC, announced the 23 winners of the first-ever Manhattan community-scale composting contest. These 23 schools, community gardens, neighborhood associations and environmental groups received small grants of up to $750, to help their vision of a greener and more environmentally-conscious Manhattan become a reality.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosts Representatives from Government, Academia, Finance and Labor at &#8220;Banking on the Future&#8221; Infrastructure Conference</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=476</link>
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  This week Borough President Scott M. Stringer co-hosted a far-reaching conference at Baruch College in Manhattan on the future of New York&#8217;s infrastructure, bringing together leading experts from government, business, labor and academia to chart a plan of action for targeting issues on a local, regional and national level.]]>
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<title>BP Scott Stringer Demands that New York Help Working Families Navigate the Road Ahead, Amid Proposed Cuts of 16,500 Daycare Slots Across the City </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=474</link>
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Today Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, joined by a coalition of parents, advocates and labor leaders, blasted the City&#8217;s proposal to slash 16,500 child care slots. He called the move &#8220;a cruel and cynical blow&#8221; to children, working families and the city&#8217;s wellbeing, as he participated in a press conference at the Chinese  American Planning  Council Chung Pak  Day Care Center.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Holds Town Hall on the Future of WTC Development</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=473</link>
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   With the opening of the 9/11 Memorial only 200 days away, Borough President Scott Stringer convened a town hall on the future of World Trade Center development which was attended by the key representatives of each the leading agencies involved in World Trade Center.    Local TriBeCa and Battery Park City residents were given the opportunity to learn about the site&#8217;s progress to date and future plans related to transportation, the 9/11 memorial, and the construction of One World Trade Center. ]]>
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<title>BP Stringer &amp; Colleagues Demand New Plan to Remove Toxic Chemicals from NYC Schools</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=472</link>
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&nbsp;  Borough President Stringer joined a group of elected officials today to demand that the City immediately begin to remove toxic lighting ballasts from local public schools.   Mayor Bloomberg has approved a plan to remove lighting ballasts or fixtures with PCB, a highly toxic chemical, from 772 city public schools over a 10-year period, according to a Wall Street Journal report. But BP Stringer and his colleagues today said that a 10-year plan will not address these issues soon enough.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates Third Anniversary of Kosova's Independence</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=471</link>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;Today, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, joined by Albanian and Kosovar diplomats, New York City elected officials and other community leaders, celebrated the third anniversary of Kosova&#8217;s independence in a special Times Square ceremony.Three years ago, on February 17th, 2011, the territory of Kosova declared its independence from Serbia and asserted itself as its own autonomous republic.]]>
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<title>Congratulations to the Manhattan Borough President's Office and New York Federal Reserve's Financial Awareness Video Competition Winners!</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=470</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, along with the New York Federal Reserve, sponsored a Financial Awareness Video Competition, in which students created public service announcements regarding financial issues affecting young people in the city.Students from three local colleges&#8212;LaGuardia Community College (Queens), City College of New York (Manhattan) and Brooklyn College (Brooklyn)&#8212;produced 30-second videos to inform their peers about the importance of using credit wisely. Byron Guinanzaca, his brother  Christian and their friend, Estela Melendez created "Think Twice Before You Swipe," the contest-winning PSA, as a cautionary tale to young people about the dangers of having a credit card: ]]>
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<title>Manhattan Applauds Borough President&#8217;s New Plans for Partnership Between Legislators &amp; New Yorkers</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=469</link>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;In his annual State of the Borough speech last night, BP Stringer  invited new voices to join the discussion on how to improve our  communities.&nbsp;&#8220;There is a troubling view taking hold that to set high standards and achieve good outcomes, we must rely on a closed, top-down model of government,&#8221; BP Stringer said. &#8220;I say &#8216;troubling&#8217; because once you subscribe to this view, you&#8217;ve opened the door to the idea that inviting new voices to the table is a distraction &#8211; and that actually listening to them is worse.&#8221;]]>
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<title>BP Stringer &amp; Columbus Ave Working Group Release Report on Columbus Avenue Street Redesign, Collaborate with Department of Transportation</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=468</link>
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 Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, in collaboration 
with the Columbus Avenue Working Group, has reached a compromise with 
the Department of Transportation on its Columbus Avenue redesign.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott M. Stringer Appears on Fox 5's Good Day New York</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=467</link>
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BP Stringer discusses the Columbus Avenue redesign on the Upper West Side, bike lanes in New York City and the Columbus Avenue Working Group's recent collaboration with the NYC Department of Transportation.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott M. Stringer Releases Results of &quot;Your School, Your Voice&quot; Virtual Town Hall</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=466</link>
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&nbsp;

As Chancellor Cathie Black takes the reins of NYC schools,
Borough President Scott M. Stringer today released the results of &#8220;Your
Schools, Your Voice,&#8221; his virtual town hall surveying New Yorkers on their
priorities for the Department of Education. Over three weeks in the past month,
more than 1000 parents, guardians, teachers, principals participated in the survey,
selecting their top three concerns from a list of 26 options in the virtual town
hall.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosts Educational Green Roofs Panel Discussion</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=465</link>
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&nbsp;
This past Tuesday, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer hosted an Educational Green Roofs for Public Schools Panel Discussion at PS 41. The symposium focused on the planning, development, curricular tie-ins, costs and maintenance of establishing educational green roofs. The panel comprised parents, teachers, city agencies and students who offered insight on the process of launching green roof projects.]]>
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<title>Borough President Director of Land Use Brian Cook Profiled by Cityland </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=464</link>
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Brian Cook, Director of Land Use for Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, was profiled by&nbsp;Eugene Travers in the November 15, 2010, issue of Cityland, a monthly journal that reports the happenings of New York City&#8217;s primary land use agencies. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and Top Chef Andrea Beaman Bring Healthy Holiday Eating to Harlem</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=463</link>
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  This Sunday morning Borough President Scott M. Stringer teamed up with holistic foods chef and former Top Chef contestant Andrea  Beaman to cook up some healthy holiday treats. Using ingredients purchased exclusively at the East Harlem Greenmarket on 92nd and 1st   Avenue, Beaman and BP Stringer cooked a creamy turkey chowder as well as a kale, beet and feta cheese salad. ]]>
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<title>	BP Stringer, Sen. Squadron, AM Kavanagh Expose Hidden &quot;Borough Fees&quot; Charged by Rental Car Companies Across NYC</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=462</link>
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&nbsp;As New York City families prepare to hit the road for Thanksgiving, the heaviest travel weekend of the year, a survey by Borough President Scott M. Stringer, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh reveals that Dollar and Thrifty rental car companies force customers to pay extra fees solely because they live in certain parts of New York City: &nbsp;Brooklyn residents pay an additional $55 per day, Bronx residents pay $53, and residents of Queens pay $11.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and Staff Wear Purple in Support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=461</link>
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  Today, Manhattan Borough President Scott M.  Stringer and his staff donned purple in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. ]]>
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<title>Veteran Intern Paul Sawyier Reflects on Three Summers Spent at the Manhattan Borough President's Office</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=460</link>
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After three summers on the job, Paul Sawyier, former intern for the Manhattan Borough President&#8217;s Office and current Harvard University undergraduate, reminisces about his experience working with the community affairs and constituent services unit and getting to know the BP himself.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott M. Stringer Attends Rally to Save Garment Center Jobs</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=459</link>
<description>
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&nbsp;Today Borough President Stringer stood with a diverse coalition of students, designers, elected officials, manufacturers, labor leaders and opinion-makers who joined together to support New York City's Special Garment Center District. Also in attendance were Arianna Huffington, Reps. Nadler, Maloney and Ryan, designers Nanette Lepore, Yeohlee Tang, students from Parsons and FIT, local factory owners, as well as representatives from the Workers United Union. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Downtown Alliance for Annual &#8220;Adopt a Geranium&#8221; Day</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=458</link>
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Today, Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined our friends at Downtown Alliance for their annual &#8220;Adopt-A-Geranium&#8221; event, part of the Alliance&#8217;s series of &#8220;Green Around Downtown&#8221; events. Each year for one day, volunteers and members of Downtown Alliance hand out free geraniums in Bowling  Green Park to downtown  residents and commuters.  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Releases &#8220;Respect the Lane/Clear the Path&#8221; Report on City Bike Lane Infractions</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=457</link>
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<![CDATA[
Today Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer took to the streets of the East Village to announce an unprecedented study of bike lane safety produced by his office. Data was collected at eleven Manhattan bike lanes during recent morning and evening rush hours, and the most common infractions in bike lanes included: motor vehicle blockage, pedestrian use and cyclists going the wrong direction.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott M. Stinger Rallies with Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village Tenants Association</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=456</link>
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<![CDATA[
   &nbsp;Braving rough weather, Borough  President Scott Stringer joined with  Councilmember Daniel Garodnick and Representative Carolyn Maloney to stand in  support of the Stuyvesant Town and  Peter CooperVillage Tenants&#8217;  Association in anticipation of the development&#8217;s foreclosure auction.  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott M. Stringer Joins Progressive Leaders at ONE Nation March in Washington DC</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=455</link>
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Saturday, Borough President Stringer traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the One Nation Working Together March. The march drew thousands to the nation&#8217;s capital to rally in support of jobs, justice and education.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer Welcomes Father Patrick Desbois, Director of the Episcopal Committee for Relations with Judaism in France </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=454</link>
<description>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott M.  Stringer today welcomed Father Patrick Desbois to his office and presented him with a proclamation honoring his work on behalf of Ukrainian  holocaust victims. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Breaks Ground on Adrienne&#8217;s Garden on LaGuardia Place</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=453</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;This week,  Borough  President Scott Stringer joined Assemblymember Deborah Glick,  Councilmember  Margaret Chin, and representatives from the Department of  Transportation,  Department of Parks, and Community Board 2 to break  ground on Adrienne&#8217;s Garden.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Launches &#8220;BP on the Block&#8221; in the LES, Taking Constituent Services out of the Office and onto the Streets</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=452</link>
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Yesterday afternoon, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer launched &#8220;BP on the Block,&#8221; a weekly initiative that will bring a traveling constituent services desk and listening post to corners throughout the Lower East Side. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer, Senator Squadron and Council Member Chin Celebrate Victory for Tenants of Independence Plaza North</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=451</link>
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<![CDATA[
  &nbsp;Today, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer and State Senator Daniel Squadron joined tenant leaders to celebrate and discuss the details of yesterday&#8217;s State Supreme Court ruling upholding the rent stabilization of tenants at Independence Plaza North in Downtown Manhattan because of J-51 tax breaks that the landlord received from the City.]]>
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<title>Borough President Announces Appointment of Kevin Kim, Korean American Leader Appointed to Community Board 5</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=450</link>
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This week Manhattan Borough  President Scott Stringer held a photo opportunity to announce Kevin Kim's  appointment to Manhattan Community Board 5, which covers an important district  for the Korean American community.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Addresses Needs of Korean American Community in Manhattan</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=449</link>
<description>
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Photo Courtesy of Hyun Kyung  Lee   Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer visited the Korean American Association of Greater New York (KAAGNY) to underscore the growing partnership between the Manhattan Borough President&#8217;s Office and KAAGNY to meet the needs of the Korean American community. KAAGNY President Yong Hwa Ha escorted Borough President Stringer on a tour of KAAGNY&#8217;s first floor and explained their plans to renovate the space into a cultural center and museum.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Urges NYS EPA to Hold NYC Meeting on Impacts of Hydrofracking</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=448</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Yesterday  a public hearing on the impacts of hydrofracking that had been  scheduled by the EPA to take place at Binghamton University was cancelled due to an expected crowd of  over 8,000 people and related logistical conflicts with the college.  Busloads of these expected attendees were New York City residents.]]>
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<title>BP Stringer and Mayor Bloomberg Open Doors of East Harlem Asthma Center of Excellence</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=447</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Amy SmithManhattan Borough  President Scott M. Stringer and Mayor  Michael R. Bloomberg today announced the opening of a new,  state-of-the-art asthma walk-in center in East Harlem to address the  needs of East Harlem and El Barrio families.&nbsp; Deputy Mayor Linda I. Gibbs, Health  Commissioner Thomas A. Farley, State Senator Jose  M. Serrano, Dr. Ben Ortiz from the Harlem Asthma Network, Center  Director Dr. Betty Perez-Rivera, Janet Arroyo from the Manhattan  Smoke-free Partnership and Acting Citywide Administrative Services  Commissioner Donald P. Brosen joined the Borough President and Mayor at  the facility&#8217;s ribbon cutting ceremony.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Urges DOE to Take Responsibility for Special Needs Students of P.S. 94</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=446</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Pavan N Trivedi   Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, joined by Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, Councilmember Rosie Mendez, parents of children with Autism and special needs, and several concerned educational advocates, held a press conference today urging the Department of Education (DOE) to address Chancellor Joel Klein&#8217;s unexplained use of &#8220;emergency powers&#8221; to continue with the expansion plans for Girls Prep, in spite of a ruling made by New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner to halt the expansion.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosts Land Use Education Forum in Response to NYU&#8217;s Proposed Expansion</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=444</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Audrey Gelman   Today, Manhattan Borough President Stringer, Councilmember Margaret Chin, Community Board 2, and other local elected officials co-hosted a Land Use Education Forum on NYU&#8217;s proposed expansion to inform the public about the landmarks and land use processes at the Center for Architecture in Greenwich  Village.  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins AM Rosenthal to Call On DOT to Fix 71st St&#8217;s Dangerous Bowtie Intersection</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=443</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Pavan N TrivediManhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, joined by Assemblywoman Linda B.  Rosenthal, and several concerned seniors, local  residents, and activists, held a press conference today demanding that the  Department of Transportation (DOT) take necessary steps to remedy the dangerous  situation created by the &#8220;bow-tie intersection&#8221; at 71st Street between  Amsterdam and Broadway; one that has already resulted in 25 accidents in 2009  and 8 (so far) in 2010.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and DA Vance Host Communities &amp; Justice Summit</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=442</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Joan VolleroThis week Borough  President Scott Stringer joined Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R.  Vance, Jr. and Jeremy Travis, President of John Jay College of Criminal Justice  to host a two-day criminal justice symposium, &#8220;Communities &amp;  Justice: Partnerships &amp; Challenges for the 21st  Century.&#8221;  At the conference, district attorneys from across the country joined  academics, government representatives, and community groups to discuss  innovative approaches to crime reduction. The symposium addressed  broader national trends in prosecution, crime prevention, and criminal  justice strategies as well as specialized topics including prisoner  re-entry, conviction integrity, law enforcement and community relations,  hate crimes, and youth and gang activity. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Encourages City&#8217;s Nonprofits to Strengthen Their Impact Through Social Media Technology</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=441</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Linda Felstein Today,  Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, together with the Center  for Nonprofit Strategy and Management, hosted a social media  workshop for nonprofits, Using Twitter and Technology to Create Long Lasting  Relationships, at  Baruch  College.&nbsp;More than 100 individuals, most of who work in the  nonprofit field, attended the event to learn how to use social media to  develop and sustain relationships with donors and constituents. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Mayor Bloomberg and Architect David Rockwell At Opening Of Imagination Playground </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=437</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Spencer T. Tucker&nbsp;&nbsp;Today Borough President Stringer joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Council Member Margaret Chin, Community Board 1 Chair Julie Menin, Parks &amp; Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and architect David Rockwell, at the opening of Imagination Playground. The playground, located at Burling Slip near the South Street Seaport, is an innovative playspace conceived and designed pro-bono by the Rockwell Group to encourage child-directed, unstructured free play.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Launches Bank on Manhattan Initiative </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=436</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Ashley MillerToday, Manhattan  Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined together with a diverse  coalition of retail banks, community groups, and regulatory agencies to  launch Bank On Manhattan, a new initiative that will connect unbanked  New Yorkers to mainstream banking services and promote financial  literary.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Addresses Community Housing Concerns at East Harlem Housing Forum</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=445</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today, Manhattan  Borough President Scott M. Stringer hosted a Housing Forum at Taino  Towers in East Harlem to address the housing concerns of the diverse and  culturally rich East Harlem and El Barrio communities.&nbsp; The forum,  which was co-sponsored by Congressman Charles Rangel, Assemblymember  Keith Wright, State Senator Jose  M. Serrano, and Councilmember  Inez E. Dickens, addressed such issues as tenant rights, predatory  equity and its impact on developments such as the class action lawsuit  against the Pinnacle Group LLC and the Dawney Day portfolio, and NYCHA  residents&#8217; concerns with elevators and the general lack of repairs in  their building.&nbsp; A Q&amp;A session with housing-related city agencies  followed these informative presentations.&nbsp; Local not-for-profit  organizations were also present to provide community members with  additional resources, including legal aid. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Mayor Bloomberg at Grand Opening of East River Plaza</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=435</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today Borough President Stringer, joined by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York City Council
Speaker Christine Quinn, Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito, Edward Blumenfeld,
President and Founder of Blumenfeld Development Group, Bruce C. Ratner,
Chairman and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies, and David Blumenfeld, Vice
President of Blumenfeld Development Group, cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening
of East River Plaza.&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Michael Rapfogel]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Stringer Announces Release of Unprecedented Immigrant Rights and Services Manual</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=433</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Amy D. SmithToday Borough President  Stringer announced the release of the Immigrant Rights and Services  Manual, a comprehensive guide to life in New   York City for documented  and undocumented immigrants.&nbsp; Authored by the Borough President&#8217;s Office  in consultation with major immigrants&#8217; rights organizations, the manual  explains basic immigrant rights, public benefits eligibility and  identifies helpful resources and agencies.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Honors the Contributions of Dominican Americans</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=432</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Amy D. Smith Today Manhattan  Borough President Scott Stringer honored esteemed Dominican American  individuals and organizations at a ceremony held in his office.&nbsp; In  recognition of their contributions to the community, BP Stringer  presented honorees Rafeal Evens, Telemundo 47, and the Dominican Parade Committee with framed proclamations.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Testifies Against The MTA&#8217;s Proposed Subway Station Changes</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=431</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today Borough 
President Stringer, joined by Assembly Member Keith Wright and TWU&nbsp; Local 100 
President Samuelsen, spoke out against the Metropolitan Transportation 
Authority&#8217;s proposed subway station changes at the MTA public 
hearing.&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Carmen Boon]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosts Upper West Side Town Hall</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=434</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Audrey Gelman Today,  Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, together with Congressman Charles Rangel, State  Senator Bill Perkins, State Senator Thomas  K. Duane, State Senator  Eric T. Schneiderman, Assemblymembers Gottfried, O&#8217;Donnell  and Rosenthal,  Councilmember  Gale A. Brewer, Councilmember  Inez E Dickens and Community  Board 7 members, led an Upper West Side town hall in the Goddard Riverside  Community Center.&nbsp;Elected officials and residents had the opportunity to discuss  pressing issues for Upper West Siders including the proposed development of  Riverside   Center, school overcrowding and general education issues in the Community  School  District 3, Columbus   Avenue bike lanes, and the class-action  lawsuit against The Pinnacle Group.&nbsp;&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Urges Governor To Sign Bill Increasing Penalties Against Reckless Drivers</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=429</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today Borough President Stringer, along with
State Senator Daniel Squadron, Councilwoman Margaret Chin, and Transportation
Alternatives Executive Director Paul
Steely White stood with the teary-eyed families of Hayley Ng
and Diego Martinez to urge Governor David Paterson to sign into law the bill S5292C/A7917D,
which would increase the penalties for careless drivers who injure pedestrians,
bicyclists and other road users.&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Ashley Miller]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates Opening Ceremony Of The Ft. Washington Greenmarket</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=428</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today Borough President Stringer
attended the opening ceremony of the Ft. Washington Greenmarket at the steps of
the Hammer Health Sciences building.&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Diane Bondareff&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Speaks with eHarlem TV</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=430</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Borough  President Stringer spoke with eHarlem TV host Fred Noriega about budget  allocation, service deployment, education, employment, and  gentrification in East Harlem.&nbsp;The interview was aired on MNN, the Manhattan News Network, on July 6th at 9:00 p.m. and is available for  viewing on the eHarlem TV website.  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates 25 Years of West Side Spirit Newspaper at Gala Dinner And Awards Top West Side Families</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=427</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Monday night Borough President Stringer attended the West
Side Spirit newspaper&#8217;s 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner to celebrate
the newspaper&#8217;s major milestone.&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Andrew Schwartz&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Attends Annual Power of Aging Well Senior Festival in East Harlem</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=425</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer attended the Annual Power of Aging Well Senior Festival in East Harlem today where all senior centers in the community come together to celebrate the seniors in the community of East Harlem/El Barrio.&nbsp; Along with Councilmember&nbsp;Melissa Mark-Viverito and Jessica Lappin, Mr. Stringer encouraged our seniors to stay together and strong through these economic tough times.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Recognizes Young History Scholars&#8217; Achievements</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=423</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Borough President Stringer administers the Historian's Oath to the students. Photo Credit: Michael Miscione
&nbsp;
Every year Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer invites to his offices the Manhattan students who won awards in that year's History Day competition. History Day is a nationwide contest much like a science fair except that it deals with historical topics; it is open to all middle and high school students. ]]>
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<title>In light of Tragic Drowning Death of Sixth-grader, Borough President Stringer Demands Reforms To Safeguard Students</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=422</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Ashley Miller&nbsp;Borough President
Stringer did a press availability this morning in response to the tragic
drowning of sixth-grader Nicole Suriel during a class trip by a West Harlem middle school to
a Long Island beach.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates Students&#8217; Achievements at School Graduations</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=421</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Borough President Stringer attended and spoke at
several school graduations this week, including the 5th grade
graduations at P.S. 6 and P.S. 165, and the 2nd grade graduation at
P.S. 185M. He emphasized the importance of celebrating scholarly success,
highlighted the potential impact students can have on their community, and
wished them luck in their future careers.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Speaks at Opening of The East Side Middle School</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=420</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo courtesy of The Marino CorporationBorough
President Stringer spoke at the opening ceremony of the East SideMiddle School today. The school, located on the Upper East Side on st Street between First and Second Avenues,
is the first new public school building to open in the neighborhood since 1962.]]>
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<title>Speak Up NY: How to Actively Participate in Local Government from Your Computer</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=418</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Courtesy of Kate Spaulding
&nbsp;
Do you want to be more engaged with your community or city but aren&#8217;t sure how to get started or can&#8217;t spend three hours sitting in a conference room? Do you have a lot to offer in terms of ideas, action, and civic engagement?&nbsp; Well now is the time to &#8220;Speak Up NY&#8221; because government wants your help.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Stringer Rallies for a Rent Freeze at the Rent Guidelines Board Public Hearing </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=419</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Courtesy of Carmen Boon
&nbsp;
Manhattan Borough President Stringer, together with housing advocacy organizations and elected officials, brought attention to the difficult economic climate facing New Yorkers and subsequently called on the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) to issue a rent freeze at current levels.&nbsp;Concerned tenants joined Borough President Stringer at the rally, which took place outside the annual public hearing of the Rent Guidelines Board at Cooper Union.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott Stringer Rallys Against Nonpartisan Elections</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=415</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Pavan N Trivedi   Manhattan Borough President Scott  Stringer, along with Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and former Comptroller Bill Thompson, spoke out against a controversial proposal in support of non-partisan elections at a press conference held near City Hall earlier today.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Attends Immigration Rally</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=416</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Carmen Boon&nbsp;On June 1st, Borough President Stringer stood with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) and Churches United to Save and Heal (CUSH) to protest Arizona&#8217;s hard-hitting immigrant legislation and President&#8217;s Obama&#8217;s move to deploy 1,200 additional American troops to the Mexican border.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Marches Against Violence in East Harlem</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=417</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Courtesy of Joan VolleroManhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Assemblymember Powell, Councilmember Mark-Viverito and community based organizations in East Harlem at a peace march to raise awareness about the rise in violence that takes place in the community, most recently noted by the three May 26th stabbings. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott Stringer and BRUSH held First NYC Pinnacle Tenants Class Action Forum</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=413</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Carmen BoonManhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with Buyers and Renters United to Save Harlem (BRUSH) held an NYC Pinnacle Tenants Class Action Forum on Sunday, May 23rd,  2010 from 1:00 &#8211; 3:00 PM at the Oberia Dempsey Center Auditorium.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott Stringer Honors Contributions of Asian Pacific Americans</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=412</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
 Photo Courtesy of Hillary Nemchik&nbsp;May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.&nbsp;Last night, Borough President Scott Stringer hosted the &#8220;APA Public Service Awareness Forum and Community Justice Awards Ceremony&#8221; to honor the progress made by MinKwon Center for Community Action and the Museum of Chinese in America.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Breaks Ground on New Public Schools</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=411</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of NYC DOEFollowing a groundbreaking ceremony for new, modern facilities which will house two East Side public schools, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer congratulated Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and the Department of Education on their success in expanding the public school system during tight financial times.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Speaks Out Against Tea Party Leader&#8217;s Racist Comments</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=410</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of Pavan N TrivediIn response to racist comments made by Tea Party Express Chairman Mark Williams, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with Comptroller John Liu, State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Councilmembers Margaret Chin and Robert Jackson, and community and religious leaders held a press conference today to denounce the leader&#8217;s harsh words.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and BRUSH to Hold NYC Pinnacle Tenants Class Action Forum</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=408</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Buyers and Renters United to Save Harlem (BRUSH) are holding an NYC Pinnacle Tenants Class Action Forum this Sunday,  May 23rd, 2010 from 1:00 &#8211; 3:00 PM at the Oberia Dempsey Center Auditorium. ]]>
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<title>New Piers Help Form 9 Acre Greenspace At Hudson River Park </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=409</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of William Alatriste Just in time for the summer, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer along with Governor David Patterson, New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Senator Tom Duane, Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, members of the Hudson River Trust, &nbsp;and excited West Siders celebrated the opening of Pier 62 and Pier 63, which joined Pier 64 to collectively form an over 9 acre green space in the Chelsea area at Hudson River Park. ]]>
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<title>BP Stringer To Hold &#8220;Class Action Classroom&#8221; For Tenants Of Over 420 Pinnacle Apartment Buildings</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=406</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo Courtesy of&nbsp; Joan Vollero  Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, joined by the Buyers and Renters United to Save Harlem (BRUSH), and several West Harlem tenants (who in 2007, filed a lawsuit against the Pinnacle Group LLC and its chief executive Joel Wiener), to announce that a &#8220;Class Action Classroom&#8221; will be held for current and former Pinnacle tenants from across the 5 boroughs on May 23rd. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates Madison Avenue Bridge&#8217;s 100th Birthday</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=414</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo courtesy of Joan Vollero Happy 100th Birthday to the Madison  Avenue Bridge!&nbsp;On May 12, Manhattan Borough President Stringer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz met mid-span to celebrate this historic centennial celebration.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Demands Washington Heights BID Live Up To Its Name</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=407</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Jaritza TaverasManhattan Borough President Scott Stringer took to the streets of Northern Manhattan today along with Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez, NYC Small Business Services Commissioner Robert Walsh, representatives from the Sanitation and Transportation Departments, and several business and property owners to shed light on concerns relating to&nbsp;the Washington heights Business Improvement District (BID).  ]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham: Be Gentle With the Earth Art Exhibit</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=405</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;Walking in the Rain by Robert T. Schultheis    Here&#8217;s a glimpse of just one painting at the &#8220;Be Gentle With the Earth&#8221; exhibition by the West Side Arts Coalition. It&#8217;s on display through May 28th at the Manhattan Borough President&#8217;s Gallery, open weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at One Centre Street, 19th floor. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates NYC Affordable Housing Day</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=402</link>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined New York City Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert C. Lieber, U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel, and other elected officials today at the construction site of True Color Residences to celebrate NYC Affordable Housing Day, marking the financing of 100,000 units of housing created and preserved under Mayor Michael Bloomberg&#8217;s New Housing Marketplace Plan (NHMP).&nbsp;  &nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Rally For Immigrant Rights</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=404</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined the New York Immigration Coalition, Comptroller John Liu, other elected officials, and thousands of protestors at the May Day Alliance Rally for Labor and Immigrants Rights to call for immigrants&#8217; rights in light of the recent Arizona immigration law outrage.]]>
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<title>Volunteers Plant Over 300 Rose Bushes in the Heritage Rose District of New York City</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=403</link>
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Photo courtesy of Atlantis Grothe Volunteers from throughout the country, including 5th and 6th graders from the St. Aloyisus Education Clinic of Harlem, college students from Florida Southern College, and members from the Black Women&#8217;s Leadership Caucus helped plant Heritage roses at the Harriet Tubman Memorial in Harlem today. The event, held by the Office of Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and the Heritage Rose Foundation, celebrated the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and marked the Harriet Tubman Memorial&#8217;s inclusion in the Heritage Rose District of New York City.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates Earth Day in East Harlem </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=401</link>
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&nbsp;



Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with volunteers throughout the city, celebrated Earth Day today at the East Harlem Green Festival.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Stands in Solidarity With LGBT Community</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=397</link>
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Photo courtesy of Alaina GilligoBorough President Scott Stringer stood in solidarity with approximately 150 members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Councilmember Rosie Mendez, and the Anti-Violence Project in front of the LGBT Center for a rally in response to last week&#8217;s discovery that The Center&#8217;s rainbow flag had been burned in a display of hate. &nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Speaks Out Against Proposed Firehouse Closings</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=399</link>
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&nbsp;Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer stood alongside Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley, Chair of the City Council&#8217;s Fire &amp; Criminal Justice Committee, Council Member Margaret Chin, firefighters, and community leaders to speak out against budget cuts and firehouse closing at Engine 4 today.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosts Event in Honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=400</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer presented a &#8220;Day of Action&#8221; today in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month at the NY Academy of Medicine. Presenters included Byron Hurt, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, published writer, and anti-sexist activist, and Harriet Lessel, the Executive Director of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Rally to Raise Concern About Doorman Contract Negotiations</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=396</link>
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&nbsp;Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer  rallied alongside Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, City Comptroller John Liu,  Speaker Christine Quinn and tenant rights activists to call for a fair contract  for 30,000 NYC doormen and other building workers.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and Elected Officials &#8216;Endeavor&#8217; to Bring Space Shuttle to Intrepid</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=395</link>
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<![CDATA[

 Photo credit: Kathy Lloyd Boehm Manhattan Borough President  Scott Stringer stood  alongside Governor David Paterson, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Brooklyn Borough  President Marty Markowitz, Intrepid President Bill White, and dozens of space  fans to support the Intrepid Sea, Air &amp; Space Museum&#8217;s bid to purchase a decommissioned NASA space  shuttle.&nbsp; 

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<title>Borough President Stringer Lends Support to Sen. Gillibrand&#8217;s Healthy Food Financing Initiative</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=394</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Casey Kuklick   In an effort to help make fresh and nutritious foods more accessible to the nearly 3 million New Yorkers who currently live in &#8220;food desert&#8221; neighborhoods, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Councilwoman Margaret Chin and other elected officials, advocacy groups, and union leaders announced new federal legislation that would ensure that these underserved communities get the food that they need.]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott Stringer Helps Downtown Little League Swing In New Season  </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=392</link>
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&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Alliance for Downtown New York  Batters up! Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, joined former Mets pitcher John Franco, Councilmember Margaret Chin, other elected officials, family, and fans, to help cheer on the Downtown Little Leaguers at their season opening games.  ]]>
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<title>BP Stringer Demands Halt To School Co-Locations Until DOE Produces A Better Plan  </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=390</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Andrew Doba Manhattan Borough  President Scott M. Stringer, along with Congressman Jerrold Nadler&nbsp; and about 50 elected officials, parents, students, teachers and education advocates banded together to denounce the Department of Education&#8217;s (DOE) inadequate space planning, and the detrimental effect it is having on Manhattan&#8217;s public school children. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Elected Officials to Announce Governors Island Agreement</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=398</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and State Senator Daniel Squadron to announce an agreement on the long term development of Governors Island.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Goes Greene</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=393</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Metropolis Books Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined Fritz Haeg, author of Edible Estates; Will Allen, founder of Growing Power; and Annie Novak, founder of Rooftop Farms in Greenpoint for a panel discussion on urban farming moderated by WNYC host Leonard Lopate at WNYC&#8217;s Greene Space. The event celebrated the release of the second edition of Haeg&#8217;s &#8220;Edible Estates: Attack on the Front Lawn.&#8221; ]]>
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<title>Borough President Scott Stringer Celebrates Groundbreaking on the Lucille Bulger Center </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=391</link>
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&nbsp;Photo Courtesy of Jaritza Taveras   Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined City Councilmembers Robert Jackson and Ydanis Rodriguez, DOE Deputy Chancellor Santi Taveras, Principal of the Community Health  Academy of the Heights (CHAH) Sandra Maldonado, the Community League of the Heights (CLOTH), and other community members, elected officials, and students at a groundbreaking for the Lucille Bulger  Center for Community Life.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Rally to Save Emergency Medical Services </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=389</link>
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Photo credit: Eric Sumberg Manhattan  Borough President Scott Stringer joined Councilmember Christine Quinn,  Congressman Jerrold Nadler, State Senator Thomas K. Duane, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John Liu, 1199 SEIU Healthcare workers, local residents and hospital workers at a rally today to save Saint Vincent&#8217;s Hospital after the board voted to close the hospital&#8217;s inpatient services.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Urges 2010 Charter Revision Commission To Listen To New Yorkers</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=388</link>
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&nbsp;Borough President Stringer expresses disappointment about the low turnout at the first Charter Revision Commission hearing. Photo courtesy of Joan Vollero &nbsp;Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer testified  before the 2010 Charter Revision Commission today, urging them to hold a broad conversation about the shortcomings of New York City&#8217;s government and learn from New Yorkers about where the city government is succeeding and failing. &nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Attends &#8220;Stir, Splatter+Roll!&#8221; PubliColor Gala</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=387</link>
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Manhattan Borough President and PubliColor Founder Ruth Shuman at PubliColor's "Stir, Splatter+Roll!" benefit. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.  Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer attended the  tenth annual PubliColor painting gala, Stir, Splatter+Roll!, at the Martin Luther King Jr. High School today. This is the fourth PubliColor gala that the Borough President Stringer, a member of the host committee and strong supporter of the organization, has attended. &nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Fills out and Mails in His 2010 Census Form</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=385</link>
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Today, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer and Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat, filled out their census forms and mailed them at the Audubon Post Office in Washington Heights, to encourage New Yorkers to participate in the 2010 Census.]]>
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<title>Times Square: Crossroads of the World, or Ground Zero for the Citywide Spike in Crime?</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=386</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia.orgFrom the bright lights to the New Year&#8217;s Eve ball drop, Times Square is home to many attractions that appeal to New Yorkers and tourists alike, but earlier today, violence took center stage as four people were shot and dozens more arrested.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer to New Yorkers: &#8220;Don&#8217;t Be a Fool, Be Counted!&#8221; on National Census Day</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=384</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Joan Vollero April 1st is National Census Day, and in an effort to increase awareness and participation in the 2010 US Census, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with dozens of members of the Manhattan Complete Count Committee, hit the streets today to urge New Yorkers to fill out the form, telling them, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be fooled. Be counted!&#8221;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Encourages Parishioners to Fill Out Census</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=381</link>
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Photo credit: Don SmallManhattan Borough President Scott Stringer visited the Canaan Baptist Church on Palm Sunday to encourage parishioners to participate in the 2010 Census.]]>
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<title>Community Task Force Weighs In On NYU Expansion</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=382</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Joan Vollero After more than 50 meetings over a 40 month period, The Community Task Force on NYU&nbsp; Development, led by Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, released a comprehensive report that presents NYU with the Greenwich Village&nbsp; community&#8217;s top priorities for the university&#8217;s proposed expansion.  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Fight Against Tobacco </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=379</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


Photo credit: Joan Vollero 



Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined elected officials and health advocates on the steps of City Hall today to launch the Manhattan Smoke-Free Partnership, a new organization created to build upon the City&#8217;s success at reducing tobacco-caused death and disease within the borough.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Urges Senior Centers to Take Action</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=383</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Council Member Jessica Lappin, Chair of the Council&#8217;s Aging Committee, visited the Hamilton Senior Center and the Hargrave Senior Center today to discuss issues affecting the elderly community in New York City. ]]>
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<title>Stop 'N' Swap Event A Success</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=374</link>
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Photo credit: GrowNYC GrowNYC in conjunction with Go Green Lower East Side, an initiative of Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, hosted Stop &#8216;N&#8217; Swap today, a free swapping event to exchange unwanted clothes and household items. The four hour event was held at the Lower East Side&#8217;s Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center &amp; Educational Center with about 200 people in attendance. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Attends Groundbreaking for the Lower East Side&#8217;s Tenement Museum</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=380</link>
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<![CDATA[

&nbsp;Photo credit: Keiko Niwa
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer attended the groundbreaking for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum&#8217;s New Visitors and Education Center&#8212;the Sadie Samuelson Levy Immigrant Heritage Center.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Survey Reveals Alarming Number of Unmarked Buildings in NYC</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=376</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Pacheco-Family.net In an effort to make NYC a safer and more navigable city, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer has released a study on unmarked buildings (buildings without their number visibly present).  ]]>
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<title>Stop 'N&#8217; Swap Your Reusable Items</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=370</link>
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Stop and swap your reusable and wearable items at the Stop 'N&#8217; Swap event at the Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center located in the Lower East Side on March 21st from 11 am to 3 pm. It&#8217;s the perfect opportunity to get rid of unwanted items, find free items, and prevent unnecessary waste. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Discusses FoodNYC Report on WNYC Radio's The Brian Lehrer Show</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=369</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


Borough President Stringer and the Executive Director of the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy and Bedford-Stuyvesant food justice advocate Mark Winston Griffith discuss the crisis of &#8220;food deserts&#8221; &#8211; local communities where it&#8217;s hard to get fresh, healthy food &#8211; and what&#8217;s being done to improve the way New Yorkers eat. More on the Borough President&#8217;s FoodNYC: a Blueprint for a Sustainable Food System report here.


Listen to the entire WNYC radio interview here





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<title>Borough President Stringer Honors Distinguished Chinese New Yorkers at Lunar New Year Celebration </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=378</link>
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Photo Courtesy of Joan Vollero     Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer hosted his Annual Lunar Year celebration.&nbsp;The event, which took place in Chinatown&#8217;s YMCA Beacon Center, began with a traditional dance called the &#8220;Lion Dance&#8221; in which performers wore a beautifully decorated lion costume and mirrored the animal&#8217;s moves.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Fight To Keep Senior Centers Open</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=371</link>
<description>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Aging Committee Chair Jessica Lappin, and State and Federal Legislation Committee Chair Helen Diane Foster today to announce the launch of the Save Our Centers campaign to protect New York City&#8217;s senior centers.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Supports Public Theater&#8217;s &#8220;Going Public!&#8221; Campaign</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=372</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;Photo Credit - Joan Vollero   Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined, Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn several distinguished actors, and many supporters at a groundbreaking ceremony for the theater&#8217;s &#8220;Going Public Campaign&#8221;, which marked the launch of renovations and expansions to the over 150 year old building in which the theater is housed.&nbsp;  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Rallies For Construction To Begin At WTC Site</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=377</link>
<description>
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Photo Courtesy of Joan VolleroIn an effort to help encourage resolve to the conflict that has brought construction at the World Trade Center area to a halt, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Council Speaker Christine Quinn, U.S. Representatives Joseph Crowley, Peter King, Carolyn Maloney, Michael McMahon and Gregory Meeks, Community Board 1 Chairwoman Julie Menin, City Councilmember Daniel Garodnick, and thousands of unionized workers and concerned citizens at a rally held at Ground Zero. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Tesitifes at MTA Hearing</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=375</link>
<description>
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Photo Courtesy of Joan VolleroWith years of close work with bus, subway, and Access-a-Ride issues, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer testified at a packed public hearing held by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer To Host Free Tax Preparation Services</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=367</link>
<description>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, in partnership with Ariva Inc, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Daniel L. Squadron, Assemblymember Brian P. Kavanagh, Council member Margaret Chin, and Councilmember Rosie Mendez, and other community organizations, will be hosting free tax preparation services for low income residents of Lower Manhattan at the Henry Street Settlement on March 6th. Federal and NY State Tax Returns as well as services in English, Chinese, and Spanish will be provided by IRS certified volunteers.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Helps Moves Lessons From the Blackboard to the Rooftop</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=368</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Borough President Scott Stringer joined PS 41 principal Kelly Shannon, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Jonathan Rose of Jonathan Rose Companies, and a crowd of excited parents and students at the launch of the schools&#8217; new &#8220;Greenroof Environmental Literacy Lab (GELL),&#8221; the first of its kind. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and Elected Officials Welcome &#8220;The New Mayor of Chinatown,&#8221; Jack Eng</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=366</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo credit: Joan Vollero Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined Mayor Bloomberg, City Comptroller John Liu, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, other elected officials and Kao Jen-chuan, the director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York, at the installation ceremony for Jack Eng, the new president of the New York Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) today.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Announces Fellows for the 2010 Civic Leaders of Tomorrow Public Policy and Advocacy Program</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=365</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo credit: Carmen Boon Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer announced the fellows selected for the third year of the Civic Leaders of Tomorrow Public Policy and Advocacy Program today. The five students, Muzna Ansari, Mariely Sanchez, Marie Therese Toure, Stella Ma, and Giovanna Romero Gil, were selected from a pool of educated and civic-minded young people from within the five boroughs. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Encourages Nonprofits To Attend Baruch&#8217;s Consulting Day Event </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=373</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Baruch College&#8217;s President Stan Altman, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Dean of the School of Public Affairs David Birdsell, , Director of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management Jack A. Krauskopf(Photo Credit - Eric Lugo)  Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer spoke at the final meeting of &#8220;Help for Nonprofits: Pre-Consulting Day Workshop for the New York City Nonprofit Community&#8221; held earlier today at Baruch college.]]>
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<title>Watch Borough President Stringer&#8217;s Interview on PIX11 News Closeup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=362</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Marvin Scott of &#8220;PIX11 News Closeup&#8221; interviewed Borough President Stringer today, and the topics included a discussion about the future of St. Vincent&#8217;s Hospital.


 
&nbsp;

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<title>Borough President Stringer Encourages Residents to Apply for US Census Bureau Jobs</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=360</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
 Photo Credit: U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office  If you&#8217;re looking for work, you&#8217;re not alone.       Recent statistics from the Department of Labor show that unemployment in New York State is at a 26-year high, hovering at 9 percent. In New York City, the unemployment rate is even higher, at 10.6 percent.It may seem like no one is hiring but, in fact, the Census Bureau is actively looking for employees to canvas eighteen neighborhoods throughout Manhattan.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Provides a &#8220;Blueprint&#8221; for the Creation of a Truly Sustainable Food System in NYC   </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=359</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
In response to an increasing global interest in food sustainability, and to the lack of all-inclusive, tangible, local governmental initiatives in the field, Manhattan  Borough President Scott M. Stringer has released &#8220;FoodNYC: A Blueprint for a Sustainable Food System.&#8221; The first of its kind, it serves as the most comprehensive effort to unify and reform New York City&#8217;s policies regarding the production, distribution, consumption, and disposal of food.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Discusses the Battle Over Charter Schools on &#8220;Stossel&#8221;</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=363</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

John Stossel interviews the Borough President on the debate over charter schools vs. private schools on the Fox Business Network.
&nbsp;



Watch the latest business video at FOXBusiness.com

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<title>Borough President Scott Stringer Hosts Trailblazers Black History Month Event</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=361</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[



&nbsp;


Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Jean Corbett-Parker, Jackie Rowe-Adams, John Starks, Iesha Sekou (Photo Credit- Hilary Nemchik)
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer hosted his Fifth Annual Trailblazers Award Ceremony in honor of Black History Month. The event celebrates African American and Caribbean American New Yorkers who are leaders in their communities. Tonight&#8217;s event was co-sponsored by The Gospel Uptown and hosted at the GU Harlem restaurant and performance space.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Answers Questions about his 2010 State of the Borough Address</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=357</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer delivered his 2010 State of the Borough Address on February 4, 2010 in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Borough President was introduced by William J. Bratton, Former Chief Executive of the Los Angeles Police Department and New York Police Department. The evening also included a performance by&nbsp;Vy Higginsen&#8217;s Gospel for Teens Choir and welcoming remarks by Lillian Rodr&#237;guez L&#243;pez, President of the Hispanic Federation.   Borough President Stringer asked the public to submit questions on this blog about his speech. The public&#8217;s input was very positive and due to the large number of questions we received, a selected set of responses on matters his office has direct jurisdiction on, was prepared and published below.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Welcomes 100 New American Citizens In Celebration Of President&#8217;s Day</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=358</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
  &nbsp;&nbsp;Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined USCIS New York District Director Andrea Quarantillo and New York Historical Society President and CEO Louise Mirrer today to welcome 100 new citizens at a naturalization ceremony held at the New York Historical Society in commemoration of President&#8217;s Day.]]>
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<title>Community Rejoices As St. Agnes Library Re-Opens Its Doors</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=356</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Corey Samantha  Peterson Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, joined Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Paul Le Clerc, President and CEO of the New York Public Library, Catie Marron, Chair of the Board of NYPL, Alisyn Camerota, co-host of Fox and Friends, and one very large lion mascot, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the opening of the newly renovated St Agnes Library.]]>
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<title>&#8220;Love Thy Neighbor&#8221;: Borough President Stringer Attends Turtle Bay Association&#8217;s Valentine&#8217;s Day Party</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=364</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[




Photo credit: Joan Vollero
&nbsp;
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer spoke at the Turtle Bay Association&#8217;s 26th Annual Love Thy Neighbor Valentine Party. The three course dinner was hosted at the Fabio Piccolo Fiore Restaurant on East 44th Street.





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<title>The Birth of an Urban Legend: Manhattan Borough Historian Celebrates Discovery of an Alligator in an East Harlem Sewer 75 Years Ago</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=355</link>
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<![CDATA[
&nbsp;Manhattan Borough Historian Michael Miscione addesses the crowdIn a proclamation read aloud on the steps of City Hall, Borough President Scott Stringer declared today to be &#8220;Alligators in The Sewers Day.&#8221; ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Helps Build New 52nd Street Project Facility for the Next Generation of NYC&#8217;s Playwrights, Actors and Stage Artists</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=354</link>
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<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Wendy Stulberg The 52nd Street Project, an organization that has been teaching and empowering the youth of Hell&#8217;s Kitchen for over 28 years, opened the doors to their new 17,000 square foot home at a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place earlier today.]]>
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<title>Ask Borough President Stringer About His 2010 State of the Borough Address</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=351</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[




Photo Courtesy of Andrew Schwartz


Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer delivered his 2010 State of the Borough Address on February 4, 2010 in the Council Chambers at City Hall.&nbsp;You can watch a retransmission of the speech on Sunday, February 14 on Time Warner Cable Channel 34 and RCN Channel 82.&nbsp; 
Click here to read the Borough President&#8217;s speech, "Magnet City" 
Click here to read a press release with speech highlights
Click here to watch a NY-1 news story on the address ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Meets With Gov. Paterson About St. Vincent&#8217;s Task Force</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=352</link>
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<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of William AlatristeIn response to the recent news that St. Vincent&#8217;s may shut down, Governor David A. Paterson is convening a task force whose purpose is to provide a feasible means by which the hospital can be saved.]]>
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<title>District Attorney Vance and Borough President Stringer Announce Creation Of Program To Assist Haitian Immigrants</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=353</link>
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<![CDATA[
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance&nbsp; and Haitian Consul General Felix Augustin, announced that they will be holding a free fraud prevention and immigrants&#8217; rights program for Haitians this Saturday.    ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Featured in Upcoming Documentary, &#8220;What&#8217;s on Your Plate?&#8221;</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=346</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[





Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer was recently interviewed by the &#8220;What&#8217;s on Your Plate?&#8221; project, a documentary about kids and food politics. In the documentary, Stinger talks about the growth of greenmarkets in Northern Manhattan, the Go Green East Harlem cookbook, and ways that the New York City food system can be improved.


&nbsp;

&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Lawsuit Against the Department of Education </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=350</link>
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<![CDATA[
 Photo courtesy of the UFT Manhattan Borough Scott Stringer along with the United Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, the NAACP, and 16 other elected officials filed a lawsuit today against the Department of Education for planning to close 19 low-performing schools. The lawsuit&nbsp; claims that the Department of Education violated state law by not analyzing the impact of each school closure on the community.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Urges State To Save St. Vincent&#8217;s Hospital</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=348</link>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Eric Sumberg  At a Town Hall Meeting organized by 1199 SEIU Borough President Scott Stringer joined hundreds of concerned doctors, nurses, patients, community members, and elected officials in addressing the potential closure of St. Vincent&#8217;s Hospital]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Presents 16,500 Petitions At MTA Board Hearing, Demanding That Funding For Student MTA Cards Be Restored</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=345</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Wordpress.comAt a monthly Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) board meeting held earlier today, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer hand-delivered more than 16,500 petitions from parents and straphangers outraged by the MTA&#8217;s decision to slash funding for the Student MetroCard program.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Honors Haitian American New Yorkers At Annual Haitian Independence Day Tribute</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=349</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Borough President Scott Stringer, held his Third Annual Haitian Independence Day Tribute. Taking place after the earthquake in Haiti, Borough President Stringer noted that the event has taken &#8220;on particular significance&#8230;as neighbors across the city reach out in support of the thousands of New Yorkers with family back home in Haiti.&#8221; The event, co-hosted by the Haitian Roundtable and Caribbean News, recognized and honored the efforts of Joel Dreyfuss, Dr. Lesly Kernisant (founder of SIMCAT), Geraldine M&#233;hu, and Ninaj Raoul, four leading Haitian Americans New Yorkers.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Fights Against School Closures</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=344</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo courtesy of Jack Miller, Miller StudioManhattan Borough President  Scott Stringer testified  at the Panel for Educational Policy&#8217;s vote on the closing of 19 city schools by the city Department of Education. Earlier today,  he participated in a rally organized by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT)&nbsp;  against these school closures.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer &amp; Elected Officials Announce &quot;Green Bodega&quot; Initiative</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=343</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Photo Courtesy of Carmen Boon 
Earlier today, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer along with Congressman Steve Israel and Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez joined with Ramon Murphy, President of the Bodega Association of the United States, and Camilo Grocery and Products owner Jabel Camilo of Washington Heights, to announce a new green initiative to assist bodegas and small businesses improve energy efficiency.
]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Rallies to Save St. Vincent&#8217;s Hospital</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=342</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Photo Courtesy of William Alatriste Earlier today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, State Senator Tom Duane, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, and several concerned New Yorkers to urge the State to postpone any final decisions on the plan to shut down emergency services at St. Vincent&#8217;s until it has thoroughly examined the proposal and determined its impact on the ability for individuals to have essential healthcare services accessible. ]]>
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<title> Borough President&#8217;s Office Conducts Workshops for Nonprofits</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=347</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Tyrone Bowman&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The Manhattan Borough President held the first of two workshops for the New York City nonprofit community. The workshop was a collaboration between the Borough President&#8217;s Office and Baruch College&#8217;s Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Releases &#8220;Falling Apart at the Seams&#8221; Report On Open DOB Violations</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=341</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Pavan N Trivedi &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  Earlier today, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer held a press conference addressing the concerns raised by his report, &#8220;Falling Apart At the Seams&#8221;, in which he exposes the myriad of building violations present in the city of New York, and the Department of Buildings (DOB) and Environmental Control Board&#8217;s (ECB) inability to successfully address them.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer&#8217;s &#8220;New Yorkers For Haiti&#8221; Succesfully Raises $150,000 For The U.S. Fund For UNICEF</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=340</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
    Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer holds a $75,000 check from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) while NECO President Maurice Buckley addresses the crowd. Borough President Scott Stringer was joined by Deputy Borough President Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Governor David A. Paterson, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John C. Liu, State Senator Liz Krueger, Assemblymember Adriano Espaillat, Councilmember Gale A. Brewer, Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez at a fundraiser to help relieve the millions of people affected by last Tuesday&#8217;s earthquake.]]>
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<title>NEW YORKERS FOR HAITI:  Borough President Stringer &amp; the Haitian Roundtable to Hold Major Fundraiser to Benefit Earthquake Victims</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=338</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
 View a larger version of the invitation hereOn Friday, January 15 at 6 p.m., Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer will co-chair "New Yorkers for Haiti," a fundraising event with members of the Haitian Roundtable and Founder of Hispanics Across America Fernando Mateo at Talay Restaurantat 701 W. 135th St. at 12th Ave. in West Harlem to benefit victims of Tuesday&#8217;s catastrophic earthquake. The event will provide the US Fund for UNICEF, one of the organizations leading the relief efforts on the scene, with much needed funding for the purchase of supplies and equipment that address Haiti&#8217;s most urgent needs. The fundraiser has already gotten a lot of attention from organizations and communities across the city and beyond, with an important contribution of $75,000 dollars from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO). ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Remembers The Late Percy Sutton On &#8220;Urban Focus&#8221; Radio Show</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=337</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of BET.comEarlier today, the BP spoke with host Jonathan Hicks about the life and legacy of social activist and former Manhattan Borough President, Percy Sutton.&nbsp;     Click here to listen to the interview]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Shows Support For Grace Institute Career Fair</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=335</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
  
&nbsp;The
Grace Institute has been empowering underserved women in the New
York area for over 100 years. By providing tuition-free personal and
business training, it has helped countless women garner the skills
necessary to attain satisfying careers and improve the quality of their
everyday lives.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Encourages Chinatown and other Asian American Communities to join Manhattan Community Boards</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=339</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Earlier today, Borough President Scott Stringer, along with Councilwoman Margaret Chin, New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and New York State Senator Daniel Squadron, met with Chinatown leaders to promote increasing representation from residents of Chinatown and other local Asian American communities on Manhattan Community Boards  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Demands NYCHA Assist The 3,000 Families Left Without Section 8 Vouchers</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=336</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Alaina Gilligo&nbsp;Earlier today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined elected officials, legal service providers, housing advocates, and affected tenants to demand that NYCHA take responsibility for the 3,000 families whose Section 8 vouchers were retracted without notice right before the holidays.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Demands That DOE Use Funds To Reduce Classroom Sizes</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=334</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo Courtesy of Andrew Doba&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined Leonie Haimson, Executive Director of Class Size Matters, Public Advocate Bill DeBlasio, Hazel Dukes, head of the state NAACP, Lillian Rodriguez, head of the Hispanic Federation, The United Federation of Teachers, and concerned parents to address the Department of Education&#8217;s failure to reduce classroom sizes, despite having received funding from the City to do so.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Volunteers At God&#8217;s Love We Deliver During Pre-Holiday Rush</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=333</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo courtesy of God's Love We Deliver Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer rolled up his sleeves this morning  to volunteer in the kitchen of God&#8217;s Love We Deliver (GLWD). The Borough President chopped jalapenos for New England Corn Chowder, just one part of the 2,700 holiday meals being prepared by GLWD for New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Demands NYCHA Prevent Families From Going Homeless</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=332</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
  Earlier today, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Council Members Letitia James and Melissa Mark-Viverito, The Legal Aid Society, Legal Services NYC, and dozens of housing advocates to demand that the City's Department of Homeless Services (DHS) use a portion of their surplus stimulus funds to help support the individuals who will be left homeless by the NYCHA. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Praises Rezoning of Hudson Yards Area</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=331</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
  Today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined Major Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, and other elected officials to announce an agreement for the re-zoning of the Hudson Yards area&#8217;s Western Rail Yard, marking the final public approval of the development plan.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Demands Funding Be Restored For Student MetroCard Program</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=327</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


&nbsp;

Today,&nbsp;Borough President Scott Stringer joined Gene Russianoff, lead attorney for the Straphangers Campaign, Assembly Members Micah Kellner and Linda Rosenthal, Council Member Gale Brewer, and dozens of concerned parents at the 72nd Street Subway stop to call on the MTA to reinstate funding for the Student MetroCard program.
]]>
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<title>Victory For Yorkville Residents! Historic Cherokee Station Post Office To Remain Open </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=329</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;Today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined Congress Member Carolyn Maloney, State Senator Liz Krueger, Assembly Members Micah Kellner and Jonathan Bing, Council Member Jessica Lappin, and members of the East 79th Street Neighborhood Association in celebrating the US Postal Service&#8217;s recent announcement that, in spite of having recently considered closing the station and relocating the services out of the neighborhood, the Cherokee Station Post Office would remain open.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Leads NYC Food &amp; Climate Summit To Success</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=330</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, in  partnership with Just Food and New York University, successfully  led the NYC Food and Climate Summit at New York University&#8217;s Jack Skirball  Center for the Performing Arts.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer on NBC New York Nightly News</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=328</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Watch the Borough President's interview with Chuck Scarborough on NBC New York Nightly News about the NYC Food &amp; Climate Summit on Thursday, December 10.


&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Spends The Afternoon With Our City&#8217;s Seniors</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=323</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
  Earlier today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined Assemblyman Denny Farrell and Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat in Washington Heights on a visit to the acclaimed Isabella Geriatric Center.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Rallies In Support Of Gay Marriage</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=325</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
     Tonight, with hundreds of New Yorkers, Borough President Stringer kicked off Marriage Equality NY's rally at Union Square.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Mayor Bloomberg In Breaking Ground For New BMCC Hall</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=321</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City University Chancellor Dr. Matthew Goldstein, and others in breaking ground on the Borough of Manhattan Community College&#8217;s new $259 million Fiterman Hall in Lower Manhattan.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Announces Expansion of Program That Provides Children With &#8220;Safe Havens&#8221;</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=320</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
    Borough President Scott Stringer joined Marjorie Cohen and Brian Thomas of the Westside Crime Prevention Program (WCPP) to announce the expansion of the organization&#8217;s award-winning Safe Haven program in Harlem. Students from PS 180 were also on hand, as were commanding officers from the NYPD&#8217;s 26th and 28th precincts. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Discusses &#8220;Kill The Drill&#8221; Campaign On Battery Park TV</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=322</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Watch Borough President Stringer&nbsp;discuss &#8220;Kill the Drill,&#8221; a campaign to prevent natural gas drilling&nbsp;from taking place in&nbsp;the Catskill/Delaware watershed, an area that supplies 90% of&nbsp;New York City's drinking water.&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Happy Thanksgiving! Borough President Stringer and Health Plus Deliver 150 Turkeys to Senior Centers</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=319</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
  Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Kathryn Soman of Health Plus distributed free turkeys today to senior centers across Northern Manhattan.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Rallies For Paid Sick Days For Workers In The City</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=315</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined elected officials, members of the Working Families Party, feminist Gloria Steinem, and over a hundred others at a rally to support the proposed City Council bill which, if passed, will grant workers the right to earn paid sick leave.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Attends Groundbreaking For Hunter College&#8217;s New School of Social Work</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=324</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined Governor David Paterson, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott, Hunter College President Jennifer Raab, and others, for the groundbreaking of Hunter College&#8217;s new environmentally friendly Lois V. and Saumel J. Silberman School of Social Work building in East Harlem.  ]]>
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<title>P.S. 112 Gets New Playground</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=311</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

&nbsp;
Borough President Stringer unveiled a brand-new playground today at&nbsp;Public School 112 at 535 East 119th St. in East Harlem.&nbsp; Funding was made possible in part by a $190,000 contribution from the Manhattan Borough President&#8217;s Office.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Slams City Health Department For Delay In Vaccinating Seniors For Seasonal Flu</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=310</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
We&#8217;re two months past the start of flu season, and not a single senior citizen has been vaccinated at a City senior center. Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Daniel Squadron and concerned senior citizens today called on the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to explain the reason for the delay, and why the Health Dept. plans to reduce the number of senior centers giving flu shots by over 80 percent. See a WPIX report on this topic below.

&nbsp;
]]>
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<title>Hundreds Rally in Unity with Tenants of Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, Elected Officials &amp; Housing Advocates</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=309</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Photo courtesy of Sandro SherrodBorough President Scott Stringer joined City Council Member Dan Garodnick, State Senator Tom Duane, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, Public Advocate-elect Bill de Blasio, the Stuyvesant Town/PCV Tenant Association, Alex Schmidt of Wolf Haldenstein, and housing advocates from around the city at today&#8217;s Unity rally.]]>
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<title>Great Turnout at First Census &#8220;Complete Count&#8221; Committee Meeting</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=318</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[



More than 100 people assembled at the Manhattan Borough President&#8217;s Office for the first meeting of the Manhattan Complete Count Committee (CCC).&nbsp;Residents, community leaders, and organizers from the borough&#8217;s religious, government and social service organizations came together to strategize for the 2010 Census.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Honors Legendary Greenwich Village Activist Lucy Cecere</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=312</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;Today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined State Senator Thomas Duane, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and City Council Member Alan Gerson to honor Lucy Cecere as a 2009 New York State Senate Woman of Distinction.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Rallies to Restore NYCHA Funding</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=308</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today Borough President Stringer joined his colleagues in government, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh and others, to call on the State and City to fully fund their share of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) funding.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer on ABC 7 Diana Williams Up Close </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=306</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Watch the Borough President's interview on ABC 7 Diana Williams Up Close's special post election program on Sunday, November 8th 2009.
&nbsp; ]]>
</description>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Delivers Keynote Address at Institute of Urban Design Conference</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=313</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Borough President Scott Stringer was a featured speaker at today&#8217;s Institute for Urban Design conference. The group&#8217;s annual symposium on issues affecting the urban planning community was called &#8220;Arrested Development: Do Megaprojects Have a Future?&#8221; It was held in a historically significant setting, The Great Hall of The Cooper Union. ]]>
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<title>Top Honors For Borough President Stringer At The Hester Street Collaborative Benefit</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=307</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
The Borough President was honored today by the&nbsp;Hester Street Collaborative at the group's&nbsp;benefit at the Ingrao Gallery for his ongoing&nbsp;commitment to promoting sustainability and community based-planning.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Attends Ribbon-Cutting For ArchCare Senior Center in Harlem</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=317</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer attended a ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony today for the new ArchCare Senior Life Center in Harlem, along with Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Edward Cardinal Egan. ]]>
</description>
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<title>Borough President Stringer's Disability Task Force Marks Disability Awareness Month</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=301</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

The Manhattan Borough President&#8217;s Disability Task Force members convened to celebrate their strengths and successes in honor of Disability Awareness Month. Task force members work with the Borough President&#8217;s office on issues such as transportation, quality of life, affordable housing and others in order to make New York City more accessible and accommodating for all residents.]]>
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<title>Everything&#8217;s Coming Up Roses in the Nation&#8217;s First Heritage Rose District</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=299</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[





&nbsp;
Borough President Stringer plants&nbsp;the &#8220;Green Rose,&#8221;&nbsp;which was grown in the gardens of several families who participated in the Underground Railroad.
Rain couldn&#8217;t dampen the spirits of everyone who turned out for the ground-breaking of the nation&#8217;s first Heritage Rose District in West Harlem and Southern Washington Heights. Community members and volunteers joined Borough President Stringer, NYC Parks &amp; Recreation Manhattan Borough Commissioner Bill Castro and&nbsp;Heritage Rose Foundation President Stephen Scanniello at&nbsp;Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum on 155th Street today.

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<title>Free Legal Employment Consultations Available in Borough President Stringer&#8217;s Northern Manhattan Office</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=302</link>
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Borough President Stringer, together with MFY Legal Services, is now offering free legal employment consultations in the B.P.&#8217;s Northern Manhattan Office to help low-income, immigrant workers with job-related issues. Translation services will also be made available to those who have a language preference.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Testifies on &#8220;Kill the Drill&#8221; Campaign</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=300</link>
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Borough President Stringer&nbsp;testified today at the New York City Council Committee on Environmental Protection&#8217;s Oversight Hearing relating to drilling for natural gas in New York State. Hundreds of advocates and concerned residents attended the hearing.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer, Elected Officials Respond to Court Ruling on Stuyvesant Town</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=296</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

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Borough President Scott Stringer joined City Council Member Dan Garodnick, City Comptroller Bill Thompson,&nbsp;State Sen. Tom Duane and&nbsp;Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh to comment on this morning&#8217;s ruling by the State&#8217;s highest court against developer Tishman Speyer and its partner, BlackRock Realty.]]>
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<title>Go Green: An Initiative of Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=295</link>
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<![CDATA[


   The Mission of the Go Green initiative is to help reverse decades of environmental injustice and degradation by bringing leaders and Manhattan residents together to develop a plan and an agenda for greening a neighborhood where environmental disparities have been most acute.   Borough President Stringer at his 2007 State of the Borough speech launched the Go Green initiative as a top priority of his office and pledged to work with stakeholders to develop a neighborhood-based agenda for addressing environmental disparities in their communities. Work began in East  Harlem in the spring of 2007 and in 2008 the initiative was expanded to Washington Heights, Inwood and the Lower East Side.  ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Honors Italian &#8220;Stars&#8221; During Italian Heritage Month</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=316</link>
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<![CDATA[
   &nbsp;Borough President Scott Stringer joined the Italian Heritage Committee of New York in honoring astronomer Galileo Galilie, detective Giuseppe Petrosino, and two notable locals who continue to contribute to the fields of science and research.      ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Meets With Award-Winning Author Michael Pollan</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=294</link>
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<![CDATA[

Borough President Stringer met with award-winning author&nbsp;Michael Pollan today to discuss New York City&#8217;s agenda for a sustainable food system, the importance of his proposal to assess the region&#8217;s foodshed, and the upcoming conference on December 12th on food and climate change, which the Borough President is co-hosting with Just Food at NYU.
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<title>It&#8217;s Sew NY: Borough President Stringer Speaks at &#8220;Save the Garment Center&#8221; Rally</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=298</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Borough President Stringer joined renowned New York designers Nanette Lepore, Yeohlee Teng, Michael Kors, Elie Tahari, along with&nbsp;Comptroller Bill Thompson and Council Speaker Christine Quinn, at a rally today to Save New York City's Garment Center. The rally, organized by Nanette Lepore, showed support for the city's manufacturing industry whose garment center in the heart of Midtown is currently facing a proposed rezoning.]]>
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<title>Go Green East Harlem Kicks off the Youth Bucks Program</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=305</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


More than eighty students from Central Park East II Elementary took a field trip today&nbsp;to the&nbsp;Harvest Home Farmer&#8217;s Market in East Harlem. Students learned firsthand from farmers how vegetables such as squash, eggplant, potatoes, radishes, carrots, lettuce, and other greens are harvested and cooked. As part of the trip, students used the vegetables bought with Youth Bucks to make soup.&nbsp;Youth Bucks, a program of the Manhattan Borough President's&nbsp;Go Green East Harlem initiative.]]>
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<title>Successful Community Planning Fellowship Program Launched By Borough President Stringer Is Going Citywide</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=293</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


&nbsp;
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Commissioner Nazli Parvizi of the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit, Senior Vice Chancellor Jay Hershenson of the City University of New York (CUNY), City Council Members Letitia James and Dan Garodnick all came out today to announce the Community Planning Fellowship Program, launched four years ago by Borough President Stringer, is now branching out beyond Manhattan. 


Click here to see an in-depth profile of the Borough President&#8217;s Community Planning Fellowship Program on NY1 News.]]>
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<title>East Meets West: Borough President Stringer Marks First Annual Marco Polo Day</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=304</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Today Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined members of the&nbsp;State Office of Parks, Recreation and Preservation and community leaders, including the&nbsp;Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, to celebrate the first annual Marco Polo Day on Grand Street between Mott and Mulberry Streets. Borough President Stringer presented an official proclamation designating Chinatown and Little Italy as a single historic district, and declaring every third Sunday in October as Marco Polo Day.]]>
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<title>East Meets West: Borough President Stringer Celebrates First Annual Marco Polo Day</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=303</link>
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<![CDATA[

Today Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined members of the&nbsp;State Office of Parks, Recreation and Preservation and community leaders, including the&nbsp;Two Bridges Neighborhood Council, to celebrate the first annual Marco Polo Day on Grand Street between Mott and Mulberry Streets. Borough President Stringer presented an official proclamation designating Chinatown and Little Italy as a single historic district, and declaring every third Sunday in October as Marco Polo Day.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joins Hundreds in Queens at March Against Hate Crimes</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=297</link>
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<![CDATA[

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Queens Democratic District Leader Danny Dromm and other elected officials and community activists in College Point, Queens today to show support for Jack Price, the victim of an anti-LGBT attack.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Stringer and Governor Paterson &#8220;Shine the Light&#8221; on Domestic Violence</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=292</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

&nbsp;
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Governor David Paterson kicked off the State&#8217;s &#8220;Shine the Light on Domestic Violence&#8221; campaign today by flipping a switch to illuminate the City&#8217;s largest beacon, the Empire State Building, with special purple tower lights.]]>
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<title>&#8220;Shine the Light on Domestic Violence&#8221; Campaign</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=290</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

&nbsp;
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer&nbsp;has long championed for the rights of domestic violence survivors and each year his office works to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This year, the Manhattan Borough President&#8217;s Office has partnered with the Governor&#8217;s Office for the Prevention Domestic Violence to turn the state&nbsp;purple for their &#8220;Shine the Light on Domestic Violence&#8221; campaign.&nbsp;Purple is the official color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Speaks About West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. Ahead of Its Gala</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=291</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
  Borough President Stringer was interviewed today for a video to be played at the upcoming West Harlem Group Assistance (WHGA) Gala on October 22. He discussed his collaboration with WHGA on the issue of Columbia  University expansion. The Borough President said WHGA was an ally and a resource in Northern Manhattan during the discussion surrounding Columbia&#8217;s expansion, and he would continue working with the group on future issues related to West and Central Harlem.  ]]>
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<title>A Front Seat to History: Borough President Stringer Crosses Manhattan Bridge in a Vintage Car on the Span's 100th Birthday</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=289</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[



Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined Brooklyn&nbsp;Borough President&nbsp;Marty Markowitz,&nbsp;City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and NYC Brige Centennial Commission President Sam Schwartz in a daylong&nbsp;centennial&nbsp;celebration for&nbsp;the Manhattan Bridge. The Borough Presidents rode in antique cars across the span, meeting halfway between Manhattan and Brooklyn in a symbolic re-enactment of the celebration that announced&nbsp;the Bridge's completion&nbsp;one hundred&nbsp;years ago. The vintage automobiles&nbsp;were&nbsp;followed by a procession of marching bands and spectators waving American flags.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Unveils &#8220;Kill the Drill&#8221; Campaign and Calls for Ban on Gas Drilling in City Watershed</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=286</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, joined by a coalition of elected officials including City Council Environmental Protection Committee Chair&nbsp;James Gennaro and top environmental advocates, including the&nbsp;National Resources Defense Coucil,&nbsp;Riverkeeper&nbsp;, and Earthjustice,&nbsp;today announced&nbsp;the launch of &#8220;Kill the Drill,&#8221;&nbsp;a campaign by city residents to voice opposition to any hydraulic fracturing in the city&#8217;s upstate watershed.
Click below&nbsp;to listen to a WNYC radio interview on this&nbsp;issue&nbsp;
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Welcomes New Bank Branch to Roosevelt Island</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=288</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


Neighborhoods with limited access to banks and credit unions make life much harder on residents. With the opening of Amalgamated Bank&#8217;s newest branch on Roosevelt Island, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said the community will have a new local banking option that will represent an on-ramp to financial mobility.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Calls On MTA To Investigate Delays, Rising Costs Plaguing The Second Avenue Subway Project</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=285</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Responding to projections of up to five years of delay and $1.9 billion in cost overruns for the construction of the Second Avenue Subway, Borough President Stringer announced a formal request for an investigation of the Metropolitan Transit Authority&#8217;s responsibility for massive expansions of the project budget and timeline announced just two years ago.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Speaks Out On Tenants&#8217; Rights</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=287</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[



Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Congressman Jerrold Nadler and&nbsp;City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to kick off the 5th Annual West Side Tenants Conference on Saturday, September 26 at Fordham University. He spoke about tenants&#8217; rights, affordable housing and the importance of organizing and being empowered. Borough President Stringer spoke about Stuyvesant Town and Pinnacle, two cases where he was involved in defending tenants&#8217; rights. He also spoke about his work getting federal and city funding to repair elevators in NYCHA buildings. ]]>
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<title>Manhattan and Bronx Borough Presidents Alert Residents of Northern Manhattan and Bronx to Section 8 Voucher Scam</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=284</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

&nbsp;
Borough President Stringer and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., joined by representatives from the Manhattan and Bronx District Attorney Offices city agencies&nbsp;today alerted Northern Manhattan and Bronx residents to a housing scam that has defrauded nearly two dozen individuals who also were present at the press conference.&nbsp; The victims each paid thousands of dollars to a woman who promised to help them use Section 8 housing vouchers to rent private apartments that were in fact unavailable.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
You can watch a Fox 5's Shame on You segment on this issue below:


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<title>BP Stringer Joins Rally Against Housing Discrimination</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=283</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Borough President Stringer joined Senator Eric Schneiderman at a press conference in front of Bridge Houses in Washington Heights to announce the introduction of Senate Bill 6170.&nbsp; The bill, which is an adaptation of the tenant discrimination law passed in March 2008 by City Councilman Bill de Blasio, would make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against potential tenants based on their lawful income.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer and Wildlife Conservation Society Celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Manhattan Aka Mannahatta</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=282</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

It has&nbsp;been 400 years since Henry Hudson arrived on the shores of Manhattan, discovering a land of lush forests, meadows and wetlands that existed long before the cityscape we know today. Long before Times Square.]]>
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<title>This weekend, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) rebroadcasts democratic race debates</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=281</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
This weekend, Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) will re-broadcast democratic primary debates that were aired live on the channel over the last couple of weeks as part of a special programming.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Joined the NYPD&#8217;s Efforts to Catch Suspect of Sexual Attacks in West Harlem </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=280</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Borough President Scott M. Stringer, along with&nbsp;Community Board 9 Chair Pat Jones and community activist Iesha Sekou, made a stop at the 145th and St. Nicholas Avenue subway station to alert Hamilton Heights female residents of the string of sexual attacks that has frightened the neighborhood over the last few weeks. &nbsp;The Borough President passed out flyers with sketches of the assailant and encouraged anyone who might know anything about these crimes to talk to the police. ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Hosted Second Annual Iftar Dinner</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=279</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

&nbsp;
On September 2, 2009, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined in the celebration of Ramadan with over 350 Muslim community members of New York. At his 2nd Annual Iftar Dinner, held at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial Educational Center, the Borough President honored leaders of the Islamic community, including New York City Councilmember Robert Jackson, Professor Jerrilynn Dodds, Dean of Sarah Lawrence College; Edward Grazda, Documentary Photographer and Author; the Islamic Center at NYU; and Professor Asha A. Samad of City University New York. Also in attendance were New York City Councilmember John Liu, Civil Rights Attorney Norman Siegel and Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, who introduced the Borough President. 
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<title>DOE Must Plan Ahead for School Construction</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=278</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
\
Borough President Stringer was joined by UFT President Michael Mulgrew and numerous city and state elected officials for a press conference announcing the release of his third report on the citywide school overcrowding crisis titled, &#8220;School Daze: Fuzzy Numbers Mean Overcrowded Schools.&#8221; ]]>
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<title>History Quiz # 21</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=276</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

After the Manhattan grid plan was adopted in 1811 existing structures that stood in the path of new streets were moved or demolished. But buildings located way, way uptown like the Dyckman Farmhouse, shown here, were not threatened by the plan because the grid scheme did not extend to the upper portion of the island. (Image courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Gallery.)

QUESTION:
A defining characteristic of Manhattan is its famous right-angled street grid. That grid is largely the product of a proposal, commonly known as the Commissioners&#8217; Plan, adopted in 1811 by the New York State legislature to give order to the northward development of New York City. The thoroughfares in the then-built up portion of the island below Houston Street had been haphazardly laid out. The new proposal did not correct those existing irregularities, but it did impose a rigidly defined grid system on the largely unsettled "uptown" hinterlands. The plan called for parallel, sequentially numbered streets stretching from the Hudson to the East River, with wider avenues running up the length of the island, perpendicular to the streets.
Most people assume &#8211; thanks largely to sloppy descriptions in popular history writings &#8211; that the plan applied to all of Manhattan above Houston Street, right up to the northernmost shore of the island. It did not. The plan had a clearly defined upper limit. Beyond a certain cross-street the commissioners&#8217; map was left virtually blank. Where did the Commissioners&#8217; Plan end?
A. At 59th Street
B. At 125th Street
C. At 155th Street
D. At 181st Street]]>
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<title>&#8220;Vendor benders&#8221; stretch the laws governing a time-honored tradition and profession</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=275</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Borough President Stringer joined&nbsp;Council Members Dan Garodnick and Gale Brewer, as well as Howard L. Holzer, Senior VP of External Affairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for a press conference on vending in New York City.]]>
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<title>Putting Food Policy On The City's Front Burner</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=273</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
The City Council's Committee on Health is slated to take up an issue that has been generating a lot of buzz - the legalization of beekeeping in New York City.
While beekeeping has its funny side -- the news conference announcing the bill on the City Hall Steps a few weeks ago included enthusiasts in bee costume - it also has important implications, and represents just one part of a growing movement that is trying to put New York City in the forefront of efforts to rethink our national system of food production and distribution.
It is time that we as individuals and New York City as a community stop thinking about food policy as something that happens "out there", beyond our reach. We need to take more control of how and where our food is produced, how it is distributed, and do more to bring healthy food choices to neighborhoods with a glut of fast food joint joints and a shortage of supermarkets...]]>
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<title>Ribbon Cutting On Improvements to Tompkins Square Park Playground</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=272</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Photo credit: Courtesy of NYC Parks Department
&nbsp;
Borough President Stringer joined&nbsp;Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Congress Member Carolyn Maloney, City Council Member Rosie Mendez, former NFL running back Tiki Barber, Community Board 3 Parks Committee Chair Richard Ropiak, and kids from&nbsp;Oasis in Downtown Summer Camp to cut the ribbon on $1.5 million in improvements to the playground at Tompkins Square Park. The project was supported by funding allocations of $700,000 by the Borough President, $700,000 by Council Member Mendez and $123,000 by Mayor Bloomberg.]]>
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<title>Bank on Manhattan: Helping Low-IncomeFamilies and Individuals Enter the Financial Mainstream</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=270</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
More than 91,000 households in the borough of Manhattan &#8211; and thousands more citywide --- have neither a savings nor a checking account.&nbsp; These &#8220;unbanked&#8221; New Yorkers spend nearly $200 million every year on check-cashing fees (not including sums spent on other products such as money order and remittances), while remaining vulnerable to robbery and fraud.]]>
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<title>East River Esplanade Groundbreaking</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=271</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Credit: Courtesy of Speaker Sheldon Silver's Office
&nbsp;
Today, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor David Patterson, State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Park Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Department of City Planning Chair Amanda Burden, LMDC Chair Avi Schick, Deputy Mayor Bob Lieber, Economic Development Corporation Executive Vice President Madelyn Wils and, Downtown Alliance President Liz Berger to celebrate the groundbreaking of the East River Esplanade.
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Calls for an End to &#8220;Amateur Hour in the Sky&#8221;</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=269</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
On Monday, August 10, Borough President Stringer joined Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and others in a press conference calling for tighter regulation of New York&#8217;s river airspace following Saturday&#8217;s mid-air collision that claimed the lives of nine people. ]]>
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<title>BP Stringer Joins Senator Duane on Release of Clinton-Hell&#8217;s Kitchen School Overcrowding Report  </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=268</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

&nbsp;
Borough President Stringer joined State Senator Thomas K. Duane and Clinton-Hells Kitchen local parents, children and community leaders on the release of a new report conducted with the help of Manhattan Community Board Four that shows that Clinton-Hell&#8217;s Kitchen is poised to gain four times as many elementary school-age children over the next decade as there will be available seats in its public elementary schools.]]>
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<title>BP Stringer joins Senator Gillibrand and Speaker Quinn to Launch Joint Effort to Improve Child Nutrition in NYC </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=267</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

With the new school year set to start in less than one month, Borough President Stringer joined U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to launch a joint effort to improve child nutrition in New York, and across the country.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer calls for urban version of  federal &#8220;cash for clunkers&#8221; auto program</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=266</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, citing the success of the federal program that rewards car owners for turning in their older and less fuel-efficient cars for newer &#8220;greener&#8221; models, today urged the federal government to begin an immediate bonus program that would encourage urban consumers and landlords to replace existing refrigerators, air-conditioners and other appliances with newer models that use less energy.]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer at National Night Out Against Crime</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=265</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


Last night, Borough President Stringer visited several NYC precincts, honoring our police with&nbsp;The National Night Out Against Crime campaign. The campaign involves citizens, law enforcement, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities and is designed to heighten crime awareness by strengthening local anticrime programs and police-community partnerships. ]]>
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<title>Don't Block the Bus</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=264</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[




Bus lanes are meant to be confined at key times of the day exclusively to bus traffic and the picking up and dropping off of the many passengers. However, a study conducted by the Borough President&#8217;s office discovered 350 rush-hour blockages of midtown bus lanes without a single ticket being issued.]]>
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<title>The FRAC Act</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=263</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Council Member Jessica Lappin&nbsp;introduced legislation at the July 29 meeting of the City Council, calling on congress to pass the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (FRAC Act) of 2009. This act would close the loophole that is threatening New York&#8217;s water reservoirs. 
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Goddard Riverside Family Council BBQ</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=262</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
On Thursday July 30th, Borough President Stringer stopped by the&nbsp;Goddard Riverside Family Council&#8217;s 15th Annual Barbeque.]]>
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<title>Grand Opening of the 99th Street Harvest Home Green Market in East Harlem</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=261</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

On Friday July 18th, Borough President Stringer stopped by the Grand Opening of the 99th Street Harvest Home Green Market in East Harlem sponsored by Metropolitan Hospital Center.The market will feature fresh produce from local farmers.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Dear Beep--Q&amp;A</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=260</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Q: I&#8217;m a rent stabilized tenant and have lived in the same building for 30 years.&nbsp; As long as I can remember my landlord has sent me a new lease agreement every two years.&nbsp; Last fall my building was sold to a new owner who has been difficult to reach.&nbsp; My current lease expires in August and I have yet to receive a new agreement.&nbsp; What are my options if my landlord doesn&#8217;t send me a new agreement?]]>
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<title>BP on Sinovision TV channel</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=259</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Check out Borough President Stringer during an interview with Sinovision TV. ]]>
</description>
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<title>MBP Stringer's 7-Point Plan to Reconstitute Board of Education</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=258</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Borough President Stringer yesterday released a 7-point plan to reconstitute the pre-2002 school governance system.]]>
</description>
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<title>History Quiz #20</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=257</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;In 1909 a statue was erected in  Battery Park to honor the first white explorer to reach New  York Harbor --  not Henry  Hudson. (Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.)  QUESTION:  Much fuss is being made this year to  celebrate the quadricentennial of Henry Hudson's&nbsp;exploration  of&nbsp;New York Harbor in 1609. While  Hudson&nbsp;was the  first&nbsp;European&nbsp;explorer to extensively probe the&nbsp;bay and sail up the river that  today bears his name, he was not the first to&nbsp;discover the harbor and record its  existence. That honor goes to someone else who arrived nearly a century  earlier, in 1524. Who was  that?  A. Giovanni da Verrazzano   B. Ferdinand Magellan   C. Samuel de Champlain   D. Amerigo Vespucci   For the answer, see the full entry]]>
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<title>MBP Stringer Presents Proclamation to the Carlos M. Perez Memorial Scholarship Basketball Tournament</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=256</link>
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&nbsp;On July 18th, Borough President Stringer presented the Washington Heights/Inwood based Carlos M. Perez Memorial Scholarship Basketball Tournament with a proclamation, naming the day "The Carlos M. Perez Appreciation Day in the Borough of Manhattan." ]]>
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<title>Honoring the Westside Campaign Against Hunger</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=254</link>
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Yesterday, Borough President Stringer along with Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Assembly Member Richard Gottfried and City Council Member Gale Brewer congratulated volunteers of the Westside Campaign Against Hunger at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew. ]]>
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<title>East Harlem&#8217;s Weekend Farmer&#8217;s Market</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=253</link>
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&nbsp;Last Sunday, Borough President Stringer kicked off the first weekend farmer&#8217;s market&nbsp; for the third consecutive year in East Harlem.&nbsp;To help celebrate, different public health organizations in East Harlem set up shop alongside farmers to provide residents with multiple giveaways and information around healthy living.]]>
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<title>Kicking off &quot;The Big Draw&quot;</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=252</link>
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On Saturday, July 18, Borough President Stringer along with Brett Littman, Director of the Drawing Center and John Haworth, Director of the George Gustave Heye Center/National Museum of the American Indian kicked off the &#8220;The Big Draw.&#8221; ]]>
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<title>MBP Stringer Demands Halt to Sidewalk ATMs</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=251</link>
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On Sunday Borough President Stringer released the report Sidewalks Under Siege, urging the city to adopt regulations to discourage the proliferation of illegal sidewalk cash machines. ]]>
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<title>Statement on Passing of Author Frank McCourt</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=250</link>
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Read the Borough President's statement on the passing of Frank McCourt]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Celebrates Dominican Heritage</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=249</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer presented a proclamation to the&nbsp;committee members of the Bronx Dominican Parade 2009 and Juan Guillen, Publisher of&nbsp;Dominican Times magazine for their contributions to the cultural heritage of the city.&nbsp;
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The Queen, Princess and Mother of the 2009 the Bronx Dominican Parade were also at the event. The parade was founded 20 years ago to celebrate the history and heritage of the Dominican and Hispanic communities. This year the traditional parade will take place on July 26th.
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<title>Scott Stringer on Julie Menin's Give and Take</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=248</link>
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Watch Borough President Stringer's interview with Julie Menin on Give and Take]]>
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<title>Renaming a Street for Jane Jacobs</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=247</link>
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    &nbsp;Borough President Stringer yesterday joined Congressman Jerry Nadler, City Council Speaker Chris tine Quinn and other local elected officials in the heart of the West  Village for a street renaming honoring the late urban planning activist and West  Village legend Jane Jacobs.   ]]>
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<title>Check Out the BP in the News</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=245</link>
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Check out coverage in several media outlets of Borough President Stringer on the troubling incident at P.S. 123 in Harlem.New York Daily NewsFor more, see the full entry&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Straight Talk for Small Biz</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=246</link>
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&nbsp;This morning, Borough President Stringer kicked off Straight Talk: Rescue and Recovery for Small Businesses at the New York Academy of Medicine in East Harlem. Among keynote speakers who joined the Borough President were Kim Jasmin of JPMorgan Chase; Seth Pinksky, President of the New York City Economic Development Corporation; and Kenneth J. Knuckles, President and CEO of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone.    The conference &#8220;kept it real&#8221; for small business owners and workers. Read the full entry for more ]]>
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<title>MBP Joins Parents and Teachers for P.S. 123 Walk-through</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=244</link>
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&nbsp;Borough President Stringer joined parents and teachers in Harlem today for a walk-through at P.S. 123, where a "troubling incident" unfolded last weekend.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>History Quiz #19</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=243</link>
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&nbsp;The Queens Museum of Art was originally constructed as the New York State Pavilion for the 1939 World&#8217;s Fair. (Image courtesy of the New York Public Library.)    QUESTION:    Three seemingly unrelated sites in the metropolitan region share an unusual historical distinction. The first site is the Queens Museum of Art, located in Flushing Meadows-Corona  Park. The structure originally served as the New York State Pavilion for the 1939 World's Fair. The second is the campus of Lehman College, located in Kingsbridge Heights, Bronx. Until the late 1960s it existed as the Bronx campus of Hunter College. The third site is a onetime manufacturing facility today known as i.park, located in Lake Success, Long Island, not far from the Queens border. The sprawling structure was built in the 1940s as a Sperry Gyroscope plant. What do these three sites have in common?    A. They are the only sites in New   York State designed by world famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.    B. During World War II they were converted into the Manhattan Project facilities that created the atomic bomb.    C. They served as temporary meeting sites for the United Nations before the UN settled into its current Turtle  Bay, Manhattan home.D. They were the sites of a deadly terrorist bombing spree that killed over a dozen persons in one day during World War II.For the answer, see the full entry ]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Proclaims Monday, July 13th 2009 as &#8220;Wendy Williams Day&#8221; in Manhattan </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=242</link>
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Photo Credit: Anders Krusberg
Borough President Stringer and Deputy Borough President Pierre-Louis surprised radio and TV personality&nbsp;Wendy Williams on her top-rated radio show with a proclamation commemorating Monday July 13th as &#8220;Wendy Williams Day.&#8221; &nbsp;The day-long celebration, which was arranged by C.M.E. Management Group, LLC, coincides with the national launch of Williams&#8217; new syndicated talk show, THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW, which will air in New York daily on&nbsp;WNYW-TV (FOX 5) live at 10 AM, WWOR (My 9) at 10:00 PM and at three &nbsp;other times on BET channel and follows on the heels of Wendy&#8217;s recent nomination to the Radio Hall of Fame.

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<title>MBP Stringer's Big-Screen Debut: What's on Your Plate?</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=241</link>
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&nbsp;&nbsp;Last night, Borough President Stringer appeared on the big screen at a showing of the new documentary film What&#8217;s on your plate? at the Brooklyn  Academy of Music.Produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Catherine Gund, the movie follows two 11-year-old girls as they ask questions about what we eat, how and where food is cultivated, and ways that food affects health.  ]]>
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<title>Troubling Incident at P.S. 123</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=240</link>
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As reported in the New York Daily News last week, movers unexpectedly arrived at P.S. 123 in Harlem and began removing furniture from several classrooms. The movers told surprised teachers they had orders to empty and refurbish all P.S. 123's third-floor classrooms to prepare for the expansion of the Harlem Success Academy charter school. Eventually, police had to be called to sort out the conflict.Concerned about the situation, Borough President Stringer sent a letter today to Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott requesting an immediate investigation of what he called a "troubling incident."For the complete text of the letter, see the full entry. ]]>
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<title>BP in the Blogs</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=239</link>
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Check out coverage in several blogs of Borough President Stringer on the a variety of issues, including healthy food options and the reconstitution of the Board of Education. ]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=238</link>
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&nbsp;Above the Street by Lee Backer&nbsp;The Manhattan Borough President's office is currently hosting "Chapter Two: The Best of Park West," a fine arts exhibition presented by members of the Park West Camera Club.Founded in 1937, PWCC is one of the oldest, largest and most active nonprofit camera clubs in New York City.To view this exhibition, visit our office, located at 1 Centre St., 19th Floor South, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.For more photos, see the full entry. ]]>
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<title>History Quiz # 18</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=233</link>
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&nbsp;The Macy&#8217;s Fourth of July fireworks display in 1959. That year marked the 350th anniversary of Henry Hudson&#8217;s exploration of New York Harbor, so the pyrotechnic pageant was held over the river that bears his name. This year marks the 400th anniversary, so the fireworks show has been moved to the Westside once again. (Image courtesy of Macy&#8217;s.)&nbsp;QUESTION:Saturday is Independence Day. It will be celebrated here in New York City by "the largest fireworks display in America," according to Macy's, sponsor of the annual pyrotechnic extravaganza since 1958. This year's show will feature over 30,000 shells!One of the Founding Fathers would have been pleased. After the Declaration of Independence was approved, he wrote to his wife that, "I am apt to believe that [Independence Day] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.... It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore." Who wrote these prescient words?A. George WashingtonB. Thomas JeffersonC. Benjamin Franklin D. John Adams&nbsp;For the answer, see the full entry. ]]>
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<title>Rally to Support Legislation Addressing the Role the City's Food Choices Play in Climate Change</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=232</link>
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Yesterday on the steps of City Hall,  Borough President Stringer, Council Member Bill de Blasio, and members of the NYC  Foodprint Alliance held a rally in support of a groundbreaking council resolution that proposes reducing pollution caused by processed food shipped into the city by addressing the role the City&#8217;s food choices play in climate change.]]>
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<title>Check out the BP in the News</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=231</link>
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Check out coverage in several media outlets of Borough President Stringer on the expiration of mayoral control of schools and reconstitution of the Board of Education.]]>
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<title>Gay Pride Parade </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=212</link>
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(photo by Dan Benjoya)
Borough President Stringer joined thousands of participants marching in this year's annual&nbsp;NYC Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28.
The&nbsp;march began as an annual civil rights demonstration beginning the year after the Stonewall Riots in 1970. Over the years its purpose has broadened to include recognition of the fight against AIDS and to remember those&nbsp;lost to the illness, to violence and to neglect.]]>
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<title>BP in the News </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=210</link>
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For more information on Borough President Stringer's involvement in a variety of issues, including mayoral control of schools, see the stories below.
&nbsp;
The New York Times
Questions About Schools if Mayoral Control Ends
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The Huffington Post
With Albany AWOL, City Faces New Reality on School Governance]]>
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<title>CB 11 Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=214</link>
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 In the photo: Executive Director of Hope Community, Inc. Robert Lebaron, right, is leaving his position and handing it over to Jay Marcus, left, who will replace him. Borough President Stringer attended a farewell luncheon for Hope Community Executive Director Robin Lebaron, who contributed a recipe to the successful Go Green East Harlem Cookbook.]]>
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<title>History Recognition Ceremony </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=205</link>
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Yesterday, Borough President Stringer was joined at his office by Professor Gwen Wright, one of the stars of the hit PBS television series "History Detectives," in saluting a cadre of Manhattan student historians. The youngsters, many of whom were accompanied by proud parents and teachers, were all middle and high school students who earlier in the year had competed in History Day, a nationwide history competition.]]>
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<title>Proposing a Plan to Preserve School Operations </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=204</link>
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Today, Borough President Stringer held a press conference announcing a proposed action plan for preserving the stable operation of the school system and continuity in the leadership of the Department of Education, until such time as the State Legislature acts. Coverage of Borough President Stringer's proposal can be found on NY1 News, in the New York Daily News, on the&nbsp;Daily Politics blog and on the&nbsp;Gotham Schools blog.]]>
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<title>Give Back Through Operation Backpack </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=203</link>
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Nearly 11,000 school-age children live with their families in New York City homeless shelters. Most of these children will go back to school in September without the basic school supplies they need unless we help.]]>
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<title>FUSION '09 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=215</link>
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Left photo: Borough President Stringer with Sharon Stapel, executive director of the Anit-Violence Project
Borough President Stringer spoke at the Anti-Violence Project’s benefit, FUSION 09, at the Stonewall Inn.]]>
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<title>MBP Stringer Requests Meeting to Discuss Expiration of Mayoral Control </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=202</link>
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With the Albany legislative situation and the fate of mayoral control of the schools still unclear, Borough President Stringer has requested that Mayor Bloomberg convene a meeting of the five Borough Presidents, Deputy Mayor Dennis Walcott and&nbsp;Schools Chancellor Joel Klein to develop a unified position for continuing the operation of the public schools and the delivery of essential services to students and families if the Legislature does not act.]]>
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<title>Beekeeping is All the Buzz </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=201</link>
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Bees were all the buzz this afternoon on the steps of City Hall where Borough President Stringer, Council Member David Yassky, members of Just Food, a number of beekeepers and a host of bee enthusiasts convened to call for action and support of new legislation to legalize beekeeping in New York City.
Holding up signs with slogans like “Let us Bee in NYC” and “Free to Bee,” the demonstrators explained the importance of bees in an urban environment. ]]>
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<title>God's Love We Deliver Prepares 10 millionth Meal </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=199</link>
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God’s Love We Deliver, a nonprofit organization that provides meals and nutritional counseling to men, women and children living with life-altering illnesses, today prepared and delivered its 10 millionth meal.
Borough President Stringer has long supported the 24-year-old organization – both in spirit and in funding. The Borough President contributed to GLWD $18,000 and $13,680 in fiscal years 2009 and 2010, respectively.
“God’s Love provides an invaluable service to the community,”&nbsp;Borough President Stringer said. “I would like to thank the many volunteers who have made the delivery of the 10 millionth meal a reality, and I look forward to watching the organization continue to grow and to one day celebrate its 100 millionth meal.”
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<title>Asphalt Green Field Re-opens</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=197</link>
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&nbsp;On Saturday morning, Borough President Stringer joined City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Manhattan Parks Commissioner Bill Castro, Assemblyman Micah Kellner, Council Member Jessica Lappin and hundreds of community members to celebrate the grand re-opening of Asphalt Green, the 5.5-acre sports complex on the Upper East Side that now boasts world class soccer, basketball and swimming facilities ready to be used by all New Yorkers.]]>
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<title>P.S. 175 Gets New Playground </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=196</link>
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Borough President Scott Stringer and the nonprofit group&nbsp;Out2Play on Friday joined the Barclays/Nets Community Alliance to unveil a new playground that is shared by&nbsp;P.S. 175 and Promise Academy I Elementary School at 175 West 134th St. in Harlem. ]]>
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<title>Neighborhood Weekly Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=198</link>
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Amsterdam News 
Deadlock in Albany 
Significant bills remain stagnant and likely in jeopardy due to&nbsp;instability in Albany. Such bills include renewal of mayoral control of schools and sales tax rates that will affect the entire state. 
Senator Perkins of the 30th Senatorial District&nbsp;said,&nbsp;“…You have to understand that a lot of what we do here in Albany happens outside the chamber. Nevertheless, we have to be in the chamber in order to make these bills law, and at the moment, we are still outside waiting for the Republicans to accede to our wishes for a bipartisan government.”
government.”]]>
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<title>History Quiz # 17 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=194</link>
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PHOTO:
Victor F. Hess, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist who discovered Cosmic Rays. 
&nbsp;
QUESTION: 
Victor F. Hess (1883 - 1964) was an Austrian-born scientist who won a Nobel Prize for Physics in 1936 for his discovery of the phenomenon known as Cosmic Rays. He and his wife, who was Jewish, moved to the United States in 1938 to escape Nazi persecution. Shortly thereafter Hess became a professor at Fordham University here in New York City. Some of his experimental work with Cosmic Rays required a location with very particular characteristics, so in 1947 he set up a research station at what unusual site?
A. In the 190th St. subway station on the A line
B. In a diving bell at the bottom of the Central Park reservoir 
C. On the top floor of the Empire State Building 
D. In the Federal Reserve gold vault in lower Manhattan
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For the answer, see the full entry]]>
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<title>MBP Stringer Asks Rent Guidelines Board for a Rent Freeze </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=192</link>
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Borough President Stringer yesterday testified before the&nbsp;Rent Guidelines Board (RGB)&nbsp;during its last hearing over proposed rent hikes, asking its members for a freeze in rents.]]>
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<title>Honoring Arva Rice, New CEO of New York Urban League </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=191</link>
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Borough President Stringer joined City Council Member Inez E. Dickens,&nbsp;Melba Wilson and more than 150 guests on Monday at Melba's Restaurant on 114th Street&nbsp;at a reception co-sponsored by the Borough President honoring Arva R. Rice, the newly appointed president and CEO of the New York Urban League.]]>
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<title>Celebrating Puerto Rican Pride </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=190</link>
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-photo courtesy of flickr.com
As he does every year, Borough President Stringer marched on Sunday in the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.
Some two million residents participated in the parade this year, excited to celebrate the many contributions that Puerto Ricans have made to Manhattan and the entire city. 
This event is one of the largest demonstrations of cultural expression&nbsp;in New York City. It’s&nbsp;also the largest undertaking for the Board of Directors&nbsp;of the&nbsp;National Puerto Rican Day Parade to coordinate among the many social, educational and cultural activities held throughout the year.&nbsp;Their hard work is duly noted: kudos to the NPRDP for putting together this great parade every year to celebrate the diversity of the city.]]>
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<title>Dwyer Cultural Center Opens </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=189</link>
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Borough President Stringer joined Barbara Horowitz, Community Works’ founder and director, Voza Rivers, chairman of the Harlem Arts Alliance, and others to celebrate the grand opening of the Dwyer Cultural Center – a new multi-media cultural destination in Harlem, located at 258 Nicholas Avenue in the landmarked 19th century Dwyer Warehouse Loft Condominium building.
The DCC is dedicated to celebrating Harlem through the presentation, preservation and documentation of Harlem’s history and traditions through exhibitions, performances, workshops and public programs designed for intergenerational audiences. ]]>
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<title>Discussion on the Future of the Gay Rights Movement </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=188</link>
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- From left: Honoree Cathy Marino-Thomas, Dru Levasseur, Martin Duberman, Robert Reid-Pharr, Ann Northrop and Borough President Stringer. (photo by Andre Beckles/CUNY)
&nbsp;
More than 500 guests attended&nbsp;a panel discussion on the future of the gay rights movement, sponsored by Borough President Stringer and the City University of New York.
The event, Stonewall: The Fight After 40,&nbsp;A Panel Discussion on the Future of the Gay Rights Movement, included&nbsp;five experts and activists who discussed the impact of the Stonewall Riots of 1969 and the future of the movement in the midst of the marriage equality debate.]]>
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<title>Citizen's Union Recommends MBP Stringer's Parental Engagement Proposal</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=187</link>
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In its recently released report on mayoral control, Citizens Union&nbsp;endorsed Borough President Stringer's Uniform Parental Engagement Process and training proposals. It recommended supporting continued&nbsp;mayoral control of New York City's schools with a number of modifications to ensure greater transparency, accountability and democratic participation. ]]>
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<title>History Quiz # 16 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=186</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

PHOTO: 
The New York Central Railroad’s West Side tracks were considered a public nuisance for decades. This image shows 11th Avenue – a.k.a. “Death Avenue” – around 41st Street, before the West Side Improvement Project moved the tracks off the street. The project also built the High Line, the repurposed elevated railroad that is now home to a much-touted new Manhattan park. (Image courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Gallery.)
&nbsp;
QUESTION:
Earlier this week the first section of High Line Park opened to the public. The park is being constructed on the abandoned elevated structure that once carried a freight railroad line through the Lower West Side of Manhattan. That elevated stretch of track – commonly called the High Line – was originally built as part of a massive West Side Improvement Project undertaken in the 1930s. The project reconfigured the Hudson-side tracks of the New York Central Railroad that ran from a freight terminal on Beach St. to the top of the island. First, it placed the tracks that ran through the Lower West Side on an elevated steel roadbed (the High Line). Then, it dropped the tracks that ran from 35th to 60th Streets into a dedicated trench. Finally, it enclosed the tracks that ran through the lower portion of Riverside Park inside a landscape-covered tunnel. 
One of main intentions of the project was to remove the tracks that then ran at grade along portions of 10th and 11th Avenues. The trains were considered such a menace to pedestrians and children that 11th Avenue was dubbed “Death Avenue” during the early 20th Century. Before the High Line finally solved the problem, a feeble local ordinance, dating from the mid-1800s, tried to address the dangers along 10th Avenue. It required that trains travel at 6 m.p.h. It further required what?
A. That every moving train had to toot its whistle once every ten seconds.
B. That the railroad publish a precise listing in a daily newspaper stating -- to the minute -- when each train was scheduled to approach each cross street. 
C. That each pedestrian had to wave a sign (in the daytime) or a lighted torch (at night) as he/she crossed the avenue. 
D. That a man on horseback ride in front of each train carrying a red flag.
&nbsp;
Click&nbsp;"full entry" to see the answer]]>
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<title>MBP Stringer and education advocates call on city to redirect $900 million to schools </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=184</link>
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This morning, Borough President Stringer, City Comptroller William Thompson Jr., Council Members Liu, Yassky, Gerson and Jackson, members of the&nbsp;United Federation of Teachers (UFT)&nbsp;and Community Education Council 2, advocates from Class Size Matters and STOP BHOD, and parents, called on the city to redirect $900 million allocated for unnecessary expansion of the city&#8217;s jails to the school capital budget.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer hails new agreement for use of Randall&#8217;s Island </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=183</link>
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-photo courtesy of flickr.com
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer today hailed as a victory for the community a new agreement on the use of Randall’s Island ball fields that will increase the number of Harlem and South Bronx teams that will use the fields; provide more transportation for public schools students to get to the island;&nbsp; and create a mandate for both public outreach and public annual meetings to detail how the city is meeting the goal of ensuring that all groups continue to have equal access to Randall’s Island facilities.
The announcement of the new agreement came at a meeting today of the city’s Franchise and Concession Review Committee, on which Borough President Stringer sits.
To read more, click full entry]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Greets Manhattan Seniors Aboard the Circle Line</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=182</link>
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Despite the uncertain weather last Thursday, close to 650&nbsp;seniors from senior centers throughout Manhattan attended the&nbsp;Third Annual Hidden Harbor Tour, sponsored by the office of Manhattan Borough President Stringer.
The Working Harbor Committee&nbsp;narrated the boat tour, talknig about the importance and impact of&nbsp;the working harbors of New York and New Jersey, and about the importance of&nbsp;tugboats, port terminals and container vessels.]]>
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<title>Rally at City Hall to Protest Planned Cuts to Community Boards </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=181</link>
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<![CDATA[




Four borough presidents, the New York City Comptroller and representatives of dozens of community boards across the city gathered today on the steps of City Hall to protest planned budget cuts for the city's 59 community boards. 
Here's how the New York Daily News,&nbsp;Gotham Gazette and other media covered the rally.]]>
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<title>The High Line Park Opens </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=180</link>
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<![CDATA[

&nbsp;

Photo Credit: Spencer Tucker
&nbsp;
Today, Borough President Scott Stringer joined Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, US Representative Jerrold Nadler, and Friends of the High Line Co-Founders Joshua David and Robert Hammond to open the first section of the High Line, the highly-anticipated, new public park built on top of a 1930s-era elevated rail line. 

The High Line&nbsp;is the first public park of its kind in the United States, built 30 feet above Manhattan’s West Side. The opening of the first half-mile section of the High Line is the culmination of more than three years of construction and ten years of planning. 
&nbsp;
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<title>Manhattan Plaza Gets a New Playground </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=179</link>
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Borough President Stringer joined former Giants running back Tiki Barber, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the owners and residents of Manhattan Plaza for a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome its new state-of-the-art playground, which was developed as the result of a partnership between&nbsp;Tiki Recreation and Related Affordable, the owners of the complex at 43rd Street and 9th Avenue.]]>
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<title>Proposal to Include Healthy Food Infrastructure in Environmental Impact Review </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=178</link>
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Borough President Stringer announced today&nbsp;a proposal to include analysis of healthy food infrastructure in the environmental impact review for new development projects.]]>
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<title>Fighting for Elevator Safety </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=177</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh,&nbsp;State Sen. Daniel Squadron and community advocates for public housing at a press conference Saturday at City Hall calling for the passage of a bill designed to increase elevator safety for residents of&nbsp;New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings.]]>
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<title>Costco to Accept Food Stamps in East Harlem </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=176</link>
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In the wake of demands from U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, Borough President Stringer, along with a number of other elected officials and community leaders, Costco last week agreed to include its soon-to-open East Harlem store in a pilot program to accept food stamps.]]>
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<title>Education Advocates Rally Against Proposed City Budget Cuts </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=175</link>
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<![CDATA[






Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined members of the United Federation of Teachers, the New York City Council and a number of education advocates on the steps of City Hall to protest a $400 million cut to the school system in the proposed city budget.]]>
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<title>Bailey House Opens New Rand Harlan Center </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=171</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer spoke at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Rand Harlan Center for Housing, Wellness and Community &#8211; a 25,000-square-foot multi-service community center organized and sponsored by Bailey House, a New York City agency committed to providing services and support for people living with HIV/AIDS.]]>
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<title>West Harlem Piers Park Finally Opens </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=172</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg,&nbsp;Congressman Charles Rangel and other city officials for the ribbon-cutting of the new West Harlem Piers Park. ]]>
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<title>Legislation Introduced to End Illegal Hotels </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=170</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined&nbsp;Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, State Senator Liz Krueger and tenant advocates to announce the introduction of&nbsp;the legislators'&nbsp;bill to combat illegal hotels --&nbsp;units that are supposed to be rental apartments, but are illegally used as transient hotel rooms.]]>
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<title>Salute to Israel Parade </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=169</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined about 100,000 marchers in the Salute to Israel Parade along 5th Avenue. This year, the annual parade also celebrated Tel-Aviv’s 100th birthday. Above he is shown walking with&nbsp;City Comptroller William Thompson Jr.&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>MBP Stringer Celebrates Queensboro Bridge's Centennial </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=168</link>
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In celebration of the Queensboro Bridge&#8217;s 100th birthday, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer participated in the reenactment of the bridge&#8217;s March 1909 opening, riding in a 1930 Chrysler from the Manhattan end of the bridge to its center, where he met Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>History Quiz #15 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=167</link>
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<![CDATA[
QUESTION:
A gala celebration has been planned for this Sunday, May 31, to mark the 100th birthday of the Queensboro Bridge. Festivities will include a parade, a concert and a fireworks display. Up-close access to the parade is restricted to pass-holders. For a special exclusive offer to obtain a pair of passes, click &#8220;Full Entry&#8221; below.&nbsp;You can also find&nbsp;a complete listing of QBB centennial events here.
The original opening celebration for the bridge in June of 1909 was even grander. New York State Governor Charles Evans Hughes presided over a pageant that featured a line of marchers ten miles long. Policemen, national guardsmen, bridge engineers, singing societies, fraternal groups, grocers, and political club members all took part in the parade. Even chewing-gum manufacturers had a float. 
The whole thing was organized by the Queensboro Bridge Celebration Committee. Earlier that year the committee released a statement claiming that they had received 235 applications for permission to do something on the soon-to-be-completed bridge. What did the applicants want to do?
A) Be the first to cross the bridge 
B) Jump from the bridge
C) Pound the last rivet on the bridge
D) Climb to the top of one of the bridge&#8217;s flagpoles
&nbsp;
For the answer, click on "Full Entry"]]>
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<title>Marriage Equality for New York State </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=166</link>
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Hours after the California State Supreme Court upheld the Proposition 8 constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer met thousands of New Yorkers for a march and rally from Sheridan Square to Union Square to oppose the California decision and call for an end to marriage discrimination in New York State.]]>
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<title>P.S. 151 Set to Reopen In September 2009 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=165</link>
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Today Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, joined by Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney and other elected officials, announced the reopening of P.S. 151 on East 91st Street.]]>
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<title>Celebrating the Re-opening of Washington Square Park </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=164</link>
<description>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer joined NYC Department of Parks &amp; Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, other elected officials and members of&nbsp;Community Board 2 to celebrate the re-opening of Washington Square Park following the completion of phase one of its reconstruction.]]>
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<title>Bringing Back the Parents: An Update on Borough President Stringer's Parental Engagement Proposal </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=161</link>
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Our office has been hard at work briefing&nbsp;Community Education Council (CEC)&nbsp;members, advocates, community board members, local editorial boards, and interested parents and academics on the details of our A New Day for Parental Engagement proposal&nbsp;on how to improve parental engagement in the New York City public school parent community.]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=160</link>
<description>
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From Public Housing to a Nod for Supreme Court (Wall Street Journal) 
Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is an historic choice not just because of her heritage but also as another in a long series of former NYCHA residents making a difference in local, national and global affairs.]]>
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<title>Community's Commitment Gets Project Proposal Withdrawn </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=159</link>
<description>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer has been working with Assemblyman&nbsp;Adriano Espaillat,State Senator Eric Schneiderman, Councilman Miguel Martinez and a number of community groups to oppose a proposed construction project of a 19-story tower at 37 Hillside Avenue in Washington Heights. The scale of such a building is not in character with the neighborhood and the project was developed without consultation of the affected community.]]>
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<title>New Legislation to Increase Penalties on Dangerous Drivers</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=255</link>
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 Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, along with State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh, members of Transportation Alternatives and the families of two young children &#8211; Hayley Ng, 4, and Diego Martinez, 3, who were killed by a delivery van in Chinatown in January, announced on Thursday&nbsp;new legislation that increases penalties on dangerous drivers.]]>
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<title>For a West End Avenue Historic District </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=156</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Borough President Stringer, along with the West End Preservation Society (WEPS) and other Upper West Side elected officials, hosted a town hall dedicated to the proposed West End Avenue Historic District.&nbsp;&nbsp;WEPS submitted a Request for Evaluation to the Landmarks Commission earlier this year, and Borough President Stringer, along with several other elected officials, urged the Landmarks Preservation Commission to calendar a hearing on this deserving proposal.&nbsp; The designation of such an historic district would help preserve the character of this architecturally and historically significant area.&nbsp; The Director of the Historic Preservation Program at Columbia University, Professor Andrew Dolkart, gave an enlightening presentation on the merits of the proposal and was joined by other preservationists who agree that the City should act now to preserve West End Avenue.&nbsp; Attendees were encouraged to write letters of support to the Landmarks Preservation Commission.]]>
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<title>Borough President Honors 2008-2009 Community Planning Fellows </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=155</link>
<description>
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At a ceremony held at his downtown office, Manhattan Borough President Stringer celebrated the third successful year of the Manhattan Borough President Community Planning Fellowship Program by presenting each student participant with a Certificate of Recognition to honor them for their work on behalf of Manhattan community boards.&nbsp; This year’s participants were among the best graduate students from New York City’s planning schools and their contributions exemplified the role they will continue to play as planning professionals.&nbsp; An Open House for the program Fourth year, starting next September, will be held at the Borough President’s Office &nbsp;located on 1 Centre Avenue, 19th floor this&nbsp;Wednesday, May 20th. For more information or to RSVP, email fellowship@Manhattanbp.org. ]]>
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<title>History Quiz #14</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=154</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

PHOTO: When this subway line first opened in the early 20th century it looked more like Lewis and Clark’s path through the wilderness than the bustling transit route it would one day become. The line’s role as a lifeline for urban immigrant communities earned it a designation as a National Millennium Trail in 1999.
&nbsp;
QUESTION:
&nbsp;
In 1999 the White House designated 16 iconic American routes as National Millennium Trails. The list included Lewis and Clark’s cross-country path to the Pacific, the Iditarod dogsled course, and the Underground Railroad. Surprisingly, a Queens subway line also made the list. This line is often called the “International Express” because of the ethnic diversity of its riders. What subway line is it?
&nbsp;
A. The F Line
B. The L Line
C. The N Line
D. The No. 7 Line
&nbsp;
For the answer, click on "Full Entry"]]>
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<title>No Time to be Sick </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=153</link>
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With the threat of a swine flu pandemic, some schools were closed and health experts told parents to keep sick children home.&nbsp; But what do you do when you have a job where you don’t have any paid sick days for yourself, much less paid days off to care for a sick child?&nbsp; For too many people, staying home means loss of pay, and maybe even their jobs, an unacceptable risk in the current economy. 
&nbsp;
According to a 2008 Community Service Society (CSS) survey, 69 per cent of poor public school parents -- those who can least afford to go for a few days without pay -- have no paid sick days. Overall, an estimated 900,000 workers in the city do not have paid sick leave, including tens of thousands of free-lancers, contract and low-wage workers.
&nbsp;
New Yorkers want to fix that. &nbsp;More than three out of four of those surveyed by CSS said there should be a law that requires employers to giver workers at least seven paid sick days a year.
&nbsp;
Congress is considering a bill, the Healthy Families Act, that would mandate paid sick days for workers.&nbsp; But New Yorkers do not have to wait for Congress to&nbsp;act. New York City can follow the lead of San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Milwaukee and pass a local law right now that would enable all workers to earn paid sick days.
&nbsp;
Why wait until the fall flu season returns with a vengeance at the start of the new school year to provide protection for working families? Making sure workers can afford stay home to recover or care for their children without losing a paycheck is not only good policy, it is good common sense.&nbsp;&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=152</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[


Manhattan Calling&nbsp;(New York Times) As rents continue to decline, long time outer borough tenants are finding better deals and more desirable neighborhoods in Manhattan.
&nbsp;
NYHousingSearch.gov&nbsp;(DHCR) The New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) has launched a free on-line housing listing and locator service for affordable, special needs, and accessible housing throughout New York State.&nbsp; In addition to the new website, DHCR offers these same services through a toll-free, bilingual call center at 1-877-428-8844 M-F from 9am-8pm.
&nbsp;
'We have to' charge working homeless rent, says Mayor Bloomberg&nbsp;(NY Daily News) The City has announced plans to collect rent from some homeless shelter dwellers in New York.&nbsp; Borough President Stringer has called the proposal a shocking policy that will hurt the homeless.
&nbsp;
Buyers and developers stack up lenders to guarantee deals&nbsp;(The Real Deal)&nbsp;The Real Deal reports that prospective apartment buyers and building developers are filing multiple mortgage applications due to the uncertainty in the banking industry. ]]>
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<title>BP Stringer, CM Garodnick Join Parents, Students, at Dedication Ceremony for New &#8220;Green&#8221; Roof Science Center at Manhattan&#8217;s PS 6 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=151</link>
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Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Council Member Dan Garodnick, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, parents, students and teachers at Manhattan’s PS 6 for a ceremony dedicating the future “green” roof science center for the school.&nbsp; The $1.4 million state-of-the art center will feature a greenhouse, solar panels, composting center, weather station, picnic area, outdoor classroom, turtle pond, and individual planting zones for each grade.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
The center will be named for former PS6 science teacher Eric Dutt. Borough President Stringer provided $400,000 through his Capital budget, and Council Member Garodnick allocated $550,000 in Capital funds towards the construction of the project. In addition to government funding, the PS 6 alumni foundation and current PS 6 parents have raised $200,000 for the project, while PS 6 students have helped raise additional money through the sale of energy-conserving light bulbs and other eco-friendly products.
&nbsp;
Other participants in the project have included students from the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Peter Wilcox of the architectural firm The Downtown Group, and the Durst Corporation.
&nbsp;
The project will begin construction as soon as school ends this summer and is scheduled to be completed in September.
&nbsp;
You can read the NY-1 News story here.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Report from the Community: District 10 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=150</link>
<description>
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Central Harlem has been coming together to heal following the tragedies of the past year. Last year's summer season was marred by rampant gun violence, which began with a shooting spree Memorial Day weekend and the killing of a 13-year-old boy shortly after Labor Day.
&nbsp;
In the midst of all this pain, the community has stayed strong and resilient, fighting back to rebuild the Village of Harlem. Organizations like Harlem Mother’s SAVE, Street Corner Resources, and Harlem Clergy and Community Leaders’ Coalition have taken it upon themselves to help derail youth from the gun culture that claims eight young lives daily around the country.
&nbsp;
The Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer recently attended a rally on April 28th hosted by Jackie Rowe-Adams'&nbsp;Harlem Mothers Stop Another Violent End (SAVE), where he spoke out against the senseless shooting of Christopher "Booba" Owens on April 26th. The Manhattan Borough President's Office is working with community organizations like Harlem Mothers SAVE, the 28th and 32nd police precincts, and local elected officials to ensure that this summer in Central Harlem is safe for the neighborhood's young people.]]>
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<title>History Quiz #13 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=149</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

PHOTO CAPTION: Opening day of the&nbsp;Harlem River&nbsp;Ship Canal in 1895. The canal severed off the northernmost tip of Manhattan Island. Later that tip would be joined to the Bronx by landfill, but would legally remain part of the Borough of Manhattan.
&nbsp;
QUESTION:
&nbsp;
It is often claimed that the only New York City borough on the United States mainland is the Bronx. That is not strictly true. There is a piece of the Borough of Manhattan measuring about 52 acres in size that is also attached to the continental U.S.
&nbsp;
Originally this parcel of real estate comprised the northernmost tip of Manhattan Island.&nbsp;&nbsp;A&nbsp;shallow&nbsp;waterway known as the Spuyten Duyvil Creek looped around its eastern, northern and western sides, separating&nbsp;it from the&nbsp;mainland&nbsp;(today's Bronx). In 1895&nbsp;the Harlem River&nbsp;Ship Canal was dug across the southern edge of the area, making&nbsp;the little&nbsp;district&nbsp;an island unto itself. Then, around 1913, the Spuyten Duyvil Creek was filled in,&nbsp;and this&nbsp;onetime piece of&nbsp;Manhattan Island became firmly affixed to the&nbsp;Bronx. 
&nbsp;
Despite all the canal-digging and land-filling, this parcel of&nbsp;land&nbsp;remained legally part of the Borough of Manhattan, not the Bronx.&nbsp;What is the name of this unusual little piece of Manhattan?
&nbsp;
A. Inwood
B. City Island
C. Kingsbridge
D. Marble Hill
&nbsp;
NOTE: The jurisdictional status of this&nbsp;small geopolitical anomaly was seriously challenged&nbsp;in 1984 during the course of an otherwise unremarkable&nbsp;murder trial. On Wednesday, May 13th, I will examine the startling but little known ruling that&nbsp;came out of that case in a free public&nbsp;lecture titled "People v. Boyd: The Murder Trial That Nearly Redrew the Map of New York City." Please join me. (New York Public Library, Fifth Ave. &amp; 42nd St., room 227; use 42nd St. entrance; 5:30p reception, 6:00p program; please RSVP to Ilene_Kaplowitz@nypl.org)
&nbsp;
For the answer, click on "Full Entry"]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=148</link>
<description>
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Any place left for middle class housing?&nbsp;(Downtown Express) Members of Community Board 1 found only 4,600 rent regulated units in 16 buildings south of Canal Street.&nbsp; The article goes on to describe the respective situations at three Lower Manhattan developments and the need for new affordable housing downtown.
&nbsp;
Rent Regulation Chief: System Needs ‘Wholesale Reform,’ Rent Tax&nbsp;(New York Observer)&nbsp;Rent Guidelines Board Chairman Marvin Markus proposed a number of changes to the existing system, including a rent tax to assist middle income tenants who can’t afford rent increases, and noted that luxury decontrol is “probably the most irrational piece of the existing construct.”
&nbsp;
Focused on quality of life, HPD tracks over-leveraged apartments&nbsp;(The Real Deal)&nbsp;HPD is defining multi-family buildings with debt load to rent roll ratios of 7:1 as over-leveraged.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
Once ‘Very Good Rent Payers’ Now Facing Eviction&nbsp;(New York Times) The Times reports an uptick in the number of middle-income renters facing eviction.
&nbsp;
Rent Guidelines Board approves preliminary rent hikes&nbsp;(NY Daily News) Public members of the Rent Guidelines Board proposed and approved a preliminary rent increase of 2 – 4.5% for one year leases and 4 – 7.5% for two year leases.&nbsp; A final vote will be held in June. ]]>
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<title>Go Green: Grand Central and Green Schools Alliance </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=147</link>
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<![CDATA[

Photo Credit: Carol M. Highsmith
&nbsp;
Out with the old and in with the Green at Grand Central&nbsp;(NY Times)&nbsp;Grand Central Terminal&nbsp;has completed its green transition from incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent lighting. As of Tuesday, the Grand Central finished changing the 4,000 or so light bulbs in its public spaces. Because fluorescent lighting is both energy and cost efficient, it is estimated that nearly $200,000 a year will be saved because of this switch in bulbs. 
&nbsp;
Green Schools Alliance celebrating Earth Day in the city&nbsp;(Green Schools) Earlier last month, over 100 NYC schools, students, and community members in the&nbsp;Green School Alliance, attended the first&nbsp;Green School Conference held in the city. With a focus on incorporating sustainable practices into the school environment, the conference featured workshops giving students a better idea of what “being green” meant. Some of the topics covered included how to measure a school’s carbon footprint, how to use green technology in the classroom, and how school lunches can be more sustainable for the environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Green School Alliance is a program of the non profit,&nbsp;Global Environmental Options&nbsp;for both primary and secondary students in public and private schools. Interested in learning more about the GSA? Explore their website and find out about their events for the summer.]]>
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<title>Report from the Community: District 8 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=146</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Last week nearly two hundred and fifty Upper East Side residents joined Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer and Council Member Jessica Lappin for a Town Hall meeting held at the NY Blood Center.&nbsp; The event was co-sponsored by east side elected officials and Community Board 8, and was attended by several City agencies.
&nbsp;
Among the concerns shared by the community were the&nbsp;overcrowded classrooms in&nbsp;neighborhood schools,&nbsp;the threat to our water supply presented by proposals to drill for natural gas near our upstate watershed&nbsp;, and the potential loss of Ruppert Playground Park. Also discussed were several quality of life issues, all well addressed by agency representatives from the NYPD’s&nbsp;19th Precinct,&nbsp;Department of Transportation, and&nbsp;Department of Sanitation, among several others...]]>
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<title>Borough President Stringer Proposes New &#8220;Foodstat&#8221; For Measuring Unhealthy Retail Food Environment In Different City Neighborhoods</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=145</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

An East Harlem neighborhood plagued by exploding rates of obesity and diabetes has more than 4 fast food restaurants or bodegas on its streets for each supermarket or produce vendor.&nbsp; In the neighboring Upper East Side, where retail food choices are twice as healthy as in East Harlem, the percentage of residents who are obese or overweight (36 percent) is approximately half that of the population of East Harlem (69 percent).
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, who released these findings in a study issued by his office, said that it is time for New York City to directly address large discrepancies in the retail food environments in different neighborhoods.&nbsp; To that end, the Borough President called on the&nbsp;New York City Department of Health to create a &#8220;FoodStat&#8221; for every city neighborhood.
&#8220;Just as we measure the air quality of different neighborhoods,&#8221; said Borough President Stringer, &#8220;we should measure the quality of a neighborhood&#8217;s retail food environment.&nbsp; Both have a direct effect on health.&nbsp; And both can be improved through smart city planning.&nbsp; Food policy is the new environmental policy, especially in our cities.&#8221;
FoodStat is a statistic that measures the availability of healthy food choices in a neighborhood.&nbsp; The FoodStat ratio is constructed by dividing the number of unhealthy retail food options (fast food restaurants, bodegas) by the number of healthy options (supermarkets and produce vendors).&nbsp; The higher the FoodStat number, the poorer the food landscape, and the harder it is for residents to find retailers selling fruits, vegetables and other healthy food. You can read related news stories in the&nbsp;New York Post and El Diario. ]]>
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<title>History Quiz #12</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=144</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[







IMAGE CAPTION: Alexander Hamilton (c.1755 - 1804) was an artillery officer, statesman, Founding Father and newspaperman, among other things. Painting by John Trumbull.
QUESTION:
&nbsp;
Founding Father Alexander Hamilton has been called the quintessential New Yorker. He came here as an immigrant from the Caribbean when he was a young man and stayed loyal to the city all his life. While attending today’s Columbia University, he joined George Washington’s army to defend the city during the Revolution. After the war, he was one of the masterminds behind the U.S. Constitution, and he served as the nation’s first Secretary of the Treasury. One of the many enduring pieces of Hamilton’s&nbsp;legacy is the New York City newspaper he founded with a circle of associates&nbsp;in 1801 that is still going strong. What is the name of that paper? 
&nbsp;
A. The Wall Street Journal
B. The New York Daily News
C. The New York Post
D. The New York Times
&nbsp;
For the answer, click on "Full Entry"]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=142</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Landlords will pay the “green”&nbsp;(NY Post) The New York Post reports that because building retro-fits proposed by Mayor Bloomberg will pay for themselves over five years or less, land lords will not have to pass on the costs of these projects to rent regulated tenants.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
Pending court case ties landlords in knots&nbsp;(Crain’s) With a final resolution of the Roberts v. Tishman Speyer case in limbo at least until Autumn, landlords and tenants are figuring out how to proceed in a climate of uncertainty. 
&nbsp;
As Incomes Fall, Rent and Insurance Increasingly Devour NYC&nbsp;(Gothamist) A recent study indicates that over 27% of New Yorkers are paying over half of their income on rent. 
&nbsp;
NYC less green than most&nbsp;(Crain’s) The Center for an Urban Future reports that New York City trails other large U.S. cities when it comes to the number of LEED certified buildings.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
The Decline in Affordable Housing in New York City&nbsp;(State Comptrollers Office) A policy memo released by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office indicates that affordable housing in New York City is continuing to decline.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>West Street Bus Update </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=143</link>
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<![CDATA[
On April 24, 2009, nine days after the community first learned of the plan, the&nbsp;Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it was scrapping a plan to relocate commuter and tour buses from under the FDR Drive to West Street between Canal Street and Harrison Street.
&nbsp;
The announcement that the plan had been shelved came shortly after Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer held a rally on April 22, 2009 with Tribeca residents.&nbsp; At the rally the Borough President and the community called on DOT to propose alternative sites and consult the community before publicly proposing a plan in the future.
&nbsp;
In a statement Commissioner Sadik-Khan pledged, “We will work with the community and elected leaders in the coming weeks to find new alternatives that meet the project’s needs while having the least impact on the surrounding neighborhood.”
&nbsp;
The tour and commuter buses must relocate from under to the FDR Drive to allow construction of the East River Esplanade to begin. Meetings are currently being scheduled to work with the community to find alternative sites which fit the needs of the community and DOT.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Speaker Sheldon Silver And Manhattan BP Scott Stringer Announce Free Cooking Oil Recycling Program For Local Restaurants </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=141</link>
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<![CDATA[


On April 24th, New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer joined Niki Russ Federman, owner of&nbsp;Russ&nbsp;&amp; Daughters at 179 East Houston Street on the Lower East Side for the restaurant’s first pickup of used cooking oil that will be turned into biodiesel fuel through the Go Green!&nbsp;Cooking Oil Recycling Program. Doe Fund Founder and President, George T. McDonald and&nbsp;Ecology Center Program Director, Tara DePort also participated in the event. 
&nbsp;
Under the recycling program, restaurants are provided with a container that can hold 5, 30 or 55 gallons of used oil; the oil is picked up free of charge by RWA Resource Recovery, a program of The Doe Fund that employs formerly homeless or incarcerated individuals. Once picked up the oil is sold to producers who convert it into biodiesel, fuel that can be used in any diesel engine and which emits less carbon dioxide and asthma-inducing particulates than regular diesel fuel.
&nbsp;
With the help of Speaker Silver, New York State also provides tax credits for those who use biodiesel and those who produce it.&nbsp; For users of biodiesel, New York State tax credits can be as high as 20 cents per gallon. For those who produce the converted biodiesel, credits can be as high as 15 cents per gallon. These exemptions add a financial incentive to work toward a greener planet.
&nbsp;
The cooking oil recycling program will be expanded to the neighborhoods of East Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood in Manhattan over the next few weeks. ]]>
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<title>Go Green Lower East Side Celebrates Earth Week </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=140</link>
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<![CDATA[
On April 25, Borough President Stringer and hundreds of Lower East Side residents celebrated Go Green Lower East Side Earth Day.&nbsp; Held on the Allen Street mall on a gorgeous 85 degrees afternoon and with the tunes of the Rude Mechanical Orchestra on the background, the event offered plenty of options to educate Lower East Side residents on how to green their neighborhood. Borough President Stringer discussed environmental concerns with residents and shared with them simple ways to get involved with the green movement.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) distributed to attendees free Compact Florescent Light (CFL) bulbs that reduce home energy costs.&nbsp;Times UP! provided free bike tune ups and helmet fittings to make bicycle transportation safe as well as environmentally friendly.&nbsp;&nbsp;Greenmarket displayed cooking demonstrations and the Hester Street Collaborative presented its work on transit corridors in the neighborhood.&nbsp; The LES Bid, Greenmap, and the&nbsp;LES Girls Club handed out literature on ways to get involved with their environmental initiatives and the&nbsp;Manhattan Rickshaw Company provided free pedicab service to attendees of the event.
&nbsp;
Go Green is a comprehensive initiative of Borough President Scott M. Stringer, aimed at helping communities achieve environmental equity in their neighborhoods. The effort is focused on six core areas: public health and asthma, parks and open space, sustainable business, farmers markets and healthy eating, green building, and transportation.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Harlem School Pride Parade </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=195</link>
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<![CDATA[
Education was on parade in Harlem as parents, educators and students took to the streets to showcase the neighborhood’s schools at the first ever Harlem School Pride Parade and Fair.
More than a thousand proud parents and students representing 50 Harlem public schools and elected officials, including President Stringer, state senators, assembly and council members and United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, marched up Seventh Avenue to celebrate local schools, educators and student achievements.
The festivities started with a parade that ran north on Seventh Avenue from 126th Street to the schoolyard of Public School 92 on 134th Street and Eighth Avenue.
Following the parade, families and the community members had the chance to meet and talk with elected officials, community leaders and school representatives about their schools and the many programs and resources available in Harlem.
“Harlem’s schools have a great deal to offer,” said Borough President&nbsp;Stringer. “Our parade and fair — in addition to being fun — will help parents learn about everything that is available.” 
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>History Quiz #11</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=139</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[






Photo Caption: In 1948, the United States Post Office issued a five-cent airmail stamp to mark the 50th anniversary of the consolidation of the five boroughs and the debut of today's JFK airport. The stamp featured the Golden Jubilee logo with a ring of airplanes.
QUESTION:
&nbsp;
In 1948 the City of New York commemorated the 50th anniversary of the consolidation of the five boroughs with a summer-long gala known as the Golden Jubilee. This little-remembered celebration consisted of three major elements: a parade down Fifth Avenue, an exposition held at the Grand Central Palace (the city's pre-Coliseum exposition hall), and an international air show.
&nbsp;
To learn all about the Jubilee, please join me for a free multimedia lecture titled&nbsp;"When the City Celebrated Itself: The NYC Golden Jubilee of 1948" that I will present at the New-York Historical Society on Wednesday, April 29th. 
&nbsp;
The Jubilee's air show served as a coming out party for the airport that would later be rechristened for slain president John F. Kennedy. Before that renaming, today's JFK Airport had been known by several other designations. Which one of the following names was NEVER applied to the airport?
&nbsp;
A. New York International Airport
B. Mitchel Airfield
C. Idlewild Airport
D. Major General Alexander E. Anderson Airport
&nbsp;
For the answer, click on "Full Entry."]]>
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<title>Increasing Parental Involvement</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=138</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Those who want to dilute accountability in the public school system are dead wrong. But those who say that the current system too often shuts out the voices of parents are onto something. 
&nbsp;
As Albany considers adjustments to mayoral control, it must answer the legitimate concerns of many parents - without weakening the mayor's fundamental authority to make policy decisions and run the schools day to day. 
&nbsp;
Here's how: rethinking the way the city's 32 Community Education Councils, or CECs, work...]]>
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<title>LGBTQ Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=137</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[






Photo credit: NY Times
&nbsp;Lit Critics Who Peer Under the Covers&nbsp;(NY Times) One of the founders of queer studies, a theorist and professor at the City University of New York, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, died this week. Ms. Sedgwick argued that assigned categories like “homosexual” and “heterosexual,” not to mention “male” and “female,” don’t begin to capture reality. Sexual desire and sexual identity exist on a continuum, spilling over the neat labels we create to contain them. She asserted, the failure to openly acknowledge these flawed definitions impairs “an understanding of virtually any aspect of Western culture.”
&nbsp;
New York Same Sex Marriage Bill&nbsp;(CNN) Advocates and elected officials from all across New York came together on Thursday, April 16th to stand with Governor Paterson when he announced his support for the marriage equality bill in the state legislature. This announcement marks renewed will to pass the bill. Assemblymember Danny O’Donnell and State Senator Tom Duane sponsor the bills in the NYS Assembly and Senate, respectively.
&nbsp;
FIERCE Presses Open Space&nbsp;(Gay City News)&nbsp;LGBTQ community group, FIERCE, spoke at Manhattan Community Board 2 Waterfront Committee on April 13, advocating that public open space takes precedence over commercial development in Hudson River Park. Christopher Street pier has been considered a haven for the city’s LGBTQ community and FIERCE has long advocated that a youth center for queer youth should be established as part of the park’s redevelopment.]]>
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<title>Borough President and Community Rally Against Bus Parking Proposal </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=136</link>
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<![CDATA[

Borough President Stringer led a rally today with residents of Tribeca &nbsp;to protest a proposal from the Department of Transportation (DOT) that would move 20-30 commuter and tour buses that now park during the day under the FDR Drive to 7 blocks on West Street from Canal to Harrison.&nbsp; The plan would restrict access to local homes and businesses, increase traffic, lower air quality, and make it more difficult for residents to reach Hudson River Park...]]>
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<title>Report from the Community - District 6</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=135</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

As New Yorkers discuss ways to build a more sustainable future for our city, we often hear ideas for increasing conservation, education, and community involvement.&nbsp; While every step we take will bring us closer to our goal of a safer, healthier place to live and raise our families, the proposals that employ all three tactics deserve special recognition.&nbsp; And that’s exactly what has been given to Solar 2, set to replace and expand upon Solar One, the environmental center on the East Side of Manhattan at 23rd Street and FDR Drive. Solar 2 has been given the Holcim Award for sustainable construction...]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=134</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Suit Says Faulty Elevators in Public Housing Violate Rights of Tenants&nbsp;(NY Times) The New York Legal Assistance Group, with assistance from Borough President Stringer, has filed a class action lawsuit in federal court.&nbsp; The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to keep their elevators in working condition and make repairs in a timely fashion.&nbsp; The lawsuit is being filed on behalf of seven disabled NYCHA tenants who rely on properly working elevators to get to and from their apartments.
&nbsp;
Tribeca Tenants Sue Landlord Over Rent Hike&nbsp;(WNYC) Tenants at Independence Plaza, a former Mitchell-Lama rental building, are suing their landlord over rent increases that they believe should not have been enacted due to the building having had J-51 tax abatements that were originally set to expire in 2012.
&nbsp;
Developers may get extension on tax breaks&nbsp;(NY Daily News) The Daily News reports that the 421a program may be revived for developers who can demonstrate that their projects were delayed by foreclosure or a lack of financing.
&nbsp;
Battery Park City condo owners spikes in fees&nbsp;(Crain’s) Condo owners at a number of Battery Park City buildings are experiencing sharp increases in fees and are beginning to mobilize.]]>
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<title>History Quiz #10 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=133</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

PHOTO CAPTION: An honest-to-goodness amusement park -- complete with roller coasters, Ferris wheels, carousels, dance halls and shooting galleries -- once existed on Manhattan Island, perched over the Harlem River at Fort George. Image courtesy of the Old York Library Postcard Collection.
&nbsp;
QUESTION:
&nbsp;
The weather is beginning to turn pleasant, and -- with my apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson -- in the spring a Borough Historian's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of… defunct amusement parks! 
&nbsp;
These days, Coney Island, that lone, weatherworn survivor out on the edge of Brooklyn, gets all the attention. But, back in the day, there used to be lots of amusement parks throughout the five-borough region. There was even one in Manhattan, uptown in the neighborhood of Fort George -- not far from where Borough President Scott Stringer grew up, by the way. It was built around the turn of the last century but was destroyed in a spectacular blaze in 1913, long before young Scott arrived on the scene. Incredibly, this now forgotten five-acre fun park played a small but essential role in the development of today’s multi-billion dollar motion picture industry. What was the name of this Manhattan amusement park?
&nbsp;
A. North Beach
B. Freedomland
C. Luna Park
D. Paradise Park
&nbsp;
For the answer, click on "Full Entry"]]>
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<title>Marriage Equality Legislation </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=132</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
This is not an LGBT issue; it is a question of civil rights. At this pivotal time in the movement for marriage equality, we cannot leave it to other states to set the standard for equal rights for LGBT Americans. New York stands up for the rights of all its citizens; it is time for our law to reflect that commitment.]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=131</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Developer says junior lender blocking foreclosure&nbsp;(Crain’s) Legal entanglements are further complicating the situation at Riverton Houses which is being closely watched by housing advocates citywide as the first of the so called “predatory equity” deals to collapse.
&nbsp;
Appeals Court Will Hear Stuy Town Dispute&nbsp;(Village Voice) A brief article in the Village Voice’s “Runnin Scared” blog alleges the continued de-regulation of certain units at Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village and makes mention of a letter sent to the State Department of Housing and Community Renewal by local elected officials, including Borough President Stringer.
&nbsp;
Townhouse market hit hard in Harlem (The Real Deal) Sales of townhouses citywide declined over 75% in the first quarter of 2009 when compared to the same time period one year ago.&nbsp; Median prices have also fallen by over 47%.&nbsp; This article attributes this steep slowdown, in part, to a decline in Harlem townhouse sales. 
&nbsp;
NY Green Housing hits DC Red Light&nbsp;(New York Post)&nbsp;An initiative announced sixteen months ago which would reduce energy consumption attributed to aging buildings and infrastructure at Public Housing Developments remains stalled and is awaiting approval by the Department of Housing and Urban Renewal (HUD).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Command and Decontrol: The Movement for Repeal (City Limits) City Limits details the positions of tenant advocates and building owners in an article on pending legislation before the New York State Senate that would reverse long standing provisions of City and State housing statutes, including the repeal of vacancy decontrol.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Manhattan Map #5 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=130</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

The map above is the Street Alteration Map for the Stuyvesant Town Development. &nbsp;The map dated July 26 1945 shows the elimination of several streets bounded by First Avenue, East 20th Street, Avenue C and East 14th Street.&nbsp; This map shows the legal width of the Street as well as the property lines of the block.
&nbsp;
Click on the map for street-level detail.]]>
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<title>Report from the Community - District 5</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=129</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Community Board 5, in conjunction with Community Boards 1, 2, 3 and 4, recently co-hosted a very successful forum on the state of small to mid-sized theatres in Manhattan.&nbsp; Borough President Scott Stringer attended the event and spoke to the importance of maintaining a strong theatre community, particularly as it adds to the cultural and artistic diversity of New York City....
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Education Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=128</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Plan to Change Student Lending Sets Up a Fight&nbsp;(New York Times) The private student lending industry and its allies in Congress are maneuvering to thwart a plan by President Obama to end a subsidized loan program and redirect billions of dollars in bank profits to scholarships for needy students.
&nbsp;
Recession Stalls State-Financed Pre-Kindergarten, but Federal Money May Help&nbsp;(New York Times) One of the most drastic expansions of public education in recent American history unfolded quietly in this decade, as dozens of states added free pre-kindergarten classes to their traditional kindergarten to high school offerings.
&nbsp;
Report Envisions Shortage of Teachers as Retirements Escalate&nbsp;(New York Times) Over the next four years, more than a third of the nation’s 3.2 million teachers could retire, depriving classrooms of experienced instructors and straining taxpayer-financed retirement systems, according to a new report.
&nbsp;
School lotteries classless, say shrinks&nbsp;(Daily News) As thousands of parents and kids cram auditoriums hoping to beat the lottery odds and win seats in the city's coveted charter schools, experts are questioning the wisdom of holding public drawings.
&nbsp;
School system keeps us in dark – parents&nbsp;(Daily News) Parents and advocates say they are shut out of information allowing them to keep tabs on how the mayor's management of the school system is working.]]>
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<title>Economic Development Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=127</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Shining a light on loan to own&nbsp;(The Real Deal)&nbsp;Lenders offer money at higher rates, increasing chances of default and foreclosure.
&nbsp;
Schumer Warns Against Predatory Lenders&nbsp;(NY1) Senator Charles Schumer told homeowners Saturday to look out for predatory lenders before they refinance. 
&nbsp;
Mayor Bloomberg Outlines 11 Initiatives to Support New York City's Financial Services Sector and Encourage Entrepreneurial Activity&nbsp;(NYC EDC) The initiatives outlined are aimed at retaining and expanding the cluster of businesses and institutions that have made the City the global financial services capital, while simultaneously fostering new ideas that will keep the City competitive for decades to come.
&nbsp;
Mayor Bloomberg Announces New Initiatives To Help New York City Nonprofits Cope With Cash Crunch As A Result Of The Economic Downturn&nbsp;(Mayor’s Office)&nbsp;Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today outlined new initiatives to help New York City’s more than 40,000 cultural, health and social service nonprofit organizations survive the economic downturn. ]]>
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<title>History Quiz #9</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=126</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[






Crossing the North River by ferry. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
QUESTION: 
&nbsp;
Say you find an old family scrapbook in the attic. Inside the book is a postcard that your great grandfather wrote&nbsp;during a&nbsp;visit to New York City over a century ago. Some stops on his&nbsp;sightseeing itinerary&nbsp;might sound puzzling. He writes about taking a carriage ride to Longacre Square. He also describes&nbsp;hopping on a ferry to cross the North River. And he tells of strolling up the Boulevard. If you wanted to&nbsp;revisit great granddad's stops, where would you go today?
&nbsp;
A. Union Square, the East River, and Fifth Avenue
B. Herald Square, the Harlem River, and 14th Street
C. Times Square, the Hudson River, and Broadway
&nbsp;
For the answers, click on "Full Entry"]]>
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<title>Go Green: Empire State Building</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=125</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[






Photo Credit:&nbsp;Sailesh Mahadevan
The&nbsp;New York Times reports that the Empire State Building is going green. Owners of the building plan on adding an additional $20 million to the $500 million renovation to reduce the buildings energy use by 38 percent a year by 2013, at an annual savings of $4.4 million. Anthony E. Malkin, president of Wien &amp; Malkin, which supervises the building on behalf of the owners, the Malkin family and the Helmsley estate, said that upfront costs are often a deterrent for retrofitting older buildings, but the energy savings for the building , built in 1931, are expected to pay back those costs in only about three years. ]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=124</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

"Snowy Trattoria"&nbsp;by Robert Schultheis]]>
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<title>Report from The Community &#8211; District 4 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=123</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

On March 31st, the City Council’s Committee on Zoning and Franchises had a hearing regarding the Eastern Rail Yards text amendments. The proposed text amendment would site a residential building in the southwest quadrant of the Eastern Yard, remove the ground-floor retail requirement from the community facility building, and eliminate required parking for development in the Eastern Rail Yard while establishing controls for permitted accessory parking. In order to allow these changes, the City must amend four sections of the Zoning Resolution. 
&nbsp;
Representatives of Community Board 4, area residents, and supporters of the&nbsp;High Line, many wearing red “Save the High Line” T-shirts, testified at the hearing.
&nbsp;
Borough President Stringer’s testimony, which was delivered by Mike Kent, his urban planner for the area, stated...]]>
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<title>LGBTQ Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=122</link>
<description>
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<title>Housing Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=121</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Residents of 3333 Broadway Face Two Worlds&nbsp;(Columbia Spectator) The Columbia Spectator reports on differences in the quality of market rate and affordable units at a massive multi-family building in Harlem.
&nbsp;
Manhattan condo sales plummet&nbsp;(Crain’s) Three reports issued last Thursday describe a sharp decline in condo sales across the Borough.
&nbsp;
Relying on receivers again&nbsp;(The Real Deal) The Real Deal examines the increase in receiverships in multi-family buildings across the borough that have been unable to meet mortgage and other financial obligations.
&nbsp;
Stuyvesant Town’s Landlord Can Appeal Ruling on Rents&nbsp;(New York Times) The Owners of Stuyvesant Town have received permission to appeal the recent March 5 ruling on J-51 tax abatements and rent regulated tenants in the New York State Court of Appeals.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Education Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=120</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Education Stimulus Funds&nbsp;(New York Times) Secretary of Education Arne Duncan told the nation’s governors on Wednesday that in exchange for billions of dollars in federal education aid provided under the economic stimulus law, he wants new information about the performance of their public schools, much of which could be embarrassing.
&nbsp;
Education’s Odd Couple Do Their Act, and Provoke Controversy&nbsp;(New York Times) Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein and the Rev. Al Sharpton, co-sponsored a conference of the Education Equality Project.
&nbsp;
Schools’ System Keeps Us In The Dark&nbsp;(Daily News) Parents and advocates say they are shut out of information allowing them to keep tabs on how the mayor's management of the school system is working.
&nbsp;
The Cost of Day Care and Agonizing Choices&nbsp;(Daily News) Cost of daycare forced mom's agonizing choice: Sent baby to China till he was old enough for school.
&nbsp;
Moving 5-year olds in ACS centers to DOE kindergarten&nbsp;(Daily News) Supposedly money-saving day care closings will set city back $7M, study shows.]]>
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<title>Economic Development Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=119</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
A look at retail vacancies by neighborhood&nbsp;(The Real Deal) The Real Deal examined the state of retail in five of the most heavily trafficked shopping areas in Manhattan —125th Street, the Upper East Side's Madison Avenue, the Lower East Side, the Financial District and the Meatpacking District — to see how each is weathering the economic downturn, and found that each district has its own unique set of challenges, from worker layoffs in the Financial District to Madison Avenue shoppers burned by the Madoff Ponzi scheme.
&nbsp;
Small Business: Suffering in Good Times and Bad&nbsp;(Gotham Gazette) You only have to walk along any city commercial strip to notice the myriad of "for rent" signs. They are popping up on storefronts across New York, as merchants of all types struggle to survive. The faltering economy deserves some of the blame, but many small business owners maintain the uptick in those signs preceded the current fiscal crisis. 
&nbsp;
Protesters March on Wall Street&nbsp;(NY1) Thousands of protesters marched in Manhattan for the second day in a row on Wall Street today, to call for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and for more government aid for struggling working people.
&nbsp;



Department of Labor Promotes Career Web Site for Workers of the Future: Educators Urged To Use CareerZone Web Site to Guide Students into Rewarding Careers&nbsp;(NYS Dept of Labor Website) At a news conference at Niagara Falls High School on April 3rd, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith promoted CareerZone, the department’s award-winning online career development tool. The web site, at www.nycareerzone.org, was recently redesigned and features a special Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) portal for students to explore careers that are expected to be in high demand.]]>
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<title>And the Emmy Goes To... </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=118</link>
<description>
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<title>History Quiz #7 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=117</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

This baseball club would&nbsp;one day&nbsp;become world famous as the Brooklyn Dodgers. But in 1889, when this photo was taken,&nbsp;they were known by another name. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
&nbsp;
Baseball season is nearly upon us, so let’s talk about the national pastime. New York City is currently home to The Yankees and Mets. At one time we also hosted The New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers. Now, the youngest of the four teams, The Mets, who first took the field in 1962, have always been called The Mets. But the other three clubs had various other names in their formative years. Match The Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers to their earlier team names.
&nbsp;
A. The Gothams
B. The Highlanders 
C. The Bridegrooms
&nbsp;
For the answers, Click of "Full Entry"]]>
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<title>Go Green: What Concrete Jungle?</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=116</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

New Yorkers have yet another reason to love living in the Big Apple. With the variety of transportation options and compact housing available, cities on the whole are more energy efficient than its suburban neighbors. According to a 2008 Brookings survey, this adds up to...]]>
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<title>Sitcom Map of Manhattan (and, ok, the rest of NYC) </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=115</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
&nbsp;


This map shows, more or less, the primary locations of sitcoms set in New York City. It is not in the collection of the Manhattan Borough President's Office, but rather a creation of cartoonist&nbsp;Dan Meth.
&nbsp;
This is not the same as shows actually shot in New York City,as the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting will tell you. 
&nbsp;
The 15 current primetime TV shows filmed in New York...]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=114</link>
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Activists demonstrated outside an unoccupied former bank building in East Harlem this month. Photos by Jarrett Murphy for City Limits&nbsp;The full story of one empty building (City Limits) A look at city-owned vacant buildings and vacant lots, with mentions of the Borough President’s “No Vacancy” report and legislation passed in partnership with Senator Jose Serrano to tax vacant properties north of 110th street at the same rate as vacant properties south of 110th street.&nbsp; 
Council extends rent stabilization (Gotham Gazette) The New York City Council voted 48-2 to extend rent regulations in New York City for three years until April 1, 2012.
Evictions show surprising drop (The Real Deal) Holdover cases (when landlords seek to evict tenants for reasons other than their not paying rent) are continuing to drop in Manhattan, a reported consequence of the weakening housing market.&nbsp; 
White gloves off? (New York Observer) As the housing market continues to soften, some fear that New York renters will steer clear of amenities such as door man buildings.
Why are these renters smiling? (New York Times) A look at falling rental rates in Manhattan and the outer boroughs.&nbsp; 
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<title>Education Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=113</link>
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Give parents more power on school boards, says Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer&nbsp;(Daily News) Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer outlined proposed state legislation aimed at addressing growing complaints that parents have been denied a significant voice since Mayor Bloomberg took control of the schools nearly seven years ago.
Obama administration backs mayoral control of NYC schools&nbsp;(New York Post) President Obama's education czar is urging Albany to keep Mayor Bloomberg in control of New York City's schools -- citing "real progress" under Hizzoner and his handpicked chancellor, Joel Klein.
Paying in full as the ticket into colleges&nbsp;(New York Times) Facing fallen endowments and needier students, many colleges are looking more favorably on wealthier applicants as they make their admissions decisions this year.
Bloomberg to talk about mayoral control at high-level conference&nbsp;(New York Post) Mayoral control of schools will take center stage in the Big Apple next week, when several leaders in charge of their local school systems powwow with Mayor Bloomberg at a high-level education conference.
Parents fume as kids miss cut for top city high schools&nbsp;(Daily News) About 7,500 eighth-graders - including many with A averages - have been told they're not going to high school, at least not the ones they asked for.]]>
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<title>Report from The Community &#8211; District 3 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=110</link>
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Pre-Kindergarten applications due by April 3rd
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The 17 elementary schools of Community Education Council 1 all offer free pre-Kindergarten
There are two things unique about the school district of the Lower East Side and Chinatown. First, it is the only school district – officially called Community Education Council 1 (or CEC 1) – that more or less shares boundaries with a community district, community district 3. Second, it is the only school district in Manhattan that offers pre-Kindergarten in every one of its elementary schools. 
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Parents have the choice...]]>
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<title>Domestic Violence Task Force </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=112</link>
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“Living with the Enemy” Copyright 2009 Donna Ferrato/AbuseAware.com. This photograph was part of an exhibition last year at the Office of the Manhattan Borough President.
The news that 19-year-old recording artist Chris Brown was charged with assault against singer Rihanna, then 20 -- sending her to the hospital and him to a Los Angeles court on April 6 to be arraigned on two felony counts, assault and criminal threats – has brought the issue of domestic violence back into public consciousness. For the Manhattan Borough President Office’s Domestic Violence Task Force, it is an issue that never disappears.
In New York City alone, police responded to more than 600 incidents...]]>
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<title>Manhattan Community Board Appointments 2009 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=111</link>
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Click on the links below&nbsp;to find out the names of&nbsp; the members of&nbsp;each community board in Manhattan, including those reappointed and newly appointed this week. (Names in bold face are newly appointed)
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Community Board 1&nbsp;-- Lower Manhattan, TriBeCa, Financial District, Chinatown
Community Board 2&nbsp;-- Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown
Community Board 3&nbsp;-- East Village, Lower East Side, Chinatown
Community Board 4&nbsp;-- Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, Clinton, Midtown
Community Board 5&nbsp;-- Chelsea, Midtown, Flatiron
Community Board 6&nbsp;-- Stuyvesant Town, Murray Hill, Gramercy Park, Kips Pay, Sutton Place, Turtle Bay


Community Board 7&nbsp;-- Upper West Side, Manhattan Valley, Lincoln Center
Community Board 8&nbsp;-- Upper East Side, Lenox Hill, Yorkville, Roosevelt Island, Carnegie Hill
Community Board 9&nbsp;-- West Harlem including Morningside Heights, Manhattanville and Hamilton Heights
Community Board 10&nbsp;-- Central Harlem
Community Board 11&nbsp;-- East Harlem, Randall’s Island, Ward’s Island&nbsp;&nbsp;
Community Board 12&nbsp;-- Washington Heights&nbsp;and Inwood ]]>
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<title>Women's History Month Celebration -- Honoring Carolyn Maloney</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=109</link>
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Each year Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer sponsors a Women’s History Month celebration.&nbsp; This year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art provided an impressive backdrop to 2009’s celebration- opening the Cast in Bronze: French Sculpture from Renaissance to Revolution exhibition to hundreds of New Yorkers, while they toasted to the accomplishments of Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney...]]>
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<title>Federal Stimulus $ Comes To Manhattan </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=108</link>
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These are the transportation projects in Manhattan that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – the federal stimulus money, as announced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg: the reconstruction of West 125th Street and of East Houston Street, the rehabilitation of three roadway bridges, and then two projects that are partially in Manhattan. 
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The details...]]>
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<title>Economic Development Roundup -- Highest One-Month Jobless Leap </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=107</link>
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New York City jobless rate takes highest-ever one-month leap&nbsp;(New York Times) In the biggest jump in a single month on record, New York City’s unemployment rate leapt to 8.1 percent from 6.9 percent in February, the State Labor Department reported on Thursday.
City Hall hopes to revive East Harlem market&nbsp;(NY1) The NYC Economic Development Corporation will be seeking community input about the future of La Marqueta.
Federal stimulus dollars used to expand breadth of New York City’s Workforce Development Programs&nbsp;(Center for an Urban Future) Bolstered by $70 million in federal stimulus money, New York City’s workforce system finally turns toward training and career development.
New York Times announces salary cuts&nbsp;(NY Observer) The New York Times Company chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr and CEO Janet Robinson announced today that they are cutting the salaries of New York Times editors, as well as all employees on the corporate side by 5 percent through the end of December.]]>
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<title>Immigrants' Corner -- A DREAM (for undocumented students) and A Nightmare (the detention system) </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=106</link>
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Exciting news:&nbsp; The DREAM Act was introduced in Congress March 26, 2009.&nbsp; The bill has bipartisan support and would provide undocumented students who attend college with eligibility to apply for legal status and ultimately citizenship. 
Also on March 26th, Amnesty International released a new report entitled “Jailed Without Justice" providing a comprehensive critique of the failings of the U.S. immigrant detention system and recommending alternatives to detention]]>
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<title>Go Green -- Time Ticking On Growing and Greening New York </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=105</link>
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There is less than a month left to go to the Museum of the City of New York to see “Growing and Greening New York”, an exhibition that covers urban greening issues, divided into six categories: energy, open space, land, climate change, transportation, and water. 
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The exhibition, which is closely aligned with Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC 2030 which tries to balance city growth with sustainable living, is structured around a New Yorker’s typical day, from 7 am until 2 am. 
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The day starts at 7 a.m., when New Yorkers use water – indeed each New Yorker uses an astonishing 140 gallons of water a day, the exhibition says. (Americans take more showers than anybody else in the world.) Just making sure our water faucets are completely shut off could save millions of gallons. Next up, at 8 a.m. is transportation, since this is when many city dwellers commute. Worked in throughout the day are solutions to everyday issues offered by scientists, planners, non-profit organizations, and others. Growing and Greening New York closes April 22nd.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Leave No Parent Behind:A Plan to Increase Involvement in the Schools </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=104</link>
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It doesn’t take a PhD to realize that individual students perform better in school when their parents are involved in their education, and that any school system as a whole works best when parents are at the table. 
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During the current debate over whether the New York City Department of Education should remain under control of the city’s mayor, the topic of greatest discussion from both sides of the issue&nbsp;has been how&nbsp;the Department of Education has not done nearly enough to engage parents. &nbsp;The Community Education Councils, which replaced the Community School Boards in 2003, have failed to do what they were set up to do, give parents a real voice.
&nbsp;
That is why Borough President Stringer has proposed a far-reaching reform of these councils, modeled on the success of the city’s community boards, giving them support and independence. "It is unrealistic to expect that the Department of Education and its staff would aggressively seek criticism of its initiatives," Stringer told the Daily News.
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The planned reforms... ]]>
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<title>Manhattan Historian's Quiz # 6 -- LaGuardia's mouth</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=103</link>
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Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia in 1940, during one of his famous WNYC Radio broadcasts. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.QUESTION:Much-admired New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia (1882-1947) served for three terms, from 1934 to 1945. He was well-known for his brash style and big mouth. Still, only one of these political quotes can be attributed to him. Which one?A. “There is no Democratic or Republican way of cleaning the streets."B. "I seen my opportunities and I took 'em."C. "There is more law at the end of a policeman’s nightstick than in a decision of the Supreme Court."D. "I'm not the type to get ulcers. I give them."
Click on "full entry" for answer
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<title>Transportation Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=102</link>
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The Great Train Robbery: MTA hits riders with horror hike as Albany sits by&nbsp;(New York Post) “The MTA came through on its grim promise to wallop riders with a crippling fare hike -- coupled with severe service cuts..” 
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Seeking an Albany rescue, MTA raises fare&nbsp;(New York Times) With its final vote on Wednesday to impose sharp transit fare increases and service cuts, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority pushed the debate over its $1.2 billion budget deficit squarely back to Albany, urging a weakened governor and fractious Senate to revive talks over a rescue package&nbsp;
&nbsp;
There’s still time: What’s next for the&nbsp;MTA&nbsp;(Tri-State Transportation Campaign)&nbsp;“If Gov. Paterson and the State Legislature can agree on a rescue plan before then, service cuts and fare increases will be canceled or rolled back.”
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As criticism flies, Dilan proposes commuter tax for M.T.A.&nbsp;(Politicker)&nbsp;Dilan plans to introduce legislation to reintroduce the commuter tax as a dedicated funding stream for the M.T.A.'s capital needs.
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Punishing drivers who kill&nbsp;(Gotham Gazette)&nbsp;“Since the start of this year, a spate of high-profile pedestrian crashes has grabbed headlines, irreparably altered the lives of those close to the victims and gone all-but-unpunished.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Transit Fare Hike To $2.50! </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=98</link>
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From Associated Press:
"New York City transit officials have voted for sweeping fare hikes that will raise the cost of a subway ride by 25 percent and also approved drastic service cuts. By a 12-1 vote, the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority adopted the fare increases to help close a $1.2 billion gap. The plan will boost the cost of a single ride on New York City buses and subways from $2 to $2.50. The price of a 30-day MetroCard will cost $103, up from $81. The board also approved service cuts that include the elimination of some bus and subway routes. About 1,100 transit workers also will be laid off."]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=96</link>
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Developer cuts tower from 76 stories to 38&nbsp;(Crain’s) A planned luxury rental building at 8 Spruce Street&nbsp;in lower Manhattan, whose continued development was viewed as bucking the real estate meltdown, will reduce its size by half pending an evaluation of costs.
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Letters deliver each side’s case at Independence Plaza North (Downtown Express) Tenants at Independence Plaza North believe that the Roberts v. Tishman Speyer case may apply to their situation.&nbsp; Independence Plaza North is a former Mitchell-Lama rental building that at one time received J-51 benefits. 
&nbsp;
Tenants’ Voice: Fraud Common in Renovation Increases, Study Says (The Indypendent) A new report from the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development details abuses of the 1/40th provision used to calculate rent increases stemming from individual apartment improvement increases in rent regulated buildings.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Sales of multi-family housing tanked 37% in 2008 (Crain’s) Sales of multi-family buildings hit their largest decline in two decades, with buildings priced between $500,000 – $100,000,000 in Manhattan and the Bronx experiencing the sharpest decline.
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Rethinking rent (The Boston Globe) The Boston Globe weighs in on the classic debate on the merits of renting vs. owning in the context of the current economic and housing climates.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Money -- Cost-Saving Ideas </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=99</link>
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Each year, the borough presidents are required by the city charter to respond to the mayor’s preliminary budget proposal. 
&nbsp;
This year, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer&nbsp;recommended&nbsp;several&nbsp;ways to save money while at the same time improving New Yorkers’ quality of life:

Strengthen parents’ voices in the school system by giving the borough presidents an expanded role in the Community Education Councils, which would result in savings of millions of dollars from the budget of the Office for Family Engagement. 
Stop the tax breaks for fast food restaurants and gas stations. Last year this amounted to $850,000 in Manhattan alone. 
Consider buying the food for school meals from local producers, thereby both reducing the cost while improving our children’s health.]]>
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<title>Reaction to Fare Hike -- More For Less </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=100</link>
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Much as we appreciate that the MTA has backed away from its unconscionable proposal to gouge disabled riders through excessive Access-A-Ride fare hikes, I am outraged by today's announcement. The inability of state legislators to reach a compromise marks a clear failure, one that forces working and middle class New Yorkers to pay more for less.]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=101</link>
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<title>Fare Hike's (Thin) Silver Lining </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=97</link>
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<title>Bankers' Row </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=95</link>
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Although “Bankers’ Row” might sound these days like a description of some hostile hearings in Washington, it is the description of a cluster of five townhouses on the uniquely lower-scale block of West 56th Street built more than a century ago for bankers. Three of those buildings already have landmark designation, and a fourth, the E. Hayward Ferry Residence at 26 West 56th Street, built in 1871, was the subject of a public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission on March 24. &nbsp;Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer testified that both the E. Hayward Ferry House and another building on the block, the Edith Andrews Logan Residence, merit landmark designation... ]]>
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<title>Luxury De-Control Suspended, at Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=94</link>
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Luxury decontrol at Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village has been suspended, at least temporarily, by agreement&nbsp;among attorneys for Tishman Speyer, the owners of the&nbsp;middle-class housing complexes, tenant attorneys, and the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The agreement comes in&nbsp;the wake of a recent decision of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court that building owners currently receiving J-51 benefits can not de-regulate rent controlled and/or rent stabilized units.&nbsp;&nbsp; Luxury decontrol allows building owners to deregulate rent regulated units where the rent has passed the $2,000 per month threshold AND where the tenant reports an income of $175,000 or more for two consecutive years.&nbsp; For details, read this Crain's article.]]>
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<title>Report from the Community -- District 2 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=93</link>
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Drilling Upstate, Alarming The Village 
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A crowd of some 70 attended a forum this month on the plans to drill for gas upstate, sponsored by Community Board 2’s Environment, Public Safety, Public Health Committee. The audience was eager to learn more about this issue and voice their opinions.
&nbsp;
The forum centered on the very issue that inspired Borough President Stringer’s report Uncalculated Risk, which intended to better inform New York’s lawmakers and the public about the potential risks associated with a method of drilling for natural gas called “hydraulic fracturing,” using chemicals known as frac fluids. If approved later this year, this drilling technique could be employed throughout New York State on a massive scale....]]>
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<title>Education Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=92</link>
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Pre-K funding slash (Daily News) A stealth budget cut to the city's day care centers is taking tens of thousands of dollars from low-income children enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs.
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Some rich districts get richer as aid is rushed to schools&nbsp;(New York Times) In pouring rivers of cash into states and school districts, Washington is using a tangle of well-worn federal formulas, some of which benefit states that spend more per pupil, while others help states with large concentrations of poor students or simply channel money based on population.
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A diverse set of voices struggles to be heard on school control&nbsp;(New York Times) The last Assembly hearing on mayoral control of the public schools.
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PTA may go online, but will they watch?&nbsp;(Daily News) The city will have to webcast Parent Teacher Association and Community Education Council meetings if a new City Council bill becomes law.
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Thompson and mayoral control&nbsp;(Daily News) City controller William Thompson wants to tweak mayoral control to create more transparency and give parents a greater voice.]]>
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<title>LGBTQ Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=91</link>
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At a pier to be redone, gay youth seek a haven&nbsp;(New York Times) Fierce, an LGBTQ organization based in NYC, and the Urban Justice Center, a public-interest legal group, are asking that any plan for construction on the piers include a 24-hour youth center. 
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Gay Art on View&nbsp;“When you go to one of the monolithic art institutions on the Museum Mile, what’s missing from the collections? That’s right—artworks that reveal and celebrate the vicissitudes of global gay experience. Fortunately, the Leslie/Lohman Gay Art Foundation is filling the void with its current exhibition, “Treasures of Gay Art” (now through April 11).]]>
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<title>Going Green -- The Push for Green Buildings </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=90</link>
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Green building conference, October, 2007
An article in New York Times talks about the problems of implementing green practices in Manhattan co-ops. “At many co-ops and condominiums, the members of energy and green committees lobby and cajole their neighbors to embrace projects that sometimes require upfront money, like solar panels, but more often just demand interest and effort on the part of residents, like recycling correctly.”
The article goes on to point out...]]>
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<title>Victory (of sorts)  for Access-A-Riders </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=89</link>
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The&nbsp;Daily News reports that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority "is shelving an unpopular plan to more than double the fare disabled riders pay for door-to-door van service," called Access-A-Ride. Any fare hike for the service will be the same as that for subways and buses.
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<title>Economic Development Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=88</link>
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City hospital system to cut 400 jobs(New York Times) 
Citing “unprecedented financial challenges,” the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation announced on Thursday a plan to lay off 200 workers and eliminate another 200 positions through attrition, part of a move to close a $316 million budget gap.
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New&nbsp;York&nbsp;architects look abroad for work(The Real Deal)
With little work to do at home, New York architecture firms are tackling more projects abroad in places like China, Vietnam and the Middle East.

&nbsp;
A New York neighborhood empties of small stores(TomDispatch.com)
“Broadway in daylight now seems increasingly like an archeological dig in the making. Those storefronts with their fading decals (“Zagat rated”) and their old signs look, for all the world, like teeth knocked out of a mouth…Broadway’s [streets are] hardly the worst…”
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Millionaire Shakedown: How the Upper East Side could help solve New York’s budget problems (Our Town East Side)
A proposal to increase taxes on the wealthy will either help prop up the state and city, or force wealthy residents to hoard their money and, at worst, move away.
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Bonus losses could mean biggest Manhattan apartment price drop since 1980 (Bloomberg.com)
If Wall Street bonuses drop an estimated 50 percent this fiscal year, it could lead to a 24 percent drop in Manhattan apartment prices through 2010, which would be the biggest drop since 1980. ]]>
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<title>Immigrants' Corner -- Fraud and How To Avoid It </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=85</link>
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Avoiding Being The Victim Of Fraud 
Many immigrants are defrauded and put in danger, often by people who claim to be helping them – sometimes by immigration consultants who are not competent or are dishonest. There are ways to avoid being victimized, and agencies that exist to help...]]>
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<title>New York City Needs a Foodshed </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=84</link>
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New York City's food system is broken… New Yorkers are missing out on the delicious, fresh food grown in their own backyard, even as hundreds of thousands of New York families struggle with diet-related illnesses like diabetes and child obesity. New York City, with its ban on transfats and its mandating of calorie counts in many restaurants, has made some important moves toward improving nutrition for our residents.&nbsp; Now it is time for the city to take more responsibility for the supply and affordability of nutritious food.
The first step…]]>
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<title>Manhattan Historian's Quiz # 5 - Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=86</link>
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A Trade Union procession for Triangle Factory fire victims heads up Fifth Avenue. Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
&nbsp;
QUESTION #1: 
The infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed over 140 garment workers, mostly young immigrant women, on March 25, 1911. The factory was located just east of Washington Square Park, in Manhattan. Public outrage over the tragedy led to improved factory safety regulations for sweatshop workers. 
The owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company, Max Blanck and Isaac Harris, survived the blaze. They were accused of knowing that a key fire exit in their shop was locked, and were brought up on criminal charges. What was the outcome of their trial?
A. They were acquitted.
B. They were found guilty, and paid a substantial fine but never served any prison time.
C. They were found guilty, and sent to prison for over ten years each.
D. Harris was found guilty and served eleven years in Sing Sing; Blanck was found innocent of any wrongdoing.
&nbsp;
QUESTION #2:
Some New York City disasters achieve wide notoriety, like the Triangle Factory fire and, of course, the September 11th attacks. Others fade from public memory. Which of the following tragic events never took place? 
A. The Brooklyn Theater fire of 1876
B. The collapse of the Park Row Building in 1899
C. The General Slocum Steamboat fire of 1904
D. The Malbone Street subway crash of 1918
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Click on Full Entry for the answers.]]>
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<title>Neighborhood Weeklies Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=87</link>
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Downtown Express 
Displaced Chinatown tenants hoping for homes 
Nearly a month after flames shot through the apartment building at 22 James St. and killed two people, some of the former tenants are still struggling to find permanent housing and put their lives back in order.
&nbsp;
The Villager
New School building will be smaller
A plan by The New School to construct Greenwich Village’s largest building, dreaded by many neighbors, has been scrapped, university officials recently revealed at a meeting with local elected officials. There is, as a result, currently no design for any new building to replace The New School’s 65 Fifth Ave., on the east side of the avenue between 13th and 14th Sts., according to the university.
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Town &amp; Village
At Waterside, tenants get electric bill shock (not online)
“…tenants were in shock when they received their latest energy bills at double, and in some cases triple, their normal prices at over $500…The buildings at Waterside have been submetered since 1997, when the complex was still in the Mitchell-Lama housing program.”
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West Side Spirit
Preservation plan could turn 100-year-old Con Ed “Powerhouse” into a museum
“Preservationists’ efforts to landmark a West Side powerhouse got a boost when Community Board 7’s Parks and Preservation Committee voted to support the move at its meeting last week… The structure, the former Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) Powerhouse at West 59th Street and 11th Avenue was built in 1904 to provide electricity for New York City’s first subway system”]]>
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<title>Transportation Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=82</link>
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Details emerge on massive MTA fare hike&nbsp;(New York 1) 
With lawmakers in Albany still unable to come to an agreement on a rescue plan for the cash-strapped Metropolitan Transportation Authority, details of a massive fare hike are slowly coming into focus. 
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MTA transit cuts by district&nbsp;(Tri-State Transportation Campaign) 
Transit cuts within New York City are now in an interactive map form that allows NYC residents to input their addresses and see how they would be affected by MTA cuts.
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Paterson rejects Democrats’ M.T.A. plan&nbsp;(New York Times) 
In an intensifying battle among Democrats, Gov. David A. Paterson on Tuesday flatly rejected a Senate version of a rescue plan for the financially troubled Metropolitan Transportation Authority and said he would continue to push for tolls on the East and Harlem River bridges.
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<title>Going Green -- A Green Roof Grows On P.S. 6 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=83</link>
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Two and a half years ago, a science teacher named Eric Dutt came up with the idea of making a green roof on the school where he taught, P.S. 6. Thanks to a grant from the borough president and several meetings with the School Construction Authority, the green roof, pictured above, will be installed in June. The teacher died. In his honor, the green roof will be named the “Eric Dutt Roof Top Eco Center”
For more information, go to the page of the Lillie Devereaux Blake School on the P.S. 6 Roof Top Eco-Center.]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=81</link>
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"Astor Place" by Monica Agosta

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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=80</link>
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Bird's-eye view of Stuyvesant Town
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Stuy Town J-51 decision reversed (Citizens Housing and Planning Council)
Howard Shultz, Senior Fellow at the Citizens Housing and Planning Council, offers analysis of the most recent decision in Roberts v. Tishman Speyer.&nbsp; The Office of the Manhattan Borough President submitted an Amicus Brief in this case.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Past indicates little on home price future(Crain’s) 
A recent report from NYU’s Furman Center concludes that the housing busts in the 1970’s and early 1990’s will not be indicators of how neighborhoods fair this time around.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
Foreclosures in NYC soar&nbsp;44 percent&nbsp;(New York Post)
NYC foreclosures increased by 44% last month and industry group Realtytrac reports that foreclosures in Manhattan increased by 549% in the last month, mostly due to a single building.
&nbsp;
Affordable-housing efforts in NYC could spread nationwide&nbsp; (Washington Post)
A look back at Shaun Donovan’s tenure as the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation and Development, with an eye towards his new mission as United Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
Elevator accidents in public housing are frequent, and costly (New York Times) 
Using data obtained from a Freedom of Information Law request, the New York Times reports on elevator related injuries at Public Housing developments between 2001 – 2007.&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>300 Injured in Elevator Accidents In NYCHA Buildings </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=78</link>
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Yana Paskova for The New York Times: "Last June, Catherine Martinez, 25, pushed her 4-year-old daughter out of the way of a fast-moving elevator door in the Bronx. The door slammed into Ms. Martinez’s right hand and wrist."
&nbsp;
The New York Times reports:
"Records reviewed by The New York Times show that about 300 residents, employees and visitors have reported being injured in elevator-related accidents at buildings maintained by the city’s public housing agency since 2001."
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For more on this issue, see the borough president's report: "Dangerous Neglect: Elevator Safety in New York City Housing Authority Buildings"]]>
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<title>Unfair Hike </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=75</link>
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Thirty passionate advocates gathered in front of VISIONS Selis Manor, home to hundreds of New Yorkers with disabilities, to support legislation that would prohibit local transit authorities, like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit, from charging more for paratransit services than the standard base fare. 
&nbsp;
The advocates joined public officials at a press conference to explain the state bill. Meeting the Challenge, Inc. is conducting a&nbsp;national survey&nbsp;designed to collect information from people with disabilities regarding their experiences with public transportation. Information gathered will be used to determine what barriers still exist in public transportation for people with disabilities and to create Americans with Disabilities Act technical assistance materials directed toward alleviating those barriers.]]>
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<title>South Street Station Opens </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=77</link>
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The new South Ferry train station, by Antonelli/Daily News
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At five minutes past noon yesterday, the first train exited the brand new South Ferry Train Station in Lower Manhattan, accompanied by ceremony and celebration....]]>
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<title>Manhattan Map # 4 -- Midtown, 1819 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=79</link>
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To enact the Grid Plan for Manhattan, John Randel created a series of 92&nbsp;maps (each 26 by 38 square inches)&nbsp;to tell the construction crews where to create the streets and avenues&nbsp;in Manhattan...]]>
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<title>Education Roundup</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=76</link>
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Obama outlines plan for education overhaul (New York Times)
President Obama called for sweeping changes in American education on Tuesday, urging states to lift limits on charter schools and improve the quality of early childhood education while also signaling that he intends to make good on his campaign promise of linking teacher pay to performance.
Educrats hear it from pols on bilingual woes&nbsp;(Daily News)
State lawmakers grilled city education officials Friday on the lackluster progress of English Language Learners since the mayor took control of the schools.
Board of Regents elects Merryl Tisch first female chancellor&nbsp;(Daily News)
New York Regents Chancellor-elect Merryl Tisch applauds was elected to replace outgoing Chancellor Robert Bennett
Science and sex education&nbsp;(New York Times)
Numerous studies have shown that abstinence-only programs don’t work and are actually counterproductive, and yet the government has spent more than $1.3 billion promoting them.
Where education and assimilation collide&nbsp;(New York Times)
A record influx of immigrants has put classrooms on the front lines of America’s battles over whether and how to assimilate the newcomers.]]>
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<title>Citizen Assistance Day </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=74</link>
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Over the weekend in Harlem, some 50 volunteers helped over 100 individuals become citizens of the United States. The latest Citizenship Assistance Day was held at the Clara Mohammad School on 116th Street, &nbsp;Lawyers and paralegals gave information and assistance to applicants completely free of charge.]]>
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<title>Economic Development Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=73</link>
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Layoffs planned for Metropolitan Museum of Art employees&nbsp;(NY1)
Hundreds of museum workers will soon be out of work as the Metropolitan Museum of Art tightens its belt in the face of tough economic times.
Special message from Met chair on facing fiscal difficulties
&nbsp;
Bloomberg wants Governors Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park&nbsp;(PolitickerNY.com)
Mayor Bloomberg is seeking to grab control of Governors Island and Brooklyn Bridge Park, pushing the Paterson administration aside in an attempt to spur progress on the two projects, both of which would create new real estate development and public parkland.
&nbsp;
Shuttered stores get shopped&nbsp;(The Real Deal)&nbsp;
Demand up for firms that dispose of retail sites
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Schwarzman says don't buy real estate&nbsp;(The Real Deal)Blackstone Group's CEO Stephen Schwarzman is urging people against buying real estate.]]>
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<title>Immigrants Corner </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=72</link>
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Immigrants&nbsp;rally at City Hall&nbsp;(WNYC)
New York City immigrants want federal stimulus money to be used for job training and English language education. Chung-Wha Hong, executive director of The New York Immigration Coalition, was one of hundreds gathered in City Hall Park Tuesday, urging government officials to keep immigrant services in next year’s budget
&nbsp;
New York Times begins “conversation about immigration”
Starting today, readers and specialists are invited to discuss themes that will be explored each Sunday in a series of articles that will appear online and in the newspaper in the coming months.
&nbsp;
Tomorrow, there is a choice of two immigrant-related events
&nbsp;
Make the Road New York will hold its&nbsp;second annual community assembly , at which it will call “for educational opportunity for all New Yorkers, a just and humane immigration policy, healthy and affordable housing for all New Yorkers, policing that respects the dignity and rights of members of our communities, equal access to government-funded benefits and services for all New Yorkers, quality, affordable, comprehensive healthcare, respect and equality for LGBTQ people, dignity and economic opportunity for workers, and progressive taxation.”
The Office of the Manhattan Borough President is sponsoring Citizenship Assistance Day&nbsp; at the Clara Mohammed School at 102 West 116th Street]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=68</link>
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Neighborhoods in the News 
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Governors Island may be shut down for lack of funds&nbsp;(New York Times) Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has proposed that the city take control of the former military base so that the state can focus on other projects.
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Noise in East Harlem’s soon-to-be shopping mall debated in community board 11&nbsp;(New York Daily News) Noisy, toxic, sleepless nights may be in store for thousands of East Harlem residents come November when the East River Plaza shopping center opens its doors at 116th St. and FDR Drive. Costco, which hopes to be its largest tenant, is requesting a modification to a permit that would allow them to make overnight stock deliveries between midnight and 5 a.m. 
&nbsp;
Borough President in the News
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Thumbs down for Department of Buildings’ proposed new rules on building permit review&nbsp;(The Villager) Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer noted that the Department of Buildings has not proposed any means of alerting interested parties when newly approved plans go online at the department Web site to begin the comment period. “Instead, the department expects the public to regularly check the Web site,” Stringer said in his prepared statement. Stringer also raised the legal question of whether the department may be abdicating its responsibilities for enforcing the zoning resolution if challenges are not raised in the first 30 days after approval of the building plans.]]>
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<title>Manhattan Historian's Quiz # 4 -- Bridges </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=69</link>
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The Outerbridge Crossing as rendered on an old postcard. Image courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Gallery.
Let’s talk about New York City bridge names. This is a benchmark period for a number of our local spans. Last year the Brooklyn Bridge celebrated its 125th birthday. A half-dozen other sizable bridges turn 100 years old in the period from 2008 through 2010. A faction of public-spirited citizens, in partnership with several public officials (including Manhattan Borough President Stringer), city agencies, schools and non-profits, created the NYC Bridge Centennial Commission to commemorate each of the six century-old bridges. 
&nbsp;
QUESTION 1:
One of those century-old&nbsp;spans is the double cantilever structure that connects the borough of Manhattan to the borough of Queens. The Simon and Garfunkel hit song that most people know as “Feelin’ Groovy” was written in homage to this bridge. What was the official name given to this span when it was christened in 1909?
A) The 59th Street Bridge 
B) The Queens Borough Bridge
C) The Queensborough Bridge
D) The Queensboro Bridge 
E) The Blackwell’s Island Bridge
&nbsp;
QUESTION 2:
All the major spans in New York City are designated as “bridges” with one perplexing exception: the Outerbridge Crossing. This cantilever bridge, which was completed in 1928, straddles a waterway called the Arthur Kill and connects the southern end of Staten Island to Perth Amboy, NJ. Why was the Outerbridge Crossing given such an unusual name?&nbsp;
A) The bridge was named for Eugenius Outerbridge, the first Port Authority chairman and a Staten Island resident. 
B) “Outerbridge Crossing” was a direct translation of the hard-to-pronounce Dutch name given to a stone and wood span that had stood at the same location from colonial times.
C) The name was given to reflect the bridge’s remote location in relation to the other four boroughs.
D) Because the engineers had not yet decided on a tunnel or bridge the legislation that authorized the project called for a “crossing”; consequently the Port Authority was legally bound to designate whatever was built a “crossing.” 
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Click on Full Entry for the Answers
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<title>What should happen to our money </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=70</link>
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When at the end of January, Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented his proposed city budget for Fiscal Year 2010, which begins July 1, 2009, he pointed out something that nobody can dispute – that economic conditions have worsened, and that these “difficult times” call for “tough decisions.” 
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But are the Bloomberg administration’s choices the right ones?&nbsp; Do too many of them fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable? Will there be long-term negative consequences if some of the mayor’s proposed cuts make it into the final budget? 
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Those are the kinds of questions ..]]>
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<title>Neighborhood Weeklies Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=71</link>
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Chelsea Now
Film fests, roof parks, marinas proposed at Pier 57
West Side neighbors and waterfront activists had mostly good things to say last week about the three competing proposals for developing Pier 57 at a public forum co-sponsored by Community Board 4 and the Hudson River Park Trust. Representatives of three developers emphasized their projects’ public space and rooftop parks. They highlighted their plans’ cultural uses, their commitments to small business and community uses and the lack of major venues that would attract more than 1,000 people at a time to an event.
&nbsp;
West Side Spirit
Taste Budding On the UWS
“The Columbus Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) announced that the second annual “New Taste of the Upper West Side,” presented by Zagat, is scheduled for May 30. The event features food from the vast array of restaurants, as well as wines from two-dozen Long Island vineyards. Proceeds from the event will be directed toward the BID’s Neighborhood Streetscape Beautification Program.”
&nbsp;
Downtown Express
Club Remix gets liquor license
Club Remix on Park Pl. is attracting a growing chorus of complaints from its neighbors, but the club still succeeded in renewing its liquor license this week. The State Liquor Authority approved the renewal Wednesday despite an overwhelmingly negative resolution from Community Board 1 because the club had no violations or complaints from the First Precinct, said Bill Crowley, an spokesperson for the liquor authority. 
&nbsp;
The Villager
Cutting your own meat can cut costs, L.E.S. butcher says
Jeffrey Ruhalter said there’s one, and only one, reason why he recently started offering classes on butchering. “I am doing this because things suck right now,” Ruhalter said bluntly. “In 1929 people lost jobs and asked their butchers how to save money. Welcome to another crash. I show people how to save money. It is cheaper to buy a whole shoulder and cut it yourself.”
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Amsterdam News
Bill Tatum: “I Did It My Way”]]>
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<title>ManhattanLand -- 17 Hubert Street </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=66</link>
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Charles Ahearn and Jane Dickson are seeking approval&nbsp;to allow loft dwelling uses on the ground floor and second floor of an existing five-story building in Tribeca, at 17 Hubert Street. The building functions as a single loft dwelling and has done so for over 15 years. The proposed action would legalize the loft dwelling use on the bottom two floors.Current land uses in the neighborhood include primarily residential buildings, many with ground-floor retail, and some commercial buildings...]]>
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<title>Chelsea Town Hall </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=65</link>
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At a town hall in Chelsea, some 40 residents discussed both city-wide issues -- such as the lost of manufacturing jobs and the need for more Green Collar jobs – and those specific to Chelsea, including…]]>
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<title>LGBTQ Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=64</link>
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In rally against porn shop arrests, speakers recall struggles of Stonewall (New York Blade) At the end of February, New Yorkers came together in Sheridan Square – across from one of the most momentous places of struggle for the LGBT community – to protest the targeting of gay men and what some say is the policing of sexuality.
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Manhattan DA pledges to investigate gay men's prostitution arrests&nbsp;(Gay City News) On March 6th, Manhattan DA Robert Morgenthau met with activists in response to the growing coalition of allies asking the District Attorney to investigate the string of arrests of gay men on prostitution charges. Morgenthau pledged to investigate all these cases.
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Governor Paterson reaffirms marriage recognition in New York State, and appoints two queer women to high judgeships&nbsp;(EDGE) There has never been an openly gay or lesbian member of the Appellate Division in the New York State court system. However, on March 5th, Gov. Paterson announced the appointments of two openly queer women. One is our very own Manhattanite, Judge Rosalyn Richter, to be appointed to the First Department in Manhattan. 
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LGBT groups face uncertain financial times&nbsp;(Advocate) Leaders from almost 35 organizations met in Washington, D.C. to discuss how to advance the movement and deal with new funding changes.]]>
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<title>Transportation Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=63</link>
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Governor Paterson announces first statewide rail plan in more than two decades&nbsp; (Press release by New York State Governor Paterson)&nbsp;“Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn today announced the release of the 
&nbsp;
2009 New York State Rail Plan, providing the first comprehensive update of the State’s rail strategy in 22 years and fulfilling a prerequisite for federal funding for rail capital improvement projects.”
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Families seek inquiry in Chinatown deaths&nbsp;(New York Times) The families of two toddlers killed in a Jan. 22 van accident in Chinatown called on the Manhattan prosecutor on Monday to convene a grand jury to investigate the accident, which hurt a total of 14 victims on East Broadway.
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Mayor looking at&nbsp;transit stimulus&nbsp;(New York Post)&nbsp; “Mayor Bloomberg is expected to identify city transit projects that will benefit from federal stimulus funds.”
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Crackdown planned on cellphone use by drivers (New York Times)&nbsp;Prohibitions against using a cellphone while driving have been in place for years.&nbsp; But beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, the city’s Police Department will aim anew at silencing those who “drive and dial” in an effort to remind drivers that the behavior is a violation of vehicle and traffic law.
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Streets are for People&nbsp;(Municipal Art Society)&nbsp;“Today, we are on the precipice of a historic moment in reclaiming our streets for people instead of cars.Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Transportation have announced an ingenious plan to reclaim part of Broadway — at both Times Square and Herald Squares — for pedestrians. Like the closing of Washington Square Park in 1959, their common-sense plan is also one of those rare instances when what is best for the pedestrian is also best for the driver.”&nbsp; ]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=62</link>
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Neighborhoods in the News
A renewal at Audubon Terrace, etched in glass&nbsp;(New York Times) A serene new 12-by-12-by-16-foot glass structure links the headquarters of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, at 633 West 155th Street, to the former home of the American Numismatic Society.
New beach to open at South Street Seaport&nbsp;(NY-1)There’ll be sand, but no swimming. 
Borough President in the News 
City Council to extend rent-control program&nbsp;(Epoch Times)&nbsp;The Council is putting forth a package of legislation that will encourage Albany to repeal the Urstadt Law, which took away the city's control of affordable housing issues in 1971. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer argued that the local government should be able to address housing issues unique to the city. “We are one state with many different interests,” said Stringer. 
View of New York
NYC, billionaire capital&nbsp;(Forbes) New York is once again the primary residence of more billionaires than anywhere else on Earth. And that's after it lost more than a fifth of its billionaires. Last year, Moscow overtook New York as the billionaire capital of the world, with 74 tycoons to New York's 71. Today there are 27 in Moscow and 55 in New York. New York's richest resident, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, actually saw his net worth rise. ]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=61</link>
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Midtown Vintage by Elizabeth Niesuchouski
Another three photographs from the exhibition "Manhattan Neighborhoods" by members of Professional Women Photographers, Inc. at the Manhattan Borough President Gallery, One Centre Street, 19th floor, until March 28th.]]>
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<title>The Cost of Recklessness </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=60</link>
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Two preschoolers are killed by a truck on a Chinatown street. A promising young attorney is struck down on the way home to Battery Park City before her first day of work. An Ecuadorian immigrant is struck by one car, and his body is dragged by another for more than 20 miles.
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These are tragedies that made recent headlines, but they represent only a snapshot of what may be New York’s largest, under-the-radar public safety crisis...]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=59</link>
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Foreclosure by borough (Curbed) Foreclosure rates in Manhattan have consistently remained low over the last several months. &nbsp;However in the outer boroughs, especially certain neighborhoods in Queens, foreclosures have been much more widespread.
A Winter’s Tale: What the Homeless Tally Really Means&nbsp;(City Limits) Last week of the city’s Department of Homeless Services announced that street homelessness reduced 30 percent over the last year.&nbsp; Some housing advocates dispute DHS’ claim, while others view the reduction are proof that new outreach strategies are working.&nbsp; City Limits offers a balanced account of advocates working towards eliminating homelessness.&nbsp; 
City Council Eyes Vacant Apartments For Affordable Housing&nbsp;(NY1) The real estate boom has left quite a few builders with unsold condos throughout the city.&nbsp; Many affordable housing advocates, and now the City Council, have proposed plans to transform empty units into affordable housing.&nbsp; 
Help for Owners Near the Edge&nbsp;(New York Times) Households faced with rising unemployment rates and decreasing property values are unfortunate candidates for foreclosure.&nbsp; President Obama’s Housing Affordability and Stabilization plan can offer the assistance these households need. 
NY court deals landlords huge setback&nbsp;(Crain’s) The ruling clarifies the rules governing the receipt of tax benefits and the implications for rent-regulated tenants.
Receiver appointed at Rector Square&nbsp;(The Real Deal) The receiver will have the power to rent out the building's unsold units and will be provided a budget to complete construction of its common areas.]]>
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<title>Manhattan In The Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=58</link>
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Neighborhoods in the News&nbsp; 
Broadway holds on, for now&nbsp;(New York Times) Over all, Broadway is on track to have 43 productions open during the 2008-9 season, an unusually high number at any time, but especially during a recession. By comparison, 36 shows opened during the 2007-8 season… [but it is] far from clear whether Broadway marquees will be bright or dark through this summer and into the fall.
Recession leads to cuts at Tribeca Film Festival&nbsp;(Reuters) New York's Tribeca Film Festival on Monday unveiled a sharply reduced lineup for 2009 due to the U.S. recession but one that marks Woody Allen's return to the city as a director after a five-year absence.The festival, one of the most prominent in the United States, will show 86 feature films from April 22 to May 3. The festival [was] co-founded by actor Robert De Niro to help revitalize the Tribeca neighborhood after the September 11 attacks.
Plan approved for park and dog run along West Street in Battery Park City (Tribeca Trib) Once and for all, state transportation officials and a group representing Battery Park City residents say they have agreed on a design for the park and dog run that will straddle West Thames Street along West Street.
Permits revoked for two cranes near the World Trade Center site&nbsp;(AP) New York City has revoked work permits for two cranes at the World Trade Center site after a crane part was placed in a nearby street.The city says that contractors building one of four planned office towers at the site didn't have permission to put a crane boom down in a street before raising it. Tishman Construction was using one crane to lift a taller crane for the skyscraper under construction. It is one of three office towers being built at the government-owned site by private developer Larry Silverstein.
Profile of Washington Heights&nbsp;(Examiner.com)]]>
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<title>Getting A Grant From The Manhattan Borough President -- The Borough Needs Program </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=57</link>
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Captain John Doswell wanted to educate Manhattan’s senior citizens about “the rich history” of “our working waterfronts” by taking them for free on a couple of boat tours, but there were not enough riches in his non-profit organization, the Working Harbor Committee, to do this,&nbsp; so he applied to the Manhattan Borough President’s Borough Needs fund. Last year,&nbsp;Hidden Harbor Tours for Seniors was awarded enough money to give free tickets to some 800 New Yorkers from senior centers throughout Manhattan.Every year, the borough president gives small grants ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 to non-profit community-based organizations for specific programs for Manhattan residents. This year’s application deadline is May 6th....]]>
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<title>March Money I </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=55</link>
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Although many associate March with college basketball, in local politics, March begins the New York&nbsp;City Council’s annual review of the Mayor’s Fiscal Year 2010 Preliminary Budget. It is a budget process that begins way back in September, has a role for the borough presidents and ends by July 1, 2009, when&nbsp;a new, final&nbsp;budget takes effect. 
The&nbsp;City Council's hearings in March on the preliminary budget&nbsp; are an essential part of this budget process. Each&nbsp;city agency is called to testify thereby&nbsp;providing the council and the public&nbsp;the opportunity to learn more about and&nbsp;weigh in on the mayor’s preliminary budget. In April, the council releases a response to the mayor’s&nbsp;preliminary&nbsp;budget. An agreement must be reached between the council and the mayor before July 1 of each year. To attend a hearing or to learn more about the preliminary budget hearings, visit the City Council Web site.]]>
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<title>Manhattan In The Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=49</link>
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<![CDATA[






Photo by Daniel Rosen
Neighborhood In The News
Protesters demand criminal charges in Chinatown deaths&nbsp;(Newsday) The mothers of the two children killed by a runaway van in January joined a group of protesters in lower Manhattan on Monday to urge the district attorney's office to bring the case to court.
&nbsp;
South Street Ferry subway station will open next week&nbsp;(NY-1)
The construction, funded mostly with federal dollars, is part of a $530 million project to help rebuild Lower Manhattan
&nbsp;
The Bowery’s last remaining cash register emporium (New York Times) Once the Bowery was cash register heaven. Beneath the old Third Avenue el, among the restaurant supply stores and the flophouses and the down-and-outers who lived in them, stores trafficked in cash registers….Bernard Faerman says recessions are good for business. “We make more money in recession times than in good times,” he says. “When people get laid off, they go into any kind of business, starting up, and they need a cash register.”
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For Borough President in the News, and View from Out of Town, click on Full Entry.]]>
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<title>Education Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=50</link>
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The future of mayoral control (New York Times)
Mayoral control of the public schools is debated in 5 hearings across the city where Bloomberg officials, parents, community organizations and academics testify. 
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New Public Schools Opening Fall 2009&nbsp;(Daily News)
42 new public schools set to open this fall with Mayor Bloomberg claiming that “Increased choice increases competition, which drives up the quality of all schools". 
&nbsp;
Obama’s stimulus bill&nbsp;(Daily News)
Obama’s stimulus bill provides $4.7 billion into the state’s public education system over the next two years, with $1 billion that will go directly to the city's schools through Title I grants to low-income schools and special education funding. 
&nbsp;
Charter schools in Harlem&nbsp;(New York Times)
More charter schools move into Harlem and there is concern over the future of public schools there. ]]>
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<title>Manhattan Map # 3 - 1811 Grid Plan </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=53</link>
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The streets of New York City did not exist in Nature in a grid pattern above Houston Street (fourth street up on the map). Hills had to be flattened, and streams filled in...]]>
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<title>Subways Soaring, Buses Bouncing </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=51</link>
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Subway and bus ridership in 2008 was higher than at anytime since 1965, according to a report by the Center for an Urban Future. While &nbsp;the two subway stations with the largest growth in traffic are in midtown and downtown Manhattan -- the F stop on Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street went up a whopping 777.2 percent between 1998 and 2008; the Bowery station for the J,M and Z lines went up 553.7 percent –Transit Riders Up In Outer Boroughs, says that MTA ridership has increased most dramatically above 96th Street and in the outer boroughs. &nbsp;Between 1998 and 2008, 20 of the 22 stations with the largest ridership increase were in these regions. &nbsp;In Manhattan, six of the 10 stations with the greatest growth are above 96th Street.&nbsp; Oddly, Manhattan was the only borough where bus ridership decreased between 2003 and 2008.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Economic Development Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=48</link>
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<![CDATA[
Alarming job numbers prompt immediate measures&nbsp;(New York State Department of Labor)
As the state’s economy continues to reel, evidenced by the latest unemployment statistics released by the New York State Department of Labor, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced a series of immediate measures to help unemployed New Yorkers, such as the expansion of hours of operation at One-Stop Career Centers
&nbsp;
Survey of shuttered stores on the Upper West Side&nbsp;(West Side Spirit) 
This article surveys the number of closed store fronts on the Upper West Side.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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City nears launch of programs to boost supermarket development(The New York Observer)
The Bloomberg Administration has signaled that it plans to implement some of the recommendations made in a Department of City Planning study that include both zoning and tax incentives for grocery stores to open in underserved neighborhoods.
&nbsp;
Smith: How Bloomberg could finally build Moynihan Station&nbsp;(New York Magazine)
Opinion piece speculating on why and how Bloomberg might weigh in to get the Moynihan project rolling.]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=46</link>
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<![CDATA[





Ozier Muhammad/New York Times
Neighborhood in the News
Residents of SoHo, Greenwich Village, the West Village and Little Italy(Community Board 2) are the most satisfied with city life, according to a survey&nbsp;(New York Times) “There are more street fairs…than in any other place in the city. The area has the highest concentration of civic organizations in the five boroughs, and among the highest number of sidewalk cafes. Sixty percent of the buildings here have landmark status… the area has its challenges… late-night noise…prostitution…unsavory characters…development… the population is zealous in expressing its needs”
&nbsp;
Borough President in the News
Calls for an investigation of construction accident in Harlem&nbsp;(NY-1) “Five people were hospitalized after a wall at a Harlem construction site fell into a next-door pizzeria Friday. As workers poured concrete into an exterior wall at 270 West 123rd Street shortly after 3 p.m., the wall became so heavy that it fell into a next-door restaurant named Pizzeria 123.”
&nbsp;
Rent Wars: Stuy Town Owner's $200 Million Mistake?&nbsp;(Curbed) “It is time for the owners of Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village to sit down with residents of the complex to resolve this dispute over rent overcharges in a fair and equitable manner."
&nbsp;
View from Abroad
Foreclosed Homes Auctioned Off at NYC Convention Center&nbsp;(Sky News, Australia) “An auction of foreclosed homes in New York City on Sunday attracted hundreds of bidders keen on grabbing a home at bargain prices. The sale also drew protesters who blamed banks for an epidemic of home losses and called for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures.”]]>
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<title>Neighborhood Weeklies Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=45</link>
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Manhattan Times Bodega Stories
One in a series of Q and A's with bodega owners
&nbsp;
Downtown Express 
A "free store" where people barter instead of buy
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West Side Spirit 
Closed for Business
Plenty of Upper West Side businesses are feeling the pinch of an economy gone sour
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Click on Full Entry for more details and more links]]>
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<title>Do your taxes tomorrow! (for free) </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=44</link>
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Get your taxes done for free! 
On April 15, 2009, just like every other year, New Yorkers will run to the post office to submit their taxes.&nbsp; However, many do not fully realize all the benefits they are entitled to.&nbsp; 
If you are a family earning less than $45,000 or an individual earning less than $20,000 you are eligible for free tax preparation this Saturday March 7th.
The event will allow those eligible to receive free tax preparation from ARIVA Inc.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In addition to their taxes being prepared for free, all those eligible will be screened for the Earned Income Tax Credit, Public Benefits, Food Stamps and Heath Insurance.
So come by Henry Street Settlement, 99 Essex Street (Rivington &amp; Delancey Streets) on March 7, 2009 between 10 AM and 2 PM and get your taxes done for free!
RSVP at (212) 669-2094.&nbsp; Slots are filling up fast!
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<title>Immigrants Corner </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=43</link>
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<![CDATA[
Interesting Immigrant Links
Exhibit at the Tribute WTC Visitors Center explores 9/11 impact on NYC immigrants&nbsp;(Washington Post)
&nbsp;
Indictment in beating death of immigrant&nbsp;(Associated Press)
(see also Suspect in Hate Crime Confesses)
&nbsp;
Voices That Must Be Heard, March 5 edition
Voices That Must Be Heard translates articles from the non-English language press of New York City.
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Novoye Russkoye Slovo (Russian): Immigrants in NYC public school system don’t get the help they need
&nbsp;
Diario de Mexico (Spanish): Language difficulty or learning disability -- What gets immigrant kids into Special Ed
&nbsp;
Immigrants’ Right To Language Access 
A person who does not speak or read English well has the right to ask government agencies, including schools, health clinics and social service offices, for translation or interpretation of information.&nbsp; Many government agencies are required by law to provide language access in languages other than English.
Language access includes:
&nbsp;
Translation, which means translating a document in writing.&nbsp; This can include translating important letters, notices, instructions and other documents into different languages; and
&nbsp;
Interpretation, which means orally interpreting spoken information into a different language.&nbsp; This can include having a live interpreter present at a meeting or having an interpreter on the phone.
Starting in January, 2009, all city agencies have been required to provide assistance in the top six languages spoken by New Yorkers (after English, that is Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Italian and French Creole) if their services are relevant, and to have a language access policy.
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For more on language access, as well as Citizenship Assistance Day, click on Full Entry.]]>
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<title>Manhattan History Quiz # 3: Bowling Green Park </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=42</link>
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<![CDATA[





Bowling Green Park, located at the junction of Broadway, State and Whitehall Streets&nbsp;in lower Manhattan, was established by a resolution of the Common Council&nbsp;in 1733. It is the oldest public park in New York City. On Thursday, March 12 at 10:30a, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation will hold&nbsp;a public ceremony&nbsp;at the site to&nbsp;celebrate&nbsp;the park's&nbsp;276th birthday. I will be&nbsp;speaking at the event. Please join us if you&nbsp;are able. 
&nbsp;
The park was the site of one of the most dramatic episodes of the Revolutionary War. On July 9th 1776, after the Declaration of Independence was read&nbsp;to the&nbsp;public&nbsp;near today's City Hall, a rebellious&nbsp;crowd marched downtown and&nbsp;toppled&nbsp;the large gilded lead statue of King George III that stood within the park. Most of the statue was melted into musket balls for the American cause, but&nbsp;a few&nbsp;original&nbsp;fragments were preserved and can be found&nbsp;at the New-York Historical Society, the Museum of the City of New York and elsewhere. 
&nbsp;
QUESTION:
&nbsp;
While the King George statue is no more, another prominent park feature dating from&nbsp;that period&nbsp;still stands!&nbsp;This element, which has served as a silent witness to all the&nbsp;goings-on in the park from 1771 to the present&nbsp;day,&nbsp;was designated an official&nbsp;New York City Landmark.&nbsp;What is it? 
A. A large tree known as the Hangman's Elm 
B. The park's iron fence 
C. A Dutch cannon from&nbsp;Fort Amsterdam,&nbsp;the&nbsp;fortification that&nbsp;once stood just below the park 
D. A stone basin that collected water from a long-gone public well 
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For the answer, click on Full Entry]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=41</link>
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<![CDATA[
 
Following up on Stuyvesant Town
NY court deals landlords huge setback&nbsp; (Crain's New York)
Tishman Speyer Properties and other owners of rent-regulated buildings suffered an enormous blow Thursday when the Appellate Division of New York’s Supreme Court unanimously ruled buildings receiving certain tax benefits could not deregulate apartments.
&nbsp;
Court ruling on building owners' tax breaks big win for rent stabilized tenants(Daily News)
"This is great news!" crowed regulated tenant John Murphy, who has been living in the middle-class enclave for 33 years. "I'm glad the court came down on the tenants' side. We are not going to be pushed around."
&nbsp;
Big landlord found to have wrongly raised rents&nbsp;(New York Times)
“They’ve basically re-regulated tens of thousands of apartments overnight,”&nbsp;said Joseph&nbsp;Strasburg of the Rent Stabilization Association, which lobbies on behalf of landlords. “Every single tenant living in a decontrolled apartment can file for overcharges..."
&nbsp;
Stuyvesant Town residents triumph&nbsp;(Manhattan Minute)
The&nbsp;Office of the Manhattan Borough President&nbsp;submitted an amicus brief for this appeal&nbsp;and the appellate court relied in large part on&nbsp;a critical&nbsp;court case that&nbsp;the office uniquely found and contributed.
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Other Neighborhoods In The News
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The Highline in "Far West Chelsea" is taking shape (Curbed)
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Seeing the Lower East Side through its real estate: High meets low(New York Post)
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To see a cartoon report on Lower East Side gentrification, click on Full Entry...]]>
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<title>Stuyvesant Town residents triumph </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=37</link>
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<![CDATA[

A unanimous&nbsp;court decision sided with the residents of Stuyvesant Town&nbsp;against Tishman Speyer, the new owners of the complex,&nbsp;which raised the rents through "luxury decontrol."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The court agreed with the argument that a building cannot be luxury decontrolled if it receives J-51 benefits.&nbsp;&nbsp;The&nbsp;Office of the Manhattan Borough President&nbsp;submitted an amicus brief for this appeal&nbsp;and the appellate court relied in large part on&nbsp;a critical&nbsp;court case that&nbsp;the office uniquely found and contributed.&nbsp;
In order for the tenants to get money damages,&nbsp;they have&nbsp;to go back to trial court to settle who should get how much and to confirm that the law indeed applies to the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs still have to certify a class and win a summary&nbsp;judgment to get awarded their rent overcharges since 2001.&nbsp; They also&nbsp;may face an appeal by&nbsp;Tishman Speyer to the Court of Appeals, the highest court in New York State.
Click Full Entry for more details.]]>
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<title>Transportation Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=36</link>
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<![CDATA[







The Port Authority's Chris Ward answers questions, including the status of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub (It's scheduled for 2014)
&nbsp;Share Your Ideas on How to Fix the MTA Budget Shortfall.&nbsp; (New York State Senate).&nbsp; The State Senate is collecting ideas about the best ways to help fix the MTA’s budget shortfall to ensure that fare hikes and service cuts do not take place.&nbsp; This site also includes a pdf of Governor Paterson's proposed MTA bailout plan, a long bill that reflects the proposals made by the Ravitch Commission.
&nbsp;
Hello MTA Bailout, So Long Truck Tsunami? (Streetsblog).&nbsp; "Sheldon Silver's partial endorsement of the Ravitch Commission's MTA rescue plan [PDF], which includes East and Harlem River bridge tolls, offers the best political hope in years for reducing the daily truck tsunami pulverizing downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan."
&nbsp;
Ask the Port Authority, part 1:&nbsp;Christopher O. Ward, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey answered questions from readers of the City Room blog. Part 1 subjects included: airport redevelopment, improving bus service through the Lincoln Tunnel, Port Authority exempt from environmental codes, reducing costs, status of World Trade Center Transportation Hub (“scheduled to be complete by the second quarter of 2014”)
&nbsp;
Ask the Port Authority, part 2: Subjects: Why no new cars on PATH, underwater railway tunnel, planned Access to the Region’s Core mass-transit tunnel, Twin Towers II plan, PATH to Newark?
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Ask the Port Authority, part 3: Bus delays, controlling costs, overtime at the World Trade Center site, illicit goods on ocean-going vessels, balancing transportation needs
&nbsp;...]]>
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<title>Going Green </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=40</link>
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<![CDATA[
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A Green Building for Ex-Prisoners in Harlem&nbsp;(New York Times)
Late last month, developers broke ground on a green housing project in Harlem which would provide an affordable and environmentally friendly living option to a nearly equal number of moderate-income families and formerly incarcerated homeless.]]>
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<title>New Discount Drug Card For The Elderly </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=39</link>
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<![CDATA[

More great news from EPIC (which is NY State’s E lderly P harmaceutical Insurance Coverage P rogram) -- the long-anticipated New York Prescription Saver Card is available.
This is not insurance, it is&nbsp;a discount card made available by New York State.&nbsp; As with any benefit, there is an application process and eligibility requirements.
Click here&nbsp;to see if you are eligible.&nbsp; And if you have general questions, visit the Medicare Rights Center.]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=35</link>
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<![CDATA[

The Anthorp apartment complex on the Upper West Side, Todd Heisler, NY Times
&nbsp;
Neighborhoods in the News
&nbsp;

Plans to turn the Anthorp into condos having stalled, 60 of the 163 apartments sit vacant&nbsp;(New York Times)
&nbsp;

&nbsp;Washington Heights residents rally for building repairs (NY-1)
&nbsp; 
‘Unregulated development threatening low-income tenants’ in Chinatown&nbsp;(Daily News)
&nbsp;
Special-district zoning to protect tenants urged for Chinatown&nbsp;(NY Times)
&nbsp;
Converting Chinatown: A snapshot of a neighborhood becoming unaffordable and unlivable&nbsp;(Report by CAAAV's Chinatown Justice Project and Urban Justice Center)]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=34</link>
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<![CDATA[

Stone Street Wedding Shot by Fran Dickson, part of the exhibition "Manhattan Neighborhoods" by members of Professional Women Photgraphers&nbsp;at the Manhattan Borough President Gallery until March 28th.
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See three more by clicking on Full Entry.]]>
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<title>What do you think of the mayor's budget? </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=33</link>
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<![CDATA[






Ayva Sha testifying, while Catherine McVay Hughes of Community Board 1 listens: "If we have no adult drop-in centers many seniors will not know where to go for help" 
Ayva Sha had never testified before, but the mayor’s plan to eliminate drop-in centers for the homeless by June 30th seemed so “penny wise and pound foolish” that she joined the dozens of people who attended the borough president’s 2009 budget hearings last week. 
&nbsp;
They were there to answer a single question: 
&nbsp;
What do you think of the mayor’s budget?
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>LGBTQ Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=32</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[







NY Times
&nbsp;Can marriage equality be compromised? (Advocate)
Sparked by an op-ed in the New York Times which offered a compromise on marriage equality, three New Yorkers - who also happen to be the Directors of three organizations that work this issue - weigh in on marriage equality.

&nbsp;
Gay bashing at Union Square(Village Voice)
Two men were at a movie at Regal Cinema on Union Square when a number of men began to harass them. After leaving the movie theater, they were assaulted by the four men with glass bottles, shards of glass, and a box cutter. It has been reported that the incident is being investigated as a hate crime by the NYPD.]]>
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<title>Milan Meets Manhattan </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=31</link>
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&nbsp;
Scott Stringer met with Micaela Goren Monti and discovered what they have in common. Both are borough presidents elected in 2006, though Monti had a five-year term, was chosen by write-in ballot, and is the borough president of Zone 1 of Milan, population 99,000 – about one-fifteenth the population of Manhattan. 
&nbsp;
Both Milan and Manhattan are centers for fashion, tourism, and culture, as well as capitals of commerce. The two borough presidents discussed traffic congestion, street maintenance, bicycling in the city, and the land use and permitting process...]]>
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<title>42 Days Until Taxes Are Due </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=30</link>
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<![CDATA[
Get your taxes done for free! 
On April 15, 2009, just like every other year, New Yorkers will run to the post office to submit their taxes.&nbsp; However, many do not fully realize all the benefits they are entitled to.
If you are a family earning less than $45,000 or an individual earning less than $20,000 you are eligible for free tax preparation this Saturday March 7 ...]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=29</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[



Advocates, Developers Size Up Bloomberg’s New Housing Chief(City Hall) Reflections on Rafael Cestero from local housing experts 
New York Tenants Could Benefit from Foreclosure&nbsp;(New York Times) Multifamily buildings with aggressively underwritten loans may end up being re-sold at prices that will put less pressure on rent-regulated tenants
Manhattan on Clearance (The Real Deal) Housing prices are falling in the borough
Soaring maintenance charges hit condo, co-op owners&nbsp;(Crain’s) Condos and co-ops are experiencing steep price increases for maintenance

The Financial District attracts families (New York Times) Is a new diaper district emerging in Lower Manhattan?
Apartment buyers leave the money, and run&nbsp;(New York Times) The economy is forcing some buyers to walk away from deposits as high as a million dollars.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=28</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[

Photographer Ian Ference photographs abandoned buildings, here&nbsp;the auditorium at P.S. 186 in Harlem (Daily News)
&nbsp;
Neighborhood in the News
Community board 9 presents plans to turn former West Harlem sanitation facility green, with aquafarming, solar panels, etc&nbsp;(Columbia Spectator)
&nbsp;
Borough President in the News
A food policy for New York&nbsp;(Gotham Gazette)
&nbsp;
View from Abroad
&nbsp;India tries to stop New York auction of Mahatma Gandhi’s belongings (BBC)]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=24</link>
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<![CDATA[
Neighborhoods in the News 
Upper East Side tenants get organized (City Limits)
Inwood is being discovered, as it has been since 1980 (NY Times)
&nbsp;
Borough President in the News 
Fighting for Funding of Governors Island&nbsp;(Washington Square News)
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View from Out of Town 

Perfumer creates 18 scents honoring 18 Manhattan neighborhoods(Hartford Courant)]]>
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<title>Economic Development Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=23</link>
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<![CDATA[





&nbsp;

Farley Post Office
Schumer seeks federal dollars for Moynihan Project&nbsp;(New York Times)
Senator Charles E. Schumer is calling for the injection of $100 million in federal stimulus funds to revive the Moynihan Project which will transform the Farley Post Office, expand the city’s transportation infrastructure and employ thousands of workers
&nbsp;
Job growth over the past ten years by borough&nbsp;(Center for an Urban Future)
The Center for an Urban Future looks at job growth over the past 10 years on a neighborhood level.
&nbsp;
Workforce investment strategies need to go beyond the work-ready&nbsp;(SeedCo)
Shovel-ready projects and other new workforce investments must target more than just work-ready individuals. In order to create opportunity for those greatest in need, the workforce system must systematically offer barrier alleviation, work supports, and career advancement services.
&nbsp;
For&nbsp;people who&nbsp;want to start their own businesses (Wall Street Journal)
The Wall Street Journal consults business experts to come up with 10 questions to ask to see whether you're up for the challenge of entrepreneurship.
&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Community Boards: Changing of the Guard</title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=26</link>
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<![CDATA[







“I would like to make a difference," said the Rev. Lourdes Roman-Rivera, here with her daughter.


"The economic crisis has made me concerned about what will happen to my community," said David Rippon.

&nbsp;

"I own my own construction company," said Veronica L.I. Watts, "and I want to learn about the community, what's needed."
&nbsp;

These are three of the 650 people who applied this year to be members of one of Manhattan’s 12 community boards...(Read Full Entry)]]>
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<title>Manhattan Map # 2 - 1827 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=27</link>
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<![CDATA[
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Click twice to enlarge. ]]>
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<title>Education Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=25</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[






Tweed Courthouse, headquarters of the NYC Board of Education
&nbsp;The future of mayoral control&nbsp; (New York Times)&nbsp;&nbsp;Mayoral control of the public schools is debated in&nbsp;five hearings across the city where city officials, parents, community&nbsp;groups and academics testify.
&nbsp;
New public schools opening Fall 2009&nbsp;(Daily News)&nbsp;Forty-two&nbsp;new public schools set to open this fall with Mayor Bloomberg claiming that “Increased choice increases competition, which drives up the quality of all schools". Forty-two&nbsp;new public schools set to open this fall with Mayor Bloomberg claiming that “Increased choice increases competition, which drives up the quality of all schools".
&nbsp;
Obama’s stimulus bill&nbsp;(Daily News) Obama’s stimulus bill provides $4.7 billion into the state’s public education system over the next two years, with $1 billion that will go directly to the city's schools through Title I grants to low-income schools and special education funding. 
&nbsp;
Charter schools in Harlem&nbsp;(New York Times) More charter schools move into Harlem and there is concern over the future of public schools there. 
&nbsp;
For the names of the&nbsp;13 new schools in Manhattan, click on Full Entry.]]>
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<title>Taking Gas </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=20</link>
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<![CDATA[
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A house blows up in Ohio. A family in Alabama turns on the faucet and instead gets “long, oily strings” and a “strong sulfur smell.” A farmer in Texas discovers his goats and llamas dead. These are the kind of scary stories that may soon be coming to New York. It would be an exaggeration to say “courtesy of Dick Cheney,” but it wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate...]]>
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<title>Trailblazers </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=19</link>
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<![CDATA[







These three New Yorkers received the Fourth Annual Manhattan Borough President’s Trailblazers Award last week, in honor of Black History Month.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Manhattan in the Morning </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=18</link>
<description>
<![CDATA[
Neighborhood in the News:
Should Morningside Heights be designated a historic district by the Landmarks Commission?&nbsp;(New York Times)
&nbsp;
Borough President in the News:
Stringer calls for drilling ban in city’s watershed (NY-1)
&nbsp;
View from Abroad:
London’s office rents have fallen twice as quickly as “its main international rival” New York City&nbsp;(The Guardian, UK)]]>
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<title>Immigrants Corner </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=16</link>
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<![CDATA[
Immigrants' Rights to City Services





Immigrants have the right to many city services. Indeed, under the Mayor’s Executive Order 41, all immigrants – including undocumented immigrants -- are encouraged to seek out those for which they are eligible. City employees are generally required to protect the confidentiality of a person’s immigration status.
How does this play out in everyday life? 
Click on Full Entry to find out.]]>
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<title>Manhattan History Quiz  # 2 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=15</link>
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<![CDATA[

Municipal Building under construction, sometime between 1909 and 1915
&nbsp;
QUESTION
This year marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the cornerstone-laying of the Municipal Building, where the Manhattan Borough President and many other civic officials (including the Manhattan Borough Historian -- me!) have their offices. The woman who posed for the large golden statue atop the building was a great beauty named Audrey Munson. She was a favorite artist’s model at the turn of the 20th century, and her likeness can be seen on numerous civic artworks like the Maine Monument at Columbus Circle and the allegorical figures on the old U.S. dime and quarter. So, now you know the name of the person who posed for the statue, but what is the name of the statue itself?
&nbsp;
A. Civic Virtue
B. Civic Tolerance
C. Civic Destiny 
D. Civic Fame
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Click on read more for the answer]]>
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<title>Neighborhood Weekly Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=17</link>
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<![CDATA[








The landlord wanted $4,500 for this one-bedroom&nbsp;
West Side Spirit 
Affordable-ish Again
“Rents are dropping steadily and landlords no longer have the last word—being a renter has never been so sweet. Best of all, it may stay that way for a while, so if you’ve been considering the move to Brooklyn, you may find that West 79th Street one-bedroom well within arm’s reach.”&nbsp;
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Continue with neighborhood stories from Our Town, Chelsea Now, and Downtown Express...]]>
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<title>Glimpses of Gotham </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=13</link>
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Photo Credit: Jason Welch]]>
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<title>Compromise reached on Fordham West Side Expansion </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=14</link>
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<title>Manhattan Circa 1728 </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=11</link>
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This historical map details Manhattan in 1728. It ends a few blocks north of John Street which marked the city limit in that year.
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Click on the map to see an enlargement. Click a second time to see street-level details.]]>
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<title>Housing Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=10</link>
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Rafael Cestero, NYC Housing, Preservation and Development CommissionerBloomberg to name Rafael Cestero new commissioner of the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development&nbsp;(City Hall)

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is poised to name Rafael Cestero, a former city housing official and non-profit developer, as the next city housing commissioner, according to multiple people with knowledge of the selection process. The announcement is expected as early as next week.

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Professor Nicholas Dagen Bloom answers reader questions about the New York City Housing Authority&nbsp;(New York Times, City Room Blog)


Nicholas Dagen Bloom, the author of “Public Housing That Worked: New York in the Twentieth Century,” answered selected readers’ questions about the history of the New York City Housing Authority.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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For more links, click on Full Entry]]>
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<title>Scenes from the State of the Borough </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=12</link>
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State of the Borough Address Thursday, February 19 2009 at City Hall. Click&nbsp;here for the full text of the speech.&nbsp;]]>
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<title>Manhattan History Quiz  #1: Presidents Day; Black History Month </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=1</link>
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Test your knowledge of Manhattan history every Friday with Manhattan Borough Historian Mike Miscione 
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Question #1: It's Presidents' Week. Only one President of the United States was born in New York City. Who was he?
A. Martin Van Buren 
B. Ulysses S. Grant 
C. Theodore Roosevelt
D. Franklin Roosevelt
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Question #2: Keeping with our presidential theme, two U.S. presidents took the oath of office in Manhattan. One of them was George Washington. His inaugural pose was later rendered in a larger-than-life bronze statue outside of Federal Hall National Memorial&nbsp;in lower Manhattan. The other president took his oath in an unassuming building near Madison Square, with virtually no fanfare. Only a modest plaque outside the building marks the spot. Who was that president? 
A. Millard Fillmore
B. Chester A. Arthur
C. Grover Cleveland 
D. Theodore Roosevelt
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Q #3: February is Black History Month. Members of the mostly black 369th Regiment of the New York National Guard fought so valiantly in World War I they were given a famous nickname. What was it?
A.The Black Birdmen
B. The Buffalo Soldiers
C. The Harlem Hellfighters
D. The Glory Regiment
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For answers click on Full Entry]]>
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<title>LGBTQ Roundup </title>
<link>http://www.mbpo.org/blog_details.asp?id=2</link>
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(AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Gay Marriage in NYC? Pols say so&nbsp;(Gay City News) 

At the Human Rights Campaign annual gala, new Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith “pledged to make gay marriage a reality” in New York State and Mayor Bloomberg “once again promised to lobby the Legislature in Albany to help get that done.” 
Freedom To Marry Day (Associated Press) 
Across the U.S., gay couples went to their local marriage bureaus – only to be denied. This action was planned as part of the national Freedom to Marry Day, organized in part by Marriage Equality US and Join the Impact. 
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Film about slain NJ lesbian to be shown at MoMA (Newsday) 
A documentary intended to draw attention to the stabbing death of a young New Jersey lesbian will be shown at New York's Museum of Modern Art.
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