SoHo

Elections come and go and the results sometimes actually change things. We now have bike lanes in SoHo and almost everyone from out of town is now happy. The billboard people are happy despite years of complaints and lobbying the politicians in office, we have more of them. And, real estate people are also happy. Original art, affordable housing, including rent control stabilization and development rights, have all inured to their best interests. The art and artists are nearly gone; stabilization and affordable housing and controlling 45 story buildings, is an ephemeral dream; and the fight to protect SoHo from even further debasement in the form of the SoHo BID, is all but over.

Election day is upon us, and the polls opened at 6 a.m. Citywide the buzz is Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio will blow away Republican Joe Lhota to finally end the reign of Bloomberg. With such a sure lead, don't expect voter turn-out records this year.

The Garden is one of the only publically accessible green spaces in a large part of Manhattan. It is one of a kind. As development has intensified, even this precious community garden has been threatened. Don't let developers take this haven away! Attend the Community Board 2 Land Use Hearing On Future of Elizabeth Street Garden - TONIGHT AT 6:30PM. Community Board 2 and our elected officials need to know this is a priority for our community!

The, undersigned, who are chairpersons of political parties and candidates in the November 5, 2013, General Election in New York City, acting in the strong belief that the ballot that has been published by the NY City Board of Elections for the General Election on November 5, 2013 is severely flawed, defective, and prejudicial have, on October 30, 2013, served legal notice upon the New York City Board of Elections (BOE), setting forth their general and specific objections to the November 5, 2013, ballot.

It looks like it will be a difficult choice for the general population to choose among the many candidates vying for office this election. But, while it may be tough for a larger audience, the decision shouldn’t be that hard for SoHo residents.

Let’s start with the strong points. Scott Stringer has been a hands on guy downtown and made the round of the clubs and, as Borough President, has had the ability to pick and choose members of the Community Boards.

Downtown is Democratic. And, SoHo has nearly always been a Democratic Arts Village. From guerilla art to condo decorations, from Frosty Myers to Bob Bolles, SoHo has nearly always followed the left of center, piggy-backing on its more liberal and progressive neighbor, Greenwich Village.

On Wednesday, July 17 more than 76 organizations and groups are convening to host a Mayoral candidate forum and to discuss the future of food in New York City. The forum will be moderated by Marion Nestle, award-winning author and Paulette Goddard Professor in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University. The forum will offer our city’s and our region’s food communities — that’s you! – the opportunity to come together and engage mayoral candidates, learn their positions on food issues, and inspire them with a vision for a better food system.

East Village alliances, businesses, neighbors, friends and concerned citizens have already begun to donate to an emergency fundraiser to help cover the medical costs of 62-year-old flower shop operator Akkas Ali who suffered severe injuries after being plowed down by a drunk driver.

To donate click here.

In May, the Department of Transportation chose Petrosino square as a docking station for its city-wide CitiBike program—effectively displacing any future art shows. Though many strongly object to its current placement, the program is generally considered popular and favored by residents. They support the alternative transportation but believe it should be moved to the roadbed where most of the bike rentals are located. On Wednesday, June 19th at 8:30am the SoHo Alliance will hold a rally to save the park.

SoHo

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