New York State Independent Redistricting Commission

Jay
February 15, 2023
43rd Assembly District - CH is similar to what Rabbi David Neiderman said of Williamsburg in the article. CH is a “community of interest” that should not be splintered- so the 43rd should expand eastward to Remsen VIllage, have a western boundary at New York Ave, South down to Church and North to Eastern Pkwy. These boundaries would still produce a Black majority voting bloc, so why not be fair and equitable to all ? -

Arthur J
February 15, 2023
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Dylan
February 15, 2023
As a former resident of Assembly District 37 with many ties to this area currently, I oppose the IRC's plan to split up this district as well as western Queens. Redistricting is one of the most important functions of democratic government and these changes will impact Queens and the people of District 37 for a generation. The communities of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, Maspeth, and Ridgewood should be kept together. These are diverse and growing communities that have many similarities. The commission should not split apart western queens by creating interborough districts. Additionally, the proposed districts don't follow any natural boundaries such as waterways or roadways and are arbitrarily drawn without taking into account the diverse community interests of Queens. The IRC should prioritize keeping the communities of current District 37 together.

Greg
February 15, 2023
My name is Greg Borruso and I am testifying to support the current 2022 59th Assembly district lines. I am a home owner and small business owner in the 59th assembly district. I’ve been a Community activist for over 25 years. I am first Vice Chair of Community Board 18, President of the 63rd Precinct Community council, president of Friends of the Lott house (an historic house in Marine Park) and a board member of the Marie Park Civic Association. I’m speaking on behalf of over 3500 families in my community. We work hand in hand with our Assembly member Jamie Williams to build bridges in our community and help bring us all together. The proposed lines will divide and split up our community and neighborhood unnecessarily. We have worked for many years with our elected representatives and have formed a strong focus on keeping the neighborhoods that coexist together,to make sure they are represented together. Flatbush Ave is a major thoroughfare in Marine Park and the new lines will divide the community in half, having different representatives on either side of the street, and even in certain sections of Marine Park on the same side of Flatbush Avenue. This makes no sense. The current lines now have allowed us to create a working relationship with our neighbor communities such as Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, Canarsie, and Gerritsen Beach. We stood together during Super Storm Sandy and we continue to work together as the communities of southern Brooklyn. These neighborhoods have aligned with each other to protect our elderly and keep each other safe. We are already represented by multiple elected officials now, including two state senators and two congressional representatives just within Marine Park itself. This is confusing and difficult to navigate already, making people wonder who their elected officials are, based on where they are in our neighborhood, which makes no sense. Please don’t disenfranchise us by splitting up marine park from the current assembly district as Drawn IM IN FAVOR OF THE CURRENT 59ad District 2022 lines.

John
February 15, 2023
February 15, 2023 Re: Proposal to Redraw Boundaries of the 44th Assembly District To Whom It May Concern: I have lived in Park Slope and Windsor Terrace for the past thirty-five years; currently in the slice of Windsor Terrace between the Prospect Expressway and Green-Wood Cemetery that is being considered for removal to the 51st Assembly district. I spend most of my time within the area of the 44th Assembly district. I can’t remember the last time I even went to Sunset Park. The thought that I might be voting with the people who live way over there is ridiculous in the extreme. My local interests and concerns are here, where they have always been. Transit issues, the roads, even the schools are centered here, not miles away in Sunset Park or Red Hook. There is a community bond here, demonstrated by the actual map. Where we live is part of Windsor Terrace. Just by looking at the map, one can see that the eastern border of Green-Wood Cemetery is the natural boundary of the 44th District. The “community of interest” that we are part of is Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, and Kensington. I object strongly to my part of Windsor Terrace being chopped off and put into a district that I have no knowledge of, or ever go to. We would be such a small part of the new district that our votes would be meaningless. I have been very happy with my Assembly representation during my entire time in the area, and see no valid reason to change. I urge the members of the Commission to keep the 44th Assembly district as it is. Sincerely: John Ransom 221 McDonald Avenue #3F Brooklyn, NY 11218

Maliyka
February 15, 2023
Good Evening Commissioners, My name is Maliyka A. Muhammad, and I am a resident of the 56th Assembly District, residing on Greene Ave. Between Malcolm X & Patchen Ave Brooklyn, NY I would like to voice my support of the current lines containing the following borders: Nostrand Avenue, Flushing Avenue, Broadway, Howard Avenue, to Putnam Avenue, Ralph Avenue to Bergen Street to Utica, Utica to Prospect Place, Prospect to Troy, Troy to St. Marks, St. Marks to Kingston, Kingston to Bergen, Bergen Street to Nostrand. I support the current map because: - [ ] Residents of Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights would like to remain a united district as they value landmarking as a method to preserve their community. - [ ] Elected officials and residents are working together to create a cease and desist zone to protect homeowners from predatory realtors. - [ ] Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights have a shared ancestry and history in Weeksville, one of the first free black communities in New York. - [ ] Organizations such as The Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights North Association were created to preserve the legacy of homeownership. - [ ] The 56th Assembly District is home to the first Community Development Corporation. - [ ] Residents fought to save Interfaith Medical Center, which provides health care for thousands of residents under the One Brooklyn Health Center. - [ ] The district is a global destination place for African Art and Culture. - [ ] The residents share longstanding traditions such as the 194-year-old Brooklyn Sunday School parade and International African Arts Festival. - [ ] Bedford Stuyvesant was one of the first Aging Improvement Districts that contributed to New York and Brooklyn, specifically receiving designation as an Age-Friendly City. - [ ] Residents are currently advocating for the redevelopment of the Marcus Garvey Armory, which would provide economic development and wellness opportunities for the district. I oppose the draft map drawn by the IRC because: - [ ] It will reduce the already depleted Black population from 52% to 46%. - [ ] It will dilute the Black Vote. - [ ] We will lose longstanding allies in Crown Heights in small business development, arts, and culture. - [ ] We will lose our relationship with Community Board 8 who we have a common interest and share a purpose for community development. As a long-time resident of the 56 Assembly District, I have seen firsthand the significant population and economic growth that has taken place since 2010. It is extremely important to me that this district maintain the singular, equal political representation that was fought for so long ago. I have been advocating for a map that would not desecrate the Black population of Bed Stuy and Crown Heights when I testified on June 21, 2021, on behalf of the Bedford Stuyvesant / Crown Heights Committee for Fair Redistricting. At that time, we shared with you a map that had our best interest at heart. Your proposed map disenfranchises the Black people of Bed Stuy and Crown Heights. Quite frankly, it feels as if the ultimate goal is to silence our voices. I am disappointed that the committee is even considering a map that seeks to desecrate the long-standing Black history of Bed Stuy and Crown Height. We, the Black community, are tired of the covert and overt ways in which our community is being taken from us. I implore this committee to adopt a map that keeps intact the borders mentioned above.

Carrie
February 15, 2023
I am writing regarding the redistricting of Greenpoint. The new plan is not along a natural boarder. Adding a large portion of Greenpoint to a majority Queens district does not make sense. Children who live in one district will go to school in another. Our votes and representation will not be accurately attributed.

Frank
February 15, 2023
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St. Nicks Alliance is a 48 year old community based not-for-profit organization located in North Brooklyn. We oppose the proposed change in the in the New York State Assembly lines to create District 38 combining the east part of Williamsburg with neighborhoods in Queens. The proposed Assembly district lines will arbitrarily and needlessly split North Brooklyn neighborhoods. The residents living in the proposed new 38th Assembly District will have their electoral voices diluted by inclusion with the Queens neighborhoods that have very different profiles. East Williamsburg should stay included with a Brooklyn Assembly District, either the 50th or 53rd Districts. We request the commission keep our area of Brooklyn whole and not create a negative impact for the minority voters of this community by diluting their electoral voices.

Donald
February 15, 2023
I am advocating to keep the current 2022 maps, for the 59AD. Upon review of the IRC’s proposal, we find that the planned adjustments - seemingly in the pursuit of district population parity – disrupt these communities by ignoring the following naturally drawn district lines: 1. Quentin Road – this commercial corridor serves as a dividing line between homes directly abutting Marine Park and those north of Quentin Road, below Kings Highway and Flatlands Avenue. The residents of latter portion are large young Jewish families who have moved in en masse over the past 2 decades. The southerly, park adjacent, properties are home to multi-generational Irish-Catholic residents; members of the active Marine Park Civic Association, the Park’s Active Seniors Program at the Carmine Carro Community Center and the Salt Marsh Nature Center. 2. The sector is also the service region of the century-old – community funded – Gerritsen Beach Volunteer Fire Department, a vital organization that was instrumental in the rescue and recovery effort during Superstorm Sandy. 3. Canarsie is diverse area with a proud and rich history. Carrying a name from the Lenape tribe of Native American that originally made up the area, this rich history continues into our modern day. Bounded on the east by Fresh Creek Basin and East 108th Street; on the north by Linden Boulevard (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linden_Boulevard); on the west by Ralph Avenue; on the southwest by Paerdegat Basin (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paerdegat_Basin); and on the south by Jamaica Bay (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaica_Bay). The unique composition of the area and its nearness to the numerous waterways unites its residents. In fact, the community's name itself is adapted from a Lenape (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenape) word meaning "fenced area"; largely due to its close proximity to the waterways. Most of the constituency that currently reside within the Canarsie area have a common factor and that is the survival and overcoming of Superstorm Sandy. This resiliency must be taken into account when understanding the demographic and dynamic within Canarsie. This unifying aspect of survival and perseverance requires an understanding and familiarity with the residents therein. The trust and faith that the residents of Canarsie has placed in its elected official can not be looked over. Rather it is a key component for representation. The destruction that befell the area may be a memory but a recent one. The scars of Superstorm Sandy still remain, and the empathy to the residents of Canarsie must always be a paramount concern. 4. Gerritsen Avenue and Knapp Street – these two avenues have drawn a line, sensitive to the distinctions between the homogenous southern Marine Park community and the diverse Asian-American, Russian-American, Muslim and Jewish populations who have established newer communities in the areas of Kings, Bedford and Sheepshead Bays. 5. Fraser Square – this neighborhood, encompassing the blocks north and south of Fraser Square Park on Kings Highway at East 34th Street, has long been represented by the 41st Assembly District and the eponymous civic association, which has evolved over decades to become a unified voice for improving the quality of life for homeowners in the immediate area. The new lines break up the organization’s constituency, placing them into three (3) separate Assembly Districts. 6. Kings Highway – the 41st Assembly District’s distinct curvature follows a nearly three mile stretch of Kings Highway; constituting roughly half of the Avenue’s span through the borough of Brooklyn. The southern portion of the road is populated by high rise apartments; uniting these buildings and their shared tenant-centric interests with the multilevel housing found along Nostrand. The northern half of Kings Highway is home to a thriving Black/Caribbean community living in modest single-family homes, represented by the active Flatbush Flatlands Civic Group and Nieuw Amersfort Community Association. Other examples are less defined, such as the proposed elimination of the 41st District’s Sheepshead Bay commercial waterfront corridor and subsequent addition of 59th District’s Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Bergen Beach, Mill Basin and Canarsie communities. The IRC fails to recognize that these wetland bounded communities share unique ecological, legislative and economic interests, not necessarily applicable to the Sheepshead Bay commercial pier system. There is a saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and while we recognize that there is cause statewide to address areas where district lines demand reformation, these two districts have successfully led and advocated for their diverse and segmented constituencies, and hastily redrawing decades long district lines would no doubt lead to the outright disenfranchisement of communities both new and old. Canarsie was developed as a largely Italian American and Jewish suburb and then flourished into an eclectic neighborhood supporting different nationalities and ethnicities. The unique nature and history Canarsie requires a “voice” that understands the nature and importance that Canarsie has within the overall New York State makeup. The current districts and the elected officials have successfully led and advocated for their diverse and segmented constituencies, and hastily redrawing decades-long district lines would no doubt lead to the outright disenfranchisement of communities both new and old. We thank the commission for its consideration and hope that we can preserve the unique qualities and diverse neighborhoods in our respective Assembly districts. Regards, Donald Cranston

Leah
February 15, 2023
Dear IRC Members of the Commission, My family & I are writing to challenge the proposal to rezone the current 44th Assembly District and move of a small, scattered subsection of blocks located within and inextricably linked to the rest of the 44th to the 51st district. Unique and united neighborhoods are what make New York the incredible city and force for service it is. Neighborhoods in New York's outer boroughs are especially important to constructive and effective local advocacy and to appropriately serving communities. The blocks proposed to move to the 51st district in this rezone would be haphazardly cut off from the neighborhoods in which they participate and contribute to daily and would be moved on paper to Assembly Districts with rightfully different priorities. Families zoned for local 44th district public schools and members of places of worship that sit within the 44th would all of a sudden be split into different districts and may confusingly have to seek the guidance and support of new local representatives who now technically serve their addresses but really the needs of their own closer constituents. Please do not rezone as in this proposal - so that existing neighborhoods and their valiant public servants can continue to live and work together, within the working relationships they've had for so long, to better their communities and, in turn, all of New York. Thank you for your valuable time, Leah Dyson Juan Kingsley Ander Kingsley (12) Rhys Kingsley (9)

Carolyn
February 15, 2023
To the commission: This testimony is on the proposed redistricting of AD52. I am a fourth generation Brooklynite who has seen & celebrated many exciting changes in the borough while also making sure we cherish the flavor of what's so wonderful about our neighborhoods, not the least of which is the amazing cooperation & collaboration that takes place between neighbors & communities. Like many of my neighbors, I am opposed to the proposed redistricting of the AD52. I believe this would create an unnecessary & negative divide in a community that is and has been unwaveringly intertwined. Splitting the AD52 into two districts would be a huge disservice to both Carroll Gardens & Gowanus. Our community voices would be disrupted and diluted. This would also make it more difficult to keep a united policy that serves all of our neighbors/residents as we would be forced to go between multiple representatives & organizations to ensure the best outcomes for an intertwined area. Obviously the east & west sides of the Gowanus canal are intrinsically connected, it serves no one to force us apart. Most importantly, this division of representation is most worrisome as it pertains to & affects the Gowanus SuperFund site. The AD52 contains 2 of the 3 Gowanus Superfund sites. As my neighbor Linda LaViolette has also submitted, "recent data has suggested that the pollution from 3 of the former Manufactured Gas Plants may have Coal Tar Plumes that have merged and moved with the hydrology under [neighborhood] homes [in Carroll Gardens as well as the surrounding area]. This represents a serious and potentially dangerous development because we realize that the industrial toxins have moved from the industrial zone into our residential areas, moving under the Gowanus Canal across Smith Street under CG homes. The upland sites around the Gowanus Canal & Thomas Green Park are virtually all contained in the present AD52. Dividing AD52 will not help us restore and remediate this pollution but undermine our efforts. We need one knowledgeable and consistent voice representing us in Albany. One Assembly Representative. The proposed redistricting will make it more difficult to maintain a common policy if the community is split into two different districts. Our neighborhood faces many challenges, and our residents benefit from having one continuous representative who understands our problems & is an engaged and experienced rep." Please do not change the district lines. Thank you. Carolyn Fink

Peter
February 15, 2023
The notion of NY State Assembly Districts to have their borders redrawn on the basis of achieving something akin to population parity is a device that is an attempt to establish communities on the basis of political community, rather than reinforcing the traditional bases of community, which include already diverse ethnic and religious identities.

Marisa
February 15, 2023
I am writing to express my disagreement with removing half of greenpoint from district 50. Greenpoint is one neighborhood and community that shares schools, stores, parks, etc. To create an artificial divide along mcguinness boulevard splitting the community in half and joining what would then be “eastern greenpoint” with a long stretch of communities all the way to Rego Park makes no sense. Greenpoint IS one community and should remain one community on this legislative map.

Genevieve
February 15, 2023
I strongly oppose the proposal to split Greenpoint (currently AD50) into two districts. There are not enough schools in Greenpoint, and as a new parent, this would severely limit the public education options available to my child in our district. It would also create further separation between the communities on either side of McGuinness, and it would make advocating for safety along McGuinness Blvd more difficult and complex than it already is.

John
February 15, 2023
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Hi, my name is John Heyer II. I have lived in the South Brooklyn/Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn for all 40 years of my life. My wife and I are currently raising our three children here and also run our business, Scotto Funeral Home, here. I’d like you to keep my neighborhood together and want you to know that the proposed NYS Assembly district lines will not only fragment this cohesive community but also prevent me and my neighbors from being able to advocate for the needs of our neighborhood. Our neighborhood, which was historically called South Brooklyn since we were south of the official City of Brooklyn which ended at Atlantic Avenue, has very pronounced borders created by the waterfront, Gowanus Expressway and the Gowanus Canal. These boundaries in particular have formed the community in a very cohesive way for generations, uniting us in our common experiences and common desire to better this part of Brooklyn for the betterment of all. Ignoring these natural boundaries when drawing district lines is to ignore the impact that they have on the people and dilutes our community’s voice when advocating for their betterment. In the coming future it will be important that our community and its elect officials be able to speak with as much consensus as possible to the concerns the Gowanus Canal Development on the west bank of the Canal, the reconstruction of the Gowanus Expressway and BQE trench and development of the Brooklyn Container Terminal. As a life-long member of the community whose family has lived here for 5 generations, I can also tell you that names like Gowanus, Columbia Street District and Carroll Gardens are all modern names used by real estate companies to market property. For those of us who live and work in this community, the area from the west bank of the Gowanus Canal, Hamilton Avenue, the Brooklyn Container Terminal and Douglass Street from Court Street to the Canal and DeGraw Street from Court Street to the water front are now and have always been one neighborhood. Weather inhabited by early Irish, then Italian immigrants or Puerto Rican families seeking an opportunity in New York or the young professionals who now come from across the country, throughout Europe, such as France, or Latin America, this community has been able to retain its small town charm due to the uniqueness of its low-rise housing, central commercial strips and active community, political, ethnic and religious organizations. As an example, the purposed lines for our neighborhood would split one of our oldest religious communities, the Roman Catholic Community founded in the 1851 currently lead by Rev. Msgr. Guy Massie, in two by diving its parish boundaries in half between two different elected officials for the first time. This will also divide our main commercial avenue, Court Street, which is where many of our parades, religious processions and street fairs occur. We are also proud to be home of one of the oldest public parks in what was the City of Brooklyn, Carroll Park. This is un-official town square of our entire neighborhood and not just half as these lines would suggest. Furthermore, the proposed lines also exclude all public schools from one half of the purposed divided Carroll Gardens which will hurt those who will be in the boundaries of a school which their elected official does not represent. As someone who is the fifth generation continuously living in this community, who has his business here and is part of countless community organizations and groups, I strongly urge you to listen to the community and history and ensure that our neighborhood will not be fragmented. The best way to do this is to keep together the area bound by Hamilton Avenue, the Gowanus Canal, the waterfront and at least Douglass Street if not Atlantic Avenue. John Heyer II 95 Summit Street Brooklyn, NY 11231

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