Councilman David G. Greenfield has announced that the first neighborhood assembly for the ongoing participatory budgeting initiative will be held this Thursday, October 18 in Boro Park. All neighborhood residents are invited to come out and help decide what types of capital projects they would like to see funded in Boro Park as part of participatory budgeting, which gives the public a direct say in how their tax dollars are spent in their own community. Future meetings will also be held in Midwood and Bensonhurst in the coming weeks.

Thursday’s meeting will be held in the Georgie Ballroom at 4424 16th Avenue and will begin at 7 p.m. At the meeting, community members can suggest specific capital projects they would like to be included on the final ballot this spring to be voted on by the public. Eventually, residents will have the chance to cast their ballot to decide which ideas are funded with $1 million Councilman Greenfield is setting aside in the Fiscal Year 2014 budget for this initiative.

“I am very excited to hear directly from residents about what types of projects they are envisioning for their neighborhood. I urge all of my neighbors to attend this meeting and not be shy about suggesting ways that this money can be spent right here in Boro Park. Nobody knows their community better than the people living there, so I am confident that we will hear some great ideas on Thursday,” said Councilman Greenfield.

Last month, Greenfield and representatives from the Participatory Budgeting Project and Community Voices Heard held a planning session to give district residents an overview of how the process will work between now and when the projects are implemented starting in the summer. Thursday’s session will be the first of three neighborhood assemblies planned for the 44th Council District, with upcoming meetings planned for Midwood and Bensonhurst, and will focus on specific areas like transportation, education, recreation, public safety and more. Ultimately, the top project from each of the three district neighborhoods – Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst – will be funded.

“This is a unique chance for residents to really get involved in their community and have a direct say in how government spends their tax dollars. Anyone who has ever thought of a project or idea that would improve the community should join us on Thursday and make sure their voice is heard,” added Councilman Greenfield.

For more information about Thursday’s meeting, call Councilman Greenfield’s district office at (718) 853-2704. To learn more about participatory budgeting, visit pbnyc.org. The Midwood neighborhood assembly is scheduled for Thursday, October 25 in PS 99, located at 1120 E. 10th Street, and the Bensonhurst neighborhood assembly will be held on Thursday, November 1 in PS 205, located at 6701 20th Avenue.

(YWN Desk – NYC)