Summary of the Nov. 13, 2024 Tenant Meeting

We began with a moment of silence for our neighbor Mae Eversley, who died last week at home at the age of 96.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Temperature Regulating Valves: You can call the number on the flyer to set an appointment to get yours installed.  The workers will be here through Friday.
• The compactor chutes are being cleaned Thursday and Friday of this week from 9-5, so hold onto your trash.  (Food trash, of course, goes into the compactor bins on the ground floor.)
• Drought:  brush fires are spreading in our parks because of dry conditions and high winds.  Take shorter showers, and don't leave the water running for tooth-brushing and other cleaning activities. 

IN THE NEWS: The US Supreme Court ruled against hearing the appeals in two pending cases brought by landlords challenging the NY State rent laws. 

TENANT ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS will be held at our

JANUARY 2025 meeting. If you live here and are interested in running for 

• president
• vice president (a few of these)
• treasurer
• secretary
• at-large board member

send a 1-paragraph bio and a photo to cpgtenassoc@gmail.com.  You will appear on the ballot. 

INCORPORATED: To protect the members of the board - including the executive committee - our tenant association is now incorporated:  Central Park Gardens Tenants' Association, Inc. 

CONVERSATION ABOUT THE NATIONAL ELECTION RESULT AND BUILDING COMMUNITY.  

Thanks to Tracy Jackson Mallin, a neighbor here who works in local politics and has a background in social work, who facilitated the discussion.  Many tenants expressed fears and concern about the national election results regarding: 

Immigration "roundups" of our neighbors and friends, the parents of kids in our schools, and those with whom we interact daily, including restaurant staff, deliverymen and others;  

→ RESOURCE/ACTION:  

• Those who feel vulnerable may want to carry ID with them at all times such as a passport card on their person or phone.  
• Inform immigrants about Ready to Stay , Immigration Law Help and the Immigration Advocates Network, and  the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights. .
• Those observing confrontations (legal or otherwise) may want to document them on their phones (if feeling safe enough).  
• Donate clothing, stuffed animal toys, and other items (not books) to our local schools. Stephanie Pitsirilos has offered to be a liaison with migrant families at PS 163, where she volunteers. 

Anti-women feeling (MAGA line: "your body, my choice") and action including the recently-expressed view of the Defense Secretary nominee that women are not capable of combat, and the president-elect's proposed restrictions on reproductive health care, including cutting insurance coverage for contraceptives.

https://www.wannapik.com/vectors/5010n

→ RESOURCE/ACTION: Women are stocking up on reproductive

healthcare items.  https://reproductiverights.gov/

Climate change, which has worsened (see brush fires note above) and what kind of climate world we're leaving to our children. 

→ RESOURCE/ACTION: Contact 350NYC and Food & Water Action! Older tenants may be interested in info@thirdact.org.  Contact our state representatives: Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember-to-be Micah Lasher.   

Weaker funding for social security and weakening the Affordable Care Act

→ RESOURCE/ACTION: Write to Congressman Nadler, to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand.

Anti-semitism and other outbursts of language or action against people because of their identity, religion, or nationality.

→ RESOURCE/ACTION: Support those affected, e.g. eating at Effie's restaurant.  Contact our state representatives.  

Anti-LGBTQ policy ,including a plan to roll back LGBTQ rights and "cut federal funding for any school pushing...radical gender ideology," and roll back particular Biden-era discrimination laws. 

→ RESOURCE/ACTION: State action to protect marriage equality.  Some theater groups are presenting programs in defense of these rights, including the LGBTQ Musical Theatre Network

Education
The new administration plans to  close the Department of Education and to cut federal funding for schools teaching critical race theory. 

→ RESOURCE/ACTION:  State action.  

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Tracy has offered her services as liaison to some assembly members and other state and city representatives as these elected officials consider ways to protect existing rights. 

Many neighbors wanted to continue their conversation through additional private meetings and to share resources.  If you're interested, contact Tracy,  [her email spelled out is tracy dot jackson dot nyc at gmail dot com]. 

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JOIN THE TENANT ASSOCIATION - REGARDLESS OF WHOM YOU VOTED FOR!  We're here for all tenants in the building.