By Bianca Fortis
The new City Council districts are causing concerns for Woodhaven residents who want their community to join the participatory budgeting program.
When the districts were redrawn, the Districting Commission split Woodhaven, much to the consternation of the Woodhaven Block Residents Association and other residents.
Alex Blenkinsopp, a member of Community Board 9 and resident of Woodhaven, called the new lines gerrymandering.
When the lines were redrawn, he was worried about the future of participatory budgeting for the community.
Participatory budgeting gives citizens the opportunity to vote on how to allocate funds for projects in their district.
About a third of Woodhaven is in Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley’s (D-Middle Village) district and the rest is in Councilman Eric Ulrich’s (R-Ozone Park).
Ulrich, who was one of the first Council members to join the program, recently said he would like to extend it into his new district, including Woodhaven.
“Now we’re paying the price because if participatory budgeting comes to our part of the district, we will be at a disadvantage,” Blenkinsopp said.
Appearing as a rectangle on a map, Crowley’s portion runs from Park Lane South down to Atlantic Avenue, between Eldert Lane and 80th Street.
Her district also includes Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village and most of Forest Park.
Ulrich, whose district also includes Ozone Park, Howard Beach and the western half of the Rockaways, said the program has been successful.
“In my district, we were a laboratory for democracy,” he said. “The program was an overwhelming success and it brought back millions of dollars to the community based on priorities set by the constituents. It’s their money, not the city’s money. They deserve a say in how it’s spent.”
Blenkinsopp said that if Crowley chooses not to join the program, her portion of Woodhaven cannot participate and voice support or opposition.
“You’re taking away the voice of a large number of people who will be affected,” he said. “It reaffirms the idea that Woodhaven is not one neighborhood.”
But Crowley said that in the past she has held public meetings to discuss projects and few people — sometimes none at all — attend the meetings. She said instead she takes input from local community boards. She also said individual citizens have also approached her directly with ideas for the community.
Crowley said she chooses to distribute her funds equally across the district, a method she believes is fair. She is concerned that participatory budgeting favors residents who are more civically engaged and willing to attend meetings and vote, she said.
“Do I like the idea?” she asked. “Yes. But it’s not that I could say I’m sold on it working.”
Crowley said she would be more than willing to meet with Woodhaven residents who are interested in participating in the program.
Reach reporter Bianca Fortis by email at bfortis@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
