Recap of PLGNA meeting

Yes, I went to the Prospect Lefferts Gardens Neighborhood Association (PLGNA) meeting last night so you didn't have to. If you haven't heard of PLGNA, that's because the group has been largely dormant since the late 1960s for 20 years. Though resurrected a couple of years ago, it hasn't done a lot in the way of organizing. Unsurprisingly, the meeting was a pretty loose affair, the purpose of which was to elect a board of directors. Four candidates read position statements — Bob Thomason, Barbara Ann Rogers, Darren Patrick, and Deborah Mutnick. A fifth, Pastor Doug Banks, wasn't able to attend so Thomason read his statement. The issue that seemed to unite all the speakers was maintaining diversity in PLG and fighting gentrification. Thomason, for example, said:

"I reject gentrification when it forces poor people out. But I support it when it benefits us with a jazz club, Shakespeare in the Park for children, and support for artists."

There are 15 spots on the board, so all five candidates were approved, and the group decided to solicit more board members and vote on them in the near future.

Of the new board members, I was most impressed with Darren Patrick. He seemed to have a grasp on what it takes to get things done. He's involved with the CUNY's Right to the City Working Group, a sort of anti-gentrification umbrella group. And while I disagree with some of his positions (I supported the Lincoln Street development, for example), he seemed to be a flexible, reasoned thinker — and he knows how to use email.

After the board members were approved, the meeting, which about 25 people attended, gave way to an open discussion about the issues that individual residents cared about. One man, a white guy in an argyle sweater (a gentrifier, no doubt), said he'd like better public schools for his young children. An African-American student, 20, said the neighborhood needs a youth center. Tenants' rights were mentioned. At that point, around 9 pm, I had to get home. Things seemed to be winding down, though, and the new board agreed to email everyone about future meetings.

Comments

[Skei Saulnier]

Hi Carrie,

I just wanted to say thank you for attending and sharing with everyone what took place at the meeting. Did anyone talk about what to do about the recent spike in crime? Seems if your main concern is tenants' right, first and foremost you'd like to keep their right to staying alive and living in a safe environment protected before anything else. Also, do you know when they are meeting again?

Thanks so much!!
Skei

[carrie]

Crime did come up but it wasn't the focus. There is a new group called PLG Place to Be that is organizing around the issue of crime. I know of a couple of people involved but don't want to post their contact info here without asking first... I'll find out more and respond later.

The board was going to meet privately and come up with a time for the next meeting. We'll post the info once it's known.

[Nick]

Thanks for posting an update about the meeting. Any info on board member requirements?

Who's worried about crime? I'm noticing a lot more businesses going under (Veggie Hut??) than police cars. Though there was that incident a few weeks back where (literally) 20 squad cars appeared on Hawthorne St near my house. My in-laws had just arrived in town from Seattle. It was quite a greeting!

[Besley Nelson]

I am the newly-appointed (since Jan. 1, 2009) pastor of Full Gospel Tabernacle-Brooklyn located at 1173 Nostrand Ave. between Fenimore St. and Rutland Rd. I found the PLGNA on the web in my research of the neighborhood. Please keep me apprised of the PLGNA meeting schedule.