Chloe Sevigny is known in the East Village as a star who has long loved the neighborhood for what it was, as opposed to countless others who have flocked in more recently. Because of the actress’s roots in the ’hood, Village locals, even the punks in Tompkins Square, who are rarely friendly to anyone wearing expensive sunglasses, smile at Sevigny when she walks by. In a May interview with Bust Magazine, Sevigny, who is originally from Connecticut but now lives on E. 10th St., expressed an interest in strengthening her connection to the neighborhood. “I was actually thinking about joining a community board to help preserve some of the older buildings,” she said in the video interview. “Try and save as many of them as possible and try to stop them from building as high.” According to the Daily News, some people are questioning Sevigny’s motives. She claims to be in it for the buildings, but critics are suspicious that she might be angling to further her brother Paul Sevigny’s nightlife interests.
Whatever Chloe’s intentions, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer told the News that he was in favor of her joining her local community board, Community Board 3. “It actually is exciting that someone of her stature and notoriety would even consider serving her community as a board member,” the B.P. was quoted as saying. But Stringer also made it clear that the “Boys Don’t Cry” star would have to go through the same application process as everyone else, noting, “There’s no special treatment here.” We couldn’t get much in the way of comment from C.B. 3 folks on the matter, since it seems they’re trying to ignore all the star-struck hoopla and just go about their important work. Over at Community Board 2, however, on the West Side, District Manager Bob Gormley offered that he didn’t think an A-lister would get any special treatment either during the application process or if appointed to the board.
“Having a celebrity on the board is neither an asset nor a detriment,” he said. “What’s important is whether the person is willing to put in the work needed to be an effective board member.” Similarly matter of fact, C.B. 2 Chairperson Jo Hamilton said, “Like most New Yorkers, we’re unfazed by famous people.” There is currently one opening on C.B. 3, following the tragic death of board member Harry Wieder last month, which hypothetically could make it possible for Sevigny to join before next April, when new members are usually appointed. According to C.B. 3 District Manager Susan Stetzer, Sevigny had not filed an application for the board as of this week. Stetzer declined to comment further on the matter.
