George M. Santana, Esq. is among CB4’s eight new members.
BY SCOTT STIFFLER | The eight new members of Community Board 4 (CB4) recently got the nod from Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer to serve — after going through an interview process during which they made a persuasive case as to why they sought an unpaid, volunteer position requiring long hours and the navigation of complicated land use, transportation, landmark, license, permit, housing and quality of life issues. The past two issues of Chelsea Now have featured Mike Noble, Tanya M. Odom, Eric Latzky and Ambur Nicosia. To access those profiles, visit chelseanow.com and enter their names into the search box (located at the top right, on our home page). Future print editions of this paper will finish off our series, with Rev. Keith Fennessy, Brad Pascarella and David Solnick.
GEORGE M. SANTANA, ESQ.
Currently in private practice in the fields of landlord/tenant law and matrimonial/family law, native New Yorker George M. Santana, Esq., grew up in Hell’s Kitchen and was educated at Guardian Angel School in Chelsea. He earned his law degree at City University School of Law at Queens College.
Since then, Santana has acquired experience in a broad range of practice areas — including work as a contractor for the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals, and as Assistant Law Clerk to retired Justice Phyllis Gangel-Jacob (of the Appellate Term, First Department). He was also a Court Attorney in the Criminal Court of the City of New York, Bronx County, and the Kings County Civil Court. Prior to practicing law, Santana was a freelance consultant and a residential real estate property manager.
Shortly after he became a board member, Santana told Chelsea Now, “It is my hope to be a voice for those who often feel that their voices are unheard, both in court and at the negotiation table.” To that end, he noted, “I would like to serve on the Housing, Health & Human Services committee.” Santana’s request for a seat on that committee was granted — and he was also appointed to the Quality of Life committee. In a recent email, Santana explained why he wanted to become a CB4 member, and what he hopes to accomplish:
“As a lifelong resident of Hell’s Kitchen, I have personally witnessed the transformation of the CB4 catchment area and find the changes in the area within the last 30 years amazing. I sought appointment to the Community Board because I have always believed that it is vital to be active in the community as it promotes collegiality amongst neighbors. I am concerned with maintaining affordable housing in the CB4 area, as many apartments have been deregulated over the years. While many changes have been positive, it is disturbing that the social services in the area available to low income families, vis-à-vis the affordable housing stock may be at risk. As a landlord-tenant lawyer, I encounter the power struggle between apartment deregulation and affordable housing maintenance on a daily basis, and am in a position to see the lasting effects of deregulation.”
COMMUNITY BOARD 4 serves Manhattan’s West Side neighborhoods of Chelsea and Clinton/Hell’s Kitchen. Its boundaries are 14th St. on the south, 59/60th St. on the north, the Hudson River on the west, 6th Ave. on the east (south of 26th St.) and 8th Ave. on the east (north of 26th St.). The board meeting, open to the public, is the first Wednesday of the month. The next meeting is Wed., June 5, 6:30pm, at Fulton Auditorium (119 9th Ave., btw. 17th & 18th Sts.). Call 212-736-4536, visit nyc.gov/mcb4 or email them at info@manhattancb4.org.
