State Senator Daniel Squadron is inviting the 25th Senate District to join him in an unusual political forum. The discussion will give constituents a rare opportunity to divide into small groups and tackle the state’s most pressing issues in depth.
Squadron, who took office in January, says the Community Convention is a push for citizen involvement in the law making process. “State government must be more open, more transparent and more accessible to the people of New York than ever before,” said Squadron in a prepared statement. “Government cannot happen separately from people’s everyday lives.”
The senator, whose district includes Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, will lead an opening session discussing legislative issues during the economic crisis, including the state budget. Attendees will then divide into groups led by a moderator, to share strategies on specific neighborhood concerns such as housing, transportation and education. A similar format was used several times a few years ago to discuss 9/11 rebuilding issues.
Squadron plans to prepare a report summarizing the ideas suggested by the attendees. About 300 people have already R.S.V.P.’d and Squadron has moved the event to a bigger space at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. It will be Sun., Mar.15th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 199 Chambers St. R.S.V.P. is requested via email, convention@danielsquadron.org or by calling 212-298-5565.
