BY SHARON WOOLUMS | The Village Independent Democrats, which co-sponsored a community forum with The Villager in March on the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, is continuing to take the lead in fighting for the bill’s passage and saving the businesses in the Village.
The measure would entitle commercial tenants in good standing to 10-year lease renewals. If a tenant and a landlord can’t agree on lease terms, non-binding mediation and, if necessary, binding arbitration would be used to reach a deal.
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer — saying that the S.B.J.S.A. has gone nowhere for decades — recently proposed an alternative bill, but, among other things, it would only offer a one-year lease extension.
V.I.D. is asking Villagers to volunteer for the kickoff of the political club’s petition drive in support of the S.B.J.S.A. at the Sat., May 16, Bedford-Barrow-Commerce Fair. The street fair is always fun, and some call it the most exciting in the city.
V.I.D. will have a table in the plaza across from the band where the three streets, Bedford, Barrow and Commerce, meet.
Street fair-goers can stop to sign the petition and also find out how they can help with V.I.D.’s two-week petition drive, from June 13 to 20.
