Celebrating Community
The idea of participatory budgeting (PB), which in April concluded its eighth annual cycle in New York City, is admirable and perhaps even inspiring. In practice, however, it feels a lot like New York progressive politics on the whole: somewhat dysfunctional and ultimately empty. An exercise in direct democracy embraced by forward-thinking cities around the world, PB empowers ordinary people […]
Seated at a table in the middle of a large room, John “Chicko” Texidor’s small frame was exaggerated by the empty space around him. With a flat affect, he patiently detailed a complicated history of personal development. Though he is now a fellow at the Red Hook Initiative (RHI), a Red Hook nonprofit group focused on youth development, the 20-year-old […]
It always takes a village! I’ve learned that this applies in the formation of our families, but also in teaching government to respond faster and better. When neighbors unify and lead community projects, the outcomes are just so much better. Red Hook is a perfect example of this idea. Our community learned how to lead government decisions and processes during […]
Forty-six proposals in District 38 have been submitted for 2014 Participatory Budgeting Process (PBP) season. Ten of those projects are in Red Hook. PBP is a process that enables community members to submit ideas for projects in their district to be funded by discretionary funds allocated by their local councilperson. Former Councilwoman, Sara Gonzalez allocated $2 million – double the […]