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Thank You

Thanks to the 100+ people who came to the town hall meeting Thursday! The event was made into a small miracle of civic dialogue because there was so much listening and patience--which is a rare thing these days.

We heard from Executive Director Peter Gillespie about the history of NAG and then testimony from several people about problems they have been experiencing with bike safety, with construction and quality-of-life, with transportation, and with affordable housing. Then we broke into small groups tasked with answering the question: "What three issues do you want to work with NAG on over the next year?" Then the groups reported back, and we finished with enough time to make it home or to a bar to watch the VP debate.

Here's what a couple people said to me after the meeting:

"It was pretty great listening to all of the residents in our group talk about their concerns for the neighborhood. In fact, it was empowering."

"I haven't seen a meeting get that range of age groups in a room since a Make the Road New York meeting."

Next steps
We hope to report back with an organizing agenda based on the dialogue shortly after the November election. We will follow up with a working meeting to get this initiative going.

Also if you have any photos, send them our way--our email is in the sidebar.

Coverage in the blogs
Williamsburg is Dead
Brooklyn 11211
Under the BQE


A special thanks to:

• Our new organizers--Allison, Alison, Wilneida, Gregor, Alexandra, and Emily--who got everyone to the event who got everyone to the event by tirelessly promoting it.
  
• Holy Ghost Ukranian Church for hosting the meeting and Ed Bartosiewicz who arranged for the space.
• Teddy's Bar & Grill for donating the sound system and Union Beer Distributors for printing the banner gratis.
  
• Our partners in the affordable housing collaborative who participated in the meeting-- David Pagan from Los Sures, Del and Doug Teague from the People's Firehouse.
• Our friends Dewey Thompson and Trina McKeever from GWAPP and Mike Hoffman from Newtown Barge Park Pals.
• The Greenline, the Greenpoint Reformed Church and all our blogger pals for helping to promote the event.
• And of course, our great board and hard-working staff (Peter, Michelle, and Ryan) who made sure the event ran smoothly.
  

Photos by Alexandra Sweet