More than 1,500 residents made their voices heard with participatory voting
By Kristen Guglielmo
City Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) on Monday announced the three participatory budgeting project winners in District 29, in which community members voted to decide how to allocate $1 million.
Voting was open to anyone 11 or older who works, lives or goes to school in the district, which achieved record turnout with 1,785 community members making their voices heard.
Richmond Hill High School won first place with 932 votes, according to Schulman’s office. The school will receive $500,000 for the construction of a classroom to teach students about cooking and culinary arts.
The future students of PS 62, also in Richmond Hill, will get a reprieve from the heat. With 509 votes to land it in second place, the school will receive $450,000 to install an upgraded air conditioning system in its gymnasium.
With 390 votes, the NYPD will get $405,000 toward the purchase of 10 security cameras in the 102nd and 112th precincts to be posted at various locations in the district at the agency’s discretion, Schulman’s office said.
The councilmember visited each of the selected project locations on Monday to celebrate the winners.
“This process has shown students the power of voting, with many working hard to not only vote themselves but also to encourage their peers, families, and communities to do the same,” Schulman said in a statement. “Largely because of their efforts, our voter turnout has tripled since last year and their votes will directly lead to tangible improvements in our community. The winning PB projects will improve public safety in the district and enhance opportunities for students.”
Richmond Hill High School Principal Tarek Alamarie said the grant will help the school’s vision to invest in career connected learning.
“The culinary program, hydroponics and food safety at the Hill has garnered a lot of interest from the students,” he said in a statement. “It is an amazing opportunity for our students as we continue to expand multiple career connected learning programs.”
PS 62 Principal Jordan Vitta said participatory budgeting is a “practical extension” of the students’ civic education.
“By involving our students in soliciting votes for this grant, we are teaching them invaluable lessons in civic responsibility, community involvement and the power of collective action,” he said. “As a result of their effort, the future students and surrounding community will be able to enjoy an improved gymnasium for years to come.”
The commanding officer of the NYPD’s 102nd Precinct, Deputy Inspector Jeremy Kivlin, said the announcement of additional security cameras is “truly a ‘win-win’ for both the police and the community.
“I’m especially thrilled that this funding is a direct result of participatory budgeting that was voted on by the community,” said Community Board 9 Chair Sherry Algredo, who was present during Schulman’s visits. “That’s what true partnership and engagement in government is all about.”
In Queens, seven councilmembers took part in participatory budgeting. Visit council.nyc.gov/pb/participate for more information.
Link to story: https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/community-allocates-1m-to-schools-nypd/article_77490d6e-303f-5b81-bf18-86e1ce07a0c7.html