Participatory Budgeting Season Throws Its First Pitch

The opening act of participatory budgeting for our council district has begun in the release of the neighborhood assembly dates by the office of Brad Lander.

Kensington’s will take place at PS 230, 1 Albamarle Rd on  Monday, October, 1 at 6:30pm.

As a budget delegate for the parks and recreation committee last year, I can tell you from experience that the commitment is a long and protracted challenge to stick with to the end, especially in lieu of the busy lives constituents of this council district tend to lead. However, for those brave souls who are willing to duke it out with their neighbors for their own civic vision, the pay off is grand.

If gaining a thorough understanding (and compassion) for the gears and the people of local government isn’t enough for you, then the ability to work with, get to know, have “moments,” and commiserate or celebrate with your neighbors should outweigh all the work involved.

When was the last time you went over to a neighbor’s home and said, “Hey! Why don’t we find out how to put a traffic light on our street corner after this fabulous dinner we’re having?” That is the stuff of participatory budgeting. Sound silly? Sillier than complaining about the lack of a traffic light at the corner over dinner?

The process puts a face and personality to the park or the road or the school since meetings include high-ranking officials who sit in with the committees and work with their ideas, giving experience and insight into how they are obligated to implement them should they be put on the ballot.

Plus, those attracted to this kind of enterprise — civic virtue — generally lead interesting and active lives outside of participatory budgeting.

I remember while I worked at one of the phone banking sessions just prior to the release of last year’s ballot, the cubicle next to me was occupied by a budget delegate who worked in a nearby community composting facility. We were able to exchange some warm chit-chat, and I found out from the source where I could do something I had always wanted to do: recycle my juicer scraps.

On another occasion, I made the acquaintance by mere happenstance of a very amicable guy who, at that time, sat on the board of the Freelancer’s Union. Most journalists tend to lead freelancer lifestyles, and now I had a sponsor, another way to engage, and, perhaps, a friend.

I also met just about everyone who’s anyone on my block. Kensington had been, for me, an apartment, a deli, a laundromat and a couple of grocery stores. Now it was a community.

If that wasn’t enough of a pay out for all of the effort and time, there were two events that will remain particularly memorable for me. The first occurred at that juncture when it was time get your idea ready to present to the public at the forthcoming expo, and an arts and crafts workshop was organized at Groundswell Community Mural Project at 540 President Street, Gowanus. In what could be the only instance in my entire adult life, such things as glue, poster boards, scissors, construction paper and twisty-sticks were not only sanctioned by other adults, but an encouraged part of very real politics, money and power. I regressed greedily to the daily life of my own four-year-old, and I hope to have that experience again.

The second memorable event was the “wrap party” where the tally on the ballots had finished and those who had made it to the end congregated at Commonwealth, 497 5th Avenue, Park Slope. We were treated to a couple of complimentary drinks and some fantastic subs in the midst of the electric energy of triumph and defeat — the good sportsmanship — when the election results were announced.

I congratulate in advance those who pitch their hat in for this year’s participatory budgeting. Catherine Zinnel, our district manager, confirmed last week that this year will follow the same restrictions of one million dollars for capital projects only.

So no, it can’t be spent on increasing teacher salaries (an expense item in the budget). The distinction will be made clear at the first assembly. So, what are you waiting for? The rabbit hole is right around the corner. Give it a go.

To learn more, find assembly dates in other neighborhoods, contribute an idea or to volunteer, visit bradlander.com/PB or e-mail lander@council.nyc.gov.