Council Member Ben Kallos Kicks off "First Friday" Meet and Greet with 50 Attendees
New York, NY -- Today, Council Member Ben Kallos launched his First Friday open house events with 50 community members in attendance. The events will take place every first Friday of the month from 8AM to 10AM and will be open to all District Five residents with interest in meeting their Council Member. Topics covered included:
- The importance of jobs for young people with full benefits;
- Opposition to the Marine Transfer Station being built near NYCHA housing in the district;
- Ways to improve local transportation, including balancing the Select Bus Service with local buses to serve the neighborhoods where the Select Bus Service doesn't stop;
- Concern over rents going up, making it difficult for residents to stay in their homes, and the downsizing of seniors in Knickerbocker Plaza.
"Meeting community members and learning about their ideas for a better New York is the best part of my job," said Council Member Kallos. "I am happy to open the doors of my office to everyone who would like to participate in local government, and look forward to meeting many more residents in the months and years ahead."
Kallos and staff, including Director of Constituent Services Debbie Lightbody, facilitated the event and assured attendees of accessibility and transparency beyond the monthly First Fridays, including on social media, in person, by phone, by email and more.
Ben Kallos has represented Manhattan's District Five (Upper East Side, Midtown East, El Barrio and Roosevelt Island) in the City Council since January 2014.
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