TESTIMONY
Mark McNulty, DJ, on Proposal 9's Impact on Cultural Expression and Safety in NYC Nightlife
5:34:01
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129 sec
Mark McNulty, a DJ and 10-year NYC resident, speaks in support of Proposal 9, which would regulate nightlife establishments based on capacity, noise, and safety, rather than prohibiting dancing.
- McNulty argues that Proposal 9 balances quality of life concerns with the cultural and social importance of dancing for many communities.
- He emphasizes that safety regulations will remain in place under Proposal 9.
- McNulty shares personal stories to highlight the role of dancing in forming meaningful connections.
- He urges the council to consider the diverse quality of life priorities of all New Yorkers, including those who value nightlife and dancing.
Mark McNulty
5:34:01
Good afternoon, chair, and counsel.
5:34:04
Thank you for being here.
5:34:05
Counsel member, Schulman.
5:34:06
Thank you for sticking around.
5:34:07
My name is Mark McNulty.
5:34:09
I'm among other things at DJ, and I'd like to speak only about proposal 9 today.
5:34:16
I've been a resident of New York City for 10 years.
5:34:19
I have performed, danced, and hosted events in some of the small bars and restaurants where dancing is technically prohibited.
5:34:30
Proposal 9 only proposes that a establishments that host live music and comedy be regulated by capacity and noise and other things like fire safety.
5:34:41
In other words, businesses will not be prevented from opening or from operating because they allow dancing.
5:34:46
The regulations that actually ensure safety and decorum in nightlife are not going anywhere as a result of this proposal.
5:34:57
Now when we talk about dancing, we often hear the phrase quality of life.
5:35:02
People are concerned, their quality of life will be impacted by noise downstairs, noise outside, maybe the behavior of certain patrons.
5:35:11
Those concerns are valid.
5:35:14
But I think we also need to ask ourselves whose quality of life are we talking about, whose quality of life are we prioritizing, While those traditional sort of concerns are valid, they need to be balanced against the concerns of all other communities.
5:35:34
Including communities who want to dance and enjoy themselves, and maybe they wanna do that in their own neighborhood.
5:35:42
One person's quality of life concern can be another person's livelihood, another person's connection to their culture.
5:35:50
You know, or to their homeland.
5:35:52
I met my girlfriend on a dance floor and her parents met on a dance floor in Roseland Ballroom.
5:35:58
So I encouraged the council to Think about whose quality of life we're prioritizing and recognize that the real regulations around safety will not be affected by this proposal.
5:36:09
Thank you.