PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Rev. Carlene Thorbs, Chairperson of Queens Community Board 12
9:47:29
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130 sec
Rev. Carlene Thorbs, Chairperson of Queens Community Board 12, testifies against the City of Yes proposal, citing concerns about infrastructure, gentrification, and the lack of transparency in the process. She emphasizes that Community Board 12 unanimously voted against the proposal and argues that the city should focus on improving existing infrastructure before continuing to build.
- Highlights the need to rebuild infrastructure, schools, streets, and sewers before further construction
- Points out that Jamaica area has already been rezoned, allowing for significant development in downtown Jamaica
- Criticizes the lottery system for affordable housing, suggesting it may lead to community gentrification
- Expresses frustration with the tight schedule and deadlines for reviewing the proposal, calling it non-transparent
Rev. Carlene Thorbs
9:47:29
Good evening.
9:47:29
I'm Robin Carlin Forbes.
9:47:31
I am the chairperson of Community Boy 12, and thank you for this opportunity.
9:47:38
I cover the areas of Jamaica, Holland, St.
9:47:40
Albans, South Ozon Park, and Springfield Gardens.
9:47:44
After listening to everyone today, everything that can be said has been said, but there was one thing that has been left out.
9:47:52
When the conversation came up with the churches and they wanna The scripture was quoted about rebuilding the whole nine yards, rebuild the city.
9:48:02
You're absolutely correct.
9:48:03
That scripture by the clergy was absolutely correct.
9:48:06
We need to rebuild the city.
9:48:07
We need to rebuild our infrastructure and take care of our schools.
9:48:11
Take care of our streets and our sewers before we continue to build.
9:48:16
Now, Jamaica area and community board 12 has already been rezoned 500 and 80 streets, that's why the building in downtown Jamaica can be the way that the way that it is.
9:48:28
It is not our fault.
9:48:30
City planning has come to our meetings and have accused us as 1 and 2 family homeowners that it is our fault.
9:48:37
That the rent has gone up, the rate that it has.
9:48:41
But the reality is it's the greedy builders.
9:48:44
And all of this building that they're talking about, what they fail to tell the applicants, what they fail to tell the churches, This is by lottery.
9:48:54
Getting into these apartments is by lottery.
9:48:57
So you tear up your community, and then someone else moves in, you help gentrify your own community.
9:49:05
This is something that everyone needs to think about.
9:49:08
See community board 12 voted no unanimously to the city of yes.
9:49:15
We voted absolutely not.
9:49:18
It was shoved down our throats.
9:49:20
It was presented to us on a tight schedule knowing that in the month of June, we we would be going out on vacation.
9:49:27
Deadlines were for August, and things of that nature.
9:49:31
So this has not been transparent.
Shaun Abreu
9:49:33
Thank you very much for your testimony, Caroline.
9:49:35
We're now moving to Andrew Berman.
Rev. Carlene Thorbs
9:49:38
Thank you.
