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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Mary, Member of the Public, on Outdoor Dining Program
3:44:38
·
147 sec
Mary, a member of the public, testifies against the outdoor dining program, citing concerns about safety, cleanliness, and sidewalk accessibility. She shares personal experiences and observations from living in the Village, emphasizing the negative impacts on residents and pedestrians.
- Highlights safety issues, including a fatal fire incident involving an elderly couple
- Mentions challenges for emergency vehicles, particularly fire trucks, due to roadside dining structures
- Expresses frustration with the confusing rollout of the program and the demanding nature of community board meetings
- Raises concerns about restaurants not following guidelines, particularly regarding sidewalk space and cleanliness
Mary
3:44:38
Thank you.
3:44:39
Mary here.
3:44:40
I'm against the outdoor dining.
3:44:43
It's regarding safety, cleanliness, and people being able to get by on the sidewalk.
3:44:51
I'm against any waivers of road side dining, hook and ladders, cannot put their feet down to they can move cars, but they can't move the platforms or anything that is in the roadway barriers, I think it is, to to do that.
3:45:12
We had two an elderly couple who died on Sullivan Street.
3:45:16
They were burnt to death.
3:45:18
So the West Village residents, Mary, Augustine, Leslie, then there was John Grimes and Peter Davies from another group, who testified.
3:45:28
I agree with them.
3:45:30
It is, dirty, rat infested, the garbage storage.
3:45:35
And I've been going to the c b two meetings, the restaurants.
3:45:40
Dot is has been very confusing because the program was rolled out quickly.
3:45:46
These meetings are hours long and over successive days in a week, and it's a tremendous amount to ask of us.
3:45:56
I worked in a restaurant during COVID.
3:45:59
I am immune compromised, and now I also have a disability.
3:46:04
So the sidewalk issue is even more important.
3:46:10
The restaurants never follow the guidelines.
3:46:13
There is not a one.
3:46:15
The one that I worked for paid attention very closely, but it's still not on mark.
3:46:23
I live in the village.
3:46:25
This is not outdoor dining hall.
3:46:28
You shouldn't have weddings outside because what happens is they take over the sidewalk.
3:46:34
I live on Cornelia Street.
3:46:36
It's a very small space, and this happens all the time.
3:46:40
And then there have been restaurants that are in the queue with CBQ and
Sara Lind
3:46:45
haven't gotten
UNKNOWN
3:46:46
Thank you.
3:46:46
Your time has expired.
Mary
3:46:47
Sidewalk dining or for roadway dining, but they were doing Okay.
Julie Menin
3:46:52
I'm sorry, Mary.
3:46:52
You have to wrap up.
Mary
3:46:53
Still have shenza.
Julie Menin
3:46:55
It's you, Mary.
3:46:56
You.
3:46:56
Thank you very much.
3:46:58
Mary, that's I'm sorry Mary, time is up.
3:47:02
Sorry Mary, time is up.
3:47:04
Thank you.
Mary
3:47:05
Safety first.
Julie Menin
3:47:05
Okay.