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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Tappy Hightower, Member of the Public
2:44:50
·
85 sec
Tappy Hightower, a university student from the Lower East Side who frequents the Western Rail Yards area, spoke against the development plan that includes a potential casino. She urged the City Council to vote against the proposal, emphasizing that while they're not directly voting on a casino, approving the plan would enable casino development.
- Highlighted concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations, including the shrinking middle class, low-income households, and senior citizens.
- Suggested that if New York needs a casino, there are more suitable locations that won't complicate the lives of vulnerable residents.
- Emphasized the importance of listening to community concerns, despite not being a resident of the immediate neighborhood.
Tappy Hightower
2:44:50
Okay.
2:44:51
Hi.
2:44:52
My name is Tappawanna Shay Hightower.
2:44:54
I go by Tappy for most people's convenience.
2:44:57
I'm from the Lower East Side, but I attend university in West Village.
2:45:01
But I'm a neighbor who often works and works in and frequents the neighborhood of the Western Rail Yards.
2:45:08
I'm
2:45:09
to keep this very brief, but the city council is not being asked to vote on a casino.
2:45:15
That much is true.
2:45:16
However, by voting in agreement with a plan that includes a proposal for a casino or an application, excuse my language, the city council would be enabling the development of a casino.
2:45:29
As I stated in my introduction, I am a neighbor and not a resident of this neighborhood.
2:45:34
However, as a neighbor it is my responsibility to listen to the concerns of those who are in and of the community.
2:45:41
And if New York is in dire need of a casino, there are much more ideal practical locations that will not complicate the lives of our most vulnerable, which doesn't just include the shrinking middle class, that also includes a group that most people failed to mention, that most people failed to acknowledge for whatever reason, but it is also the low income members of that household that all or of those households.
2:46:04
It also includes senior citizens and all of those who are vulnerable as previously mentioned by other people who are against this development plan.
2:46:12
I urge the city council to vote no on this.
UNKNOWN
2:45:09
going