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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Constance Lesold, Member of the Public

4:14:56

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151 sec

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Constance Lesold expresses gratitude for the council's work and the opening of the Bedford library branch. She emphasizes the importance of free activities for underserved populations and immigrants in New York City, drawing from her family's immigrant experience.

Advocates for more publicity for the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens' community pass, which allows free entry
Calls for support for the Brooklyn Children's Museum to offer more free activities
Stresses the need for city assistance in providing free cultural and educational opportunities for families with limited financial resources

Constance Lesold

4:14:56

My name is Constance Lesold, and I thank you for all the wonderful work you're doing on behalf of the city.

4:15:09

I thank you for finally getting the Bedford branch of the library open.

4:15:15

I attended the opening, and it was absolutely wonderful.

4:15:19

And I, look forward to using it as a space to, encourage other community activities that are very much needed.

4:15:32

I am very concerned that we don't have enough free activities for the underserved populations of the city, both those who've been here a long time and the immigrants who are here.

4:15:48

My husband's family were immigrants from Hitler's Germany, and they used, for example, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

4:15:56

In fact, my father-in-law said that was his synagogue.

4:16:00

They used it for relaxation and and to keep their their minds and souls together through that hard time.

4:16:11

So I have sponsored the committee of a hundred to make the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens free again for quite a number of years, and I'm glad to remind you that during the pandemic, the gardens, without a director at that time, decided to go with the community pass so that anyone can go for free.

4:16:36

However, people do not know that yet.

4:16:39

It is not publicized enough.

4:16:41

I would ask all the libraries to publicize that fact that you can go for free if you ask for a community pass.

4:16:50

I can't say how important that is.

4:16:54

The Brooklyn Children's Museum is in need of support so that it can have many more free activities.

4:17:02

We we cannot ignore the fact that people just don't have any extra money now.

4:17:09

And the city has to fill in with assistance for them to give their communities, their families, what they need to carry on and become productive citizens.

4:17:26

Thank you.

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Testimony by Carol Benovic-Bradley, Vice President of Friends of Ridgewood Library

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Testimony by Maren Berthelsen, Deputy Director of Development at Symphony Space