State Senator Squadron Hosts 3rd Annual Community Convention

State Senator Daniel Squadron needs your help.

In an effort to better serve constituents, Squadron is holding his 3rd Annual 25th Senate District Community Convention on Sunday from 2 - 5 p.m. at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights.

The Convention is designed to elicit feedback; instead of a speech followed by a  question and answer session, more than 20 break out sessions will be held. Attendees can choose from a host of discussion topics, including Education and Schools, Environmental Sustainability, Parks and Open Space and Zoning and Neighborhood Preservation, among others.

Squadron intends to take what he hears at the Convention back with him to Albany.

"Every year we get so many ideas," he said in an interview.

School overcrowding, pedestrian safety and federal money for public housing are examples of legislation introduced or altered because of constituent input at the Convention, said Squadron.

Last year, more than 400 people attended the Community Convention.

"People are very interested in being involved if given the opportunity," Squadron said. "Government works when people are excited about government."

Roy Sloane, President of the Cobble Hill Association, attended the Convention in past years and plans to attend this year as well.

"The Convention helped focus attention on a variety of community concerns," he said.

Squadron also hopes the Convention will show the community his dedication to prioritizing openness and transparency in government, an issue he campaigned on when he first ran for the Senate in 2008.

The space between constituents and their elected representatives is often great, he said, and can be difficult to bridge.

"I've worked very hard to try and close that gap," he said.

Perhaps the most important goal of the Convention is to bring people to the table who might not otherwise be involved in politics or government, said Squadron.

"What happens in Albany makes a concrete difference in people's lives," he said.

***

Attendees are asked to RSVP by contacting Rosemarie Diaz at 212-298-5565 or rdiaz@nysenate.gov.