Issues affecting the 47th Councilmanic District

Brian L. Gotlieb opposes the City of New York's plan to construct a Marine Waste Transfer Station (MWTS) at the site of the former Southwest Incinerator complex. Gotlieb, who has testified at multiple hearings on the subject, believes that the MWTS poses a great risk to the health of the surrounding community; the MWTS should not be constructed in the heart of a heavily populated community with high numbers of senior citizens and children; the City of New York has failed to demonstrate that the construction and operation of the MWTS would be environmentally safe or that there would be sufficient oversight; has not outlined what steps will be taken to mitigate the fact that the MWTS would be constructed in a flood zone or what steps will be taken to communicate with community residents in an emergency.

Believing that Coney Island did not need more vacant lots and that Astroland Amusement Park should not be rushed into history, Brian L. Gotlieb launched a successful petition drive that collected more than 10,000 signatures calling for the park to remain open for the 2008 season.

Brian L. Gotlieb has been a leading critic of the plans that have been proposed for the redevelopment of Coney Island as they fail to address the needs and concerns of the entire community. To that end, Gotlieb joined with community and labor leaders to create "CI Clear," an organization designed to ensure that community residents are given the opportunity to have careers rather than temporary jobs without benefits; are provided with an active voice with which to participate in the redevelopment process; and, are able to continue living in their own community, rather than being forced to move.

Brian L. Gotlieb has also been a critic of Fair Student Funding (FSF) which calls for a $10.2 million decrease in funding for District 21's schools at the end of the 2008-09 school year. Gotlieb, who hosted a Town Hall meeting on FSF, continues to work with parents and educators to ensure that these funds won't be lost.