The local paper for the Upper er East Side PICASSO & JACQUELINE < CITY ARTS, P. 12
WEEK OF JANUARY
1-7 2015
OURTOWNNY.COM
OurTownEastSide @OurTownNYC
2015 PEOPLE TO WATCH
LOOKING TO THE NEW YEAR The beginning of the new year is a time to take stock and size up what—and who — is ahead. To ring in 2015, we picked a group of people we think will have a big impact on our community. They’re not all household names — in fact, some of these people may be new to you — and we know they’re not the only people who will make a splash in 2015. But we expect to hear a lot from them, and know you will, too. Happy New Year! - The Editors
LEADING THE CHARGE TO PROTECT KIDS LOCAL ISSUES Maggy Siegel, Executive Director at Asphalt Green BY DANIEL FITZSIMMONS
Maggy Siegel’s job at the newly minted executive director of recreation center Asphalt Green has already expanded to encompass tasks like political lobbying, scrutinizing traffic studies, and working with the media to get their message out. While promoting fitness and health has long been within Asphalt Green’s purview, Siegel is taking it a step further to do battle against the looming garbage transfer station that the city is building right next to her facility. Already, there are signs of progress. Siegel told Our Town she has reason to be hopeful that the city will agree to move one block north the access ramp to the marine transfer station at 91st Street on the East River. She’s already succeeded in getting a major concession – the city has agreed in writing to suspend construction of the ramp during Asphalt Green’s summer camp. “There will absolutely be no construction on the ramp during summer day camp the entire summer,” said
Siegel. What’s more, she believes the city is conducting its own studies to determine if a plan drawn up by a consultant hired by Asphalt Green to move the ramp to 92nd Street makes sense. “I think I’m willing to be in print as saying we are cautiously optimistic that the ramp will get moved,” said Siegel. “Right now there are surveys going on all over the neighborhood and people are asking what are these guys doing? We believe it’s in connection with the possible ramp movement.” Siegel said she hopes to have a decision from the administration by June of 2015, which will be around the one-year anniversary of her taking the reins of Asphalt Green from Carol Tweedy, who retired this past July after two decades as executive director. She also said aside from the fight to move the ramp to 92nd Street, there are exciting things happening at Asphalt Green in 2015. Over 2,000 kids and adults are now part of their soccer program. “More than we’ve ever had,” she said. Asphalt Green is also teaching every kid in the nearby Stanley Isaacs Houses how
In Brief GOVERNORS VETO BILL TO REFORM PORT AUTHORITY The governors of New York and New Jersey jointly vetoed legislation Saturday aimed at overhauling the Port Authority and proposed instead a series of reforms they said would go further in bringing accountability to the agency. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced their vetoes of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey legislation in a joint statement. The bill — which had the unanimous support of the New York and New Jersey legislatures — would have overhauled the troubled agency by requiring an independent annual audit, creating an inspector general’s office, restricting lobbying and creating a whistleblower protection program. It also would have required Port Authority board members to swear they’ll act in good faith.
FUNDS SECURED FOR EAST RIVER ESPLANADE Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, City Council Member Ben Kallos, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner William Castro announced last week that $35 million in the city budget has been allocated to repair and refurbish the East River Esplanade. Phase 1, for immediate repairs, will get $12 million of the funding, and Phase 2 will fund future plans with the remaining $23 million. The East River Esplanade is a 3.25 mile long stretch of open public space that spans from 60th to 125th street, in dire need of restoration and improvement. to swim. “We start in January, and we’re just going to keep going until we’ve taught every kid in NYCHA housing how to swim.” Before she became executive director at Asphalt Green, Siegel and her chil-
dren were avid users of the complex. She has photos of her daughter, now 24, learning how to swim at Asphalt Green two decades ago. “I love Asphalt Green, and certainly have the passion to take it on,” said Siegel. “I
worked very closely with Carol Tweedy on a transition, and it’s just been amazing. More than I could have ever hoped. And it’s really the community programs, this is what I wanted to come here for.”
Jewish women and girls light up the world by lighting the Shabbat candle every Friday evening 18 minutes before sunset. Friday January 2 - 4:22 pm. For more information visit www.chabaduppereastside.com.