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Fidler Blasts City Youth Unit For Small Public Hearing Crowd A concerned Councilman Lew Fidler questioned panelists of the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development about their efforts to publicize the recent Community Action Board public hearing at the Abe Stark Senior Center,that did not attract as many participants as expected. Since Community Board 18 is eligible to receive funding for various organizations, the meeting was designed to give community groups and residents a chance to offer suggestions to DYCD representatives. Fidler, who only learned of the hearing the night before, told panelists that their efforts to promote the highly significant dialogue were insufficient. "Looking at this room, there really should be ten times more people here," Fidler said, glancing around where less than twenty community representatives sat. "What was done to tell people about tonight? There are more groups in Canarsie that are active – that are involved and would want to be part of this process who aren’t here but should be." In response to Fidler’s inquiries, Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Lynn defended the efforts her organization took to alert the community about the event. "We did place ads in local newspapers. We contacted Community Board 18 and they volunteered to do a mailing," said Lynn. "We did a mailing to all the community-based organizations that are funded by the DYCD and we put an ad in the New York Post...That’s what we did." Fidler countered that since many of those organizations were not present it reflected how sparse word of the meeting was spread. Despite the turnout, community there were a few who suggested where funds should be designated. Volunteer speakers agreed that youth-funded services in Canarsie are the Isis Adewale, a representative from the youth organization Team Revolution, emphasized that while younger people are being called the minority, "in numbers they are the majority." In addition, she said, funding will supply programs that will instill encouragement and positive development. Community activist Wendy McClarin, who resides in the Breukelen Houses, said,"Something has to be brought to this community to utilize their time – other than police officers waiting for them to break the law so they can take them to jail."
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