MARIA PASSANNANTE DERR
Candidate for New York City Council, 3rd District,
Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton, Hudson Square, West Village,
and a portion of the Flatiron District and Murray Hill

I was born and raised in Greenwich Village, and I am proud to still be living on the same street where I grew up. Since obtaining my Law Degree from New York Law School and earning a Masters Degree from John Jay College, I have spent over 25 years practicing law and advocating on behalf of our community, including a career spent as a small business owner managing my own law practice in the Village, and five years of service on Community Board #2, during which I was elected Community Board Chair for two terms. I am honored to continue that advocacy as a candidate for New York City Council, 3rd District.

For three generations my family has been very active in the community, running a small business and engaging in philanthropy. I grew up with my parents and immediate family in my grandfather’s home, an environment where strong and honest opinions were encouraged. From an early age, I learned to consider all sides of an argument and to build a consensus between differing points of view. My Uncle, the Honorable William F. Passannante, represented Greenwich Village and Chelsea in the New York State Assembly for 36 years, and is credited with sponsoring our Nation’s first Statewide Gay Rights Bill in 1971.

I was also raised by my Aunt, Marie Passannante, one of only two women who graduated from Fordham Law School in 1938. She subsequently achieved high recognition for her legal skills at a time when few women were practicing law. She was my mentor and has been my inspiration on women’s rights issues.

I have continued my family’s tradition of public service as a member of Community Board #2 for the past five years, serving Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho and the Meatpacking district. My record of community involvement, which includes the many years spent fighting for community residents as an attorney, served me well in achieving important goals during my service on the Board. Last year I completed my second term as the Board Chair. I urged reforms to make the Board not only fiscally responsible but open and responsive to the community’s needs. Under my leadership, the Community Board insured that commercial and residential development was balanced against and controlled by the belief that we preserve our unique heritage -- not just the beautiful architecture, but also the unique character of our historic neighborhoods.

During my tenure as Chair, the Board took the first steps in organizing the opposition to the City’s shortsighted proposal to build an immense sanitation garage on Spring Street, with garbage scheduled to arrive daily not only from our district but also from two other City districts. The Board also took the lead in opposing the proposed use of Hudson River Park for a re-cycling waste station, and fought to prevent the closing of Medicare and Veteran’s Administration facilities serving our community.

The restoration of our neighborhood parks has been a defining issue throughout my five-year tenure on the Board. As Chair, I worked hard to facilitate the restoration of Washington Square Park, making sure to preserve the park’s role as a forum for free speech and art while providing a safe public space for young children and the elderly. As a one-time dog owner and full-time animal lover, I was a loyal ally in the effort to increase the number of dog runs and animal-friendly spaces in our parks; I also helped establish a Street Activity Sub- Committee to oversee permits for street fairs and other public outdoor events. I am also proud to have strongly supported the Community Board’s request for additional funding so that the AIDS Memorial in the Hudson River Park can be completed.

Under my leadership the Community Board focused on environmental issues, improving the quality of life in our community and fighting against air and noise pollution. I have been a staunch supporter of NYU’s Co-Generation Project, which will substantially ease the neighborhood’s Con Ed usage by removing 33 NYU buildings from the Con Edison power grid.

I understand local businesses – I have spent my life building my own. Maintaining my law practice in the community has given me valuable perspective on the importance of local businesses and restaurants in providing jobs, income and neighborhood character. My support of local businesses was recognized by the Greenwich Village- Chelsea Chamber of Commerce last year when the Chamber named me as its 2007 Member of the Year. My status as lifelong resident of the Village and a founding member of the revitalized Chamber has helped immensely in my goal of reaching consensus and balancing the needs of community residents and small businesses. I am also a strong believer in providing and maintaining affordable housing; helping to control skyrocketing housing costs is crucial in retaining our diverse population, as well as ensuring fairness and human dignity for every member of our community.

I hope that you will join me on my campaign to move New York City forward with intelligent change and make our community a better place for all of us.