Radio Free Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge's 'Little City Hall'

For progressives and activists in Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and beyond, our local Community Board is an often overlooked vestige of community empowerment that is crying out for more engagement. In our wonkiest episode yet, we'll introduce our local Community Board Ten and explore it from all sides. We'll hear from political aides, long-time board members, and activists. Along the way, we'll dive into the strange, bureaucratic history of the boards and help explain why they function the way they do. Today's guests are Joanne Seminara (longtime CB10 member), Vinny (local political aide), and Brian Hedden (head of our South Brooklyn Transportation Alternatives chapter). Remember to apply for Brooklyn CB10 at the Borough Presidents website at http://www.brooklyn-usa.org/community-board-membership-application/

Show notes are available at www.RadioFreeBayRidge.org

Subscribe on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/radio-free-bay-ridge/ or wherever fine local podcasts are sold.

Special Episode: 3rd Annual Bay Ridge MLK March

Join us in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by listening in to the sounds and speeches of the 3rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. March in Bay Ridge, focusing on fighting back against Racism, Militarism and Poverty. The march was co-hosted and organized by Bay Ridge for Social Justice, Fight Back Bay Ridge, South Brooklyn Progressive Resistance, The Arab American Association of New York, and South Brooklyn DSA.

Congressional Contenders: Michael DeVito Jr.

In part two of our Congressional Contenders series, we sit down and chat with Michael DeVito Jr., a Non-Profit Director, mediator, and former Marine Staff Sergeant. We'll discuss what it's like helping at-risk youth on Staten Island and whether local organizations can serve as a model for nation-wide initiatives to combat opioid use, gun violence, and economic inequality. We also touch on the role of federal infrastructure development in Staten Island and South Brooklyn, and what it's like dealing with out-of-control pharmaceutical and healthcare costs in the district. Check out of full show notes at www.radiofreebayridge.org

A School Of Our Own

Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights have some of the worst overcrowding conditions in the city. How can we, as citizens, advocate and expedite a brand new school in the district? We'll map out a path, with some help from our newest Councilperson Justin Brannan, and discuss the pitfalls and process that lead to a new school within the next four years. Check out our shownotes at www.RadioFreeBayRidge.org

Congressional Contenders: Boyd Melson

Major Boyd Melson, US Army Reserves, kicks off our first in a series of interviews with the Democratic challengers for Staten Island and South Brooklyn's Congressional seat in 2018. We'll discuss stem-cell research, spinal cord injury research, non-profit charity work, and the opioid epidemic. Stay tuned after the podcast for Boyd's endorsement in the race! Check out the show notes at www.RadioFreeBayRidge.org

Going Nativist

Today we look at how Bay Ridge Nativism affects the neighborhood discourse (and thus, our politics). We'll interview former and current Bay Ridge residents, as well as political candidates, to see what they think. We'll explore different ways of looking at Bay Ridge based on where and when you were born. Does an emphasis on birthplace and/or residency drown out and discourage other voices and opinions? Does an idea have to start in our neighborhood to be of value or improve our lives? In short, does local nativism make Bay Ridge more -- or less (and we're betting you can guess which side we're on) -- welcoming? And given that, how does this phenomenon manifest in our politics, and how can we work to counter (or eliminate) it?

Check out the show notes at www.RadioFreeBayRidge.org

Coffee with Dan Donovan in Gravesend, Brooklyn

Today we bring you the uncut recording of one of Dan Donovan's "Coffee with your Congressman" events, held at David Boody Jr. High School in Gravesend, Brooklyn on November 12th, 2017. Be sure to check our shownotes at www.radiofreebayridge.org for analysis on some of his questions, such as the Republican Tax Plan, Net Neutrality, Reproductive Rights, the Estate Tax, the Excelsior Scholarship, Healthcare, and more. Bay Ridge, be sure to attend the next "Coffee With Your Congressman" event at Fort Hamilton High School on Saturday, November 18th from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Lies, Dog-Whistles and Statistics

We sit down to discuss the last few City Council debates for District 43. Rachel is joined in the studio by Kayla Santosuosso, former AAANY Deputy Director and Campaign Manager for the Khader El-Yateem campaign, and Mary Hetteix, debate organizer and member of South Brooklyn Progressive Resistance.

Website: www.radiofreebayridge.org

Our guest music is “Here It Comes” by Fred Zorn; reach him at 1boy1dog@gmail.com Opening and closing music is 'Battle Hymn of The Republic' by Red Nichols and his Five Pennies.

AAANY City Council Debate

Welcome back to another Special Episode of Radio Free Bay Ridge. Today, we bring you the uncut audio from October 24th at the Arab American Association of Bay Ridge's City Council debate between Democratic candidate Justin Brannan, Reform Party candidate Bob Capano, and Republican candidate John Quaglione. The debate was held at IS 30 in Bay Ridge, and co-sponsored by Fight Back Bay Ridge and South Brooklyn Progressive Resistance.

City Council Debate at Xaverian HS

Special Episode! While we work on our next episode on Nativism, we bring you the raw and unedited recording of this past Tuesdays District 43 City Council Debate between John Quaglione, Justin Brannan, and Bob Capano, hosted by the Bay Ridge Community Council. Also, be sure to attend next Tuesdays debate, hosted by the Arab American Association, at IS 30 on 4th Ave and Ovington. It's on October 24th, 7:00pm till 9:00pm, doors at 6:30pm. We'll be there tweeting from @RadioFreeBR using #AAANYDebate.