Thanks, NY, for Your Help!

NEW YORK (June 17, 2009) —The following statement was released today by Wildlife Conservation Society Executive Vice President John Calvelli:

“The Wildlife Conservation Society thanks Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Majority Leader Joel Rivera, Chairman Dominic Recchia and the delegations from all five boroughs for recognizing the economic importance of the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium and all of the city’s cultural institutions. Their decision to restore our funding is testament to the fact that the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, and our partners in the Cultural Institutions Group are what help to make our city great.
 
We also appreciated greatly the support throughout this budget process from the City Council delegations and their leadership, including: Gale A. Brewer and Daniel R. Garodnick, both of Manhattan; Maria Baez of the Bronx; Leroy G. Comrie, Jr. of Queens; Erik Martin Dilan of Brooklyn; and James S. Oddo of Staten Island.

The effects of the global economic crisis on all of the city’s cultural institutions continue, and this funding will ensure that we remain powerful economic drivers for our communities and neighborhoods. We create jobs and bring business vitally important to our local businesses.
 
We know the Mayor and the City Council were faced with difficult decisions during their budget negotiations. We also know they heard the many thousands of voices from New Yorkers asking that our funding get restored. In the past few months, more than 34,000 messages were sent to City Hall including 7,400 emails sent directly to Speaker Quinn, and another 51 letters sent by community groups and businesses.
 
We thank everyone who petitioned City Hall. The overwhelming community support is what made the difference.
 
Community Groups and Businesses Petitioning City Hall:
Cyclone Roller Coaster; New York League of Conservation Voters; Living and Learning by the Arts; Literacy, Inc.; New York State Institute on Disability; American Media Concepts Inc.; Interwest United Insurance Brokerage, Inc.; South Brooklyn Youth Consortium Inc.; Friends of Van Cortlandt Park; Parkside Senior Center; Riverdale Senor Services, Inc.; Van Cortlandt Jewish Center; Jackson Avenue Block Association; Phipps Community Development Corp.; Bronx Chamber of Commerce; Fort Schuyler House: Hutchinson Metro Center; Morris Park Community Association; North East Bronx Senior Citizens Center; Our Lady of the Assumption School; Preston High School; RAIN Boston Road Senior Center; St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf; Throggs Neck Merchant Association; Waterbury LaSalle Community Association; Bronx River Art Center; Fordham Road Business Improvement District; Brooklyn Community Board 8; Heart of Brooklyn; Bronx Community Board 1; H.O.G.A.R. Senior Case Assistance; South Bronx Action Group; Sustainable South Bronx; Brighton Neighborhood Association; Broken Ankle Productions, Inc.; Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson; Westchester Community Opportunity Program; Community Mayors; Heart Gallery NYC; TSUNAMI Hospital Foundation; Bronx Community Board 11; Hunt’s Pt. Economic Development Corp.

Updated: 6/17/2009