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Power to the people – New civic alliance in the works

Power to the people – New civic alliance in the works

Local organizations are considering the formation of the Southern Brooklyn Civic Alliance, a coalition of civic groups sharing common concerns.

But don’t call it a “super” civic association just yet.

“We are looking at it as strictly informal alliance. At this time, we are not looking to put together bylaws,” said Ed Jaworski, the executive vice president of the Madison-Marine Homecrest Civic Association.

He stressed that its formation is still in the preliminary stages.

The group has no official spokesperson yet either, Jaworski was careful to note.

Participating organizations could include the Flatlands Civic Association, the Fraser Civic Association, Manhattan Beach Community Group, Sheepshead Bay Plumb Beach Civic Association, South Canarsie Civic Association, and Marine Park Civic Association.

The groups have scheduled a June 10 meeting to discuss the formation of the alliance.

“We want it to be an informal opportunity to communicate with each other,” Jaworski said. “There is strength in numbers.”

He said one of the issues that may be tackled is an attempt to define the term “character of a neighborhood,” an often-used descriptive used when city officials weigh whether a development is appropriate.

Another issue will be looking at ways to “clear up” long-dormant construction sites shrouded in plywood.

“We need the opportunity to get together because our issues might be different,” Jaworski said.

Greg Borusso, the president of the Marine Park Civic, said the hope is to meet the heads of neighboring civic groups to see what quality-of-life concerns, if any, are shared.

He said the hope is to see if there is “interest and consensus” to see if the alliance can get off the ground.