It’s that time of the year — the beginning — when people the world over vow to cut back on booze, lose that winter weight, and make the world a better place. We asked a cross-section of Brooklyn’s movers and shakers for their New Year’s resolutions and what they came up with might surprise you.
Eric Adams
Borough President
Visit every neighborhood in the borough and speak to as many residents as I can.
Joe Lentol
Assemblyman (D–Williamsburg)
As some might know, we have an office cat named Brooke, she is our office mascot. Truth be told, I am a sucker for her meowing, purring, and begging, which often leads me to give her a few too many treats. So this year I am going to work on that. Sorry Brooke, but this year your treat intake is going to be reduced!
Linda Mariano
Co-founder, Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus
1) Focus on several research projects started last year.
2) Go to law school and get a law degree in order to sue developers and politicians.
3) Upgrade my cell phone and not be afraid of technology.
Dick Zigun
Self-proclaimed Mayor, Coney Island
To exaggerate Coney Island’s charms less — while I personally enjoy Coney Island’s charms more! In 2014, the new Coney emerges as a reality that can stand proud on its own — so I plan to work on my suntan.
Jennifer Schork
Co-founder, Preservation Greenpoint
My resolution for 2014 is to learn a new skill. More specifically, to buy an instrument (or crafting supplies), tell everyone how I plan to take lessons (and practice), never get around to it, spend more time talking to friends about how I can never find the time, and finally tuck that mandolin under my bed next to the sewing box and brewing supplies.
On second thought, I think I’ll just resolve to swear less next year.
Paul Basile
President, Gowanus Alliance
We resolve to find ways to make our community, cleaner, safer, more productive and different from other communities that succumb to greed and filtered life!
Paul Kermizian
Owner, Barcade bar in Williamsburg
Drive less.
Eric McClure
Activist, Co-founder of Park Slope Neighbors
I resolve to do everything I can to help reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on Brooklyn’s streets in 2014, and to hold the DeBlasio administration to its goal of eventually achieving Vision Zero [a campaign pledge to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries to zero] in New York City.
Craig Hammerman
District Manager, Community Board 6 (Carroll Gardens)
Buy local, buy American.
Use less packaging and conserve resources.
Invest in people, our most precious resource.
Theresa Scavo
Chairman, Community Board 15 (Sheepshead Bay)
Diet more and exercise more.
Charles Denson
Founder, Coney Island History Project
I will advocate for the clean-up and revival of Coney Island Creek as a restored wetland that provides a natural form of flood control. The creek is now threatened by a garbage transfer station and a culvert system proposed during the Bloomberg administration. This neglected tidal estuary should be transformed into a community asset that provides recreation and a safer environment.
Vincent Gentile
Councilman (D–Bay Ridge)
To be as diligent as ever and to make New York City a great place to live.
Alan Maisel
Assemblyman (D–Canarsie)
To lose weight.
Tesa Wilson
President, Community Education Council, District 14 (Williamsburg)
One of the things I would like to work on this coming year is to enhance our parent engagement. I want us to get our Parent-Teacher Association and parents’ council up and running. And we want to have some district-wide initiatives on multiculturalism. We’ll be hosting those events throughout the new year.
