Relativity

Staten Island’s relation to the rest of the boroughs is unique due to both its culture difference, and its geographic location.

Because Staten Island is quite far from Manhattan, there aren’t any direct subway lines to Manhattan. Still, many of its residents work there, and thus rely on the Staten Island Ferry and the Express Bus for their commute.

Similarly, many Staten Islanders also work in Brooklyn. Furthermore, many Staten Island residents were originally from Brooklyn, but many have chose to move for the cheaper cost of living, and a more optimal access to natural sites.

Unfortunately, Staten Island lacks many resources, such as ethnic grocery stores or wholesales. To avoid a long commute to Manhattan or to the other boroughs, many rely on New Jersey to access these areas

Sentiments towards Staten Island

Notoriously known as the “forgotten borough,” Staten Island is often regarded in a negative light. For the reasons aforementioned–specifically subpar resources, lack of diversity, and distant geographic location- Staten Island’s reputation of a lackluster borough precedes it. Residents of other boroughs are not attracted to the landmarks it provides, and because it lacks an extensive subway system, Staten Island does not have many visitors. 

Community Boards

Administration via the community board occurs on a small scale–at least for SI CB4, which encompasses Port Richmond, Mariner’s Harbor, Elm Park, and Arlington. The meeting began by emphasizing hospitable events, such as the Vietnam Veteran’s “Welcome Home” breakfast, encouraged attendees to voice their opinions of what they want to be presented, and allowed everyone to introduce themselves. All of these efforts imply the administration’s importance of community engagement. However, because the meeting was so small and oftentimes felt informal despite the host’s attempts to maintain the structure, no elected officials nor representatives attended.

One part of the meeting that should be highlighted is the policy surrounding roads and streets. If a resident of a specific area wants something changed, be it a new traffic light or fixing a pothole, that resident must create a petition and have as many other residents as possible sign it as well. This, again, emphasizes the administration’s facilitation of community engagement and collective effort.

Another part of the meeting that stood out was a restaurant owner vouching for an alcohol license. The process was simple: the owner had to state the purpose of his business, how it is conducted (ex. who works there), and how long the business has been active. Since none of the board members had any qualms, the owner was able to obtain his license.

However, a major shortcoming of these community boards is their lack of accessibility. I was unable to attend the meeting for my own district because they had either went on hiatus, or did not include any links or forms to RSVP for the meetings. While the meetings themselves seem to be productive, they fall short in the face of poor planning.