Maria Derr

Maria Passannante-Derr www.mariaforcouncil09.com I'm a candidate for New York City Council, 3rd District, Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton, Hudson Square, West Village, and a portion of the Flatiron District and Murray Hill. I was born and raised in Greenwich Village, and I am proud to still be living on the same stre...et where I grew up. Since obtaining my Law Degree from New York Law School and earning a Masters Degree from John Jay College, I have spent over 25 years practicing law and advocating on behalf of our community, including a career spent as a small business owner managing my own law practice in the Village, and five years of service on Community Board #2, during which I was elected Community Board Chair for two terms. I am honored to continue that advocacy as a candidate for New York City Council, 3rd District, a position currently held by Speaker Christine Quinn who will be “term limited” in December, 2009. For three generations my family has been very active in the community, running a small business and engaging in philanthropy. My Uncle, the Honorable William F. Passannante, represented Greenwich Village and Chelsea in the New York State Assembly for 36 years, and is credited with sponsoring our Nation’s first Statewide Gay Rights Bill in 1971. My Aunt, Marie Passannante, was one of only two women who graduated from Fordham Law School in 1938. She subsequently achieved high recognition for her legal skills at a time when few women were practicing law, and has been an inspiration to me on women’s rights issues all my life. I have continued my family’s tradition of public service as a member of Community Board #2 for the past five years, serving Greenwich Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho and the Meatpacking district. During my tenure as Chair, the Board took the first steps in organizing the opposition to the City’s proposal to build a sanitation garage on Spring Street. The Board also took the lead in opposing the proposed use of Hudson River Park for a re-cycling waste station, and fought to prevent the closing of Medicare and Veteran’s Administration facilities serving our community. I am also proud to have worked hard to facilitate the restoration of Washington Square Park, and to have helped establish a Street Activity Sub-Committee to oversee permits for street fairs and other public outdoor events. I strongly supported the Community Board’s request for additional funding so that the AIDS Memorial in the Hudson River Park can be completed. I understand local businesses – I have spent my life building my own. Maintaining my law practice in the community has given me valuable perspective on the importance of local businesses and restaurants in providing jobs, income and neighborhood character. My support of local businesses was recognized by the Greenwich Village- Chelsea Chamber of Commerce last year when the Chamber named me as its 2007 Member of the Year. I hope that you will join me on my campaign to move New York City forward with intelligent change and make our community a better place for all of us. Read More