NYC'S GOT 59 COMMUNITY BOARDS

It’s probably safe to say that outside of political circles, most New Yorkers have little idea what community boards are or what they do. But one elected official is trying to change that, and attract a larger, more diverse pool of candidates to community boards, even some who haven’t yet graduated high school. NY1’s Bobby Cuza filed the following report.

It is perhaps the most anonymous layer of government. Unlike, say, the City Council or the state senate or assembly, the city’s 59 community boards can’t pass laws or wield any real authority. The volunteer members say when explaining their role, they get blank stares.

“They say, ‘Oh what’s that?’ you know, and so what I say, I tell them what it is. It’s an advisory board,” said Manhattan Community Board 8 member Lori Bores.

It’s an advisory board with an influential say in matters like liquor licenses and land use.

In recent days, hundreds of applicants to Manhattan’s 12 community boards have gathered at Borough President Gale Brewer’s offices where in lieu of an interview, they take part in group exercises – tackling, for instance, a zoning issue – all under the watchful eye of evaluators with clipboards taking careful notes.

“We try to figure out who in the group is, you know, involved, and who’s got good ideas. And we hope to have that person be on the community board,” said Brewer.

Brewer, who appoints board members – in some cases nominated by the local Council member – made applications available online for the first time this year, attracting 722 applications for 300 spots, far exceeding every other borough. She says it’s not about political connections.

“We really try to make it based on your background and your interests. So we have an airline pilot. We have a principal applying. We have parents applying. We have civic leaders applying. We have young people,” said Brewer.

That included 25 applications from 16- and 17-year-olds like Emanuel Zbeda, eligible for the first time under a newly enacted state law.

“We don’t have an AARP to protect us. I mean, we’re going to be paying social security taxes and we have no influence whatsoever. So this is a steppingstone,” said Zbeda.

Applicants will learn whether they’ve been appointed early next month. If you’re interested in joining a community board, members serve staggered two-year terms, which means just as many spots will be open again next year. Look for applications in the fall.