TANY is comprised of 78 neighborhood organizations representing several hundred thousand people in the five boroughs. Citywide real estate trade organizations, homeowner and block associations, merchants groups and civic organizations all come together under the TANY banner.
"People were not happy that they didn't have say in the process," says Steve Spinola, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, a member of TANY. "The public should have a voice in decisions that affect them. The Fair and Open Tax Act ensures that people who pay taxes will have a chance to express their opinions before a measure is passed. This is not a vote against tax increases, but instead, is a vote in favor of traditional democracy and proper representation for the people."
"It's a worthwhile endeavor," notes Michael Skomsky, deputy executive director/direction of legislation at BOMA NY. "It's important for the commerical real estate industry to represent a united front."
To ensure action by the City Charter Revision Commission, TANY plans to launch an aggressive grassroots effort that will include advertising, petition drives, asking elected officials to meet with neighborhood groups to express their views on the Fair and Open Tax Act and recruiting other neighborhood and citywide civic organizations to support the effort.
TANY unveiled its first print advertisement that will start to run next week. The group plans to spend $50,000 on full-page ads in community newspapers throughout the five boroughs. Each ad will contain information such TANY's web site and telephone numbers, as well as a form that readers can cut out and mail to learn how to become more involved.
"People from communities across New York City are banding together to ensure that our voice will be heard. Hearings in every borough in New York will give voters in all parts of the city a chance to speak directly to the people who represent them," says Sheila Horgan, director of TANY.
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