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Public Testimony

Marlene Ansaldo Testimony: Street Vendors Project

New York City Council · Apr 23, 2025 · starts 3:10:51 · 4 min 36 sec

Marlene Ansaldo, a street vendor and board member of the Street Vendors Project, testifies (via translator) to request reduced fees for small businesses to help them grow and contribute to the city's economy.

Member of the Public - Rosario

Oh, the me siento aquí.

Member of the Public - Rosario

Okay, okay, okay.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Tomayuda Collegiate.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay, continue.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Soy parte de la Junta Directiva de Street Vendor Project.

Farah N. Louis

Okay.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

My name is Marlene and working for 21 years selling things in the city of New York.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

And member of the Board of Directors or Street Vender Project.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

And supporting the program or restaurants that outdoors.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

And asking the city of New York that you're supposed to be made sure that this program or restaurants or outdoor restaurants will continue.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

And I also asking the city of New York that it should improve the program, so this will benefit also the small businesses as well.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

I like to work in Pablo spaces alone with my my colleagues who are working with me in the restaurants, and we want a space for everybody.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Oh, you took in you took in the fees?

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay, continue.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Thank you.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

We are also asking you to reduce the fees of the restaurant programs, the fees connected to the outdoors restaurants.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

The small businesses like mine, we pay high taxes to the city of New York.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

No, no, this is reducing lasers de los restaurantes a la libre para que los pequeños restaurantes puedan beneficiarse, crecer y in ultima instancia, pagar mas impuestos.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay, one second.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

We want that you reduce the fees of the outdoor restaurants here in New York City because so there's this small restaurants can benefit, they can grow economically, and in last instant they will be able to pay more taxes.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Okay.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Please make the system to be easy, accessible and successful.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

My colleagues, right?

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Or the food field are counting with all your help.

Member of the Public - Sandy Reiburn

Okay.

Julie Menin

Thank you.

Member of the Public - Marlene Ansaldo

Thank you very much.

Julie Menin

She say thank you to you.

Julie Menin

Thank you.