Public: Rev. Patrick O'Connor supports Mangin based on Jamaica rezoning experience

Good afternoon, I'm Reverend Patrick O'Connor, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica and a leader with Metro Industrial Areas Foundation.

We organize for thousands of units of affordable housing.

My congregation and the neighborhood of Southeast Queens

has lost many families because there's not enough affordable housing.

I am here to testify in support of John Mangian as chair of the Board of Standards and Appeals.

Last year, I actively participated in the Jamaican neighborhood rezoning

Incredibly led by Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams and approved by the City Council, it was my experience that Mr.

Mangin and other DCP staff listened and were responsive to multiple interests and perspectives of community residents, landowners,

for-profits, non-profits, different economic and racial groups.

He brought the critical tools needed to produce

use housing at the volume and scale needed to respond to the neglect and overpricing that has pushed out many residents.

Confirming him will ensure that New York City has an experienced, knowledgeable, skilled,

and capable leader who can respond to the council's objectives, the mayor's housing agenda,

and ultimately the hundreds of thousands of families who in this housing emergency have no place to go.

The council should

support and vote for John Mangian as the new BSA chair.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And we're going to go back on Zoom right now.

I could ask the people, the panelists on Zoom, I'm going to call on former Councilman Garanek to unmute themselves.

You may begin.