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Background Information
Nelson currently serves as Chairman of the New York City Council’s Waterfront Committee, and as a member of the Council’s Civil Service and Labor, Contracts, Oversight & Investigations, Civil Rights and Veterans Committees. The Councilman also chairs the Council’s Jewish Caucus.
Encompassing several culturally diverse neighborhoods, the 48th Council District includes one of the highest populations of seniors in the City. Nelson’s community, as well as others, have benefited from his co-sponsoring of legislation to reduce rent for low-income seniors and the disabled, extend and enhance protection for all tenants and lessen taxes for low-income senior home owners.
Mike Nelson has been a strong health care advocate for his constituents. He has hosted dozens of health drives at his district office offering free mammograms, flu shots, PSA tests, blood pressure screenings and blood drives. He has allocated capital grants to hospitals for technological upgrades & the purchase of such equipment as a heart & lung machine, and a digital mammography unit. Councilman Nelson has also supported legislation that allows individuals to choose whether to enter a nursing home or to remain at home with homecare. Moreover, Councilman Nelson is a supporter of hospice care that provides accommodations for family members. Concerned about the wide-spread problem of out of character buildings being constructed in residential neighborhoods, Councilman Nelson led the effort resulting in the “down-zoning” of Midwood as well as areas in Homecrest and Sheepshead Bay. Nelson also supported the rights of small homeowners in the Brighton Beach area who chose to reject a re-zoning plan that would make them vulnerable to predatory developers. In addition Nelson sponsored legislation enacted into law to impose strong penalties on engineers and architects who incorrectly self-certify building plans which violate Zoning and Building Codes. Michael Nelson is continually working to improve the quality of life for Brooklyn residents. He has sponsored legislation calling for increased penalties for graffiti vandals and has secured Council funding for graffiti removal in his district by a specially equipped high-tech truck. General information Entered City Council: 2/16/1999
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2013 Represents: Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Midwood Committees: Civil Service & Labor; Consumer Affairs; Contracts; Oversight & Investigations; Sanitation & Solid Waste Management; Waterfronts, Chair
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