Harlem hails Lt. Gov. Benjamin in community swearing-in ceremony
BY DEAN MOSES
Although Brian Benjamin has offi
cially been serving in offi ce since
Sept. 9, the freshly-minted lieutenant
governor held a community swearing-in
ceremony on Sept. 12 outside of the Bethel
Gospel Church.
The program was designed to allow his
Harlem neighbors to be a part of the celebration
acknowledging the second Black
man to ever hold the title.
Coordinated by the Manhattan Democratic
Party, a slew of state senators, council
members, and democratic nominees
gushed over Benjamin, not only heralding
him as a perfect fi t for the position, but also
as a noble human being.
“Whether they speak Spanish or English
or they pray to one God or the another, or
whether they’re male, female, or the LGBTQ
community, all the Harlem’s of the
world will feel represented by having this
young man, as our current lieutenant governor,”
Congressman Adriano Espaillat said.
In addition to Benjamin’s character,
many also spoke of his failed run for city
Harlem played host to a community swearing-in ceremony for Lt. Governor
Brian Benjamin on Sept. 12.
comptroller, stating that although he did
not come out on top in that race, speakers
felt he was meant for another purpose —
one in which he can bring the Black and
Brown voice to an even higher offi ce, along
with the voice of Harlem itself, starting
with this ceremony.
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
The new lieutenant governor credits the
love and support of his wife for allowing
him to confi dently accept Kathy Hochul’s
charge, and locals for believing in him.
“I’m following the former Lieutenant
Governor and Governor David A. Paterson
from this district from the same senate seat.
I wanted people to be able to see without
having to go through protocols and who
can’t speak and who can speak and for how
long. I just wanted it to be with a lot of you
here who have been here with me, either
happily or unhappily from the beginning.
And I wanted it to be also near where I live.
I live on 121st Street. Our family uses this
park, Marcus Garvey Park. I wanted this
to be grounded here because I wanted the
start to refl ect where I am from,” Benjamin
said.
After thanking his community and the
presence of his fellow elected offi cials as
well as Judge Frank Perry, who swore him
into offi ce earlier this month, Benjamin
added that he hopes to uplift New Yorkers
through his position.
In attendance were Speaker Corey
Johnson, Manhattan Borough President
Gale Brewer, Manhattan District Attorney
Democratic Party nominee Alvin Braggs,
City Council Member and Manhattan Borough
President Democratic nominee Mark
Levine, and others who each applauded
Benjamin’s accolades and dedication to
New York City.
City Council hears Kallos’ push to end illegal hotels
BY DEAN MOSES
The Coalition Against Illegal Hotels,
City Council Member Ben Kallos
and Assembly Member Richard N.
Gottfried touted a new bill Monday, Sept.
13, aiming to crack down on illegal hotels
by creating a mandatory registration system
for short-term rentals.
Minutes before the fi rst hearing on City
Council Intro. 2309 was set to begin, the
Coalition and lawmakers urged passage of
the bill which hopes to stop illegal hotel
renting to tourists while opening up free
housing space for homeless New Yorkers.
“I’ve been a tenant for most of my life
and I’m tired of having to compete with
tourists for housing in this city, housing
should be for New Yorkers, hotels, should
be for tourists. It’s as simple as that,” Kallos
said Monday, standing alongside advocates
in the shadow of City Hall.
“Every renter had to pay an extra $384
more in increased rent due to the expansion
of Airbnb from 2015 to 2017, he added.
“Now this spike in rent actually forced me
and my wife to move during a high risk
pregnancy and I didn’t know until today
where the spike came from. There were
37,000 units on Airbnb in February, and
half of them listed entire homes, which is
not allowed in buildings with three or more
units under state law, short-term rentals are
City Councilman Ben Kallos speaks about the illegal hotel bill prior to a City
Council hearing on Sept. 13, 2021.
restricted to less than 30 days where the
resident is home at the time.”
In addition to contributing to the housing
shortage, Kallos also believes safety of
these rented spaces should also be called
into question. Kallos feels that the devastation
wrought by the remnants of Hurricane
Ida proves that rooms which haven’t been
properly inspected can lead to the loss of
life. Not only that, he also affi rms that if
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
these residential properties are prevented
from being rented in the short-term, unhoused
New Yorkers will be given more
housing options.
Following the conference, dozens of
individuals entered City Hall where they
testifi ed to members of City Council, hoping
to aid the bill’s passage before 2022.
The afternoon was spent recounting the
impact illegal hotels have on neighborhoods
in which they are found and the people
within them, with the promise of affordable
housing being of the most signifi cant
facing factors.
“This legislation, by requiring hosts to
apply for and obtain a registration number
in order to operate a short-term rental business
in New York, is essential to preserve
our affordable housing,” Vivian Abuelo of
the Coalition Against Illegal Hotels said.
During the hearing, Kyle Ishmael represented
Airbnb and gave a testimony on the
Int. 2309, underscoring that the company
supports the concept behind the bill; however,
they are calling for amendments to
be implemented so that it does not place
undue burden onto New Yorkers trying
to responsibly seek out ways to earn extra
money throughout the year, such as imposing
expensive or redundant requirements.
Joy Williams owns a townhouse in Harlem
and shares her home through Airbnb
in order to maintain it. She cautioned the
council against passing legislation that
would “handcuff” property owners looking
to maintain affordability of their own homes.
“I own my townhouse in Harlem and
share my home in order to afford to maintain
it. Airbnb hosts are afraid of the City’s
inconsistent, confusing and intimidating
policies around home-sharing and this bill
would only make it worse,” Williams said
in her testimony.
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