New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer toured Starling Avenue, the heart of the Bangladeshi community in the Bronx

On Sunday, April 26, New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer toured Starling Avenue, the heart of the Bangladeshi community in the Bronx, with Assemblymember Luis Sepulveda, Maf Uddin, Founder and President of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor, and a large crowd of business and community leaders. The tour was immediately followed by a roundtable discussion at Mamun’s Tutorial on 1504 Olmstead Avenue.

“We can build a tremendous relationship if we are willing to begin a dialogue and a discussion. I want to let you know about some of the initiatives of the Comptroller’s office and then I want to hear from you,” Comptroller Stringer said in his opening remarks at the roundtable.  “As New York City’s chief fiscal officer, I am focused on the issues that matter to our economy.  We have to make sure that people are able to secure good paying jobs and that new immigrant communities have the same opportunities of generations that came before – because that is what makes our economy and our neighborhoods grow.”

Comptroller Stringer discussed critical policy issues facing New York City – from the need to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour to increasing Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) participation in city contracting.

“Of the nearly $18 billion dollars the City spends annually on goods and services, only four percent goes to M/WBEs.  We must do better,” Stringer said.  “My office released the first-ever letter grade of City agencies last year that showed the City gets a ‘D’ in how well it is meeting its own goals for spending on M/WBE’s.  We won’t stop working on this issue until these grades change dramatically.”

The Comptroller also discussed other recent work of his office, including the release of his Immigrant Rights guide – a comprehensive guide to local legal, social service and community resources for immigrant communities – and a letter he wrote to the Department for the Aging urging them to ensure the City’s senior centers provide culturally sensitive services for emerging immigrant senior populations.

 

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On Starling avenue in front of Neerob’s famous restaurant, with Maff Uddin, founder & President of ASAAL , AM Luis Sepulveda and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer and members of the Bangladeshi community and business leaders.

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NYC Comptroller Stringer talking to community & business leaders of the Bangladeshi community, together with AM Sepulveda and Maff Uddin, founder & President of ASAAL

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Starling Avenue walk with community and business leaders, including Maff Uddin, founder & President of ASAAL , AM Luis Sepulveda and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer

 

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