Resignations from CB3 After Controversial Committee Shakeup [Updated]
Alexandra Militano
The big news coming from Community Board 3 last night was not the monthly SLA subcommittee meeting, rather the resignation of two of its ilk.
As previously reported, the Board Chair Alysha Lewis-Coleman sacked longtime SLA Subcommittee Chair Alexandra Militano from her role as committee chair the Friday before Christmas, and installed Michelle Kuppersmith as replacement. Reason provided was to “facilitate the [SLA] committee moving in ‘another direction.’” Many local activists allege it was meant to silence opposition to an initiative pitched by the Lower East Side Partnership to assume greater control over administration of the Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs.
Update: despite Lewis-Coleman referencing the departure of Militano during the meeting, she did not resign. Militano tells us, “I have not yet resigned so am still a member of CB3 and cannot comment.”
The action led five of six members of the committee – including Chair Militano and Vice Chair Clint Smeltzer – to circulate an open letter regarding the conduct. The sixth – Kuppersmith – did not sign.
The buildup ultimately culminated in the resignation of Militano and Smeltzer from CB3 last night. The former has twenty years of volunteer service on the board; the latter with five years.
Our request for comment from both was not immediately returned.
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