UWS GETS PORK DIET
by dan rivoli
the city council released its list of pork-the money that council members dole to nonprofits and organizations in their district-and the upper west side got a lean cut.
gale brewer, who represents the upper west side in the council, received $377,339 in discretionary spending.
in the 51-member city council, that puts brewer fifth from the bottom, according to an analysis by gotham gazette, a news website published by good government group citizens union. gotham gazette tallied individual member items, excluding member items from borough delegations (brewer co-chairs the manhattan delegation) or the speaker's office.
melissa mark-viverito, whose council district covers the upper west side from west 96th street to west 110th street, received $592,964 in discretionary funding. her district also covers east harlem.
by contrast, dominic recchia, who represents coney island and gravesend, brooklyn, received $1.37 million. he also chairs the powerful finance committee.
but west side organizations and institutions still received millions in funding from the council.
american museum of natural history received $1.75 million to renovate and expand a building for education programs and elevator maintenance. jewish guild for the blind, on 15 w. 65th st., will get a million dollars to renovate its facilities.
riverside park will get $300,000 for restoration of the hamilton fountain plaza entry stairs.
here's brewer's full press release about member items and other money given to west side groups.