Mike Cherepko

“Go back to Iowa, go back to Ohio. New York belongs to New Yorkers,” now from @BPEricAdams talking gentrification and affordability.

Let me be clear: Anyone can be a New Yorker, but not everyone comes to our city with the spirit of being part of our city. I have a problem with that, and I’m unapologetic in asking more of our new arrivals to communities who were once waking up to gun shots and not alarm clocks.

What are you asking of them exactly? Can you tell us more?

Thanks for asking, Mara. Some of it is as simple as saying “hello” to your fellow neighbors. It’s also patronizing local businesses that have been there for years. It’s adopting a local school or shelter and lending a hand. It’s breaking bread with new faces and building bonds.