Lee (file): “quality of life”
NEWBURGH – City Councilwoman Gay Lee is calling on the Newburgh Community Land Bank to amend its procurement policy to include a commitment to hire Newburgh residents on all Land Bank projects.
Lee, who is running for mayor in the fall, said the Land Bank’s current policy makes no mention of hiring city residents.
“The mission of the Land Bank is to improve the ‘quality of life’ in our city,” Lee said. “For far too many residents, the lack of employment opportunities is the major issue affecting and limiting their quality of life.”
She said given that the city gives properties to the Land Bank for free,
“it is only appropriate that the Land Bank play a major role in creating job opportunities for our residents,” Lee said.
The councilwoman also said the Land Bank should ensure that the jobs commitment is passed on to any future owner who acquires development rights on properties conveyed by the Land Bank.
Lee will challenge incumbent Mayor Judy Kennedy in a Democratic Party primary election in September.
To date, no Republican has entered the race.
