Gotham Gazette

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The state is expanding its buyback program to 129 homes in Staten Island's Ocean Breeze section, which was battered by Superstorm Sandy. The voluntary program will offer residents a little above their homes' pre-storm value, including additional money if they relocate within the city. They join 420 homes covered by the program in nearby Oakwood Beach. The properties will be transformed into open space or coastal buffer zones. Floodwaters knocked down 20 houses in the neighborhood and most of the others were badly damaged. Some residents have made repairs, but many remain boarded up.

Who Will Be The Next Speaker? A public forum with the candidates for City Council speaker co-sponsored by Gotham Gazette sister organization Citizens Union. 6 p.m. on Nov. 20. RSVPs required: email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 212-227-0342, x39. #NextSpeaker

Looking for the full schedule of speaker forums? Find it here.

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