BEST students voice needs to Bloomberg......on radio!

Former Mayor of Toronto, David Miller, came to New York City this spring (2011) to ask Mayor Michael Bloomberg about his efforts to green city streets. But he and CBC journalist John Northcott ended up spending a lot of time with Sustainable South Bronx, speaking at length with BEST trainees.

Northcott gave the students a rare opportunity to speak to the mayor, indirectly. Listen to a few clips from this hour-long Canadian Broadcasting Corporation piece, and hear what they had to say to Bloomberg.

Truck driver Gordon Nicholson heard them while driving across Canada, and soon after he wrote a really heartening letter...

Hi--I'm a truck driver from Winnipeg Manitoba Canada and I was listening to a program..... The former Mayor of Toronto (David Miller) was interviewing Mayor Blumberg and others.

Miller spoke with a group of men who were learning the upside of greening; men who came from rough backgrounds.   I have to say that I teared up a little when the men began speaking, using ecologically knowledgeable terms and showing a new respect for the environment in general and specifically their own back yard, the Bronx river area.  You are showing great wisdom by involving the local people who have lived through the decay of the past and are now literally getting their hands in the soil to effect the change.  These women and men will never forget the true meaning of their new vocabulary and will know in their heart that they were involved in real and positive change for the entire community.

I pray that what is being learned will be just the beginning of new directions for all involved.  You are in inspiration believe me.   

- Gordon Nicolson