Feb. 2013: Silver attended the annual firecracker festival in Chinatown, part of lunar new year festivities. Photo by Tim Schreier.
While Sheldon Silver’s says he’s hanging on to his seat in the New York Assembly, his 21-year reign as speaker comes to an end at midnight tonight. During our five years of existence, The Lo-Down has amassed quite a collection of photos documenting the speaker’s presence in the neighborhood. The gallery you see here isn’t anything close to a representation of Silver’s life on the Lower East Side. These images merely reflect the events the speaker and his staff wanted us to see. But we thought they were worth showing today, as an era comes to a close. Click on any image for a full-screen view and the full captions.
Feb. 2013: Silver attended the annual firecracker festival in Chinatown, part of lunar new year festivities. Photo by Tim Schreier.
Nov. 2009: Silver rallied residents on Grand Street to save the Pitt Station Post Office, which was threatened with closure. The post office was later removed from the closure list.
April 2010: In Chinatown, Silver announced a partnership with the LES Ecology Center and Asian Americans for Equality to recycle used cooking oil.
April 2014: Silver takes part in the ribbon cutting at the Manny Cantor Center of the Educational Alliance.
October 2012: Silver touted safety improvements on Delancey Street as Teresa Pedroza looked on. Her granddaughter, Dashane Santana, was killed by a motorist on the dangerous street.
October 2012: Silver conferred with DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
Sheldon Silver attended a rally in 2012 to protest the closure of the Cherry Street Pathmark store.
March 2010: Silver and Asian Americans for Equality celebrated with residents who returned home to their James Street building after a devastating fire.
Nov. 2009: Silver congratulated Margaret Chin on her election to the City Council.
Sept. 2011: Elected officials, including Silver, cut the ribbon to officialy open a new $200 million wing at Gouverneur Healthcare Services.
Dec. 2014: Silver attended a news conference announcing the passage of a state law allowing a Lunar New Year school holiday.
Aug. 2014: Silver and Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh attended National Night Out event sponsored by the 7th Precinct.
April 2014: Sheldon Silver, Mayor de Blasio at PS. 1 in Chinatown.
Jan. 2014: Silver, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, State Sen. Daniel Squadron pressured the MTA to repair the escalator in the East Broadway subway station.
Oct. 2013: Silver helped Seward Park Co-op inaugurate new energy-efficient boiler.
Oct. 2013: Wilson thanked elected officials for helping to secure $5 million for post-Hurricane Sandy repairs.
Oct. 2009: Silver and Judy Rapfogel, chief of staff, attended event at Seward Park Co-op.
Jan. 2013: Silver with Po-Ling Ng, head of Open Door Senior Center; members of the 10 Stanton Street Tenant Association, (left to right) Debbie Gonzalez, President Alysha Lewis, Cheryl Freeman and Rochelle Gilbert.
Jan. 2013: Silver with radio host Nachum Segal.
Dec. 2012: A light moment with Mayor Bloomberg and Council member Chin at City Hall.
Nov. 2012: Silver interviewed at Confucius Plaza regarding Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.
Nov. 2012: FEMA officials met with Sheldon Silver and other local elected officials to coordinate hurricane relief. Photo: New York State Assembly.
Sept. 2012: Silver helps Chinese American Planning Council open new computer center.
June 2012: Silver at the opening of Basketball City on Pier 36.
May 2012: Silver and Nathan Sklar, head of Comprehensive Companies, debut new school on Delancey Street.
April 2012: Silver announces a deal has been reached on intercity bus legislation.
Nov. 2011: Silver helps mark installation of a statue honoring Dr. Sun Yat-sen in Columbus Park.
Sept. 2011: Silver greets business owners at street festival sponsored by LES BID.
Sept. 2011: Silver blows the shofar at an Orchard Street festival.
May 2011: Silver cuts the ribbon for the Jewish Conservancy’s visitor center at 400 Grand St.
April 2011: Silver rallied at City Hall with housing advocates, calling for the passage of a stronger rent law.
Feb. 2011: Silver looks on as fellow elected officials call for regulation of Chinatown buses.
Dec. 2010: Silver, with the help of the New York Rangers, announces new hockey clinics for kids.
Dec. 2010: Silver announced repairs of dangerous Columbia Street sidewalk. Photo courtesy: Speaker Silver’s office.
Nov. 2010: Silver helps LES BID open new visitor center.
Nov. 2010: Silver, State Sen. Daniel Squadron and U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney led Halloween parade on the Lower East Side.
March 2010: Silver, Squadron prepare to shoot some hoops at Luther Gulick Park.
Sept. 2011: Silver with CB3 members Dominic Berg and John Leo at 9/11 Memorial.
