Lower East Side Assemblyman Sheldon Silver came to P.S. 134 and P.S. 137 on East Broadway Friday afternoon to announce a new program to replace up to a thousand basketball nets in New York City schools. Basketball City, which operates a recreational facility at Pier 36, is backing the initiative. The first phase of the “Nothing but Net” initiative includes the installation of 156 new nets in 21 schools throughout Lower Manhattan.
In spite of his legal troubles, Silver has continued to keep a relatively high profile on the Lower East Side and throughout the 65th Assembly District. Last week, a federal judge set a November date for his federal corruption trial. On Friday, several local leaders appeared alongside Silver, including David Garza, executive director of Henry Street Settlement; Michael Zisser, CEO of University Settlement; Don West, president of the 7th Precinct Community Council; and Karen Blatt, district leader and member of Community Board 3.
The assemblyman delivered brief remarks, praising Basketball City owner Bruce Radler, and then took part in a photo op/shoot around with kids from the two schools. In a press release, P.S. 134 principal Daniel Kim and P.S. 137 principal Melissa Rodriguez said the schools are “incredibly grateful for Assemblyman Silver’s support.”
