Keeping Relevant With Ronnie Eldridge

Peg Breen, of the New York Landmarks Conservancy describes the organization's work to preserve New York's architectural heritage. By providing technical advice, financial aid, and education, neighborhoods survive.

Camille Rivera, of UnitedNY, and Ronnie Eldridge consider the loss of connection between worker, labor unions and the community. Do we consider the low wages of the worker who has helped us, the two and three jobs needed to provide for a family?

Elizabeth Nunez, Hunter College, scholar, author of 8 novels, talks about "Not for Everyday Use: A Memoir" her latest book. Ms. Nunez explores family relationships, the struggle to meet expectations, the oppression of the church, and more.

Sheila Rule, founder of the Think Outside the Cell Foundation, works to end the stigma that follows the formerly incarcerated and their families through the End the Stigma/Expand Opportunities Campaign. NY's "broken" parole system is highlighted.

Les Leopold is puzzled that the people of the U.S., the richest nation - ever - in the world, are constantly being told that "we can't afford it." We can't afford free higher education, or children's Pre-K, or healthcare, or an unbroken infrastructure.

David Hawkins, at the Natural Resources Defense Council, has been in the business of climate change for many decades. His goals: to get the U.S. government to adapt better carbon-pollution standards in the coal industry, to promote alternative energy.

Seymour Lachman's latest book, "Mr. New York: Lew Rudin and His Love for the City," prompts Ronnie Eldridge to describe her guest as "Mr. New York himself." Author of 7 books, including "Three Men In A Room," Senator Lachman has served New York well.

Ed Ott, Distinguished Lecturer in Labor Studies, Murphy Institute/CUNY School of Professional Studies, reminds us of the 4 decades of loss suffered by the labor movement; we must adjust to the "new" economy and figure out where do we go from here.

In New York, more than 54,000 people are in prison at a cost of $60,000/year/inmate under 40 and $240,000/year/inmate over 40 due to increased health issues. Soffiyah Elijah, Correctional Association, talks about If the Risk is Low, Let Them Go! campaign.

Working towards a realistic discussion of policy, Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President, discusses: housing, particularly affordable housing, education, classroom space for pre-K and charter schools, mental health programs in schools, quality of life.