About Michele Birnbaum
Michele Birnbaum is a leading New York City activist and highly regarded spokesperson for City dwellers and their quality of life. She is a member of the upper Eastside’s Community Board 8. Ms. Birnbaum is the Board’s Vendor Task Force Committee Chair which deals with vendor related issues and complaints. Last week, October 6th, 2016 the Board was highly critical of a suggestion by officials to increase the number of permits given out to street vendors. Board members said proliferation in the neighborhood already causes excessive litter and congestion on the sidewalks. The city currently issues 3,000 year-round food truck permits and 853 general merchandise permits, in addition to 1,000 seasonal permits, according to the city’s street vending fact sheet. City Council is considering an increase in the number of or an elimination of the cap altogether. “The way current conditions are … we don’t feel the city is in the position to raise the cap on vendors, given the reality on the street and the number of complaints,” said Committee chair Michele Birnbaum.
