CHINATOWN — Asian Americans now make up nearly a quarter of Community Board 3's members, thanks to a diversity-boosting effort that followed years of underrepresentation, officials said.
Community Board 3, which covers much of Chinatown, now has 12 Asian-American members, up from just four in 2006, Borough President Scott Stringer said Tuesday.
"As we attract new immigrants from around the world, we have to make sure that [they] become part of our city government," said Stringer, whose office oversees community boards.
"We want diversity," Stringer continued. "We want the community boards to reflect our local community,"
Stringer said his office increased the diversity of CB3 by reaching out to neighborhood organizations and encouraging a wide variety of people to apply. The board now has better discussions with more viewpoints represented, Stringer and several CB3 members said.
City Councilwoman Margaret Chin, who was one of the few Chinese Americans to serve on Community Board 3 during the 1980s, said she was heartened by the progress, but she thinks that 12 Asian-American members are not enough.
"We still need more [Asian-American board members], and that's why we're asking for your help," Chin told Chinatown community leaders at a press conference with Stringer Tuesday afternoon.
Community boards 1 and 2, which also represent parts of Chinatown, have not seen such big increases. CB1 has two Asian-American members, compared to one in 2006, and CB2 has four, down from seven in 2006, Stringer's office said.
The city's 59 community boards each have 50 members, who are appointed by Stringer and local city councilmembers.
Stringer said that in addition to increasing Asian-American representation on Downtown's community boards, he also wants the Asian Americans to have a stronger voice on the Upper East Side and farther uptown.
Parts of Harlem have seen a major influx of Chinese immigrants in the past few years, according to census figures.
Jimmy Cheng, president of the United Fujianese American Association, said he was proud to be one of the new Asian-American appointees to CB3 two years ago.
"Look at how important your role [is] for serving the community, to let people know what we need," said Cheng, 50, who lives in Chinatown. "Even when [you're in a] four, five hour meeting, I very [much] enjoy [it]."
The borough president's office will hold a community board information session for young professionals Jan. 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1 Centre St., 19th floor. Applications for 2012's new board members are due Jan. 13.
