BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A usually uneventful summer for Bedford-Stuyvesant's Community Board 3 got a little more interesting this week, with the announcement that long time board chair Henry Butler was stepping down and accepting a paid position as the board's district manager.
Butler, who has chaired the community board for seven years, was tapped to replace retiring District Manager Charlene Phillips. He will be replaced by interim board chair Tremaine Wright.
A lifetime Bed-Stuy resident who grew up in the Tompkins Houses, Butler called the new position a "dream come true."
"I'm a homeowner, married, with kids— obviously I'm someone who wants to see Bed-Stuy thrive, to help Bed-Stuy be the best that it can be," Butler said. "When your job is to help in your community, it doesn't get any better than that."
Butler previously worked for the MTA's New York City Transit Authority as a conductor and union representative.
Tremaine Wright, a local business owner who owns Common Grounds Cafe at 376 Tompkins Ave., said she was excited to start her new position as board chair.
"I am looking forward to it," Wright said. "We have some good things in the pipeline, and I just want to ensure to usher in these exciting projects."
The board is currently working on its new budget, which will include the completion of Nostrand Avenue renovations, the possible addition of a youth justice court in the neighborhood and "a host of streets in dire need of repaving," Wright said.
Wright, who was vice-chair of the board under Butler, took over his position once he stepped down, and will finish out the last few months of his term before this year's board elections in December.
Wright said she is not yet sure if she will run for the position.
"It has not really set in," Wright said.
Community Board 3 meets the second monday of every month, except for a summer hiatus. The Next meeting is on Sept. 9.
