Keeping Relevant With Ronnie Eldridge

Mujahid Farid, a promoter of the Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) Campaign works towards the release of aging prisoners, many who have transformed their lives in prison, many who are sick and infirm. Farid urges the reform of the parole system.

NYC Councilwoman Debi Rose, representing Staten Island's 49th district, discusses SI's economic development: the New York Waterfront Ferris Wheel - the world's largest observation ferris wheel; hotels, a discount shopping mall; mixed income housing-jobs!

Norman Siegel, civil rights and civil liberties lawyer, believes that the number of good cops is overwhelming and that it is essential to "talk the truth" about the number of bad apples in the police force. Education is vital to undo stereotypes.

Vincent Montalbano, president of Montalbano Initiatives for more than 24 years is retiring from the world of lobbying, but he is not retiring from the world of politics. Discussion includes unions losing strength; campaign finance, racism, and optimism.

The Independent Budget Office, led by Ronnie Lowenstein, a publicly funded agency, provides the public and elected officials with nonpartisan information about NYC's budget. The IBO's report, "Understanding New York City's Budget" clarifies the budget.

Les Leopold, author: "The Looting of America" and "How to Make a Million Dollars an HOUR" considers events leading to the rich have become richer and the rest of us have remained the same or become poorer.

PROP-Police Reform Organizing Group-and Bob Gangi, work to correct tactics that harm the city's low-income communities and people of color. An advocate for reform, PROP 's Narratives Project and others, documents aggressive approach to law enforcement.

Having just returned from meetings in Ghana, Dr. Lewis Goldfrank, director of emergency services at Bellevue Hospital Center, NYU Langone Medical Center and the Manhattan VA Medical Center, talks about Ebola, and the role of public policy on health issues

1 in 3 women are killed every day by their spouse or former partner. NYC's Domestic Violence Hotlines get more than 310 calls per day. Sally MacNichol and Quentin Walcott, co-executive directors of CONNECT, talk about their outreach programs.

In "Losing Our Way" Bob Herbert describes men, women and families effected by poor decisions made by our country's leadership. Bridges collapse, jobs lost, young bodies crippled; hopes of a middle class seem-gone, like the middle class.

Richard Emery, appointed by Mayor de Blasio to chair the Civilian Complaint Review Board agreed that with "a demoralized police force and an overactive citizenry" it was a huge challenge to dole out justice fairly to police and to the public.

"A History of New York in 101 Objects" represents NY Times urban affairs correspondent, Sam Roberts' choice of objects that have played a transformative role in New York's history or are emblematic of this transformation. A great way to sell history.

Justice Brandeis' said "We can have democracy in this country or we can have great wealth, concentrated in the few, but we can't have both," opening the conversation about US's politics and government with Four Freedoms Center Fellow K. Sabeel Rahman.

2.5 million people in America's prisons, many aged, abuses: reform of NY's correctional system is overdue. Barbara Treen, former NY State Parole Commissioner, author of "Geranium Justice" calls for an overhaul of the multi-million dollar prison-system.

Comm. Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs is enthusiastic about the organization's efforts on behalf of more than 2 million people-60% of NYC's population- who are foreign born. Comm. Agarwal outlined current and future initiatives.

Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC's CFO, discusses his office's responsibilities: to safeguard the City's fiscal health, conducting audits; to oversee the City's $160 billion pension funds; to review contracts, etc. He talked about CHECKBOOK NYC-on line.

Addressing a White House briefing, NY Law School Professor and director of the Safe Passage Project, Lenni Benson urged "the American people and especially law firm and corporate leaders" to provide their expertise on behalf of children facing deportation

Ari Goldman is determined to make his 60th birthday particularly memorable. He will play the cello for his family and guests. In his memoir, "The Late Starters Orchestra," Avi Goldman writes about finally becoming a musician.

Jay Kriegel, Ronnie Eldridge's good friend and former colleague from the Lindsay administration consider the legacy of former Presidents Johnson, Truman, and Eisenhower; contributions of Mayor Bloomberg and New York during the Lindsay years.

Her name on the Hollywood Blacklist, Lee Grant author of "I Said Yes to Everything," tells of the pain-personal and professional-brought to her and her friends by the actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee. A story of personal strength.

The Center for an Urban Future, a NYC institute, issued a comprehensive report on the condition of the City's infrastructure. "Caution Ahead" by Adam Forman details the problems with 50+ year old water, sewer and gas pipes.

NOW-NYC chapter works to promote reproductive rights, secure economic empowerment and end violence against women, is led by Sonia Ossorio, advocate for women's rights in the criminal justice system and for ending the business of human trafficking.

Second of three reports from the Community Service Society, authored by Vic Bach and Tom Waters, "What New Yorkers Want From the New Mayor: An Affordable Place to Live," outlines the significant shortfall of affordable housing, making concrete proposals.

Rosanne Haggerty, president and CEO of Community Solutions, celebrates the success of their national 100,000 Homes Campaign-reaching their goal and then some as they work to end homelessness in America. They support better communication between agencies.

WIN or Women in Need provides temporary and permanent homes for more than 1200 women and over 2000 children, every night. Bonnie Stone, WIN's president and CEO, talks about the crisis of homelessness and WIN's life-changing programs and services.