Who we are
Westsiders for Public Participation is a community advocacy organization based in the West Side of Manhattan. We examine information and present opinion to create a basis for informed public action.
We are a trusted source of accurate information and knowledgeable opinion on selected local debates that are pertinent to every community in New York City.
We are historically committed to working with community stakeholders across New York City to identify, claim and exercise their rights to public participation in community-based planning.
- We are a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York
- We are a Neighborhood Partner of the Historic Districts Council
- We are a voting member of the Community-Based Planning Task Force of the Municipal Art Society of New York
Board of Directors
| Paul S. Bunten, President |  |
Paul has been a devoted West Side advocate since he moved to Park West Village in 1988 during his Columbia graduate student days. He was present at the beginning of Westsiders for Public Participation (WPP) on April 14, 2008, and became an incorporator on September 8, 2008. He now serves as President of WPP, Inc.'s Board of Directors. Paul learned how to navigate a "middle way" through opposing views on daily matters as a member of the Episcopal Church, where that ability is a basic survival skill.
He's an associate member of the Park West Village Tenants' Association since May 2007 and a member of the New York County Democratic Committee from the 69th Assembly District, Part B, since September 2007. He received a prestigious WESTY Award for "community builders" in October 2009.
Since moving to the West Side, Paul has learned to bake a killer Passover sponge cake and receives a lot of Seder invitations.
| Hillel Hoffman, Esq., Vice President | |
Hillel has lived in Park West Village since 1976. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Westsiders for Public Participation, Inc., on March 4, 2009, where he now serves as Vice President.
He is a member of the Park West Village Tenants' Association since the early 1980s.
Read more about Hillel Hoffman.
| Linda L. LeShanna, Secretary | |
Linda has lived in Park West Village since 1998.
She was present at the beginning of Westsiders for Public Participation (WPP) on April 14, 2008, and became a director of WPP, Inc., on October 22, 2008.
She now serves as Secretary of WPP, Inc.'s Board of Directors.
She was present at the beginning of Westsiders for Public Participation (WPP) on April 14, 2008, and became a director of WPP, Inc., on October 22, 2008.
She now serves as Secretary of WPP, Inc.'s Board of Directors.
| Barbara Aubrey, Treasurer | |
Barbara has lived in Park West Village since 1968.
She was present at the beginning of Westsiders for Public Participation (WPP) on April 14, 2008, and became an incorporator on September 8, 2008.
She now serves as Treasurer of WPP, Inc's Board of Directors.
She is a member of the Park West Village Tenants' Association since the 1970s.
She was present at the beginning of Westsiders for Public Participation (WPP) on April 14, 2008, and became an incorporator on September 8, 2008.
She now serves as Treasurer of WPP, Inc's Board of Directors.
She is a member of the Park West Village Tenants' Association since the 1970s.
| Lois Hoffmann | |
Lois has lived in Park West Village since 1974. She was present at the beginning of Westsiders for Public Participation (WPP) on April 14, 2008, and was elected to the Board of Directors of WPP, Inc. on March 4, 2010.
She is a member of the Park West Village Tenants' Association since the 1970s, where she served as president between March 2006 and March 2008.
| Gerard J. Corrigan, Director Emeritus | |
Gerard has lived in Park West Village since 1994.
He became an incorporator of Westsiders for Public Participation, Inc., on September 8, 2008, and Director Emeritus on October 22, 2008.
He became an incorporator of Westsiders for Public Participation, Inc., on September 8, 2008, and Director Emeritus on October 22, 2008.
Board of Advisors
Mary Lee Baranger, Ph.D.
| Robert Cabrera, RA | |
Read more about Robert Cabrera.
Keith Emmer, Esq.
| Harold Fredenburgh, AIA | |
Read more about Harold Fredenburgh.
Outside Counsel
Arthur R. Block, Esq. (corporate)
Jack L. Lester, Esq. (litigation)
