Gentile Throws Hat In Ring For Congress
Bay Ridge City Councilman Vincent Gentile officially received the Staten Island Democratic Committee nod last night to face Republican Daniel Donovan for the open 11th Congressional seat in a special May 5 election.
“I am honored to accept the Democratic nomination for New York’s 11th congressional district. Today, with the support of the Staten Island Democratic Party and the Brooklyn Democratic Party, we officially kick off a campaign to ensure that the thousands of hardworking New Yorkers finally get the representation they deserve in Congress,” said Gentile.
The district is 70 percent in Staten Island and 30 percent in Southern Brooklyn leading many political pundits to believe Gentile will have an uphill battle in defeating Donovan, who is currently the Staten Island District Attorney. But in accepting the nomination, Gentile noted that previous to being elected to the city council he had represented both Brooklyn and parts of Staten Island in the state senate.
“As an independent voice who has always put people before politics, I promise to lead the charge against broken Washington, D.C. politics that only benefit the super-rich, and have consistently failed to treat the residents of Brooklyn and Staten Island with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Gentile. “The support I’ve received from across the district has been overwhelming, and as one team and one community, tonight Brooklyn and Staten Island have taken the first step together on the road to victory and a brighter future.”
Eugene Gives Kings County Hospital Nearly $3 Million
Flatbush City Councilman Mathieu Eugene this morning will present a for $2.821 million to Kings County Hospital Center to purchase new PET/CT and CT scanners.
The public hospital at 451 Clarkson Avenue is one of the most frequently visited medical centers in the city and is home to one of three trauma centers in Brooklyn.
The purchase of a PET/CT scanner will enable the staff of Kings County Hospital’s Radiation Oncology Division to use this new imaging tool to diagnose malignancies and evaluate patient’s response to treatment faster. The new CT scanner that is being acquired will be an upgrade on existing equipment in the Adult Emergency Room.
“It is very important for the City of New York to support Kings County Hospital Center. We must do everything we can to ensure that this fine institution has the resources it needs to continue saving lives and providing its patients with fine medical treatment,” said Eugene.
Mosley, Cumbo, Adams, James Rally For Affordable Housing
Assemblyman Walter Mosley, City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, Borough President Eric Adams and Public Advoacte Letitia James will rally with housing advocates this morning for tenants at 285 Schenectady and 1646 Union streets who are facing rent hikes of up to 150% due to a loophole in rent regulation laws.
The lawmakers say the loophole, known as preferential rents, conceals fraud and leads to unlawful deregulation of rent stabilized units.
The tenants are demanding that Renaissance Realty the reinstate their lower rents and are calling on Albany to stem the loss of rent regulated units by tightening the regulations that surround preferential rents.
The rally and press conference is slated for 10 a.m., at Housing Court, 141 Livingston Street.
Events This Weekend
Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden together with the Chinese American Partnership Inc., invite the community to join in celebrating the Lunar New Year (4713), the Year of the Ram.
The celebration will include cultural presentations including the Lion Dance, Kung Fu and Tai Chi Martial Arts, Chinese opera, singing and dancing, and civic and community information booth. The performances scheduled will feature an array of talent, including professional entertainers, senior, youth and children.
When: From 2-5 p.m., Sunday March 1
Where: New Utrecht High, at 1601 80th Street in Brooklyn.
Additional Info: The celebration has over twenty sponsors from the local business and individuals. All guests will receive fortune bags and a double Ram lucky coin to celebrate. Admission is free.
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New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo will highlight the various accomplishments throughout 2014 and her vision for the 35th Council District during her First Annual State of the District Address Sunday at the Brooklyn Museum.
In addition, Cumbo will recognize four influential leaders of Brooklyn arts institutions and two high-ranking officials from the New York City Police Department. Attendees will participate in a Washington Avenue Crawl, immediately following the Address, as patrons of local restaurants.
When: From 3-5 p.m., Sunday March 1
Where: The Brooklyn Museum, Cantor Auditorium (third floor) 200 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn (corner of Washington Avenue)
Who: New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams Kings County District Attorney Ken Thompson City, State, and Federal Elected Officials
