Rand Paul In Brooklyn Today
Republican presidential candidate and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul will be in Brooklyn today at noon for a luncheon at Torah Umesorah Hebrew Day School, 1544 Coney Island Avenue and Avenue L, Jpupdates reported.
The event is being dubbed as a “Jewish community leaders in a conversation with Senator Rand Paul,” rather than a fundraiser. Torah Umesorah is recognized as a national voice for over 900 Jewish day schools across the United States, one of the organizers told JP.
Additionally, this portion of the Orthodox Jewish community is considered a very Republican constituency.
“Having a major presidential candidate at the level of Rand Paul allocate time to meet in conversation with Jewish leaders is indicative of his desire to be inclusive and engaging in meaningful dialogue with leaders of our community underscores the friendship of Senator Paul to the Jewish community,” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO, of The Friedlander Group, told the media outlet.
Adams, Greenfield Unroll Safe Streets Program
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, last week, was joined by City Councilman David Greenfield and dozens of senior citizens outside the AMICO Senior Citizens Center in Borough Park to launch CROSS (Connecting Residents on Safer Streets) – an initiative to improve street safety for the borough’s vulnerable pedestrians.
The effort includes a commitment of $1 million in capital funding from Brooklyn Borough Hall in Fiscal Year 2016 to construct sidewalk extensions, known as “bulb-outs” or “neck-downs”, at intersections determined to be dangerous, based on crash data from the New York City Department of Transportation.
“The foundation of One Brooklyn is built on safety, and I am focused every day on finding new ways to advance the safety of every Brooklynite, especially our most vulnerable,” said Adams. “CROSS Brooklyn is literally putting our money where our mouth is to make safe streets a reality for all. We want to shorten the distance it takes for our seniors, disabled, and youngest Brooklynites to cross dangerous intersections; by installing more sidewalk extensions, they will benefit from more of their commute being spent out of the street.”
The announcement came in advance of the City Planning Commission’s vote on his land use recommendation to approve a lease renewal for AMICO Senior Citizens Center, a recommendation he conditioned on the City’s approval of constructing street extensions at the intersection adjacent to the center.
“I am thrilled to join Borough President Eric Adams at the launch of CROSS (Connecting Residents on Safe Streets),” said Council Member David Greenfield. “I am proud to be a leader of Vision Zero in New York City – working together with my colleagues to make it safe for drivers and pedestrians. CROSS will expand the commitment to Vision Zero via the investment of much-needed capital funds by the Borough President.”
Deutsch, Stringer Get Motorists Cash For City Negligence
City Council Member Chaim Deutsch and New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, last Friday, announced multiple successful reimbursements for motorists who had sustained tire damage due to milling and paving work being done along Ocean Avenue for three weeks in November 2014 by the New York City Department of Transportation.
Eleven cars had their tires punctured or their rims damaged after a manhole became exposed on Ocean Avenue and Avenue L during the roadwork.
Deutsch, along with City Council Member Jumaane Williams, worked with Stringer’s office to ensure that those who reported damage were swiftly reimbursed for the repair expenses they incurred.
In Fiscal Year 2014, Stringer’s office received 2,800 claims related to vehicle damage from defective road conditions which resulted in payouts of around $200,000. Additionally, in December 2014 a series of tire slashings occurred within the 48th Council District, affecting dozens of car owners, and in which Deutsch worked with the Director of the NYS Office of Victim Services, Elizabeth Cronin, and State Senator Simcha Felder to ensure a smooth reimbursement process for eligible victims of this incident.
“We can’t undo the past or make up for the hassle, but I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to ensure reimbursement for many of the people who were subject to these out-of-pocket expenses. Both of these success stories are indicative of what can be accomplished when City and State elected officials work together with our governmental agencies for the benefit of our constituencies,” said Deutsch.
“I am pleased that together we were able to secure these reimbursements to compensate motorists who suffered damage last December,” said Felder.
“I would like to thank Comptroller Stringer and Councilmember Deutsch for helping motorists who sustained tire damage from road work done bordering our districts. Today’s announcement sends a clear message that government will work to right wrongs and ensure that our constituents who incurred damages receive what’s due to them. I look forward to working with Councilmember Deutsch on behalf of our shared neighborhoods as we have in the past,” said Williams.
