Correction: A post last week on City Councilman Robert Cornegy’s plan to build a community center in the Marcy Houses incorrectly stated that comedian Tracy Morgan lived in that NYCHA development. Morgan lived in the Tompkins Houses, another Bed-Stuy NYCHA development.
De Blasio Big NYCHA Investments Gets Robinson, Cornegy Thumbs Up
Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Housing Authority Chair Shola Olatoye, Saturday, announced a $300 million initiative over three years to replace the moldy roofs of some of the city public housing developments.
Among the Brooklyn developments slated to get new roofs are 18 buildings in the Sheepshead Bay Houses in Sheepshead Bay and six buildings in Crown Heights’ Albany Houses.
“I am pleased that the Mayor will be allocating needed funds to NYCHA for the repair of roofs in 66 NYCHA Developments. I am especially pleased that Albany Houses is one of those Developments. For too long the residents, of Albany Houses have had to endure leaks from the roofs that has caused damage to individual apartments and have created mold problems presenting a health hazard, especially to the children and the elderly. My hope is that the work will be done as expeditiously as possible,” said Bed-Stuy Assembly Member Annette Robinson.
“Affordable housing should not mean substandard housing. NYCHA residents absolutely deserve safety and good health in the communities they cherish. These roof replacements will mean fewer leaks and less mold, sparing NYCHA’s families stressful emergencies that affect their ability to work and learn. It’s such an important step and I applaud the administration for taking it,” said Bed-Stuy City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.
Ortiz Releases Guidebook on Synthetic Drugs
Sunset Park Assemblyman and Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz, Friday, joined with the Foundation for a Drug Free World to release a new “Truth About Synthetic Drugs” educational booklet to help educate teens and adults on the harmful effects of these drugs.
The booklet comes as the use of synthetic drugs has risen dramatically in the past five years and is linked to an increase in hospital visits in otherwise healthy individuals.
“A designer drug is a synthetic version of an illegal drug. Its chemical composition is slightly altered to avoid classification as illegal,” said Ortiz. “The drugs are essentially an experiment by an underground chemist to create a new “legal” drug.”
Ortiz went on to say “when law enforcement catches up to the synthetic drug and outlaws it, underground chemists create another altered version that now escapes “illegal” classification. The cycle repeats itself over and over.”
A 2013 US Government report found the number of emergency department visits in 2011 involving toxic reactions to synthetic marijuana had increased 2.5 times, to 28,531.
The Truth About Drugs campaign promotes activities people can join that popularize drug-free living.
More information on the Foundation can be found at: www.drugfreeworld.org.
Golden To Host Senior Information Fair
Bay Ridge State Senator Marty Golden will host a senior information fair starting a 12 noon, this Thursday, May 14, at St. Patrick’s Auditorium, 9511-4th Avenue (corner of 97th Street and 4th Avenue).
The event will feature the participation of numerous city and state agencies including
the Fire Department of New York, New York City Police Department, the Social Security Administration, the New York State Public Service Commission, the MTA Metro Card Mobile Sales Unit, the New York City Departments of Buildings, HRA/Social Services, Sanitation, Health & Mental Hygiene, and the New York State EPIC Program.
Among the local and national organizations dealing with senior issues that will also be on hand include AARP New York, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Catholic Charities, the New York Foundation for Senior Citizens, the Medicare Rights Center, NYU Lutheran Family Health Centers, the New York Legal Assistance Group, the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center, and the St. Nicholas Home.
“Every year, I host this event built around bringing together those who have made our community what it is today and to assist them in improving their health, well-being and quality of life. I look forward to welcoming those in attendance and updating them on programs, services and what is happening in our community, city and state,” said Golden.
Clarke Brings SBA Administrator To Brooklyn
Central Brooklyn Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, last week, welcomed Small Business Administration official Maria Contreras-Sweet to Brooklyn to celebrate National Small Business Week.
Contreras-Sweet met with small business owners and discussing opportunities to support diversity in entrepreneurship.
Clarke also brought Contreras-Sweet to visit Miti Miti Taperia, a restaurant whose owners have worked with government agencies and nonprofit organizations to secure low-interest loans and assistance in building their business. Their company has become renowned for offering all its workers a living wage with full benefits and a retirement plan.
“The business of Brooklyn has always been small business, as generations of people from around the world have joined this community and started small businesses in their pursuit of the American Dream. These businesses often become the foundation for a family to enter the middle class – to accumulate the resources required to send children to college, buy a home, or save for retirement,” said Clarke.
“But many women and people of color who want to start a small business have been denied access to the resources necessary to succeed. Fortunately, Administrator Contreras-Sweet has demonstrated a genuine commitment to increase the participation of women and people of color in our economy as small business owners. I am certain that we will have many opportunities to work with each other in support of the small business owners of Brooklyn,” she added.
Bay Ridge Dems Take Golden To Task
The Bay Ridge Democrats political club, yesterday, took southwest Brooklyn Republican State Sen. Marty Golden to task for not calling on GOP Senator Dean Skelos to step down as Majority Leader in the wake of a massive corruption scandal in which both Skelos and his son are charged.
“Senator Golden has been playing the game for a very long time and knows all too well the State Senate cannot function while its Majority Leader is facing serious criminal charges including bribery and extortion. Yet, once again, Senator Golden stands proudly defiant as Albany descends into chaos and the hardworking people of Brooklyn’s 22nd Senate District hang in the balance,” a spokesman for the Bay Ridge Democrats said.
The partisan dig at Golden comes as U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara is reportedly investigating him for funneling nearly $600,000 into the Golden family catering hall, the Bay Ridge Manor.
Golden’s 22nd State Senate District includes the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Boro Park and Midwood.
