Southwest Bklyn Pols Do Major Cleanup
Assemblyman William Colton, City Councilman Mark Treyger and Democratic Party District Leader Nancy Tong joined in with 75 volunteers, Saturday, launched their 2015 ongoing “Speak-Up & Clean-Up” campaign to help keep the neighborhoods of southwest Brooklyn clean.
The elected officials and youth volunteers from neighborhood schools and organizations cleaned up a large stretch of 86th Street from 25th Avenue to 14th Avenue, and Bay Parkway from 73rd Street to Cropsey Avenue. They also passed out flyers, in different languages, and spoke to residents and businesses about sanitation rules and guidelines to encourage them to “do their part” and help keep the neighborhood clean.
“During our clean-up events, our volunteers talk to people passing by on the street, as well as our local business owners. We’re encouraging everyone to do their part to help keep our neighborhood clean,” said Colton. “Our youth continue to be role models for the rest of the community. People see our young people volunteering their time to make the neighborhood a cleaner place, and they are often inspired by it. Often during our clean-up events, people passing by will stop and help us pick up litter.”
“These clean-up events enable our youth to serve their neighborhoods and make a difference. As a mother, it is great seeing our youth take pride in working to better our community,” said Tong.
“The Speak Up & Clean Up campaign has made tremendous progress over the years towards the goal of a cleaner, greener and more beautiful neighborhood, so I am excited to build on these efforts with the help of dedicated volunteers from our local schools,” said Treyger.
“This initiative presents a win-win opportunity by having our commercial corridors cleaned while providing our young people with a valuable opportunity for civic engagement. We are privileged to live in a great neighborhood, and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves once again to help make it even greater!”
Adams Moves To Reopen Brooklyn War Memorial
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, yesterday, announced plans to reopen the Brooklyn War Memorial in downtown Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza Park, which has been shuttered for the past 25 years.
Adams said he will allocate capital money to spruce up the memorial and made the announcement on Memorial Day, noting over 230,000 veterans live in New York City, as well as over 250,000 spouses, children, and other family members of those heroes.
“If approved by the City, I will designate half a million dollars in this year’s budget to upgrade the bathrooms to be ADA-compliant and to install an elevator between the two floors of the building, core needs that are necessary to reactivate this important and honored space,” said Adams.
“It is a small thing to do for the great sacrifice of the over 11,000 Brooklynites that gave their lives during World War II. I encourage all Brooklynites to take part in this effort by visiting the Cadman Park Conservancy’s GoFundMe page and spreading the word,” he added.
Schumer Provision To Reunite Military Dogs With Their Veteran Handlers
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, yesterday, pushed a provision in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would authorize military dogs to return to the U.S. after their service ends.
Currently, the law does not guarantee that military dogs can return home with their military handlers. This leaves many dogs in limbo, with no real home to go to after their official retirement from military service abroad.
“After all we know about treating debilitating post war conditions, like PTSD and other health afflictions, it makes absolute sense to keep service members joined with their service dogs,” Schumer said. “To know that after all these years, this unresolved issue stands in the way of our veterans and their beloved four-legged friends is unfair and misguided.”
The provision Schumer is pushing would ensure that veterans and their retired military dogs can remain together. Under the measure, the U.S. Department of Defense of Defense (DOD) would have to alert a military dog’s handler about the dog’s retirement and begin the process of transferring the dog to the rightful owner at the handler’s request.
Ortiz Trans Pacific Trade Agreement
Sunset Park Assemblyman and Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz, yesterday, announced his opposition to fast tracking the massive international trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
The TPP is currently being negotiated by the United States and many Pacific Rim countries. While it is a federal matter, Ortiz is introducing a resolution in the assembly asking Congress to reject the fast track legislation for the trade agreement. If passed, the resolution will be forwarded to members of the New York State Congressional delegation.
“New Yorkers cannot afford to lose more jobs to offshore companies. The post-NAFTA years have resulted in a huge loss in manufacturing jobs. We must learn from NAFTA that this kind of complex trade agreement must protect the rights of states to enact and enforce statutes in place for environmental and consumer protections,” said Ortiz.
Joining Ortiz in announcing the resolution was a diverse coalition of labor unions, consumer groups and environmental organizations have announced opposition to the fast track legislation.
The U.S. Senate is expected to begin debate on bills related to the TPP this week.
