Elected Officials Huddle With NYCHA Residents To Hear Concerns
Flatbush State Senator Jesse Hamilton, tonight, will host a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Town Hall along with Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Council Member Darlene Mealy, and District Leader Anthony Jones.
The NYCHA Town Hall will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about NYCHA public safety, security cameras, repairs, senior centers, community programs, and government accountability. Residents will have an opportunity hear about future NYCHA plans and to pose questions to panelists.
“This NYCHA Town Hall is one step in building an ongoing dialogue between our community and our city and state government agencies. Neighborhood concerns will be addressed with continual engagement and work by residents, advocates, and government, and acting in partnership to really listen and put in the effort together to meet community needs,” said Hamilton.
Representatives from both the mayor’s office and NYCHA will also be on hand.
What: NYCHA Town Hall Meeting
When: 6:30 p.m., tonight, June 4
Where: Van Dyke 1 Community Center, 392 Blake Avenue (Between Mother Gaston Blvd and Powell Street)
Adams Announces Access To Legal Services Program
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, yesterday announced his Access to Legal Service program, a partnership he has forged with the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project and Legal Services NYC-Brooklyn, to offer free professional assistance to Brooklynites in need.
The initiative will run out of Room G-80 at Brooklyn Borough Hall between the hours of 2 – 5 p.m. on select days. On the second Wednesday of every month, the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project will offer foreclosure intervention and prevention services. The second and fourth Thursday of every month will feature housing and elder law assistance, as well as help with pension matters, from Legal Services NYC-Brooklyn.
“The law impacts all of us, and we must empower everyone with the resources needed to handle it,” said Adams. “I thank the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project and Legal Services NYC-Brooklyn for partnering with me on Access to Legal Service, an effort that will ensure more Brooklynites can overcome whatever difficulties they might face in availing themselves of needed legal assistance. Programs like this can be the difference in someone keeping their home, securing their person, and aging with dignity.”
“The Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) is excited and proud to partner with the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office to provide critical legal information and advice to Brooklyn residents facing foreclosure though a new monthly legal clinic at Borough Hall,” said Heidi Lee Henderson, Esq., executive director of the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project. “The VLP’s mission is to ensure that high quality legal representation is accessible to those who, because of the overwhelming burdens of poverty, would not otherwise have their rights protected or their voices heard.”
“Legal Services NYC-Brooklyn is proud to be a part of the Borough President’s initiative to focus government resources on the plight of the elderly and lower income residents of Brooklyn,” said Fraidy Nachman, director of outreach and elder law at Legal Services NYC-Brooklyn. “We look forward to working with Borough President Eric Adams and his staff in their efforts to provide legal services to those in greatest need.”
Those interested in Access to Legal Service are asked to call (718) 802-3777 to make an appointment, which is required, for free legal assistance. Walk-ins will only be seen based on availability. The last appointment for each day will be at 4:15 p.m.
Greenfield Tells DOT To Stop Repaving
Midwood/Borough Park City Councilman David Greenfield asked the Department of Transportation (DOT) stop repaving Borough Park’s heavily trafficked avenues until the summer begins and there are less cars on the road.
Greenfield also asked that DOT close down streets one at a time as opposed to multiple blocks to ease traffic flow. DOT has promised Greenfield that there will be no other resurfacing projects in Community Board 12 for the month of June. Additionally, Greenfield asked that DOT repave between 3 p.m. on Friday and sundown on Saturday. Currently, DOT closes down multiple streets for a week or so to mill and then repave.
“It’s ridiculous for DOT to close down 14th Avenue during rush hour without consulting with the community. It’s crucial that roads in my District are repaved. I am simply urging DOT to please take my constituents’ needs into consideration and revise its repavement process immediately,” said Greenfield.
Every year the DOT repaves certain roads throughout different community boards. This week, DOT is repaving 14th avenue between Church Ave and 41 Street. Greenfield has worked closely with the DOT to improve safety and traffic flow along a number of neighborhood streets through the installation of traffic lights, street lights, stop signs and speed bumps where necessary. Greenfield secured $200,000 for additionally street resurfacing through participatory budgeting for this upcoming fiscal year to ensure that more streets will be repaved than ever before.
Golden Holds Discussion On Cigarette Bootlegging
Bay Ridge State Senator Martin Golden will host a roundtable discussion today concerning legislation he sponsored, the “Cigarette Marketing Standards Act”, that is designed to address cigarette bootlegging in New York State.
It is estimated that cigarette bootlegging results in an excess of
$2.5 Billion in lost revenue per year, costing hundreds of retails and
wholesale jobs, and has shown to be a major funding source for a variety of
criminal activities. Industry retail taxing agents and law enforcement are expected to
participate.
The meeting is slated for 10 a.m., today, Thursday, June 4 in the State Senate Hearing Room at 250 Broadway, 19th Floor, Manhattan.
