Stringer, Southern Bklyn Lawmakers Honor Russian Community
City Comptroller Scott Stringer, last week, along with Assembly members Alec Brook-Krasny, Steven Cymbrowitz, Bill Colton, City Councilmen Chaim Deutsch and Mark Treyger, Democratic District leaders Nancy Tong and Margarita Kagan, and Republican District Leader Marcus Nussbaum were on hand last week at Bighton Beach’s Tatiana Garden Restaurant for the annual celebration of the heratage and culture of the Russian speaking community.
Clarke Comments On Reopening of Cuban Embassy
“The restoration of diplomatic relations with the nation of Cuba offers us hope of a future defined not by our past mistakes but by our aspirations and our commitment to work with each other on behalf of all the people of North America. The re-opening of embassies in Washington, D.C., and Havana demonstrates President Obama’s commitment to building that future and to collaborating with Cuba on critical issues such as family reunification, human rights, the interdiction of narcotics, and investment in Cuba,” said Clarke.
“I believe that, as full diplomatic relations are restored, both Cubans and Americans will have the opportunity to the dispel myths that developed in the more than fifty years in which our nations were divided by a policy that separated families, restricted economic development, and – ultimately – undermined our efforts to support democracy. Our relationship, based on shared interests and mutual respect, will allow the United States and Cuba to transcend those problems in the Twenty-First Century.”
VIDA Fundraiser For James Draws Brooklyn’s Top Women Lawmakers
The Vanguard Independent Democratic Association (VIDA) will hold a fundraiser for City Public Advocate Letitia James from 6:30 to 9 p.m., tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7 at Amarachi, 189 Bridge Street.
The fundraiser is titled Yes, She Ran! and is focusing on inspiring, empowering and elevating women in politics. James, the former City Councilwoman representing Fort Greene/Cinton Hill/Prospect Heights, is the first woman of color to hold a citywide office.
The featured speaker is Brooklyn Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and invited guests include State Senator Velmanette Montogomery, Assemblywomen Annette Robinson, Rodneyse Bichotte, Diana Richardson, Latrice Walker and City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo.
Below is the poster for the evening:
Colton Wants City Council To Confirm DOE Chancellor
Southern Brooklyn Assemblyman Bill Colton, last week, said he plans on introducing legislation that would give the City Council authorization to confirm the mayor’s choice of schools chancellor.
Colton, who voted to give mayoral control of the city’s schools to Mayor Bill de Blasio for only one year, said there needs to be reforms to how the mayor is given control over city schools going forward.
“I voted for the one year extension, but I really believe it has to be amended and that parents have to be given more input. It (mayoral control) should be based on a check and balance system so whoever is mayor – good, bad or indifferent – it would work and I think this form of mayoral control doesn’t always work because it depends solely on the decision of the mayor. If he or she makes a good decision fine but if he makes a bad decision it will be a disaster and that’s a problem we have with mayoral control,” said Colton.
Colton said under the current mayoral control he has gotten a lot of complaints from parents that they don’t have enough input in how their children are educated. He plans to introduce several reform measures in the next legislative session.
