Donovan Supports National Cybersecurity Protection Bill
Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan, Friday, urged the Senate to pass the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015 in the wake of the recent cyber attack in which the personal information of more than 22 million people, including those who had applied for sensitive security clearances was stolen.
Following the theft, Katherine Archuleta, the director of the Office of Personnel Management resigned.
“While the resignation of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta is warranted, she should not be made the scapegoat in an attempt to deflect from this massive failure to adequately protect our national security. We have seen numerous and egregious examples of incompetence emanating from this Administration’s agencies, including the IRS, Veterans Affairs, and now the Office of Personnel Management,” said Donovan.
“The President must take responsibility and act by urging the Senate to pass the National Cybersecurity Protection Advancement Act of 2015. This bipartisan solution that passed overwhelmingly in the House brings together the public and private sectors to defend America’s digital territory from attacks, while protecting the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens. This bill needs to become law before the United States endures another embarrassing and dangerous security breach,” he added.
Donovan is a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Lander Disagrees With Residential Segregation Lawsuit
Park Slope City Councilman Brad Lander, who co-chairs the council’s progressive caucus stated on his website BradLander.com that he disagreed with a federal lawsuit charging the city of perpetuating residential segregation by reserving as many as half of planned subsidized apartments for applicants already living in the neighborhood where the units are built.
The New York nonprofit Anti-Discrimination Center filed the lawsuit on behalf of three black residents alleging that the preference denies equal access and serves to keep racial and ethnic minorities out of mostly white areas in violation of the federal Fair Housing Act and the city’s Human Rights Law.
“In establishing, maintaining and expanding its outsider-restriction policy, the city ignored the negative impact on families in the city who live in racially concentrated areas of poverty,” the lawsuit said.
But Lander Lander said the city’s community preference policy, in which 50% of the units in new affordable housing lotteries are reserved for residents of the local community board, with the other 50% going to applicants from the rest of the city, helps long-time residents of gentrifying neighborhoods stay in their community.
“The policy also helps build community support for new affordable housing, which is essential in siting efforts, especially where there is resistance to any new development (whether affordable or market-rate), out of concern over strained infrastructure or tall buildings,” wrote Lander.
“Despite those concerns, NYC sees less NIMBY opposition to low-income housing than many other place, and I believe the community preference is one meaningful reason why. Eliminating that policy may make it harder to site affordable housing, and thus achieve precisely the opposite of the lawsuit’s stated goal of inclusion,” he added.
Deutsch Hosts Bike Etching
Sheepshead Bay City Councilman Chaim Deutsch, tonight, will join with the NYPD to host his third and final free 2015 summer bike etching event.
Local police precincts have long held such events in which police etch identification numbers on bicycles,that if stolen and recovered, make it easier to trace back to the owner.
The event is slated from 6-7 p.m. at Asser Levy Park on the corner of Seabreeze & Surf avenues.
Treyger Holds Fundraiser Softball Game
Coney Island City Council Member Treyger and the Coney Island Autism Angels will face off tomorrow night in a softball game fundraiser at MCU Park to support the nonprofit organization’s work on behalf of local children and families.
The game will feature Team Treyger, which includes the council member, his staff and members of the NYPD’s 60th Precinct, versus Coney Island Autism Angels members, volunteers and supporters.
First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets cost $5, with all proceeds donated to the CIAA.
Free parking will be available at the lot at Surf Avenue and West 17th Street adjacent to the stadium. Concessions will be available for purchase at the stadium and the Cyclone’s mascot, Sandy the Seagull will provide entertainment throughout the game. Doors open at 6 p.m. and admissions is through the main stadium entrance at 1904 Surf Avenue.
The stadium is handicap accessible and can be reached by the D, Q, F and N trains and the B68, B82 and B36 buses.
WHO: Team Treyger and the Coney Island Autism Angels, hundreds of fans and special guests.
WHAT: Softball fundraiser to support CIAA’s work throughout Brooklyn.
WHERE: MCU Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 14th at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)
