Primary Day Today
In what is expected to be a very light turnout, there is one borough wide election in this primary season.
That election is for Kings County Civil Court Judge of the 6th Municipal Court District and it pits Democratic incumbent Judge Michael Gerstein against Democrat Isela Isiris Isaac.
There is also a fairly big slate of Republicans running for either a district leader position or to be on the county Committee.
To view the full slate click this link: http://www.nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/voter-guide/primary-2015/candidates-borough
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information click on this link:
Clarke Calls Allegations Against Planned Parenthood Baseless
Flatbush Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on a report from the Democratic staff of the Energy and Commerce Committee which demonstrates that Planned Parenthood Federation of America did not sell fetal tissue for profit, as had been alleged in a series of deceptively edited videos
“An extensive review of these allegations demonstrates that the claims about Planned Parenthood were completely unsubstantiated and seem instead to have been a part of a coordinated attempt by anti-choice activists to discredit Planned Parenthood and undermine the right of women to comprehensive health care. Planned Parenthood provides critical health care services to more than three million men and women each year, and has worked to eliminate the disparities that exist in health care in the United States by providing comprehensive medical services to individuals with Medicaid or without health insurance,” said Clarke.
Clarke along with colleagues Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler have urged an investigation of the company behind these videos, which appear to have been recorded in violation of the laws of California.
“I am hopeful that, based on the evidence that has been ascertained, Republicans in Congress will not persist in their attempt to defund Planned Parenthood, and which would negatively impact its invaluable contributions to health care in the United States,” she said.
Hamilton Leads Prayer Vigil For Stricken Cuomo Aide
Central Brooklyn Sen. Jesse Hamilton, will join with colleagues, community groups, advocates, and neighborhood residents at a prayer vigil tonight only steps away from the shooting site of Governor Andrew Cuomo aide Carey Gabay. The vigil is in response to the Labor Day weekend violence which has left one dead and four injured.
Attendees will include State Assembly Members Walter Mosley and Nick Perry, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Member Laurie Cumbo, Executive Director NYS Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services and former NYS Assembly Member 43rd District, Reverend Karim Camara, 57th Assembly District Leader Olanike Alabi, 43rd Assembly District Leader Geoffrey Davis, and Reverend David T. Ball of Union United Methodist Church, as well as community groups Save our Streets Crown Heights, Wheelchairs Against Guns, and further clergy, anti-violence advocates, and neighborhood residents
“My thoughts and prayers are with all the families suffering in the trying aftermath of the violence from earlier this week. Like the other victims of violence, Carey Gabay was enjoying the festivities, celebrating Caribbean-American heritage along with thousands of New Yorkers, when he was struck by senseless gun violence. Their fight for justice and safety in our communities is our fight. We must stand against gun violence, ensure safety in our streets, and prevent families from enduring the agonies that the victims families face,” said Hamilton. “I hope the prayers we offer as a community can in some small measure give comfort to families and friends trying to heal. I invite all people of good conscience to join us.”
Mosley said, “As Monday turned from joyous celebration to bitter tragedy for the Gabay family, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them in this most grievous hour. Mr. Gabay was an innocent bystander caught up in senseless violence perpetrated by individuals with little regard for the people around them. Gun violence is a tragedy which touches not only the victims and their families but the community as a whole.
“I’m especially concerned about continuous random acts of violence being committed to our youth by our youth. We must come and work together as a city, state, and nation in order to find out what is driving our children to commit these random acts of cowardly violence and put an end to such violence going forward,” he added.
The prayer vigil is slated for 6 p.m. tonight at the Full Gospel Assembly, 131 Sullivan Place near the corner of Bedford Avenue.
Donovan Targets FEMA Reforms In First Bill
After focusing intensely on Sandy recovery issues during his first four months in office, Southwestern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan yesterday introduced his first bill in Congress. H.R. 3456, the Flood Insurance Mitigation and Policyholder Protection Act (FIMPPA).
“I’ve met too many homeowners trying in vain to navigate a flawed bureaucracy. This bill addresses three of the most egregious issues with FEMA’s recovery process: engineering reports, claims appeals, and options to reduce insurance premiums for homeowners. Piece by piece, we can work to lessen the burden for those still going through this nightmare and to apply lessons learned to future disasters,” said Donovan.
FIMPPA has three sections. The first addresses engineering reports, which were the focus of post-Sandy investigations after 60 Minutes revealed reports were fraudulently altered to minimize damage claims. During the claims adjustment process, an engineering report may pass through multiple reviewers before final approval or rejection. The policyholder has no visibility into this process or into any of the changes that might be made to the original report. FIMPPA would require engineers and adjustors to provide copies of their reports to the policyholder before providing copies to anybody else. This would eliminate the opportunity to fraudulently alter an engineering report without the policyholder’s knowledge.
The second section focuses on the process through which flood insurance policyholders may appeal their claim decision. Right now, those who wish to contest a claim denial may appeal to FEMA or file a lawsuit within one year of the original denial. Once a lawsuit is filed, though, the FEMA appeal ends without decision. This flawed procedure forces policyholders to file lawsuits if FEMA does not resolve the appeal within a year, costing taxpayers money and placing added burdens on flood victims. FIMPPAwould extend the deadline for filing suit to allow claimants time to first pursue their FEMA appeal in full.
The third section institutes a 60-day deadline for FEMA to produce its overdue report on alternate flood mitigation options for homes. Right now, homeowners looking to protect their properties from flood risk and lower their flood insurance premiums have only one good option: elevate the structure. Elevation is costly and, in some cases, not even possible. FIMPPA requires FEMA to finish a report offering options other than elevation to protect a home from flood risk and to reduce insurance premiums. This follows a September 3 letter from Donovan and local officials asking FEMA why its report is delayed and urging the agency to act expeditiously.
As a next step, the legislation will be referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Greenfield Comes Through On Street Paving
Thanks to City Councilman David G. Greenfield‘s funding, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) finished paving the most dangerous roads of Borough Park and Midwood last week.
Greenfield ensured that this important work was scheduled for the summer months when schools are closed and many people are away in the Catskills and on vacation. This way, paving causes the least possible inconvenience for drivers. The streets are now smooth and accessible for commuters in the fall.
“Smooth roads are a critical quality of life issue. That’s why I secured extra money in the New York City budget to ensure that roads in our community are fixed. My many thanks to the Department of Transportation for taking my priorities into consideration and fixing the streets in the summer instead of the rest of the year,” said Greenfield.
The full list of streets that were repaved in Greenfield’s district included 18th Avenue between 46 Street and 61 Street; 14th Avenue between 44 Street and 61 Street; 23rd Avenue between Ave M and 61 Street; 60th Street between 14th avenue and 24th avenue; 60th Street between 14th Avenue and 15th Avenue; 57th Street between Fort Hamilton Parkway and 16th Avenue; Fort Hamilton Parkway between 49th Street and 61 Street: 52nd Street between 8th Avenue and Dahill Road; Coney Island Avenue between Avenue P and Avenue R; East 9th Street between Avenue P and Avenue V; East 18th Street between Avenue I and Avenue O; Ryder Avenue between McDonald and Ocean Parkway; Ocean Avenue between Foster Avenue and Avenue K and Kings Highway Between Ocean Avenue and Ocean Parkway
