Greenfield, Lander Get Sunday Hours For Local Libraries
Midwood and Borough Park City Council Members David G. Greenfield and Brad Lander announced yesterday the opening of four branches of the Brooklyn Public Library on Sunday to accommodate Brooklyn’s growing Orthodox Jewish population that can’t utilize a library on Saturday.
The new Sunday service will go into effect at the Midwood (Avenue J and East 16th), Borough Park (13th Ave and 43rd), Mapleton (18th Avenue and 60th) and Ryder (23rd Avenue and 59th Street) Brooklyn Public Library branches starting Sunday, October 25. Thanks to funding secured by Greenfield and Lander, these libraries will join the Kings Highway (on Ocean Avenue) and Central branches in being open on Sunday. Due to union rules, operating on Sunday is considerably more expensive than any other day of the week.
“I am thrilled that after years of advocacy, four libraries in Borough Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst will now be open on Sundays so that children, families and adults can enjoy weekend access. This expanded service is especially important to Orthodox Jewish families, who cannot take advantage of Saturday library hours,” said Greenfield.
Since taking office, Greenfield has made supporting and funding neighborhood libraries a priority. He is a key member of the Budget Negotiating Team where he fought to restore critical funding for Brooklyn Public Library. Additionally, Greenfield secured funding to create a new $250,000 outdoor plaza, sitting area and book drop-off outside the Midwood Public Library branch that will be completed this fall.
Lander called the Borough Park Library is one of the busiest in Brooklyn, in the heart of one of the great Jewish neighborhoods in the world.
“Like all New Yorkers, Borough Park residents deserve six-day access to the books, computers, community programs, and treasured spaces of their local library. And in Borough Park — where so many members of the Jewish community observe Shabbat on Saturday — that sixth day needs to be on Sunday,” said Lander.
Ortiz Calls For Investigation Of Cop Beatdown
Sunset Park Assemblyman and Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz is calling for a full and immediate investigation by Inspector General Philip K. Eure and Kings County District Attorney Kenneth Thompson into the police beating of Daniel Shevchenko, an unarmed man in a bodega in Sunset Park.
Although the beat down occurred Sept. 11, it came to public notice yesterday. Cops gave Shevchenko the beat down as he was arrested for allegedly stealing cell phones.
“I deplore the images captured on video tape of this man, surrounded by three police officers, showing no resistance, being beaten repeatedly by police officers and a medic. I hold the officers, medic and 72nd Precinct (and the officers who stood by for failing to stop the abuse) responsible. This is unacceptable and our community demands that these officers be placed on immediate suspension until the report is completed,” said Ortiz.
“Less than a week ago, Police Commissioner Bratton assured our city that instances of police brutality were being reported and acted upon, yet this occurrence in my district was only brought to light by a community watch group, Elgrito de Sunset Park.If we are to restore confidence in the NYPD, the incident recorded on tape is not the way to demonstrate the trust the public demands,” the lawmaker added.
Treyger, Colton Laud City Money To Renovate Lafayette Playground
Southern Brooklyn lawmakers City Council Member Mark Treyger and Assembly Member William Colton joined other officials at Lafayette Playground on October 6 to announce a $5.4 million project to renovate and upgrade the triangular public space in Gravesend with community input.
The funding comes as part of the Parks Department’s Community Parks Initiative, a project that invests $285 million in nearly 70 parks across the city. That figure is more than twice the amount invested a year ago. The second phase of the program will see 12 new parks – including Lafayette Playground – benefit from an infusion of capital investment, community outreach, expanded recreational programming, and increased maintenance.
“Parts of our neighborhood have historically not seen attention and resources to improve recreational opportunities and quality of life benefits for residents,” said Treyger. “I am proud to announce that our concerns about parks in southwest Brooklyn have begun to be heard. I appreciate that the Department of Parks has responded to my comments about funding reaching neighborhoods in all of our city’s regions.”
Lafayette Playground, located at Stillwell Avenue between Bay 43rd Street and Benson Avenue, currently stands as an empty triangular concrete space. Part of the Initiative’s program includes scoping meetings planned for spring 2016 that will give neighborhood residents the opportunity to provide their input on design and programming for the playground’s renovation.
“This is a great opportunity and it is very exciting because parks service families from toddlers to seniors,” Colton said. “Families go there with their toddlers and get the opportunity to enjoy fresh air, exercise, and family togetherness. And when people get older, the grandparents and seniors have the opportunity to go to thego to the park, socialize, and enrich their lives. It is an investment in our future when we invest money in parks. Parks enrich the quality of life in any neighborhood.”
Deutsch Announces Drive-In Movie
Sheepshead Bay City Councilman Chaim Deutsch announced a Drive-In Movie in the Manhattan Beach Park this Sunday, October 11.
“This movie is the first of its kind in our district, as you pull in your cars to watch a movie that will take you back in time. New York City Parks will be featuring the movie “Grease”; the gates will open at 5:30pm at the Irwin Street entrance of the Manhattan Beach Park parking lot (corner of Irwin Street & Oriental Blvd),” wrote Deutsch in an emailed announcement of the event.
“I look forward to seeing you for an entertaining evening! Come and enjoy the waterfront community of Manhattan Beach side-by-side with family, friends, and neighbors. I will provide popcorn to all participants,” he added.
For more information call Deutsch’s office at 718-368-9176.
Richardson Announces Contest For Students
Crown Heights/Lefferts Gradens Assemblywoman Diana Richardson announced that the Central Brooklyn Martin Luther King Commission is sponsoring a unique and exciting contest for area Elementary and High School students, with fields including essay submissions, poems, visual art and spoken word.
Representative of the Commission’s organizational mission, the contest is designed to help students to develop critical thinking skills and artistic expression through the philosophy and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – and to apply those skills and artistic inquiry to today’s world.
Entries must be submitted no later than November 2nd. Cash prizes and awards are available for selected entries. For additional information, please click here, or call the commission directly at (347) 599-2061
