Adams Unveils Urban Farming Initiative
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will unveil “Growing Brooklyn’s Future,” an initiative to bring hydroponic urban farming to a dozen high school classrooms across the Brooklyn.
With over a $2 million initial investment, Adams will make thes announcement inside a classroom at the Academy of Urban Planning, a high school located at the Bushwick Campus which will be transformed into a green learning space. Adams will highlight the potential of urban farming to revolutionize the borough’s relationship with food and the environment, as well as to create thousands of jobs in the emerging biotech industry.
The announcement is slated for 10:30 a.m., today at the Academy of Urban Planning Bushwick Campus, 400 Irving Avenue.
Hamilton Launches Pipeline Mentorship Program
Central Brooklyn State Sen. Senator Jesse Hamilton along with Brownsville Assembly Member Latrice Walker, and Democratic District Leaders Geoffrey Davis and Anthony Jones along with educators, and concerned neighborhood residents will launch the Pipeline Mentorship Program today.
The Pipeline Mentorship Program aims to promote pathways to success for young people, connecting them with role models, experience, and education opportunities to help them achieve their ambitions.
“Mentorship acts as a bridge between generations. It allows older generations to share their experiences. In turn, mentorship allows participating youth to share their perspectives, their aspirations, and their vision for the future. Altogether, everyone who participates has their horizons expanded,” said Hamilton.
The initiative will kickoff from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., today at P.S. 284 Lew Wallace located at 213 Osborn Street.
Golden Takes Arbitrator’s NYPD Contract Decision To Task
Bay Ridge State Sen. Martin J. Golden, Chair of New York State Senate Civil Service and Pensions Committee and a former New York City Police Officer, yesterday strongly criticizing the draft decision by arbitrator Howard Edelman regarding the pending contract for New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association:
“It is regrettable that New Yorkers have been witness to the loss of four police officers in less than one year. In answering the call to serve, countless men and women in blue put their lives at risk each and every day, and for that, we can never pay them enough,” said Golden.
“The draft plan for a 1% increase over two years is insulting and well below the rate of inflation in our region. If approved, this contract undoubtedly will fail to recognize the true sacrifice of our police officers, and along with a number of reforms, this will further damage the morale of those who protect us.
“This draft contract is a major setback for law enforcement in our City, hurting those currently on the job, while at the same time deterring folks to join and serve the NYPD. There is no justifiable reason that this contract should be so disproportionate from the contracts that have been enacted for the other uniformed service unions.”
Gentile, Golden, Abbate Honors Veteran’s Day
Bay Ridge City Councilman Vincent Gentile, Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden and Bensonhurst/Sunset Park Assemblyman Peter Abbate will observe Veteran’s Day today with a wreath laying ceremony at Fort Hamilton High School’s “Honoring Our Veterans” mural.
The Fort Hamilton High School ROTC will conduct the Color Guard and Honor Guard as well as the Pledge of Allegiance and the Fort Hamilton High School Chorus will sing the National Anthem and “America the Beautiful”.
Gentile allocated discretionary funds for the production of the “Honoring Our Veterans” mural in November 2013. Groundswell, with artist Esteban De Valle, Bay Ridge community members, students, and veterans came together and contributed their time and artistic talents to create the symbolic mural. Now, two years later, the ceremony will reflect upon the patriotic imagery of the mural and will honor veterans of the past, present and future.
The ceremony is slated for 10 a.m., today, at Fort Hamilton High School “Honoring Our Veterans” Mural, Colonial Road and 83rd Street.
Gentile Denounces Proposed Airport Access Fee
Bay Ridge City Councilman Vincent Gentile yesterday denounced the Port Authority’s proposing an airport access fee for Uber, Lyft and taxis.
“Taking a cue from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, who imposed a $4 access fee to and from their respective airports in D.C., the Port Authority announced that it may start charging a $2-$4 airport access fee targeting ride sharing app companies like Uber and Lyft as well as taxis to alleviate high congestion in passenger drop-off and pick-up areas. I urge the Port Authority to not follow suit,” said Gentile.
“According to representatives from Uber and Lyft, the fee, if implemented, would be reflected in increased fares to and from Newark, JFK and La Guardia airports. Thus, riders will be picking up the tab. Clearly, the Port Authority left their logic in the backseat. The PA already makes millions of dollars in revenue from tolls, parking fees, airport fees, etc.
“An airport access fee will not stop the public from taking Uber, Lyft and taxis to the major airports in the metropolitan area. Improve the quality of the infrastructure and façade of the airports first, and then discuss proposing additional fees. The airports routinely appear on “Worst Airports in America” polls. The hardworking drivers and working class who are traveling for business or leisure should not be penalized for the Port Authority’s poor traffic management operations at their airports.”
Nadler Gets Key Committee Assignment
Western Brooklyn Congressman Jerrold Nadler, the senior Northeastern Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was appointed by Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi to the conference committee for The Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015.
The bill authorizes highway and transit programs for six years, and provides billions of dollars in new funding for freight projects critical to our regional and national economy.Nadler has long been the key proponent of building a cross-harbor freight tunnel from New Jersey to Brooklyn.
“I am proud to be appointed to the Transportation Bill Conference Committee and thank Leader Pelosi for the opportunity to craft a compromise that begins the process of repairing our crumbling infrastructure,” said Nadler. “I will continue to fight for robust funding, transit and freight programs that alleviate congestion and promote economic growth, local flexibility to fund bicycle and pedestrian projects, and against anti-environmental and anti-safety poison pill provisions.”
Greenfield Invites Community to Decide How to Spend $1 Million
Midwood/Boro Park City Councilman David G. Greenfield is kicking off the fourth year of Participatory Budgeting in the 44th Council District on Tuesday, Nov. 10.
Participatory Budgeting is a unique democratic process in which community members direct $1 million of the New York City budget. Greenfield invites residents of his Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst district to join him at the upcoming Participatory Budgeting neighborhood assembly to help decide how $1 million in city funds will be allocated for community improvements.
“I am proud to once again bring the participatory budgeting process to the residents of Boro Park, Midwood and Bensonhurst. This is a great opportunity for community members to have a direct say in how their tax dollars are spent. Last year we had over 2,000 residents participate in Participatory Budgeting. This year I am hoping that even more will get involved,” said Greenfield.
The meeting is slated for 6 p.m., Tuesday, November 10 at the Georgie Ballroom, 4424 16th Avenue in Borough Park. For more information on participatory budgeting or the upcoming neighborhood assembly, please contact Councilman Greenfield’s office at (718) 853-2704.
Heard Around The Borough
That Fort Greene City Council Member Laurie Cumbo will propose a legislative submission in the City Council that a once drug-ridden section of Putnam Avenue be named for the later Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Businessman Cecil Collymore, who invested in the neighborhood and helped clean it up.
That Kings County Democratic Party Boss Frank Seddio will support Jamie Williams to run for the open 59th Assembly District seat. The seat opened up Tuesday when former Assembly Member Roxanne Persaud was elected to the 19th Senate District seat. Williams was Persaud’s Chief of Staff in her assembly position.
