Dweynie Paul Gets Sworn In As Judge
A Haitian horn band played in celebration last night as Dweynie E. Paul was sworn in as the city’s first Haitain-American Civil Court Judge. The swearing in took place at the Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church and the reception took place a few doors down at St. Philips Episcopal Church both on Decatur Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Among the Brooklyn officials on hand to help celebrate included Kings County Democratic Party Chair Fran Seddio, Public Advocate Letitia James, State Sen. Kevin Parker, Assembly Members Annette Robinson and Rodneyse Bichotte, and City Council Members Robert Cornegy Jr. and Laurie Cumbo.
Greenfield, Felder, Hikind Lobby For More Parking Meter Changes
Borough Park/Midwood Lawmakers City Councilman David G. Greenfield, State Senator Simcha Felder, and State Assembly Member Dov Hikind yesterday wrote a joint letter calling on New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg to accommodate observant Jewish drivers by changing parking meter rules on Avenues J, M and P, Coney Island Avenue, Kings Highway, and New Utrecht Avenue.
Currently, drivers must pay the meters along these avenues until 7 p.m. on Friday evenings. Keeping metered parking in effect so late creates an obstacle for observant Jews who cannot the feed the meter after sundown on Fridays, which can be as earls as 4:30 p.m. in the winter.
The request comes after the DOT modified meters on 13th and 18th Avenue at Greenfield’s request to allow for prepayment of up to four hours. Greenfield, Felder, and Hikind now ask that the rules be extended on Avenues J, M and P, Coney Island Avenue, Kings Highway, and New Utrecht Avenue to match those on 13th and 18th avenue.
“My many thanks to New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and her team for implementing this innovative program on major streets in Boro Park. However, this program is a necessity throughout the rest of Boro Park and Midwood. I am pleased to be working with my colleagues in state government as we push for this project throughout the community,” said Councilman.
“People have a hard enough time with traffic and finding parking. The least we can do is make it a little easier on Erev Shabbos (Friday afternoon),” said Felder.
“I am delighted to work together with area elected officials and NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and her staff to expand this wonderful program to other parts of Brooklyn,” said Hikind.
Schumer Hails Extension Of EITC & CTC
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer yesterday announced that the just-unveiled must-pass tax package, the “Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act of 2015,” includes a permanent extension of key provisions in two anti-poverty tax credits that help working families in New York.
The “Earned Income Tax Credit” (EITC) and the “Child Tax Credit” (CTC) are important to nearly 1.5 million children in 755,000 New York families. These provisions were scheduled to expire in 2017, and if they do, more than 1.1 million New Yorkers will be pushed into, or deeper into poverty. Earlier this month, Schumer stood alongside leading anti-poverty advocates to call on Congress to make the tax provisions permanent. Schumer said that if the tax bill passes, critical provisions in these two credits will be made permanent.
“Right now, nearly two million working parents in New York rely on two important tax breaks that allow them to make ends meet. These tax credits are the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit and combined they are widely viewed—even in our polarized Congress—as successful programs that have reduced poverty and promoted entry into the workforce,” said Schumer. “Our most vulnerable families, many on the verge of poverty, cannot afford harsh cuts in these benefits and that’s why I have been pushing to make critical provisions in these tax credits permanent. I will continue to push these priorities until this bill passes and these two tax benefits are permanently inscribed in the U.S. tax code.”
Adams Celebrates Latino Christmas Tradition Of Top Coquito
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams this evening will celebrate a popular Latino Christmas tradition in hosting the New York City finals of the International Coquito Masters, the first time the competition has been hosted in Brooklyn.
Co-hosted with the International Coquito Federation and the New York regional office of the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration, the contest celebrates the traditional holiday beverage typically made with cinnamon, coconut, nutmeg, rum, and a variety of “secret” ingredients.
Dominican-American Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna will also partake in the festivities and congratulate the evening’s contestants.
The event is slated for 5:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street.
Jumaane Williams: The Singing Councilman
Flatlands CityCouncil Member Jumaane D. Williams will join his Staff Holiday Choir today to sing seasonal classics at his annual Senior Holiday Party.
Approximately 300 senior citizens from Glenwood Senior Center, Fort Greene Action Center, Midwood Senior Center, St. Augustine’s Church and Philip Howard Senior Association will be in attendance and treated to a holiday luncheon.
The event is co-sponsored by the Brooklyn Arts Council and Flatbush Development Corp. Additional entertainment will be provided by theRenee Manning Band and Ebenezer Missionary Prep School.
Seniors will also be treated to a sneak preview excerpt screening of “rePRESENT“, a upcoming documentary about the Caribbean American immigration experience.
Eugene Offers Free Tickets To Annie At Kings Theater
Flatbush/Ditmas Park City Councilman Mathieu announced yesterday that free tickets for the theatrical production of “Annie” at the Kings Theatre are available at three libraries in his district on a first-come, first-served basis.
“All children should have access to the theatre, which offers audiences an invitation to a wonderful world of possibilities,” said Eugene, the Chairman of the Youth Services Committee. “Theatre offers children a creative outlet and gives them a chance to see the world differently. Price can too often be a barrier for too many families and so I’m so thankful that Kings Theatre has donated tickets to our community.”
The free tickets are for the Annie show tonight at 8 p.m.
Tickets are available at these locations:
Cortelyou Library (1305 Courtelyou Road at Argyle Road)
Thursday and Friday hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Crown Heights Library (560 New York Avenue at Maple Street)
Thursday and Friday hours: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Flatbush Library (22 Linden Boulevard at Flatbush Avenue)
Thursday hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
