Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Dec. 28, 2015

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Greenfield, Felder, Treyger Again Advocate For Express F Train

Councilman David G. Greenfield is calling on the new president of New York City Transit, Veronique Hakim, to yet again bring F express service to South Brooklyn.

An F express would be crucial for commuters from Midwood, Boro Park, Bensonhurst and Gravesend, whose travel can take upwards of an hour to midtown. An express train would shorten these commutes considerably, said Greenfield, adding he and other neighboring elected officials, have written countless letters to the MTA requesting the long promised release of the F train express study and for express service to be restored.

“Tax payers in my district deserve fair and equitable access to transportation. I receive regular complaints from constituents who want that the F express to be restored. It is ridiculous that it has taken years for the MTA to release a study about the F train–that is why I am calling on the MTA to release the F train study immediately and take my constituents’ needs seriously,” said Councilman Greenfield.

“I’ve been riding the F train for the last 40 years. Express service once existed on this line, and it’s about time to bring it back. The demand is there; the service should be as well,” said State Senator Felder.

“Southern Brooklyn deserves its fair share. Constituents frequently report jam-packed platforms, overcrowded subway cars, and longer and longer commute times on the F train. The middle track is still there. The time is right to bring back express service to the F line. I support Council Member David Greenfield in calling on NYCT to bring back this much needed service that affects so many of our working families. We matter, too,” said Council Member Mark Treyger.

The lawmakers said despite Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s agreement of a $26.1 billion for MTA capital programs, it excluded many projects in South Brooklyn.

Adams, Cumbo, Crew Decry MEC Anti-Semitic Incident

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, City Council Member Laurie Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) and Medgar Evers College President Dr. Rudy Crew all denounced an alleged anti-Semitic incident at the school last week in which an  assailant reportedly bumped into the victim, who was wearing a yarmulke, yelled anti-Semitic remarks at him, and struck him twice in the face and once in the stomach following a science exam.

The victim did not require hospital treatment. The NYPD is searching for the assailant; it is not known whether he is affiliated with the college.

“Medgar Evers College has no tolerance for hate, and neither does Brooklyn,” said Adams. “We are a diverse community that will grow stronger and more united in the face of an isolated incident of ignorance.”

“While the details around this event remain unclear we are asking students at Medgar Evers to come forward with any information leading to the arrest of this person,” said Cumbo. “This incident is in no way a reflection of the student body at MEC who have had a long history of welcoming students of all races and religions.”

“This was an awful act of violence and of ignorance,” said Crew. “While such incidents are fortunately rare on campus, even one is too many. To attack someone because of his or her race or religious beliefs is appalling. I want to make it clear that we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior and we will do everything in our power to ensure the assailant is found and held fully accountable for these hateful actions.”

Crew commended a young woman standing with the victim at the time. “The fact that a Muslim woman came to the defense of an orthodox Jewish man is a true reflection of the values that permeate this great institution,” he said.

The incident occurred as several activists and leaders from the Crown Heights Orthodox Jewish community have been lobbying for the school to do more community outreach to college-aged students form their community that live in the neighborhood.

Adams Highlights Coming USS Monitor Museum

Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams last week announced an agreement with the City that preserves the a portion of the Bushwick Inlet to the Greenpoint Monitor Museum – a location where the Civil War-era ironclad warship, the USS Monitor was constructed and launched.

Dating back to 2005, the threat of eminent domain has impacted the ability to pursue grants and a portion of the funding streams that would make it possible to build the museum and a dock for research vessels, as well as achieve the goals of flood protection, public access, and shoreline restoration.

Over the last year, Adams and Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna have worked with the Museum, the City, and local residents to advance preservation efforts, resulting in a letter from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation last month that affirmed the City does not plan to purchase the property on Quay Street.

Adams noted the importance of the USS Monitor to the historical legacy of Brooklyn and how this agreement was an acknowledgment of the need to invest in the cultural infrastructure of Greenpoint.

“The legacy of the USS Monitor is the flagship of Brooklyn’s rich military and shipbuilding history, which we must maintain for future generations,” said Adams. “I am proud to work with hard-working and ardent supporters of the Greenpoint Monitor Museum in their pursuit of an educationally rich and environmentally friendly institution that will tell an important chapter of this community’s story to the residents of Brooklyn and beyond.”

Richardson Wishes Everyone a Happy Kwanza

Crown Heights/Lefferts Gardens Assemblywoman Diana Richardson wished all her constituents that celebrate the holiday, a Happy Kwanza.

She also noted in her Kwanza message that the name of the holiday is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili, and that each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal.

On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili) are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. Kwanzaa also has seven basic symbols which represent values and concepts reflective of African culture. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31.