Clarke Partners With Facebook To Boost Local Entrepreneurs
Flatbush Congress Member Yvette Clarke is slated as the guest speaker as Facebook officials will come to Brooklyn Monday to provide free training to local small businesses, particularly in the African American community, on how to increase their presence and engage with customers utilizing the world’s largest social media platform.
Working in conjunction with Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc., the Facebook Boost Your Business Event will feature expert advice on content, advertisement and targeting practices for local entrepreneurs. Event attendees will have the opportunity to network and learn more about community specific resources.
“As a long standing member of the House Small Business Committee, protecting and supporting the backbone of our nation’s economy is incredibly important,” said Clarke. “While significant progress has been made since the 2008 recession, many Americans still confront daily challenges as our nation works towards a full economic recovery. Part of ensuring a robust and equitable comeback for all New Yorkers includes providing greater access to critical resources that will foster individual and collective success. I am excited at this opportunity to partner with Facebook to provide this free forum for small business owners in my community and for the greater New York City area. With trainings, expert advice and timely presentations, this event will be the boost that small businesses need to thrive in today’s economy.”
The event is slated for 9:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 22 at KAI Studios, 1011 Dean Street, Crown Heights.
Treyger Calls For Hate Crime Charges In Crown Heights Stabbing
Coney Island/Bensonhurst City Council Member Mark Treyger, co-chair of the Council’s Brooklyn delegation, yesterday called on the Feb. 10 stabbing of a Hassidic man in Crown Heights to be deemed a hate crime.
It was the secodn random stabbing of a Hassidic man in the neighborhood in recent months and no arrests have been made as of yet.
“Like many across the city, I was dismayed and outraged to learn of the recent incident in Crown Heights where a 25-year-old Hassidic man was senselessly stabbed in the back. I believe the essence of what it is to be a New Yorker is also under attack. In an inclusive and tolerant city as we often boast we are, we cannot allow any person from any faith, race, gender, ethnic group, or sexual orientation to feel threatened for simply being who they are. This should serve as a serious wake-up call to city leaders. I’m urging the NYPD hate crimes task force to commit all the resources necessary to bring this suspect to justice. While the search is underway, I am calling on the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson to charge the perpetrator with a hate crime, in addition to attempted murder charges,” said Treyger.
“The victim of this heinous act is lucky to be alive today. He is a recently married man and the son of a rabbi. Despite the fact that his father’s shul was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy, he and his family gave of themselves to help many of their neighbors in Sea Gate who were also affected by the storm’s devastation. Now, this young man’s family, a family who did so much to help others, was forced to pray at the side of this young man’s hospital bed. We must work to make sure that no other families have to live through the same horror.”
Gentile Lauds De Blasio Bay Ridge Town Hall
Bay Ridge City Council Member Vincent Gentile yesterday hailed Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Tuesday Town Hall meeting at Fort Hamilton High School in his district Tuesday night.
“As Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio leads the capital of the world. Every constituent in this City is his responsibility. It’s a tall task, pun intended. While citywide concerns can dominate a Mayor’s focus, it’s the neighborhood issues that resonate most with the people he serves. As the old saying goes, “all politics is local”, and it doesn’t get any more local than a town hall,” said Gentile.
“He treated questions regarding street lights and senior centers with the same gravity as illegal conversions and the heroin epidemic. Questions arose from all ages — seniors, elementary school students and young professionals communicated their concerns respectfully and coherently. Bay Ridge always makes me proud and my constituents certainly rose to the occasion.
“Mayor de Blasio announced that the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) had eliminated the proposed Universal Pre-K site from consideration, located at 86th street and Gatling Place. I am extremely pleased as the site’s safety hazards for young children, such as its close proximity to the Gowanus Expressway, were repeatedly brought to the SCA’s attention by me, Community Board 10 (CB 10), and Community Education Council 20 (CEC 20). I want to thank the SCA for taking our concerns seriously and for arriving at this decision. They have begun identifying alternative sites for the Universal Pre-k program. I along with CB 10 and CEC 20 will continue our dialogue with the SCA to ensure that the next location is an educational sanctuary for our pre-kindergarteners.
“He addressed the Prince Hotel, a constant black-eye in my district for years, and I have supreme confidence that it will be subject to swift enforcement and eradication. The Mayor also assured me that he looks forward to reviewing my proposed illegal conversion legislation which would allow the Department of Buildings (DOB) to issue summonses and notices of violation based on externally observable circumstantial evidence, as well as my proposed hookah legislation, which would include non-tobacco products under the Smoke Free Air Act.”
According to media reports Gentile, who is term-limited out in 2017, is seeking a job with the de Blasio Administration or perhaps an appointment to the courts.
De Blasio, Donovan, Golden Echo Schumer Call For Renewed Anti-Terror Funding
Mayor Bill de Blasio, Southern Brooklyn/Staten Island Congressman Dan Donovan and Bay Ridge Sen. Marty Golden yesterday joined U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer in urging a restoration of anti-terrorism funding from President Obama’s proposed FY’17 Federal budget.
The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which helps cities to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism, was recommended for a funding level of only $330 million in the President’s request for Fiscal Year 2017, after being funded at $600 million in Fiscal Year 2016.
“Our message today is both simple and urgent – we need the Congress to step up and protect the people of New York City against terror and protect the people the United States of America against terror. On behalf of the people of New York City, we call on the Congress to fully fund the Urban Area Security Initiative, as has been done in the past. This initiative provides crucial funding to the NYPD, the Fire Department of the City, the Office of Emergency Management – all of the key pieces of our anti-terror response that has kept this city safe for so many years,” said de Blasio.
“The President’s budget proposal takes a sledgehammer to the programs that protect New York City and other top terror targets. Months after attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, and amid reports from the President’s own CIA director that attempted attacks on the homeland are ‘inevitable,’ it’s absurd and irresponsible to cut homeland security funding for cities and states,” said Donovan.
“New York City remains a top target for terrorist attacks. The President’s proposed cuts to our anti-terror funding is irresponsible, shortsighted and an insult to all New Yorkers. Considering the recent
domestic attacks here and abroad, the President should instead increase our funding to ensure the safety and security of our City. We deserve the necessary money so that our police precincts, fire department and first responders have all the tools and equipment required to thwart any future
attacks,” said Golden.
Ortiz Hails Nets Training Center In Sunset Park
Sunset Park Assembly Member and the Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix W. Ortiz yesterday hailed the opening of the Brooklyn Nets Training Center in his district.
Besides bringing an NBA presence to the local neighborhood, the training center located in Industry City, is expected to bring several dozen local jobs and opportunities for local youths to get involved in athletic activities.
“I’m excited to welcome the Brooklyn Nets to Sunset Park, Brooklyn in the district that I proudly represent. Sunset Park and all of Brooklyn loves the game of basketball. Now the greatest sports town in America gets even better. I’m especially pleased that this state-of-the-art training facility will be located in Sunset Park to help rebuild the neighborhood and bring jobs and opportunity for our residents. I look forward to celebrating a basketball championship in Brooklyn,” said Ortiz.
Mosley, Walker State of District Speeches Coming Up
Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley and Brownsville Assembly Member Latrice M. Walker both have upcoming State of the District Speeches coming up in their respective districts.
Below are the posters with information on the when and where of the events.
