Cornegy Holds Home Sharing Event
Bedford-Stuyvesant City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. today is holding a Home Sharing event tonight.
Home sharing is a unique and affordable age friendly housing program in Bed-Stuy that seeks to match homeowners looking to cut expenses and who enjoy like-mined companionship with those looking for affordable housing and a friendly living environment.
The event is slated for between 6-8 p.m., tonight at Akwaaba Mansion, 347 MacDonough Street between Lewis and Stuyvesant avenues. RSVP to 718-919-0740, ext. 100.
Velazquez, Jeffries Town Hall To Discuss Voting Rights Act
Brooklyn Congress Members Nydia M. Velázquez and Hakeem Jeffries, along with Queens Congress Member Grace Meng on Friday will host a town hall discussing the need for Congress to update the Voting Rights Act and, overall, the importance of protecting voters’ rights during elections.
Along with other experts, Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the New York City Board of Elections, will appear before Members of Congress to discuss the Act and how to best ensure New Yorkers are not denied their legal right to vote.
In 2013, in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court struck down sections of the Voting Rights Act. Since then, many Congressional Democrats have been working legislatively to reinstate the Act’s protections. Friday’s event also follows significant discussion about voting access issues during New York’s most recent primary election.
The event is slated for 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 20 at the Gouverneur Health Center Auditorium, 227 Madison Street in Lower Manhattan.
Malliotakis Hurricane Preparedness Week Resolution Passed
The State Assembly yesterday unanimously passed Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge/Staten Island) resolution recognizing May 15-21, 2016 as Hurricane Preparedness Week.
The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1 to November 30.
“Following the devastation felt in our community as a result of Hurricane Sandy it is critically important that families are prepared in the event of another super-storm,” said Malliotakis. “This resolution reminds us that hurricane season begins in just a few weeks and while we can’t predict when and where the next one will hit, we can certainly take all measures necessary to ensure we are prepared and protected.”
In the coming weeks it is essential for New Yorkers to take time to prepare themselves for hurricane season by:
– Determining risk level;
– Developing a household evacuation plan;
– Becoming familiar with safe routes and official shelter locations;
– Storing important documents in a waterproof container and have financial means readily available;
– Keeping trees around your home trimmed to prevent damage;
– Considering retrofitting windows and doors to protect against high winds and flooding;
– Reviewing insurance policies to ensure proper coverage;
– Assembling disaster supplies;
– Strengthening your home;
– Identifying emergency services and resources in the event of a natural disaster;
– Preparing an emergency supply kit, including a flashlight, radio, batteries and first aid kit;
– Making arrangements for where you can to relocate pets during the storm;
– Having your family learn basic safety and first-aid measures;
– Stocking up on prescribed medication and supplies for family members with special needs;
– Preparing an emergency phone list; and
– Completing and finalizing a plan to protect you and your loved ones.
Williams, Bichotte Lander Celebrate Haitian Flag Day
City Council Members Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, MIdwood) and Brad Lander (Park Slope, Kensington, Windsor Terrace), and Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Ditmas Park) today in partnership with Haiti Cultural Exchange will host Selebrasyon! in commemoration of Haitian Flag Day.
The event is a yearly commemoration of the creation of Haiti’s flag and celebrates Haitian culture and heritage. As part of the celebration, five Haitian Americans will be presented with New York City proclamations honoring their achievements in the community and their respective professions in music and performing arts.
This year’s honorees are:
Vicky Jeudy – Actress, Orange Is the New Black
Jerry Wonda Duplessis – Grammy Award-Winning Music Producer
Esther Lormil- Recording Artist, Speaker and Songwriter
Peniel Guerrier – Choreographer and Founder of Kriye Bode
Riva Nyri Precil – – Singer and Children’s Book Author, “Anaëlle Ak Lasirèn”
The event is slated for 6 p.m., today at Shape Shifter Lab 18 Whitwell Pl, between 1st and Carroll Str, off 4th Ave- Park Slope.
Gillibrand Lobbies White House For Drug Abuse Forums In The New York
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand yesterday urged the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy to host community forums in New York State to discuss best practices and evidence-based initiatives to prevent and treat prescription drug abuse and heroin use.
Last year, Michael Botticelli, Director of National Drug Control Policy, announced that the White House will be hosting the community forums across the country to focus on initiatives that would end the opioid epidemic. Senator Gillibrand wrote to the director to schedule these open discussions in New York due to increasing opioid-related deaths in the state.
“I’ve traveled the state over the last few months meeting with families and medical professionals and it’s clear: the opioid crisis is widespread, it’s growing, and it’s not going to get any better unless we take action. In New York, our state, county, and local governments, as well as community groups, health care providers, and advocacy organizations, have taken significant steps to respond to the opioid epidemic,” said Gillibrand.
“I have met with individuals across the state who are committed to tackling this problem and I know they would welcome the opportunity to attend a forum on best practices and evidence-based initiatives to combat the crisis. The community forums hosted by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy would be another step in the right direction to help raise awareness and promote best practices in our communities throughout the state to help end this epidemic.”
