Weinstein, Savino Champion “Zombie Properties” Bill Passage
Assembly Member Helene Weinstein (Sheepshead Bay, Midwood, Flatlands) and State Sen. Diane Savino (Coney Island/Staten Island) yesterday hailed Governor Cuomo signing a measure that combats the blight of vacant and abandoned properties that poses both an economic and safety threat to surrounding properties.
Known as the “Zombie Properties” bill, the measure allows for expediting the rehabilitation, repair and improvement of these properties, and enabling the State to assist homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure.
Additional legislation creates the Community Restoration Fund, which will preserve homeownership, where possible, and promote neighborhood stabilization by finding home-saving and alternative affordable housing solutions for homeowners who are in danger of going into default.
“It is critical that we pursue every avenue to hold banks accountable and to help New Yorkers remain in their homes,” said Weinstein. “Unfortunately, so many properties that have been abandoned go on to become a burden and an eyesore to the surrounding community. The provisions of this legislation relating to foreclosure would strengthen the rights of homeowners in foreclosure proceedings, keep families in their homes longer, and require banks and their mortgage servicers to maintain abandoned properties in their portfolio to prevent any further neighborhood destabilization.”
Savino said in Brooklyn and Staten Island, zombie properties have ravaged communities, creating a blight on property values for neighborhoods haunted by the abandoned, decaying houses.
“This is a great day for the people of New York City, especially my constituents living in Staten Island and Brooklyn who’ve been dealing with this issue for far too long,” said Savino.” “I would like to thank the Governor for taking the step in the right direction and signing these important pieces of legislation, that will allow us to hold the banking industry accountable for ensuring they address these properties so that our neighborhoods can finally be revitalized.”
Adams Memorializes Orlando Victims With Rainbow Ribbon
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will wrap Brooklyn Borough Hall in a massive rainbow ribbon, which has been inscribed over the last week with messages of hope and solidarity by thousands of people across Brooklyn, as a living memorial to the victims of the recent Orlando nightclub massacre in which 49 people were killed and another 53 people were wounded.
More than 800 feet of fabric — comprised of red, orange yellow, green, blue, and purple segments — will be displayed at Brooklyn Borough Hall through the end of June, after which time Borough President Adams intends to deliver sections of it to families in Orlando. J
A number of advocates, community leaders, and elected officials will join dams, who will then speak about the memorial’s reflection of Brooklynites’ commitment to fighting gun violence and hate crimes that have imperiled a number of communities, including local Latino, LGBTQ+, and Muslim populations that have been personally impacted by last week’s tragedy.
The event is slated for 12 noon, today at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, in Downtown Brooklyn.
Hamilton Brings Free Movie To Park Slope
Senator Jesse Hamilton (Crown Heights, Brownsville, Sunset Park, Lower Park Slope) and community partners tonight will host Movies Under the Stars, a night that includes a free movie and entertainment on lower Park Slope.
“We received a great reception for our movie series last year. So I’m proud to be able to present Movies Under the Stars in again. Bringing families, friends, and neighbors together to enjoy arts, dancing, and a good movie is part of community engagement alongside the forums, town halls, and serious issue discussions. Community building is an important activity, especially when it involved popcorn and a movie. Please stay tuned for more movies around Brooklyn,” said Hamilton.
Partners for the event are the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), Criterion Pictures, NYC Parks & Recreation, and the NYPD.
The movie being shown is Eddie the Eagle. The event will also feature a Caribbean Carnival headpiece-making craft workshop for kids.
The event is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m, with the film beginning at 8:30 p.m., tonight at the Old Stone House in Washington Park, 336 3rd Street between 4th and 5th Avenues.
Greenfield, Felder Host Bike Hemet Giveaway
City Councilman David G. Greenfield (Borough Park, Midwood) and State Senator Simcha Felder (Borough Park, Midwood) on Sunday are partnering with the City’s Department of Transportation to host another free bike helmet fitting and giveaway at Friends Field in Midwood.
The helmets will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Additionally, the New York Knicks’ “Street Team” will make an appearance in their famous Groove Truck.
The Groove Truck is equipped with a variety of interactive activities: Kids can take some jump shots on any of the three basketball hoops or even play the latest NBA video games on one of the truck’s two big screen televisions. Other activities include music, giveaways, and appearances by Knicks alumni.
“Riding a bike is a great way to have fun and get exercise while you do it. Everyone who rides a bike should also wear a helmet for safety, and it is especially important that every child and teenager has a quality helmet that has been properly fitted for them. That’s why I am proud to partner with the DOT to distribute hundreds of free helmets to our community and to encourage safe cycling,” said Greenfield.
“Accidents are sometimes unavoidable. That’s why wearing a bike helmet is a must. Not only is it the sensible thing to do, it’s also the law,” said Felder. “I am delighted to join Councilman Greenfield in sponsoring and distributing bike helmets. Let’s all take a moment to have a serious conversation with our children about bike safety so they can avoid serious bike-related injuries.”
According to the DOT, bike riding has more than doubled in New York City since 2007. At the same time, as a result of infrastructure improvements and safety initiatives including helmet giveaways, the rate of serious injuries and fatalities among commuter bike riders has dropped by 75 percent over the past decade.
Helmets have been shown to reduce the chance of death or serious injury in a bicycle accident by 85 percent. Meanwhile, more than 90 percent of cyclists who were killed while riding a bike were not wearing a helmet at the time of their accident.
The event is slated for between 12 noon and 3 p.m, this Sunday, June 26 at Friends Field at East 4th Street and Avenue L in Midwood.
Persaud Hosts PAL Basketball Tourney
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (Canarsie, Bergen Beach, Mill Basin, Brownsville) Sunday will host the third and final round of the “Our Officers. Our Youth. Our Community.” Brooklyn North vs Brooklyn South Basketball District 19 Basketball Tournament.
The event features teams of youth from the Police Athletic League (PALS) and NYPD engaging in a competitive game of hoops, geared to promote unity and sportsmanship.
The event is slated for between 1-5 p.m., this Sunday, June 26, at Kingsborough College, 2001 Oriental Blvd. in Manhattan Beach.
Additionally, Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio is hosting a fundraiser for Persaud on June 30. For more information contact Amar at 917-453-9973 or emailamar.dyal.cpa@gmail.
