Treyger Wants Capital Funding For Air Conditioners In Public Schools
City Council Member Mark Treyger (Bensonhurst, Coney Island) recently penned a letter asking City Comptroller Scott Stringer to consider amending city fiscal guidelines for the purpose of allowing Council Members to use Capital funding allocations to pay for air conditioner units in the city’s public schools.
Citing the numerous requests his office receives every year to help get new air conditioning systems for schools in his district, Treyger asked Stringer to revise current directives, which renders air conditioning units ineligible for Capital funding.
“As a former teacher, I have experienced first-hand the important role that environmental conditions play in shaping the classroom experience and determining student outcomes,” wrote Treyger. “Unfortunately, building-wide HVAC systems are incredibly costly, forcing those charged with allocating funds for such improvements to prioritize the health and education of children at one school over others. There is an urgent need in our schools for improved temperature control during the last months of the school year, when high-stakes standardized testing takes place.”
With over 1,800 public schools to fund, the city currently has to make tough choices when air quality and temperature comes up against bathroom repairs or the purchase of necessary technology. Stand-alone air conditioning units are lower in cost to maintain, while the Environmental Protection Agency has endorsed using window air conditioning units for the improvement of indoor air quality, increasing air flow and ventilation, and keeping temperatures stable, Treyger said.
Adams Wants School, Affordable Housing At Willoughby Site
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday submitted a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) recommendation to disapprove with conditions a zoning map change application related to the facilitation of developing 141 Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn into a 49-story, 372,000 square-foot commercial/residential mixed-use building with space available for office and retail uses.
His response was issued after dialogue with local stakeholders and community activists, including a public hearing he held in the community room of Brooklyn Borough Hall on Monday, June 13.
Adams requested several modifications to the project, including his disapproval of a request for an unprecedented floor area ratio (FAR) in the borough’s central business district as well as the sale of municipal air rights at a City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) building at 295 Flatbush Avenue Extension to allow for the creation of the proposed development, which he requested be inclusive of cultural space and new school seats as well as affordable housing units able to support families and be reasonably priced for senior citizens.
“Development in Brooklyn, especially projects with a component of community review, must meet a high standard that addresses critical local needs and objectives,” said Adams. “In Downtown Brooklyn, and indeed across our borough, we face serious affordability concerns for our seniors that remain the foundation of our societal success as well as our families who seek to build the next chapters of our communities’ growth. To ensure that this neighborhood is a safe place to raise healthy children and families, we need to be creative and aggressive in pursuing affordable housing for them alongside places to work, shop, learn, and play. Holistic development can and should be the standard our City meets at every opportunity we have to shape the future of the five boroughs.”
Adams’ recommendations, which can be accessed online by visiting brooklyn-usa.org/ulurp, will be considered by the City Planning Commission (CPC) as part of their public meeting on Wednesday, July 27.
Cumbo Responds To Walt Whitman Houses Homicide
New York City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights) joined by Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights), Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, resident association leaders, and the Myrtle Avenue BID will respond to the homicide of an unidentified woman in the Walt Whitman Houses yesterday.
The unidentified woman was fatally shot inside the NYCHA complex at 56 North Oxford Walk at around 12 a.m., according to police. She is in her 20s and was found shot multiple times lying unconscious and unresponsive.
The lawmakers will discuss the ongoing investigation into the homicide and announce monies allocated towards security enhancements for neighboring NYCHA developments and along the Myrtle Avenue commercial strip.
The press conference is slated for 2 p.m., today on the corner of North Portland and Myrtle Avenues in Fort Greene.
Hikind Asks Trump To Apologize
Borough Park Assemblyman Hikind yesterday asked Republican Presidential nominee to apologize for statements he has made thus far that many consider divisive.
Among the divisive things that Trump has said and done are several questionable Tweets and “winks” towards white supremacist organizations that openly discredit Jews, Muslims, Blacks and anybody that is not white.
Hikind’s comments were issued yesterday prior to Trump speaking at the final day of the Republican National Convention.
“Over the past year, Donald Trump has, too often, indulged in a behavior that has embarrassed us all. Whether it be insulting the wives of presidential candidates on their appearances or degrading those with physical disabilities, Americans nationwide have grown disgusted with Trump’s reprehensible behavior,” said Hikind.
“Even still, Hillary Clinton isn’t an option and as a result, we are left with Trump. As I try to wrap my mind around supporting someone who has continued to maliciously attack and malign so many, a simple apology from Trump would go a long way in making it easier to support him. By not acknowledging your mistakes, Donald, you are only reinforcing the very behavior people have grown so disgusted with. Realize that you have the potential to be the next President of the United States. Please do the right thing. Show us that you can acknowledge your mistakes, so that we can believe in you more and move forward as a country. Just say ‘I’m sorry.'”
Savino, Malliotakis Applaud Cuomo Making Feminine Hygiene Tax Exempt
State Sen. Diane Savino (Coney Island, Staten Island) and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) yesterday applauded Governor Cuomo for signing this legislation making feminine hygiene products tax exempt.
New York State is now one the first states to exempt these products from sales tax and is estimated to save women who buy these products, an estimated $10 million annually.
“The repeal of this tax is long overdue. Medical and pharmaceutical products like bandages and condoms are already tax-free and feminine hygiene products should also be. This is welcome news for the girls and women of our state,” said Malliotakis.
“This is a terrific end to another section of our antiquated tax system. These products go beyond the premise of a luxury item, but a medical necessity. I am thrilled that Governor Cuomo and my colleagues are leading the way to ensure this discriminatory tax ends,” said Savino.
