Gentile Says Take Muni-Meters Off Residential Blocks
Bay Ridge City Councilman Vincent Gentile yesterday called for an immediate moratorium on the installation and operation of additional parking meters in and around predominantly residential blocks without notice of intent and input from the Community Board and local officials.
Gentile made his declaration after the city installed several muni-meters in his Bay Ridge District on residential blocks without any notification.
In addition, I am cosponsoring a bill (Intro 1234) with my colleague from the Bronx, Council Member Rafael Salamanca, which would require such notification by the Department of Transportation before any installation of additional meters takes place,” said Gentile.
“All the commercial strips already have meters and when you extend meters to the predominantly residential blocks adjacent to these commercial areas, parking for residents becomes nearly impossible. DOT must be made to realize this and stop the “gotcha” game of revenue collection that they play with residents,” he added.
Adams Speaks Publicly About HIs Recent Diabetes Diagnosis
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will speak with the media for the first time about his recent type 2 diabetes diagnosis as he hosts his third annual “Cut the Salt, Curb the Sugar” expo.
The event, developed in partnership with the City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, the Brooklyn District Public Health Office, and the Brooklyn Interfaith Advisory Group, will also feature a cooking demonstration with Chef Jacques Gautier from Palo Santo restaurant in Park Slope, as well as blood pressure screenings and complimentary “Health Bucks” to be used at the Brooklyn Borough Hall Greenmarket.
Adams will also demonstrate low-sodium, low-sugar dishes from a free cookbook of recipes submitted by Brooklyn residents, which he will distribute to the public.
Addressing the changes to his daily routine, Adams will urge Brooklynites, who have higher rates of diabetes and obesity than the city or state averages, to adopt strategies that lead to healthier diets.
The press conference is slated for 1 p.m. today at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street, Downtown Brooklyn.
Menchaca In Demonstration Against Alleged Discriminatory Landlord
City Councilman Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook) today will join Sunset Park tenants today to bring a New York City Human Rights Complaint Against Landlord of 430 61st Street in Sunset Park.
The Community Development Project (CDP) of the Urban Justice Center, in collaboration with Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN), is representing 10 immigrant families in the building who are seeking an end to the discriminatory treatment they have faced. A housing court case against their landlord settled on June 21 with a court order requiring repairs.
In addition to the wide range of alleged illegal harassment and discriminatory practices from the landlord, tenants have gone without adequate heat and hot water and other basic services for periods of time since 2007 when the current landlord purchased the building. Other alleged bad practices include:
- Verbally and physically harassing Latino tenants, their guests, and their children;
- forcing entry into tenants’ apartments without their consent;
- impeding entry to the building and attempting to stop guests of Latino and Hispanic tenants from entering;
- changing the locks to the front door, and depriving Latino tenants of an adequate number of key fobs for their family members;
- making racist and discriminatory remarks about Latino and Hispanic tenants and their families;
- refusing to repair dangerous conditions such as mold;
- bringing frivolous and retaliatory eviction cases against Latino and Hispanic tenants;
- requiring additional rent payments from Latino and Hispanic tenants receiving public assistance or Section 8 vouchers;
- adding illegal fees to the leases of Latino and Hispanic tenants.
The rally against the landlord is slated for 10 a.m. today in front of the building 430 61st Street in Sunset Park.
Harris, Walker Get State Teachers Union Support
Assembly Members Pam Harris (Coney Island, Bay Ridge) and Latrice Walker (Brownsville), recently received the strong support going into the Sept. 13 Democratic Primary from the New York State United Teachers Union, who pledged to wage a vigorous defense of candidates who come under attack from those seeking to harm public education.
The vow comes in wake of a report that a right-wing group — funded by wealthy Wall Street interests pushing for private-school tax breaks that would siphon millions from public schools statewide — is targeting four state legislative candidates (including Harris and Walker) backed by the statewide union.
“These candidates have earned NYSUT’s endorsement by being dedicated to protecting public education and improving the lives of working families,” said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee. “We are not only proud to support their candidacies, we will be fierce in our defense of any attack waged upon them by anti-labor forces and wealthy extremists who seek to inflict damage upon the state’s public education system for their own benefit.”
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta said the early endorsements — approved by the union’s Board of Directors — are intended to jumpstart the four campaigns, adding that NYSUT will be “absolutely relentless” in its defense of the candidates.
“Make no mistake: Our members not only stand ready to work tirelessly on behalf of the candidates we have endorsed, but will also confront head-on any attack made against public education and the working class,” Pallotta said.
Parker, Weinstein, Williams Host Forum On Superwoman Complex
State Senator Kevin Parker (Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands), Assembly Member Helene Weinstein (Flatlands, Canarsie, East Flatbush, Sheepshead Bay) and City Council Member Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) this evening will host a forum on the Superwoman Complex.
The conversation will center around how to handle the many challenges women face today in balancing their careers, relationships and families.
The event is slated for between 6-8:30 p.m., tonight at The Bridge Multicultural Center, 1894 Flatbush Avenue in Flatbush.
