Deutsch Warns About Flash Flooding
City Councilman Chaim Deutsch (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) warned constituents about flash flooding following this week’s storm where there was flooding on district streets, properties, and countless homes experienced sewer backups.
Flooding can occur because of poor infrastructure, overwhelmed combined sewer lines, clogged or blocked corner catch-basins, or other factors, said Deutsch.
“It is extremely important to report these conditions to 311 immediately, as well notifying your respective elected representative. My office was open throughout the last storm, but despite receiving dozens of calls, only one was to report a sewer backup in a home. I urge you to keep me informed about these kinds of issues, so that I can address the situation by speaking with the responsible City agencies to discuss options for improvement or solutions,” said Deutsch.
Deutsch said he is in the process of arranging a community forum with representatives from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Until then he is urging constituents to call his office at 718-368-9176 or email him at CDeutsch@council.nyc.gov to apprise him of any storm related conditions. Constituents that have previously called 311 should also give the reference number they were gioven so he can follow up with city agencies.
Menchaca Host Basketball Tourney
Council Member Menchaca (Red Hook, Sunset Park) tomorrow will host the First Annual Basketball Tournament Between Red Hook Youth and NYPD
Menchaca said the tournament was thought up to create more unity in the community and includes the NYPD, and various community organizations including Street Soccer USA, and Red Hook youth.
Activities will also include soccer matches between Red Hook youth and the NYPD. Food and refreshments will be provided for all youth participants.
The event is slated for from 3-8 p.m., tomorrow at the Bush Clinton Playground, 630 Clinton Street (Bush Street) in Red Hook. The rain location is the Miccio Center, 110 W. 9th Street.
Former City Comptroller John Liu Endorses Ragusa
Former City Comptroller John Liu recently endorsed incumbent Charlie Ragusa in the contentious race for male Democratic District Leader in the 47th Assembly District covering Bensonhurst and Bath Beach.
Ragusa, who has the support of Assemblyman Bill Colton and female district leader Nancy Tong is facing political newcomer Billy Thai in a district that has an increasing Pacific Asian-American community. Liu is the only Asian-American in the city’s history elected to a citywide office.
“We need to support public officials such as Charles Ragusa, who has proven himself with his amazing track record and continued efforts to better the community for all people,” said Liu.
Ragusa said he is honored to have Liu’s endorsement. “He is a great example of a public official who fights for all people. I will continue to serve as a voice for the community to the best of my ability,” said Ragusa.
Walker Cuts Ribbon On First Brownsville Home To INstall Solar Panals
Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (Brownsville) today will host a ribbon cutting for the first home in Brownsville to instal solar panals.
“As Chair of the Assembly Renewable Energy Subcommittee, I am proud of Brownsville for embracing renewable energy in the form of solar panels on their homes. The home owners will see an immediate reduction in their energy bills of up to 25 percent,” said Walker.
“The solar panels produce excess energy that reduces demand on the Con Ed Brownsville Substation serving East Brooklyn communities and parts of Queens. With 100 solar panel installation agreements in 6 weeks, Brownsville is fast becoming the strongest mass early adopter of renewable energy in any urban community in the country,” she added.
The ribbon cutting is slated for between 2-3 p.m. today on Powell Street between Livonia and Riverdale Avenues in Brownsville.
Greenfield Urges Nonpublic Schools to Apply for Security Guards
City Councilman David Greenfield (Borough Park, Midwood) yesterday urged nonpublic schools seeking city paid security guards for their schools next year to contact the Department of Citywide Administrative Services for the official rules and procedures for schools seeking to take advantage of the new law.
The law, which Greenfield championed provides for nonpublic schools with over 300 students to receive full reimbursements from the city for the cost of hiring security guards to protect students while school is in session or while school-related activities are taking place.
Schools with 300 students will be eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of one security guard, while schools with 500 or more students will be eligible for a second guard. An additional guard will be authorized for every 500 additional students.
“This program is a great opportunity for nonpublic schools in New York to ensure the safety of their students. It is vitally important that all nonpublic schools apply through DCAS to establish their eligibility as soon as possible,” Greenfield said. “Don’t wait until the last minute!”
Applications for the 2016-2017 school year will be accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis until November 1, 2016. DCAS will determine whether each application meets the requirements of the program and its final rules. Qualifying schools will be provided with a Memorandum of Understanding describing the school’s estimated budget for security services for the 2016-2017 school year. Upon signing the MOU, the school will be eligible for the reimbursement of its security expenses.
Thompson Indicts Landlord For Manslaughter Following Fatal Fire
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson yesterday announced that the owner of an illegally subdivided Flatbush apartment building has been indicted on manslaughter and other charges for a fatal fire in 2014 that left one tenant dead and nine others, including four children, injured.
Luckner Lorient, 78, of East Flatbush and the owner of 1434 Flatbush Avenue, a three-story, wood-frame residential and commercial building that he had allegedly illegally converted into SROs (single-room occupancy), housing a total of 23 tenants in 11 rooms on the second and third floors, was indicted on the charges.
According to the indictment, on November 19, 2014, shortly after 12:30 a.m., the building was enveloped by fire after an overloaded electrical circuit caused a water cooler on the second floor to ignite. The fire spread quickly, coursing through the second and third floors. Twenty of the 23 tenants were home at the time, most of them sleeping.
The tenants on the second floor escaped on their own or with the assistance of firefighters, but those on the third floor were either trapped or overcome by smoke and lost consciousness. Firefighters rescued six unconscious tenants from the third floor — three of whom were seriously burned. A 24-year-old man, Jeff Frederic, died of smoke inhalation.
Lorient, who was the pastor of a church located on the ground floor, is alleged to have recklessly disregarded safety issues, including a frequently overloaded electrical system, despite more than a decade’s worth of violations and vacate orders issued by authorities. In addition, the building failed to offer two means of egress, as required by law, and the single fire escape was inoperable.
“This defendant was well aware of the danger of running an illegal SRO, but chose to ignore numerous violations and vacate orders issued over many years resulting in this devastating fire that killed a young man and injured many others,” said Thompson.
