Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Aug. 12, 2016

News Site Brooklyn

Greenfield: MTA Should Pays Costs For Disabled Use Of Ride Sharing Services

City Councilman David Greenfield
City Councilman David Greenfield

City Councilman David G. Greenfield (Borough Park, Midwood, Bensonhurst) yesterday asked the MTA to allow Access-A-Ride passengers to use ride sharing services such as Uber, Lyft, and Gett, with reimbursements paid by the Transit Authority.

The move comes as Greenfield’s office has fielded increasing complaints that the MTA’s service for disabled commuters is not performing up to par.

“I receive frequent calls on this topic from seniors and disabled passengers who have missed medical appointments, been late to family engagements, or even been stranded in the rain because of poor Access-A-Ride service,” Greenfield said. “They are sick and tired of being neglected by the MTA. We have a responsibility to do better by our most vulnerable citizens.”

According to a 2015 audit by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, Access-A-Ride customers has encountered serious difficulties with providing New Yorkers the level of service to which they are entitled under the program. Access-A-Ride drivers are frequently late to pick up their customers, but Stringer’s audit found that they often manipulate their records to avoid accountability for their lateness. Even worse, it is a shockingly regular occurrence for drivers to simply not show up at all – Access-A-Ride customers were left stranded over 31,000 times in 2015 alone.

“It’s worth pointing out that an Access-A-Ride driver is not even considered late until more than 30 minutes have elapsed after the designated pickup time,” Greenfield said. “Meanwhile, if a passenger misses the pickup time by even five minutes, the driver will leave – often without even bothering to attempt to reach the passenger he is supposed to be picking up. If a passenger ‘misses’ multiple rides, he or she risks being banned from the service. These absurd policies often force people with disabilities and seniors to wait outdoors, even in inclement weather, for long periods of time out of fear that they will not be there at the precise moment their car arrives – if it arrives at all. We can and must do better.”


Gillibrand Lauds DEA Decision Ending Monopoly On Medical Marijuana Research

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

U. S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand yesterday lauded the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) decision to end the University of Mississippi’s monopoly on medical marijuana research and to allow other universities to apply to grow marijuana for research purposes.

The decsion comes after Gillibrand has long led a bipartisan effort urging the DEA to end this monopoly and grant new research licenses. Citing new information she requested from the State Department and documents from HHS, Gillibrand and a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives wrote DEA administrator Chuck Rosenberg earlier this summer urging him to make this change and remove barriers to research on medical marijuana.

“This is an important first step toward helping countless children who suffer from seizures get the medicine they need. It’s past due that we expand opportunities for medical research, and now the DEA needs to take the next step and remove marijuana from schedule I. It shouldn’t take an act of Congress for the DEA to get past antiquated ideology and make this change, but in the meantime I’ll continue urging my colleagues to pass our bipartisan legislation on behalf of the children and families who are suffering,” said Gillibrand.

Gillibrand is the sponsor of the bipartisan Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act, which would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug to recognize that it has accepted medical use, and would amend federal law to allow states to set their own medical marijuana policies.


Hamilton Hosts School Supply Give-Away

State Sen. Jesse Hamilton
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton

Central Brooklyn State Senator Jesse Hamilton and community partners tomorrow will host a Back to School Celebration and School Supply Give-Away in Brownsville.

In addition to giving away a limited number backpacks with school supplies, the event will include fun activities, games, and food.

“Fall means back-to-school time for New York families with school age children. With the start of the school bringing the promise of something new – new teachers, new classrooms, new subjects, and a new beginning. I join with colleagues, partners, and community groups in helping families prepare for a successful school year and distribute much-needed schools supplies to families and young people who can use our support,” said Hamilton.

Partners for the event are the NYC Department of Finance, Uncommon Schools, Emblem Health, and Kings Plaza.

The event is slated for between 1-3 p.m., tomorrow, Aug. 13 at the Howard Houses Common Area & Garden, Glenmore Avenue and Watkins Street in Brownsville.


Maimonides Pediatric Expert Advises Back-to-School Immunizations 

Back-to-School Vaccine imageAs the school year gears up to start, pediatric experts at the Maimonides Children’s Hospital urge parents to keep kids up-to-date with recommended vaccines.

“It’s important to vaccinate your child and follow an immunization schedule because childhood illnesses once thought to be eradicated have now resurfaced,” says Dr. Christina Gagliardo, Pediatric Infectious Disease physician at Maimonides. “Vaccinating children helps prevent the spread of disease and ensures that they are not affected by these growing outbreaks.”

As your family’s back-to-school preparations begin, Dr. Gagliardo recommends that you make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician for an annual check-up. Bring your child’s immunization records so that you and your pediatrician can compare notes and discuss any missing vaccinations.

While it is best to have all immunizations on the recommended schedule, there are certain times when children fall behind due to illness or other circumstances. According to Dr. Gagliardo, this is not a cause for panic – your pediatrician can guide you through a “catching-up” vaccination schedule for your child.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children receive the following vaccines: DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/whooping cough); Hib (flu type b); Varicella (chickenpox); IPV (polio); RV (rotavirus); HepA and HepB (hepatitis); Flu (annual); PCV (pneumonia); HPV (human papillomavirus); and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella).

For more information on recommended vaccines, visit the CDC website, endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, at www.cdc.gov/features/catchupimmunizations/.


Jewish Press Endorses Freier For Civil Court Judge

The influential weekly, Jewish Press this week endorsed Rachel (Ruchie) Freier for civil court judge in Brooklyn’s fifth judicial district, which includes Boro Park, Kensington, Midwood, Ocean Parkway, and 21 other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

If elected, Freier would be the first chassidic woman judge in New York and in the United States. She seeks to fill the civil court seat vacated by Noach Dear, who recently was elected to the New York State Supreme Court.

Freier is licensed to practice law in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia and has practiced in both the private and pro bono sectors. She has a broad range of experience in contracts and closings, transactional law, litigation, corporate law, trust and estates law, family law, and personal injury law.

Freier also founded B’Derech – a GED program for chassidic young men to help them get back on the “derech.” She is also the director of Ezras Nashim, the first all-female volunteer EMT corps, which responds to emergency calls from women.

The election is on Sept. 13.


Treyger Gets 33 Endorsements For District Leader Race

City Councilman Mark Treyger
City Councilman Mark Treyger

City Councilman Mark Treyger (Coney Island, Bensonhurst) yesterday rolled out 33 endorsements for his run for Democratic 46th Assembly District Leader.

The 33 community leaders include seven clergy and members of the religious community, seven tenant and housing activists and several civil rights leaders, veteran’s advocates, community activists, education advocates and leaders from the business community.

“I am overwhelmed by this outpouring of support. These community leaders are the backbone of our neighborhoods-leading the charge to improve our schools, ensure safe, quality housing, and advocating for critical social services. I look forward to working with them to help strengthen our communities and elect strong leaders to continue moving Southern Brooklyn forward,” said Treyger.

Treyger is locked in a battle for district leader with Chris McCreight. He currently does not live in the district and still needs to move there to hold the unpaid position. The district includes Coney Island and Bay Ridge.


Bevy Of Pols Set For Walker Fundraiser

Assemblywoman Latrice Walker
Assemblywoman Latrice Walker

A virtual who’s who of elected officials are throwing a birthday gala fundraiser for Brownsville Assemblywoman Latrice Walker next Thursday.

Among these officials are Congress Members Yvette Clarke and Hakeem Jeffries, Public Advocate Letitia James, Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Assemblymember Helene Weinstein.

Walker is locked in a tough Sept. 13 primary election tussle with term-limited City Councilwoman Darlene Mealy for the assembly seat.

The fundraiser is slated for between 7-10 p.m., next Thursday, Aug. 18 at Sanders Studio, 525 Waverly Avenue Brooklyn in Prospect Heights.

For more info or to RSVP contact Rebekah Monize by calling 917-753-3530 or emailing [email protected].