Dem Judicial Convention Pick Six Candidates For Supreme Court Bench
Democratic delegates to the judicial convention last night nominated six candidates for the Kings County Supreme Court bench.
There were two incumbent Supreme Court justices running for re-election who were endorsed – Mark Partnow and Leon Ruchelsman.
The other nominees are current civil court judges, all of whom are also serving as Acting Supreme Court Justices. They are Shawndya Simpson, Peter Sweeney, Katherine Levine and Reginald Boddie. Boddie currently also serves as the supervising judge of the Kings County Civil Court.
The Kings County Democratic Party Executive Committee, made up of the male and female Democtaic district leaders, recommended the six nominees on Wednesday night.
Cymbrowitz Watches Trial Concerning Alleged Hate Crime
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) yesterday called the trial that recently started in Kings County Supreme Court for the man accused of assaulting a prominent Jewish leader in 2014 a major test for Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson to prosecute hate crimes.
The case stems from a Oct. 7, 2014 incident, in which the suspect, Shawn Schraeder, allegedly left Kings Bay Y Executive Directory left Leonard Petlakh with a broken nose and severe lacerations following an exhibition basketball game between the Nets and a Tel Aviv Team outside the Barclays Center where the game took place.
Schraeder was part of a group of anti-Israel protestors that reportedly disrupted the game and afterward allegedly let loose a barrage of anti-Semitic slurs including “You are child murderers,” while assaulting Petlakh in front of his children.
Schraeder was arrested 10 days after the attack and charged with assault in the third degree. Cymbrowitz said he found the omission of a bias charge “extremely disturbing” and asked Thompson to investigate.
In June 2015, Thompson announced a hate crime charge against Schraeder as part of the six-count indictment. Cymbrowitz commended Thmpson at the time for “finding just cause to charge the suspect not just for the assault but for the anti-Semitic hatred that both precipitated and accompanied it.”
As the trial started yesterday, Cymbrowitz said he is hopeful that justice will be served.
“Leonard Petlakh has devoted much of his career to promoting multi-cultural relations and the attack on him was a brutal example of the growing anti-Israel, anti-Jewish sentiment we’ve seen in Brooklyn and all across our city,” Cymbrowitz said. “I’m hopeful that this trial will prove that crimes motivated by hatred and bigotry in any of our communities will result in harsh consequences for those who commit them.”
Golden Calls Crackdown On Dollar Vans A Success
State Senator Martin J. Golden (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend) yesterday announced that the war on dollar vans is yielding great results for the
residents of Marine Park, and that over the last 28 days, more than 120 summons have been issued for various violations.
Golden recently convened a meeting on the issue with 63rd Precinct NYPD Captain Thomas Burke, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) at the corner of Flatbush Avenue and Avenue U. Since the meeting held in August, aggressive enforcement has
addressed the community concerns so to improve safety along the dollar van routes.
“For too long, Marine Park residents and the community at large have been plagued by the operation of these dollar vans and the hazardous conditions they create,” said Golden. “This persistent multi-agency approach has already, and will continue to, make a noticeable impact on these streets for motorists and pedestrians.”
“ I want to thank Captain Burke, the DOT, and TLC for recognizing the severity of this issue and making it a priority. I encourage residents to continue to contact my office on this issue in an effort improve our
quality of life and the safety of all,” he added.
Malliotakis Stands Up For Pet Adoptions
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) announced she is once again joining Pet Lovers United Together as One (P.L.U.T.O.) to host a pet adoption event at the Third Avenue Festival in Bay Ridge.
“As the owner of two dogs, I know how much love and joy animals can bring to a family,” said Malliotakis. “The animals rescued by P.L.U.T.O. are desperately in need of a loving home to call their own. By adopting a pet, not only are you doing a great thing for that animal, but you are adding a loyal companion to your family and your life. I hope that many people will have a chance to stop by our event and meet their new best friend.”
All animals available for adoption have been spayed or neutered and are up-to-date on all vaccinations. All pets in need of a loving home can be seen on P.L.U.T.O.’s website at www.plutorescue.petfinder.org.
Malliotakis is encouraging all prospective pet owners to stop by the event from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, October 2 the corner of 3rd Avenue and 74th Street.
Jeffries To Be Keynote Speaker At Charter School Rally
Central Brooklyn Congressman Hakeem Jeffries will headline the upcoming Path to Possible March and deliver the event’s keynote speech next week at a rally before expected thousands of families and educators from more than 100 charter schools.
“New York City charter schools have had an incredible impact on children across the city,” said Jeffries. “That’s why I’m proud to march alongside parents fighting for life-changing public charter schools.”
“Congressman Jeffries has long been a fierce advocate for education equality and a supporter of public charter schools,” said Jeremiah Kittredge, CEO of Families for Excellent Schools. “We’re honored that the Congressman will march hand-in-hand with thousands of families from across the city.”
The rally is scheduled for next Wednesday, Sept. 28 in Prospect Park. No further information was available at post time.
