Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Oct. 27, 2016

Menchaca, Mark-Viverito Remind Immigrants To Register To Vote

New York City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook) and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito yesterday reminded New York City residents who naturalized after October 14 of their eligibility to vote in the November 8 General Election but stressed that they must register in person at a local Board of Elections office by October 29.

“Voting is a human right of expression that secures our most fundamental tenant in our democracy: electing people who represent our needs,” said Menchaca. “This couldn’t be more critical today in this year’s election, especially for our recently naturalized citizens. We need your voice and we need it now more than ever to keep moving our country forward for everyone including our immigrants, women, LGBT and working families across this city and country.

“The 2016 election has been tarnished by hateful, anti-immigrant rhetoric that threatens the very principles our nation was founded on,” said Mark-Viverito. “There is nothing more American than exercising your right to vote. I urge every recently naturalized citizen in our city to send a powerful message by registering to vote at the Board of Elections and casting a ballot in what may very well be the most important election of our lifetime.”

Levin Pushes Measures To Improve Foster Care

City Council Member Stephen Levin (Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Williamsburg) and foster care advocates including City Council members Laurie Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights) and Mathieu Eugene (Flatbush, Ditmas Park) today will highlight a package of proposed bills to strengthen the foster care system for New York City children and youth.

The pending legislation would enable expert feedback, implement evidence-based permanency planning, expand reporting on health, education, and housing stability, and call on the New York State legislature to make key reforms to support youth aging out of care.

Nearly 10,000 New York City children and youth rely on the city’s foster care system to ensure their health and safety. Council Members developed many of the bills following the Council’s Foster Youth Shadow Day last year, during which youth shared ideas about improving foster care in New York City, informed by their own experiences of the system.

The press conference to highlight this package of legislation is slated for 12:30 p.m., today at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.

Golden’s Halloween Plans

State Senator Martin J. Golden (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) yesterday
announced that he will again serve as the leading sponsor of two upcomingHalloween themed events to be held in local parks, giving the community a chance to celebrate the Fall season and have a safe alternative to trick or treating.

In the first event, Golden, with the support of the Marine Park Civic Association, The Friends of the Lott House and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, will host the 31st Annual Marine Park Halloween Fall Festival from 12 noon to 3 p.m., this Saturday, October 29, at the Hendrick I. Lott House, located at East 36th Street between Fillmore Avenue and Avenue S in Marine Park.

“Due to the inclement weather last week, we have rescheduled the event for this Saturday and we hope that the community will join us for an afternoon of fun at the Lott House.  There will be a pumpkin patch
featuring treats and activities, and be sure to wear your costume if you want to enter the costume contest. And of course, we will be giving our “Golden Apples” to all who attend the festivities,” said Golden.

Then on Monday, Oct. 31, in what is now one of the largest Halloween events in the City, Golden along with the Southwest Brooklyn Parks Task Force and the Community Emergency Response Team, will again present the Haunted Halloween Walk and Fairy Tale Forest.

The festivities are slated for between 3:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 31 at Owl’s Head Park, 67th Street and Colonial Road in Bay Ridge. Among the attractions are rides, a food court, face painting, sand art and the FDNY Smokehouse.  The event will also offer tours of the famed Haunted Walk and Fairytale Forest, and a costume contest is scheduled.

For more information on these events, please contact Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044.

Central Brooklyn State Sen. Jesse Hamilton is hosting a a Little Ghouls & Goblins Halloween Party tomorrow.

The event will feature prizes, a live DJ and sppoky activities by Judy.

The Halloween Party is slated for between 6-8 p.m., tomorrow, Oct. 28 at the Full Gospel Assembly Of God Church, 131 Sullivan Place between Bedford Avenue and Stoddard Place in Crown Heights. To RSVP call Hamilton’s office at 718-284-4700.

Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Girls Leading Up will sponsor “Girl’s Empowerment Day” on Nov. 12.

The day is aimed at supporting and improving the well-being of young women transitioning from high school to college. Emicia Parker, director of the Miss New York Plus America pageant, will host the event.

The purpose of the “Girl’s Empowerment Day” is to highlight the importance of self-care and empowering young women to improve their personal and professional development, while preparing them for leadership roles in their future professional endeavors.

Workshops at the evnt include:

Beauty Bar: Moderated by Natasha Gaspard, founder of Mane Moves Media, Beauty Bar will include a panel of professionals in the beauty and health industry that will discuss the importance of self-care and maintaining a polished, professional appearance. The panelists include:

Christopher Michael, Celebrity Make-Up Artist

Allison Smith, NYS Licensed Aesthetician

Mohan Jean-Mary, Celebrity Hairstylist

Jasmine Rose, Lifestyle Expert

Anowa Adjah, Fitness Expert

Tailor-Made: Moderated by Evelyn Ortiz, Director of Government Affairs & Community Partnerships for Opportunities For A BetterTomorrow (OBT), Tailor-Made will include a panel where participants will share tips on how to build your brand and prepare yourself for the workforce. The panelists include:

Khalilah A. Webster, Business Expert, Motivational Speaker & Author

Shelly Jones Jennings, VP, Director of Digital for Black Enterprise

Heather Hughes, Image/Wardrobe Stylist

Serrina Goodman, Corporate Recruiter, OBT

Debbie Louis, Lifestyle Expert & Founder of A La Mode

The event is slated for between 1-4 p.m., Nov. 12 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn. CLICK HERE TO RSVP BY OCT. 31.

The new signage, which includes a stop sign, a “stop ahead” and playground sign, comes in response to several requests Hikind made to improve traffic safety in the community.

“I applaud the work and efforts of Commissioners Polly Trottenberg and Keith Bray, as well as Mayor de Blasio for continuing to make our communities safer,” Hikind said. “It’s about getting things done, and they have delivered.”

Prior to the new signage, Hikind said there was a major safety hazard, as most drivers would not slow down just before making the turn in front Friends Field. “You have hundreds of children and their families that use Friends Field for its services, and it can be very dangerous if drivers are speeding nearby,” he said. “Someone could get seriously injured. It’s a chance that we cannot take.”

Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin attorney Kathleen Kettles recently obtained a court order approving the settlement of $12,085,000.

This is a case involving the failure to timely deliver an infant to a first-time mother and resulting in severe brain damage to the child who is now six-years-old.  This child cannot speak, walk or talk and must be tube fed. Her parents are completely devoted, but their day to day existence is filled with dealing doctor’s appointments, emergency visits, outside therapies and managing or providing her child’s need for extensive nursing services.

“I am truly in awe of this family and despite the heartache of having a child this disabled, it has been a joy to work for them. This settlement will lessen the burden on this incredible family,” said Kettles, who heads the firm’s Medical Malpractice team. Though a practicing attorney for almost 28 years, she was an RN for ten years prior to going to law school.

During the litigation, Kathy worked extensively with well known, respected experts in the fields of obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatric neurology, pediatric neuroradiology and a life care planner to prepare the case for trial.  It is this attention to detail which results in an extremely favorable settlement for her clients.

“When I was a nurse, I often felt powerless to really help my patients, but as a nurse attorney, I get to help secure a child’s future and there is no greater feeling of satisfaction,” she said.

The law firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP is one of the city’s top accident and medical malpractice firms in the city and is there to represent you. To get a free consultation click Here.