Colton Gets Italian American Labor Council Award
Assemblyman William Colton (Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Bath Bach) was recently awarded the Geraldine Ferraro Legislative Achievement Award by the Italian American Labor Council.
Colton, a former City school teacher, served as the UFT (United Federation of Teachers) chapter chairperson for six years and is on both the Assembly’s Government Employment Committee and Labor Committee. Additionally, he has partnered with unions such as the CWA and TWU to protect the rights and benefits of workers.
“The American Labor Movement serves as the essential backbone of the American economy, securing rights for the laborers such as safer working conditions, more health benefits, pensions and decent wages. I will continue to support working families and fight alongside working families to attain more benefits,” said Colton.
“It is truly an honor to be presented with this award. I believe that it is any elected official’s duty to fight to protect neighborhood families. I will continue serving the neighborhood and look forward to partnering with working people to promote family life and better opportunities for all of our families.”
De Blasio Sign Bill Expediting Build It Back Work
Mayor Bill de Blasio yesterday signed legislation that will expedite approval of demolition and construction work performed by City-procured contractors under the Build it Back program, which was created to help New Yorkers living in communities affected by Superstorm Sandy rebuild their homes and get their lives back to normal.
“We are pushing every day to accelerate construction, cut red tape and get people back in their homes. I want to thank Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her leadership, the bill’s sponsor, Council Member Mark Treyger (Coney Island, Bensonhurst), and the rest of the City Council for passing this essential bill,” said de Blasio.
Amy Peterson, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations and the Build it Back Program, also singled out Treyger for sponsoring the bill and the full Recovery and Resiliency Committee for their on-going support.
“This bill will ensure that homes move forward to completion quickly and safely. With this legislation, Build It Back can expedite the demolition of homes. We have also created a pathway forward for homeowners whose homes have pre-existing violations or open permits. Homeowners in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island will see their projects move forward because of this legislation,” Peterson said.
Treyger noted that four long years after Sandy, many New Yorkers are still waiting to be able to return home.
We cannot allow red tape or sluggish bureaucracy to continue to delay the full recovery of the families enrolled in the Build it Back program. I am proud to have sponsored this long-overdue legislation, in partnership with the Mayor, and prouder still to see it signed into law. This bill is designed to remove unnecessary obstacles that have prevented the Build it Back program from moving forward, while ensuring that rigorous safety standards are upheld,” he said.
Donovan Holds Roundtable Discussion Around Veteran Issues
Congressman Dan Donovan (Southwestern Brooklyn, Statin Island) earlier this week gathered local veterans and advocacy organizations for a roundtable discussion at the Knights of Columbus in Brooklyn.
The roundtable gave veterans and advocates an opportunity to discuss pressing issues facing the veteran community, including problems with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), unemployment, homelessness, and mental health.
“American veterans sacrificed their time, their health, and in some cases their bodies to protect our country and ideals. Their government needs to be responsive to their needs, and that’s what this roundtable was about. It was a privilege to hear from those who have served, and I’ll continue to advocate for improved healthcare, education and job opportunities for our vets,” said Donovan.
Participants discussed the importance of reforming the VA to fix longstanding problems, including delayed care, backlogged benefit claims, and doctor and hospital shortages. Other topics highlighted included the need to end veteran homelessness, improve support for veterans suffering from mental health issues, broaden initiatives that provide job training and transition support, and need to address the unique health and safety needs of women veterans. Insight from the roundtable will be used to shape proposals and inform decisions on future legislation.
Among the groups participating in the discussion included the United Veterans of Kings County, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jewish War Veterans, Catholic War Veterans, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion.
Espinal Warns Of Squatters Following Fatal Fire
In the wake of Tuesday’s deadly fire in East New York, City Council Member Rafael Espinal Jr.(East New York, Bushwick, Cypress Hills), yesterday encouraged constituents to report any squatters they know of living in vacant buildings.
The three-alarm blaze broke out in a vacant three-story building at 420 Lincoln Avenue and spread to an adjacent home in East New York leaving one dead, four firemen with sustained minor injuries and several families have been left homeless.
Authorities say that the unidentified man who was found dead in the vacant busing was a suspected squatter. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“In the wake of this destructive event, I would like to first thank the brave members of the FDNY and all first responders who quickly responded and got the fire under control. I also send my deepest condolences to the families of the man who died and those who have lost their homes. I encourage anyone who is aware of squatters in vacant buildings to please call 311 or your local council office, so that we can maintain safety and act to prevent harm to all in our community. My office can be reached anytime at (718) 642-8664,” said Espinal.
Adams Hosts Town Hall For NYCHA Residents
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams tonight will host a Town Hall in Crown Heights to hear from hundreds of Brooklynites living in public housing on issues impacting the dozens of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments across Brooklyn.
This borough-wide forum will be co-hosted by NYCHA Chair and CEO Shola Olatoye and Council Member Ritchie Torres, chair of the Committee on Public Housing. Topics of focus will include maintenance concerns, the NextGeneration NYCHA plan, and the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program.
The Town Hall is slated for 6:30 p.m., tonight, Nov. 3 at Uncommon Charter School, 1485 Pacific Street in Crown Heights.
Gentile Celebrates Reopening Of New Utrecht Branch Of The Brooklyn Public Library
Council Member Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst) to day will join Brooklyn Public Library officials to celebrate the reopening of the New Utrecht Branch public library.
New Utrecht Library in Bensonhurst is one of Brooklyn’s busiest libraries, serving a diverse community that includes many Chinese patrons. The branch closed in June for a number of interior improvements, including new lighting, furniture, shelving, children’s play and learning equipment, and computer tables to accommodate electronic devices.
Brooklyn-based standup comedian, writer and musician Camille Harris will add to the celebration with a child-friendly musical performance.
The reopening is slated for 10 a.m., today, Nov. 3 at the New Utrecht Branch Public Library, 1743 86th Street in Bensonhurst.
Cumbo Holds Arts Fundraiser
City Council Member Laurie Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights), tomorrow will hold an arts fundraiser for her re-election campaign.
Cumbo is the founder and former Executive Director of the Museum for Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA). Since coming to the city council she has been a fierce advocate for the continued funding of the arts.
The fundraiser is slated for 7-9 p.m., tomorrow, Nov. 4 at the House of Art, 408 Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Click here to RSVP!
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP Obtain $12.085 Million Settlement (Sponsored)
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.
