Golden Announces Bay Ridge Train Station Improvements
State Senator Martin J. Golden (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach), the senate’s representative to the MTA Capital Review Board, yesterday announced the approval of the first phase of the MTA’s Enhanced Station Initiative which will include significant renovations and improvements at the Bay Ridge Avenue train station on the R Line.Highlights of the Bay Ridge Avenue station improvements will include new canopies and totems at station entrances, new furniture, technology integration, improved finishes, improved way finding, new lighting scheme, and decluttering. The improvements will create a positive street presence, a consolidated information zone, and clear sight lines.
“Today’s approval to modernize and improve the Bay Ridge Avenue train station is a major victory for all those who utilize the station each and every day as their central point to travel. I am sure many would agree that this station needs an overhaul and has for some time. I am proud to have worked to secure this station project to make the entry and exit point to the NYC Transit system more attractive.”
Golden has long been vocal of the need to improve the Bay Ridge stations serving the R line, and is confident that both the 77th Street and 95th Street train stations will be approved for such improvements in the near future. Golden is also looking forward to the start of the elevator construction at the 86th Street station this Spring.
Menchana, Reynosa, Lander Unite to Support Bill Bicyclist Safety
City Council Members Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook), Antonio Reynoso (Bushwick, East New York) and Brad Lander (Park Slope Windsor Terrace, Kensington) to day will hold a press conference to support Int. 1072 (“LPI bill”), a bill that would allow for bicyclists to follow pedestrian control signals at intersections with leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs).
Usually, pedestrian control signals are synchronized with the signals controlling motor vehicles, that is, pedestrians and motor vehicles are allowed to proceed simultaneously. However, at some locations, there is a leading pedestrian interval (LPI), which typically gives pedestrians at least a 7 second head start when entering an intersection with a corresponding green signal in the same direction of travel.
LPIs enhance the visibility of pedestrians in the intersection and reinforce their right-of-way over turning vehicles, especially in locations with a history of road conflict. LPIs have been shown to reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions as much as 60% at treated intersections. Proponents believe that cyclists deserve similar safety considerations. Int. 1072 would allow for bicyclists to follow pedestrian control signals at intersections with LPIs. This would in no way alter the fact that pedestrians have the right of way when cyclists are in motion.
Under this new bill, bicyclists could enjoy an extra sense of security — the same that pedestrians feel when they are given the opportunity to get a head start over traffic, the lawmakers allege.
The press conference is slated for 9:30 a.m., today, Nov. 15 on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan. It immediately precedes a Committee on Transportation hearing on the bill.
Hamilton Hosts Civil & Human Rights Speak Out
Central Brooklyn State Sen. Jesse Hamilton tomorrow will host a Civil & Human Rights Speak Out, which will bring together several experts on the issues to discus what a Trump presidency means to the community as well as to discuss measures on how civil rights can be protected.
The forum is in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assembly Members Felix Ortiz, Latrice Walker and Diana Richardson; and City Council Members Darlene Mealy, Laurie Cumbo, Mathieu Eugene, Carlos Menchaca, Brad Lander and Robert Cornegy Jr.
The forum is slated for 6 p.m., tomorrow, Nov. 16 at St. Francis De Sales School for the Death, 260 Eastern Parkway (between Classon and Franklin avenues) in Crown Heights.
Williams Praises Three-Quarter Home Scam Bust
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams yesterday lauded Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman‘s arrest of several people in connection to scams involving three-quarter homes in Brooklyn.
“I commend Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on this arrest. The actions that these landlords are alleged to have taken part in, are part of a deliberate scheme to take advantage of vulnerable New Yorkers in order to profit off of them.
“Yury and Rimma Baumblit allegedly forced their residents to attend treatment for drug services they may not have necessarily needed or threatened them with eviction if they didn’t comply. This is a serious abuse of power, and one that I am glad is being given the attention it deserves from authorities.
“As legislators, we have the dual responsibility of addressing and fixing these abuses, while also making sure that we are not taking away housing from those who desperately need it. To that end just last month, the City Council through the Housing and Buildings Committee I chair, held a hearing on several bills, including a bill I sponsored, aimed at this issue.
“Criminal arrests for these types of crimes have taken too long in the past. Thankfully, over the past few years they have happened more frequently. I look forward to working with my colleagues in government in doing our part in helping right these outrageous wrongs.”
Davis Holds Appreciation Gala For Stop Violence Foundation
Democratic District Leader Geoffrey Davis of the 43rd Assembly District on Thursday will hold a gala/awards ceremony for the James E. Davis Stop Violence Foundation.
The gala is slated for 6:30-9:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Brooklyn Hotel 1199 Atlantic Avenue. RSVP to 347-853-9971.
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.
