Levin, James, Mark-Viverito React Carrión Resignation
Following the resignation of Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) Commissioner Gladys Carrión, yesterday, City Councilman Stephen Levin, chair of the Council’s General Welfare Committee, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Public Advocate Letitia James said it was time to reimagine the crucial work of the agency charged with protecting the lives and safety of children.
Carrión, 65, resigned after the two recent deaths of young children that fell through the cracks of ACS oversight. This includes 3-year-old Jaden Jordan, who died on Dec. 3 following a beating in Gravesend.
“Safeguarding the welfare of New York City’s vulnerable children is a tremendous responsibility. In light of recent tragedies, it is clear that ACS must fully commit to working with the City Council to enact needed reforms to save lives and better protect families. We thank Gladys Carrión for her extended service to New York City. We look forward to working with the next Commissioner as we continue to conduct rigorous oversight of the Administration for Children’s Services,” said Levin and Mark-Viverito in a joint statemnet.
James also thanked Carrión for her years of public service and said now was the time to step up the push to reform ACS.
“I have spoken with the de Blasio Administration about the urgent need for reforms and called for substantive changes that include splitting the responsibilities of ACS into different agencies; implementing rigorous oversight over contract agencies; adequately training and supervising caseworkers; and providing deeper ongoing supports to children in foster care or child preventative services. The mission to reform ACS is one we can’t afford to fail. Our children’s welfare depends on it,” James said.
Hikind Meets With State DOT Head Over Ocean Parkway Changes
Assemblyman Dov Hikind (Borough Park) yesterday met with NYS DOT Executive Deputy Commissioner Phil Eng, NYC DOT officials, representatives from Governor Cuomo’s office and several elected officials on Monday to voice his concerns with traffic changes coming to Ocean Parkway.
Specifically, the changes include eliminating right turns from the mainline heading north and south onto Avenues C, J, P and Kings Highway. Joining Hikind in expressing frustration over the changes were Brooklyn lawmakers including City Council members Chaim Deutsch and Mark Treyger, Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz, as well as representatives from Senator Simcha Felder’s office and Councilman David Greenfield’s office.
During the meeting, Hikind refuted DOT accident statistics that the agency says justifies their wanting to make these changes. According to DOT statistics, there were 10 accidents over a two-year period along Avenue J and Ocean Parkway, none of which were a result of making right turns. Over that same two-year period, there were only 2 accidents from right turns along Avenues P and Ocean Parkway, as well as Kings Highway and Ocean Parkway.
“The whole premise of the Ocean Parkway Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety project is to improve safety, and it’s very hard to imagine a safer Ocean Parkway with these changes being implemented,” Hikind said. “There is no justification based on the statistics provided by the NYS DOT that warrant the elimination of right turns onto Avenues C, J, P and Kings Highway.”
Hikind says eliminating these turns will only divert traffic onto service roads and further congest these narrow streets. By sending even more traffic down these service roads, which already sees its fair share of school buses, emergency vehicles and sanitation trucks, traffic will undoubtedly bottleneck and these roads will become impassable, creating more havoc than intended.”
Hikind left Monday’s meeting hopeful that the NYS DOT will take a step back and revisit the proposed changes before moving forward. In addition, Hikind requests the community continue calling the Governor’s office @ 212-681-4580 to voice their concerns.
James, Cumbo, Mealy Make Case For Salary History Ban
Public Advocate Letitia James and City Council Members Laurie Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights, Prospect Heights) and Darlene Mealy (Brownsville, Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights, East Flatbush) today will rally support for James’ legislation to prohibit employers from asking previous salary information from any prospective job applicant.
Advocates for the bill argue that when employers ask prospective employees their past salary history when interviewing for a job, it keeps salaries lower – particularly for people of color and women, who have hoistorically earned less for the same job than their white male counterparts.
The press conference and rally is slated for 9 a.m., today Dec. 13 on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan. It will be held directly before the bill’s hearing in front of the Council Committee on Civil Rights.
Adams Commorates Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will join dozens of domestic violence survivors as well as elected officials such as Assembly Member Jaime Williams (Canrasie, Mill Basin, Bergin Beach, Gerritsen Beach) and City Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) , chair of the Committee on Women’s Issues, to hold a candlelight empowerment rally on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall. Commemorating the anniversary of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
VAWA is a landmark piece of federal legislation that improved criminal justice responses to domestic violence and allowed survivors to better access social services. The lawmakers will also unveil a legislative package with reforms to help strengthen impacted families. Adams, himself personally affected by domestic violence, will discuss the importance of new action while sharing the stories of inspiring local survivors.
The candlelight vigil is slated for 5:30 p.m., today, Dec. 13 on the Brooklyn Borough Hall Steps, 209 Jolaemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Cymbrowitz Urges Residents To Apply For Heartshare Neighborhood Heating Fund
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) is urging low-income seniors and families in his district to apply for the Heartshare Neighborhood Heating Fund (NHF) to help pay their winter heating bills.
NHF receives both grants and private donations. National Grid is a major sponsor of the program, which runs until funds are depleted, so constituents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Eligibility is based on household size and gross monthly income. All qualified households will receive a $200 grant. It is important to note that this year marks a change in eligibility requirements. For the first time, Heartshare no longer requires that applicants have an unpaid bill. You can have a negative balance, zero balance, or even a credit on your bill. As long as you are income eligible, you qualify for the grant.
“The winter is a particularly difficult time for low-income residents who must struggle to cover their basic needs,” said Cymbrowitz. “I am pleased that the Neighborhood Heating Fund is available to lend a much-needed helping hand.”
Cymbrowitz’ office at 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road is once again an official NHF Heartshare enrollment site. Applications can only be filled out at the office and Cymbrowitz’ staff is happy to assist constituents in his district in verifying eligibility and applying.
To see if you are eligible, what documentation to bring and for more information, call Cymbrowitz’ office at (718) 743-4078. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
