Adams Opens Application Process For FY’18 Capital Budget
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday formally opened the application process for capital funding from his office for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18).
In FY17, Adams received a total capital allocation of $61,812,000, which he distributed to 233 budget investments across all 18 community districts in Brooklyn. Highlights of last year’s achievements include: $28.6 million toward schools, focused on STEM education and technology initiatives; $10.3 million toward parks; $8.2 million toward Brooklyn’s cultural institutions and libraries; $5.7 million toward economic development; $5.3 million toward affordable housing construction and preservation, including public housing improvements; $2.4 million toward street safety and livability enhancements; $1.8 toward health care and social service organizations, as well as $1 million toward participatory budgeting projects approved by voters.
Borough President Adams encouraged organizations that share his commitment to making Brooklyn a better place to live, work and raise a family to apply for funding in the upcoming fiscal year.
“It is an honor to be entrusted with investing the people’s tax dollars, and I am proud to do so in a forward-thinking fashion that touches every corner of our borough,” said Adams. “Working with institutions big and small, we are building a future inclusive of every Brooklynite, supported by capital projects that support our vision of safe communities to raise healthy children and families. In One Brooklyn, the popularity of our brand translates into prosperity for all, and that will continue to be reflected in the coming fiscal year’s capital budget.”
All requests for capital funding must be submitted via Adams’ online capital funding application, which can be found on his website, brooklyn-usa.org; the deadline to submit the application is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 5. Those applying for capital funding for a non-City project must also complete the requisite capital application from either the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) or New York City Office of Management and Budget (OMB); the deadline to submit those applications is 5 p.m., on Tuesday, February 14.
Projects are generally considered non-City projects if the applicant is a not-for-profit organization. Those with questions regarding the need to submit a non-City project application should review the Guidelines for Capital Funding Requests summary, accessible by visiting the City’s website, nyc.gov.
Gentile On Passing Of St. Francis College President Brendan Dugan
City Council Member Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) yesterday joined the borough in mourning the loss of St. Francis College President and civic leader Brendan J. Dugan, who passed away of natural causes on Saturday.
“St. Francis College President Dugan personified community and spiritual virtues. He along with the entire Dugan family was Brooklyn through and through. I was honored to get to know him over the years and his leadership at both his institution and in this borough was sincere and well known. I grieved with him at the time of the loss of his sister Assembly Member Eileen Dugan and now I grieve again at his loss. I extend my condolences to his family and friends,” said Gentile.
Eugene Holiday Party Helps Students & Their Families
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Lefferts Gardens) on Saturday helped local students and their families usher in the holiday season on Saturday at his Annual Holiday Toy Party at Norma Adams Clemons Academy, PS 6 in East Flatbush.
Members of the Cynthia King Dance Studio, the PSS 399 Tap Dancers, and singer Corinne Jean were also on hand with live performances and the event culminated with a toy giveaway and meeting with Santa Claus.
“This is an important way to remind everyone that in this community, we have talented children. If we give them the opportunity, they will be our future elected officials, teachers, and doctors. That’s why I’m working in the City Council to provide our children with the resources they need to fulfill their God given potential. We have to make sure our children are kept off the streets and given the potential to succeed. We have to work together to give them what they deserve, which is a quality education,” said Eugene.
Lander’s Final #GetOrganizedBK Meeting Slated For Tonight
City Council Member Brad Lander (Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) tonight will hold his third and final GetOrganizedBK meeting for the year tonight.
Lander, along with other activists from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party started the organization shortly after President-elect Donald Trump was elected last month. The organization is actively organizing and figuring strategies to counteract perceived threats to civil liberties stemming from some of Trump’s rhetoric on the campaign trail as well as some of his controversial appointments thus far.
The meeting is slated for 7 p.m., tonight, Dec. 20 at Congregation Beth Elohim (Corner of Garfield and 8th Avenue in Park Slope. Please RSVP here if you haven’t already.
Gonzalez Sends East New York Man To Prison For Killing His Mother
Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez yesterday announced that a 31-year-old East New York man was sentenced to 23 years to life in prison for killing his mother before she could meet with representative of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office regarding a crime the defendant allegedly committed against a relative.
Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Neil Firetog handed down the sentence on Apollo Hernandez, 31, of East New York after he was convicted of second-degree murder following a jury trial last month.
According to trial testimony, Hernandez at about 6:30 p.m., Dec. 17, 2014 confronted his mother, Ruth Maceira, 48, at her Bushwick apartment. At approximately 10 p.m., he repeatedly beat her with a metal statue and used a kitchen knife to slit her throat.
According to testimony and text messages, the Maceira was planning to confront the Hernandez regarding allegations that he committed a felony offense against a younger family member, a crime that was disclosed by the younger family member earlier that year. Maceira was also scheduled to meet with Brooklyn prosecutors about that matter the week following the murder.
“This defendant killed his own mother to prevent her from reporting him to law enforcement authorities. His reprehensible conduct has torn a family apart and he deserves the lengthy sentence that was imposed today,” said Gonzalez.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Emily Dean, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Kenneth Taub, Chief.
Adams Delivers Toys For Underserved Youths
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will distribute thousands of toys to dozens of local houses of worship and non-profits caring for underserved youth this holiday season.
The donations were made possible through the support of community and corporate partners, as well as the generosity of Brooklynites who participated in Adams’ boroughwide toy drive, dropping off presents for children in need at a variety of area businesses, cultural institutions, and schools.
According to the 2015 American Community Survey from the US Census Bureau, 31.3 percent of the borough’s children under the age of eighteen live in households with incomes below the federal poverty line.
The toy giveaway is slayed for 11 a.m., today, Dec. 20 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street in Dowtown Brooklyn.
