Adams Says More Work Needed On Vision Zero
Following the traffic deaths of three people in the borough so far this year, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams yesterday said more needs to be done to combat traffic fatalities as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative.
“I’m proud that Brooklyn led our city with a record decline in traffic fatalities last year. I’m also disturbed that ten New Yorkers have been killed by crashes in 2017’s first ten days, including the tragic deaths in just one day of Rafael Nieves in Williamsburg, Marlon Palacios in East Flatbush, and Iosif Plazinskiy in Sheepshead Bay.
“We cannot and must not accept anything less than Vision Zero, and we must have far greater accountability for hit-and-run drivers in particular. I believe the de Blasio administration shares my commitment to street safety, and I will continue to be outspoken whenever and wherever we should be doing better. I am also committed to allocating additional resources to redesigning dangerous intersections through my ongoing CROSS (Connecting Residents on Safer Streets) Brooklyn initiative.”
Adams will also announce today a public/private partnership with Benefit Kitchen, a Brooklyn-based technology platform that won the NYC BigApps contest in 2015, to help identify millions of dollars in potentially untapped financial benefits for New Yorkers in need.
Adams will join the app’s creators, married couple Dan Beeby and Melanie Lavelle, at St. John’s Bread and Life, a food pantry in Bedford-Stuyvesant that is one of a number of locations where less tech-savvy Brooklynites will be able to get assistance walking through this benefit screener.
The partnership is slated to be unveiled at 11 a.m., today, Jan.12 at St. John’s Bread And Life, 795 Lexington Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
Hamilton To Chair Senate Banks Committee
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park), a member of the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), was named yesterday as the chair of the Senate’s Banks Committee.
Hamilton succeeds Sent.Diane Savino (Coney Island, Staten Island), who is also an IDC member.
“Building upon the work of Senator Savino I plan for the committee to focus on more economic inclusion, expanding access to financial services, combating redlining, and strengthening protections for New York families. Under Senator Savino’s leadership, the committee made inroads in protecting consumers from subprime auto loans and protecting homeowners from foreclosures. I will also work with the New York congressional delegation to be sure we have the best ideas working in service of New Yorkers,” said Hamilton.
“Access to capital has been a challenge I have heard repeatedly voiced by small business owners, especially minority and women owned business owners. Also, I have had constituents raise fairness in reverse mortgages with me. I know that some New York communities, like those I represent in Brooklyn, have inadequate access to affordable financial services. Perversely, low-income households, the families that can least afford it, tend to pay more for regular financial services that middle-income and upper income households take for granted. We have to take a hard look at the heavy costs families are paying for routine services like sending money abroad.
“I plan to address these challenges and more as chair of the NYS Senate Banks Committee. We need financial services that meet the needs of all New Yorkers.”
Bichotte, Walker, Davila Launch Petition To Fully Fund Campaign For Fiscal Equity
Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Ditmas Park), Latrice Walker (Brownsville) and Maritza Davila (Williamsburg, Bushwick) joined six other assemblywomen of color yesterday in launching a petition challenging Governor Andrew Cuomo to finally fully fund the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE).
The lawmakers public schools statewide are owed $4.3 billion in Foundation Aid as a result of the CFE lawsuit that found a number of school districts were shorted in state aid. This funding would greatly reduce the school spending gap that shortchanges students of color, immigrants and students in poverty.
The petition calls on Governor Cuomo to “fulfill his responsibility to finally deliver the “sound, basic education” required by the State constitution by providing the money needed for classroom resources, art and music, guidance counselors, social workers, student supports and more.”
The lawmakers point to the parallels between Trump and Cuomo policy initiatives.
“From cutting taxes on millionaires to attempting to privatize education, the parallels between Trump’s agenda and some of Governor Cuomo’s policies are obvious. It is time that the Governor stands up for the children of New York and fully rejects Trump’s agenda against our most vulnerable communities,” they said in a joint statement.
The full petition is available at: https://campaigns.organizefor.
Jaime Williams Attends Fairway Market Opening
Assembly Member Jaime Williams (Canarise, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) recently hosted and attended the opening of Fairway Market, a new flagship store in the Georgetown Shopping Center.
Williams, an avid supporter of Non-GMO and Gluten Free products, is proud to support Fairway Market and Fairway’s CEO Jack Murphy on their larger offering of healthy and tasty NON-GMO, non- antibiotic and free range products.
“The large selection of products and choices Fairway offers is a much-needed market place in our community. I am excited as resident of the 59th Assembly District as well as an elected official to have such a cornerstone come to our community,” said Williams.
Fairway Market located at the Georgetown Shopping Center, 2181 Ralph Avenue, is currently open to the public and will officially have its Grand Opening on January 18.
Persaud Continues Health Coverage Services
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) is continuing her January Get Covered NYC health month today and every Thursday this month at her district office.
“The Get Covered NYC insurance plans cover doctor visits and prescriptions drugs which lessen the financial burden of medical expenses. No appointment is necessary for this free consultation, walk-ins are welcomed,” said Persaud.
The service is being offered between 2-6 p,m., every thursday at Persaud’s district office, 1222 East 96th Street in Canarsie.
