Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move March 3, 2017

News Site Brooklyn

Adams Joins Other Boro Presidents Call For Action On Lead In Public School Water

Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams

Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday partnered with the City’s other four borough presidents on a letter to New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña, urging the City’s Department of Education (DOE) to take immediate action regarding recent reports of elevated levels of lead in the drinking water at some City public schools.

“While we understand that it takes some time to repair and replace contaminated fixtures, our children should not be unnecessarily exposed to high levels of lead while they wait for those changes to take place. The tragedy of Flint, Michigan should not be repeated here,” states the letter, which can be read in full at http://on.nyc.gov/2lgMlDf.

The borough presidents call on the DOE to provide an alternative water supply for affected schools, such as offering bottled water or water coolers; that free-of-charge testing for lead exposure be offered to those parents who wish their children to be tested; that schools install water filtration systems to prevent future contamination; and that the DOE implement regular lead testing at public school facilities.

“The health and safety of our children come first, plain and simple. We must ensure the highest standards are implemented and sustained when it comes to the drinking water in our public schools. Reports of elevated lead levels at some buildings need to be taken seriously, and that starts with ensuring every affected school has access to safe water and free lead exposure testing,” said Adams. “I stand with my fellow borough presidents on this important issue.”


Colton Seeks Nominations For Distinguished Neighborhood Women

Assembly Member William Colton

In honor of Women’s History Month this March, Assemblymember William Colton (D-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) is looking for nominations from the community to showcase honorable women who encourage residents to make Brooklyn community a better place.

Awards will be presented to the women for their work in respective fields, which includes, business, education, health care, humanitarian, military services and volunteer work, and other achievements.

“Many women of the Brooklyn community are paving the way for a better future, overcoming barriers and changing things up for a stronger community,” said Colton. “The Women of Distinction Awards is our way of thanking these phenomenal women.

“From the 47th district, Nancy Tong, the Community Relations Director in my office became the first Asian American elected official in all of Brooklyn. She was elected district leader for the 47th Assembly District. We have many distinguished women in our neighborhood who are heads of community organizations workers, outstanding educators, law enforcement officers, social workers, business owner and volunteers for improving our community.”

Nominations can be submitted to Colton’s office, 155 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY 11223, Attention Nancy Tong, Community Relations Director. Emailed nominations should go to Coltonw@nyassembly.gov or by fax to (718) 236-6507. All nominations must be submitted by March 14, 2017. To learn more about the awards or any other community issues, please call Assemblymember William Colton’s office at 718-236-1598

The ceremony honoring the women is slated for 11 a.m., Sunday, March 19, at 29 Bay 25 Street in Bath Beach.


Jaime Williams, Golden Host Substance Abuse Forum

Assembly Member Jaime Williams
State Sen. Marty Golden

Assemblymember Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Mill Basin, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park) and State Sen. Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park) will host a forum tomorrow on drug abuse.

The forum will go into what every parent, educator and health professional must know about substance abuse. Learn from the experts in our community about current drug trends, social/emotional development and signs and symptoms of abuse and treatment.

The forum is slated for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., tomorrow, March 4 at the Carmine Carro Community Center, 3000 Fillmore Avenue in Marine Park. There is no charge top attend, but seating is limited. For more information call Williams’ office at (718) 252-2124.


Dilan Named To Senate Dem Conference WMBE Task Force

Sen. Martin Dilan

State Sen. Martin Malavé Dilan (D-Williamsburg, Bushwick) was named this week to the Senate Democratic Conference’s newly formed Task Force on Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE).

The Senate Democratic Conference MWBE Task Force’s goals are to develop legislative solutions to improve the State’s MWBE policies, provide oversight and analysis of the State’s current MWBE policies and provide public reports outlining different issues regarding MWBEs.

“I’ll always welcome the opportunity to explore, create and advocate for more and greater opportunities for our minority and women-owned enterprises. It’s an honor to be named to the Senate Democratic Conference’s MWBE Task Force and I thank Leader Stewart-Cousins for the chance,” said Dilan.

Dilan was a member of Governor Cuomo’s 2014 MWBE Team that set out to eliminate barriers and expand MWBE participation in State contracting. Cuomo tasked the team of elected officials, business and academic leaders, and members of the Governor’s cabinet and administration, with a 30 percent MWBE utilization goal. It was the highest target in the nation for a state government.

By 2016, the MWBE utilization rate increased to 25 percent, accounting for $2 billion in State contracts.


Eugene Launches Petition For TPS Satus For Haitian Immigrants

City Council Member Mathieu Eugene

City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush) has launched a petition at www.haititpsrenewal.com to urge President Donald Trump and the Department of Homeland Security to extend the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Haiti.

The petition is part of an ongoing effort by Eugene to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Haiti while providing Haitians living abroad the opportunity to remain in a stable environment.

Over the past decade, Haiti has suffered from a number of natural disasters, including four horrific tropical storms in 2008, the devastating 2010 earthquake, and most recently a hurricane in 2016. This petition will urge the federal government to continue its support of the humanitarian relief mission to Haiti as the country continues to rebuild its socioeconomic infrastructure.

“Any country in the world, even a rich country, would find it difficult to recover after several natural disasters. I think it makes sense that we, as elected officials and concerned citizens, advocate and work together to insure that the American government and Homeland Security grants TPS to the Haitian people. This act will serve as an important gesture of goodwill and sympathy for Haiti as the country continues to recover and rebuild.” said Member Eugene. 


Ortiz To Giveaway Reusable Bags

Assembly Member Feliz Ortiz

Assemblymember Felix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) tomorrow will distribute 200 large and sturdy cotton canvas tote bags to residents of Sunset Park.

The Citizens Committee for New York City (“Citizens Committee”), a nonprofit that advocates for less disposable bag pollution and showing New Yorkers the environmental and economic benefits of shopping with reusable bags will donate the bags.

The giveaway comes after State lawmakers recently voted on legislation that would delay the implementation of a plastic and paper bag fee in the City. Ortiz has legislation that would ban platsic bags.

According to the Citizens Committee, New Yorkers currently throw away 5.2 billion plastic bags per year, which costs the city over $12 million a year to transport the waste to landfills. Plastic bags are also guilty of clogging up city storm drains, which exacerbates flooding. Plastic bags have a significant climate impact — in the U.S., plastic bags take about 12 million barrels of oil to produce each year.

 The reusable bag giveaway is slayed for 11 a.m. in Sunset Park. No location has been given.