Williams Holds Meeting To Go Over City’s Housing Budget
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbuhs, Midwood) today will chair a Housing and Buildings Committee oversight hearing on the Fiscal 2018 preliminary operating and capital budgets for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Fiscal 2018 preliminary operating budget for the Department of Buildings (DOB).
The committee will examine all components of HPD’s $903 million dollar expense budget, and $3 billion dollar capital budget, along with details and progress related to Mayor de Blasio’s Housing Plan. The committee will also receive updates on the progress related to the DOB’s One City Built to Last initiative, improvements to its permit filing system and how DOB will address the increase in construction related accidents and injuries.
The hearing comes as the Trump Administration last week announced major cuts to New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). NYCHA will receive at least $35 million less in federal aid this year. The Trump Administration may also slash funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) BY $6 billion.
Given the recent reports that the federal government has proposed budget cuts to vital housing programs, including Community Development Block (CDBG) funding, and the Section 8 program, the Committee hopes to gain a clearer sense of how HPD would absorb these potential cuts and how this will impact it’s operations and service levels.
The hearing is slated for 9;45 a.m. this morning, March 15 in the Committee Room at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Cymbrowitz Invites District Students To Enter 2017 Holocaust Memorial Creative Arts Contest
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) yesterday invited students in grades three through 12 to enter his 2017 Holocaust Memorial Creative Arts Contest.
The annual contest gives students the opportunity to reflect on the Holocaust, examine how its lessons continue to impact our lives, and express their feelings using their creative talents. Students are encouraged to submit essays, poetry, artworks and DVDs of dramatic music or dance performances. While class/group projects are strongly encouraged, individual entries are also welcome.
“We unfortunately live in a world where extremism and hatred directed at Jews are both on the rise,” said Cymbrowitz, the son of Holocaust survivors. “These are not easy concepts for children to understand — but by giving them a sense of what it felt like to live during the Nazis’ reign, we can instill in them a sense of compassion toward those who are oppressed and, at the same time, outrage toward those who continue to disseminate hate.”
Cymbrowitz will announce the winners and honor participating students and teachers at a gala ceremony in April at Kingsborough Community College. All entries must be received by April 7. For further information on entry guidelines call Cymbrowitz’ office at (718) 743-4078.
Williams, Cumbo Host 4th Annual Shirley Chisholm Women of Distinction awards
City Council Members Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, MIdwood) and Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) on Friday will host the 4th Annual Shirley Chisholm Women of Distinction award ceremony.
Williams and Cumbo will honor the following women from New York City who are blazing the trail in advocacy and public service:
- Officer Ronette Benjamin, NYPD Community Affairs Officer for the 63rd Precinct in Brooklyn
- Hon. Lori Knipel, NYS Committee Woman District Leader
- Evelyn Ortiz, Chief External Affairs Officer for Opportunities for Better Tomorrow
- Debbie Almontaser, Founding & Former Principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy
- Joo-Hyun Kang, Director of Communities United for Police Reform (CPR)
- Carmen Perez, Criminal Justice Reform Activist and Organizer
- Angela Rye, Principal & CEO of IMPACT Strategies, CNN Political Commentator
There will also be a spoken word performance by Assembly Member Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens) and a keynote speech from Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Nisha Agarwal.
The awards ceremony is slated for between 6-8:30 p.m., Friday, March 17 at the Dweck Auditorium in the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, 10 Grand Army Plaza.
Gentile Proposes Verrazano Bridge Toll Relief For Brooklynites
City Councilman Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) yesterday proposed Verrazano Bridge toll relief in wake of yet another toll hike for those on the Brooklyn side of the Verrazano heading to Staten Island.
Brooklynites will have to pay as much as $17 dollars to cross the Verrazano starting this Sunday, March 19.
Gentile made his proposal via a short amusing video. Check it out:
