Cornegy Small Biz Notification Bill Signed Into Law
City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Norther Crown Heights) yesterday saw Mayor Bill de Blasio sign into law a bill, Intro 891-A, creating a high-tech solution whereby business owners are informed of any complaints lodged against them within 72 hours.
The law requires the city’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications to create a push notification system, Participation is voluntary and notifications can be received via text message or email.
“Today marks the end of a long road traveled. When I first became Chair of the Committee on Small Business, I set a goal to leave the small businesses of our great city in a better place than when I started. Business owners are frustrated with the city’s Open Data Portal. They should not have to spend time searching for complaints against their business. This law solves a 20th Century problem with a 21st Century solution utilizing technology,” said Cornegy.
“This bill is the bridge Brooklyn business owners need to receive important information quickly and conveniently,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Andrew Hoan. “When service providers can act upon a complaint or request in a timely manner it benefits their bottom line, as well as the consumer and the rest of the community.”
The original intent of Intro 891-A was to assist bars and restaurants that received 311 noise complaints by informing their owners of any complaints made against their establishments before they sought renewal of their liquor licenses.
Hamilton Stands With LGBTQ Community Against Hate Crimes
State Sen. Jesse Hamilton (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Park Slope, Sunset Park) today will join colleagues, LGBTQ Rights Advocates, and community leaders to stand in solidarity against hate crimes, honoring the memory of Kenneth Bostick who passed away last week due to injuries sustained during a brutal attack in Chelsea on April 25.
Bostick’s death marked the tenth transgender person murdered in the United States in 2017. Among the organizations joining Hamilton include the Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Gay Men of African Descent and Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund
The press conference is slated for 11:30 a.m. at the Community Pride Center, 4 MetroTech Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
Williams Introduces Bill Requiring Waiting List Reports For Mitchell-Lama Housing
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) this week introduced a bill, Intro. 1612, which would require the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to provide an annual report on waiting lists for each Mitchell-Lama housing development.
The Mitchell-Lama program, created in 1955, by New York State Senator MacNeil Mitchell and Brooklyn Assemblyman Alfred Lama, provided developers special low-interest mortgage loans and tax breaks in return for maintaining low prices for moderate and middle-income city residents. However, after 20 years the buildings are able to exit the program and sell units at market rate.
“Mitchell-Lama was an effective affordable housing program when it was first implemented,” said Williams. “However, over the years the program has deteriorated and slowly disappearing. The program is plagued with a number of problems such as failure to follow waiting list rules, untrained boards, decrepit buildings, and sudden rent increases.”
Under Intro 1612, the annual report would have to include information on the following:
- the number of waiting list applicants who were not selected for occupancy in the last calendar year and people who were behind those applicants on the wait list but were selected for occupancy ahead of them,
- number of applicants who qualified for preferential selection in the Mitchell-Lama development in the last year,
- total number of complaints about the waiting list received within the last calendar year, including but not limited to complaints about the wait list process and preference shown to applicants,
- average percentage rent increase for the development
Golden Slams Mark-Viverito’s Decision To Honor Oscar Lopez Rivera
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) this week slammed City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s decision to honor Oscar Lopez Rivera at this year’s Puerto Rican Day parade.
Rivera is a Puerto Rican independence activist and who was one of the leaders of the FALN, which was involved in more than 100 bombings in New York, Chicago and other cities, including the 1975 bombing at Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan that killed four people.
“City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito’s decision to honor an unremorseful terrorist leader Oscar Lopez Rivera as a “National Freedom Hero” at this year’s Puerto Rican Day parade is delusional, callous and insensitive. Among other seditious acts, Lopez was responsible for the senseless murder of Frank Connor and three other innocent people. Anyone convicted of such crimes against our country, our city and our citizens should not be recognized, acknowledged and never rewarded for their violent deeds,” said Golden.
“The Puerto Rican people are hard-working, law abiding and productive citizens. I am confident that there are many people that have made the Puerto Rican culture proud, much more deserving of recognition here in the greatest City in the world. I asked that Mayor and the Speaker to rescind their offer to Lopez and show respect and compassion to the murder victim’s families.”
Colton, Tong Celebrate Mother’s Day With Neighborhood Events
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) and 47th Assembly District Democratic Leader Nancy Tong have been celebrating Mother’s Day by honoring mothers at a series of events in the neighborhood.
This past Sunday, May 7, 2017 at Second Home Senior Center in Brooklyn, a Mother’s Day Celebration with Nancy Tong was held. Many mothers including Tong’s mother-in law, were present. The program began with Tong, herself singing the National Anthem and followed with a variety of food and had talented musical and dance performances.
Meanwhile, Colton’s office participated in numerous Mother Day celebrations, including one with New York Holocaust Survivors Association held at National Restaurant on Monday May 8 with Susan Zhuang, Colton’s Chief of Staff.
“We all have mothers who give us love, values, knowledge, wisdom and life. We are helping mothers to celebrate Mother’s Day throughout the neighborhood as we show our appreciation to all mothers” said Tong.
“Mother’s Day is a universal holiday, everyone came from a mother and we must appreciate all mothers from all over the world. Recognizing and celebrating Mother’s Day brings us all together in recognizing the values, the caring and the sacrifices our mothers have shown for us.”, said Colton.
Tong will have a final Mother’s Day celebration with the We Love NY group tomorrow May 13 at the Salvation Army 7307 19th Avenue. Call Colton’s office for the time of this event at (718) 236-1598.
Lander Invites All To Brooklyn PTA 5K Fun Run
City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) is reminding all constituents to come out and run, jog, walk, and skip through Prospect Park tomorrow as part of the Brooklyn PTA 5K Fun Run to support our Brooklyn schools.
“If you’re teetering on whether or not to join us, I do urge you to register anyway, because all proceeds will be donated to Brooklyn PTAs, even if you decide it’s too wet to make it to the park. What we raise together supports the schools in our community doing phenomenal work, and provides an extra boost for schools most in need. (If you’d like to donate directly to the cause, please contact Vicki in my office at vsell@council.nyc.gov),” said Lander.
The event is slated for gathering at 8:45 a.m., tomorrow, Saturday, May 13 at the Prospect Park, Bartel-Pritchard Parking Lot for number pickup and pre-race activities. Then at 10 a.m. the race starts. For more information email PTArunfortheschools@gmail.com and vsell@council.nyc.gov.
Eugene Sponsors Fruit Tree Givaway
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Lefferts Garden, Flatbush, East Flatbush) along with the city Council GreenerNYC initiative tomorrow is sponsoring a fruit tree giveaway.
To reserve your free fruit tree, residents are asked to contact James Harris at JHarris@bbg.org or call 718- 623-7373 by the end of the day today, May 12. Select a peach, cherry or plum tree.
The fruit tree giveaway is slated for between 10 a.m. – 12 noon, tomorrow, May 13 at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Steinberg Visitor Center Entry PLaza, 900 Washington Avenue in Lefferts Garden. A limited number of saplings will be available on a first-come, first served basis.
