Golden Honors Veterans, Renames Portion of Int. 278
Senator Martin Golden (R-C-I-Brooklyn) is celebrating the passage of a package of bills, in recognition of Memorial Day, that will honor the state’s veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The package included Golden’s bill, S1761 that would designate a portion of Interstate 278 in Kings County, as the “Brooklyn Veterans Memorial Highway” to honor veterans, their families and their contribution to the country.
The Memorial Day Bills also included legislation to rename the new Tappan Zee Bridge in honor of Purple Heart recipients, reduce property taxes for disabled veterans, help Gold Star Parents, establish the crime of stolen valor, and support the American flag, among other measures.
“Our veterans deserve our gratitude and we can never fully repay them for what they have done for this grateful state and nation. We can however, pass legislation that honors our veteran’s, respects the American Flag, protects their rights and create programs to improve their quality of life. Let us always remember that it is because of our veterans, past present and future, America will always be the land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless our veterans and God bless America,” said Golden.
Golden will also host a Memorial Day Breakfast and Awards Ceremony to honor retired United States Air Force member and new inductee of the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame Stephen Neftleberg, as well as U.S. Army WWII Veteran Frank Oliva (Posthumously) and Michael Palo U.S. Army Veteran today.
The event is slated for 9:30 a.m., today, May 25, at Bay Ridge Manor, 476 76th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Treyger, Maisel Introduce Legislation Creating Internet Purchase/Exchange Safe Zones
Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst) introduced legislation, alongside bill co-sponsor, Canarsie City Council Member Alan Maisel that would create internet purchase or online exchange safe zones.
These zones would be located at New York Police Department (NYPD) precincts and at publicly accessible locations across the city.
The bill is in response to the recent increase in internet transaction crimes that have put many New Yorkers in danger. Specifically, two weeks ago, an individual selling gift cards through the website “Craigslist” from his hotel room near Grand Central Station was robbed at gunpoint for $10,000, while a February 2016 sneaker transaction-turned-robbery in Canarsie, ended with the would-be teenage thief losing an arm.
“Our society is one in which more and more purchases are made or arranged online, but whether one is pursuing an entrepreneurial dream, or simply looking to rid their home of clutter and make a few extra bucks, no New Yorker should ever have to fear for their safety, their possessions, or their life during a simple financial transaction,” said Treyger.
“I am pleased to co-sponsor this vital legislation which will promote safe areas where New Yorkers can perform internet sales transactions. I am especially supportive of this legislation given all the reported crime in the past from such transactions and I echo Council Member Treyger’s words: no New Yorker should ever have to fear for their safety,” said Maisel.
Espinal Applauds City Council’s Unanimous Approval Of New 1,000 Seat School
City Council Member Rafael Espinal (D-Cypress Hills, Bushwick, City Line, Oceanhill-Brownsville, East New York) yesterday praised the City Council’s unanimous approval of a new 1,000 seat school in East New York as part of the East New York Neighborhood Plan.
Th school will be fully accessible and fully air-conditioned. Additionally, it is slated to accommodate grades pre-k through 8 and will include both art and music rooms, a cafeteria, a gymnatorium and exercise room, science labs, a library, an outdoor playground, a green-roof and other amenities for students.
Approved by the City Council in April 2016, the East New York Neighborhood Plan is a multi-agency coordinated initiative to promote the creation of affordable housing, foster economic growth, encourage pedestrian-friendly streets, and invest in community resources for the enrichment of the neighborhood. Espinal spearheaded the plan, bringing over $260 million worth of investments into the community for parks, roads, public schools, and the Industrial Business Zone.
The school is bounded by Atlantic Avenue, Logan Street, Dinsmore Place and Chestnut Street. It will be in Community School District No. 19 and Brooklyn Community Board 5.
“A school is so much more than a building with classrooms. It is where our youth spend the majority of their waking hours learning valuable lessons of community, respect and friendship. This public school is a major cornerstone of the East New York Neighborhood Plan and will be a great resource for our most historically underprivileged students. I particularly support the proposals to equip the school with high tech equipment, recreational facilities, and a state-of-the-art green roof, which will teach our youth valuable habits and a respect for the environment,” said Espinal.
Gentile Pushes For Improvements in DOI’s Public Outreach and Complaint Tracking Efforts
Council Member Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) introduced a bill at the City Council stated meeting to improve the Department of Investigation’s (DOI) public outreach and complaint tracking efforts.
Gentile’s bill as Chair of the Oversight and Investigations Committee, will require the DOI to educate the public on forms of government corruption, fraud, and waste via public outreach ad-campaigns. Intro. 1618 will require DOI to report on received complaints disaggregated by month, agency involved, category of employee misconduct, and the mechanism through which the complaint was submitted. Tracking the complaints will help the Department find trends and concentrate public outreach strategies with the most efficiency.
“Intro. 1618 will utilize the public, a valued and vigilant resource, to help combat corruption, waste, fraud, and misconduct all across the City. Public outreach campaigns enhance civic education and efficiency in government, increasing the taxpayers’ return on investment when City assets are misused. Tracking the complaints submitted by the public to the Department of Investigation will measure the effectiveness of the outreach efforts as well as help fine-tune departmental procedures for years to come,” said Gentile.
Hamilton Hosts 2nd Annual Reflection of Hope Awards, Will Honor Kalief & Akeem Browder
NYS Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Hamilton) joined by partners, NYS Assemblyman Marcos A. Crespo, and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, will host the second annual Reflection of Hope Awards and Luncheon today.
The awards ceremony will recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations making a positive contribution in the fields of mental health, developmental disabilities and prison reform. This year’s honorees include Akeem Browder and a posthumous award for his brother Kalief Browder for their work through the Kalief Browder Foundation in pushing legislation to shut down Rikers Island and Raising The Age of criminal responsibility.
“This year, our Reflection of Hope Awards continue in our tradition of shining a spotlight on the people and organizations whose work goes, all too often, unrecognized or under appreciated. The passionate advocates, caring professionals, dedicated educators, and selfless family members working to help New Yorkers deserve our gratitude,” said Hamilton.
“This luncheon and awards ceremony aims to demonstrate our collective appreciation for their tireless labors. It is my honor to join with colleagues and conscientious community partners to highlight these honorees, celebrate their achievements, and encourage them to continue their work on behalf of our fellow New Yorkers,” said Hamilton.
The event is slated for 12 noon to 3 p.m., today, May 25 at Metropolitan College, 60 West Street (between Rector and Carlisle Street), 1st Floor in Lower Manhattan.
Bichotte Welcomes Constituents For Haitian Unity Day, TPS Extension Announced
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) hosted over 100 dignitaries, colleagues, and constituents as part of Haitian Unity Day in Albany on Tuesday.
Haitian Unity Day was originated by Assembly Member Ellen Jaffee, who represents Rockland County that has a significant Haitian population, so that Haitian Americans from throughout the State would have a day to share and celebrate heir culture.
Additionally that Tuesday, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants was extended by only six months by the Trump Administration, a 12 month difference from the usual 18 months given for extensions.
“The nearly 60,000 Haitians who are here with Temporary Protective Status received some good news and bad news on Monday. The good news is that their status has been extended, the bad news however is that TPS is usually extended for 18 months. Also it is reportedly the last time that it will be extended and it has been suggested that these TPS holders begin to prepare their travel documents for return to Haiti. The premise for this is that conditions have improved in Haiti, however that is patently false,” said Bichotte.
“The extension for Haiti’s TPS designation was needed but the length of 6 months is not enough. It definitely begs the question, “why would the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) only extend the designation for 6 months and not for 18 months which has been the normal practice?,” said Bichotte.
Menchaca Hails Preservation Plan for Landmarked Former 68th Precinct To Become A School
Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) is applauding the efforts of the School Construction Authority (SCA) for their plan to build a new school out of the former 68th Precinct building or “The Castle”, in Sunset Park.
SCA provided new information regarding the school plan over the weekend at a “Vision for New Schools In Sunset Park” forum to address the issue of over-crowding in schools across the district.
The site is composed of two parcels: the precinct property and a smaller adjacent lot facing 43rd street. Together they comprise about 12,500 square feet and are slated to serve approximately 330 students. The site is located at 4302 4th Avenue, across 43rd Street from P.S. 516 and close to the 45th Street R subway station.
The SCA plans to make the school fully air conditioned and fully accessible and will feature a gymnasium, cafeteria/kitchen, library, music classroom, student support spaces, administrative spaces, and a rooftop play yard. The next step in the school siting process will be a SCA conducted hearing for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the police precinct building.
“Our community is finally making progress on Sunset Park’s school crowding emergency. Now we can look forward to a new school at our historic former 68th Precinct site. My longstanding goal to return the site to public use while preserving the landmarked exterior has been accomplished. I thank parents, advocates, Community Board 7 and the School Construction Authority for their hard work and I look forward to finding several more new school sites together,” said Menchaca.
The Environmental Impact Statement hearing is slated for 6 p.m. on June 13, at Community Board 7, 4201 4th Avenue, Sunset Park Brooklyn.
