Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Aug. 30, 2017

News Site Brooklyn

Greenfield Announces Record Funding For Clean Up Effort

City Councilman David Greenfield

City Council member David G. Greenfield (D-Borough Park, Midwood) announced that he secured a record $350,000 to clean neighborhood streets and parks yesterday.

The funding will be used in Borough Park and Midwood to expand cleaning activities to: Avenue J, Avenue M, Kings Highway, 13th Avenue, 16th Avenue, 18th Avenue, Bay Parkway, Friends Field on Avenue L, 18th Avenue Park, and the playgrounds at Colonial Marcus Park on Avenue P.

In addition, the funds will go towards hiring outside agencies, including ACE (Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless), who will bring in professionals to clean the streets while also achieving other goals. ACE, for example, provides job training, work experience and a lifetime support network for homeless men and women while also keeping streets clean.

Funds that go toward ACE, Greenfield said, achieve three goals simultaneously: prettier and safer streets, more jobs, and new assistance for New York’s most vulnerable residents, making it a wise investment of limited resources.The funding is part of Greenfield’s NYC Cleanup Initiative, that is now in its fourth year.

“I am proud to have secured record funding to clean our streets. Unfortunately, we need all the help we can get. We will use this funding to hire professionals to sweep the streets and to deal with major cleanliness issues like garbage dumping. After all, our quality of life is one of the most important issues that we need to deal with. The reality is that sometimes the city needs outside help to get the job done. That is what this money is for,”  said Greenfield.


 Persaud Takes Anti-Violence Stand

State Sen. Roxanne Persaud

Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) joined with the NYPD 69th Precinct Clergy Council to call on constituents to stop the violence and help build a stronger and safer community over the weekend.

At the NYPD 69th Precinct Clergy Council Vigil, Persaud called on the community to continue paying tribute to Canarsie resident and US Army Sgt. Roshain Brooks, who died on August 13, in Afghanistan.

The Clergy Council comes together for a vigil once per month at different “high-traffic” locations to engage constituents; to offer prayers and to send a message saying “No” to violence of any form.

“We need to come together, love one another and unite. Our constituents deserve to live in a safe and peaceful community. Peace begins with all of us and constituents need to understand they play a vital role in making this district a place we desire to live.” said Persaud.

“There was something extremely special about this vigil, it not only attracted a large volume of constituents; it is timely. As we approach the Labor Day weekend, I cannot emphasize enough the need for everyone to take an ‘anti-violence stand’,” added Persaud.


Savino, IDC Release Report Revealing LoopHole In Sex Offender Law

Sen. Diane Savino

State Senator Diane Savino (D-Coney Island/Staten Island) alongside her fellow lawmakers in the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) released, “Preying on Pre-Ks,” a report examining a dangerous loophole allowing sex offenders to live near standalone pre-kindergartens throughout the city, yesterday.

Under the current law the definition of the word school does not include standalone pre-kindergartens, and an investigation found 93 sexual predators convicted of committing crimes against children living within 1,000 feet of these facilities and found another 60 predators violating the law which prohibits Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from living within a set distance of a school.

According to the city’s law, Pre-k’s attached to traditional elementary schools are the only schools covered under the ordinance.

However, a recently introduced bill by Senator Klein (D-Bronx/WestChester) S.1787, would expand the 1,000-foot prohibition to include pre-kindergarten and kindergarten facilities. In addition, Senator Avella (D-Queens), has proposed legislation, S.1271, which would require uniform standards for measuring the distance between a sex offender’s home and nearby schools. S. 1271 will clarify and correct any discrepancies in determining the distance between a sex offender’s residence and schools to ensure compliance with the current law.

“As we fight in Albany to increase access to school seats for younger children, it is imperative that we do all we can to keep them safe. We have been successful in implementing Universal Pre-K, and an expansion of that to 3 year old children- so naturally it is our duty to ensure that our most vulnerable are kept out of reach of predators,” said Savino.


Reynoso To Host Mayoral Town Hall

City Councilman Antonio Reynoso

City Council member Antonio Reynoso (D-) will host a town hall with Mayor Bill de Blasio today.

The event which is free and open to the public, will give residents an opportunity to pose questions directly to the Mayor regarding transportation, housing, sanitation and other problems facing the district.

This is the Mayor’s second town hall in Brooklyn in the past week. The Mayor is up for re-election this year with the primary in less than two weeks.

The event is slated for 7 p.m., today, August 30, at 195 Graham Avenue, at the Grand Street Settlement Williamsburg Community Center in North Brooklyn. 


Gentile Continues Family Movie Night Series

City Councilman Vincent Gentile

City Council Member Vincent J. Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach) continues his Family Movie Night Series with the presentation of “STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE” at Owl’s Head Park on Sept. 8.

The Family Movie Night Series, which is a completely free event done alongside NYC Parks, that includes refreshments and giveaways. Attendees are asked to please bring their own chairs and picnic blankets for the event.

The event is slated for 7 p.m., Friday, September 8, at Owl’s Head Park (68th Street and Colonial Road) in Bay Ridge. 


Treyger Announces Expanded Cleaning Services along Major Commercial Corridor

City Councilman Mark Treyger

Council Member Mark Treyger (D- Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend) announced he has secured funding to continue and expand cleaning services along eight major commercial corridors throuhgout the 47th Council District.

The funding comes as part of the City Council’s NYC Cleanup Initiative, that allocated $200,000 to continue cleaning services along six routes currently being cleaned and to expand services to two additional thoroughfares.

Six routes already part of the 47th District’s Cleanup NYC Initiative that will continue to be cleaned include: 18th Avenue, between 68th Street and 86th Street; 86th Street, between 18th Avenue and 26th Avenue; Avenue U, between Ocean Parkway and Stillwell Avenue; Avenue X, between Ocean Parkway Stillwell Avenue; Kings Highway, between McDonald Avenue and Ocean Parkway; and Mermaid Avenue, between Stillwell Avenue and West 31st Street.

As a result of the additional funding now designated through the program, two new routes to be cleaned include: 20th Avenue, between 61st Street and 76th Street and Bath Avenue, between 25th Avenue and Bay 25th Street.

“Clean streets are an integral factor in maintaining a high quality of life standard in our community. Filthy streets discourage consumers from shopping, negatively impacting our local small businesses. I am continuing to make clean, comfortable, and consumer-friendly commercial corridors in our community one of my top priorities to ensure that residents of the 47th District can conduct their daily business in the cleanest, safest environment possible,” said Treyger.