Lander Calls On City To Integrate Bus Arrival Data Into LinkNYC Consoles
City Councilman Brad Lander (D-Park Slope,Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Gowanus) will call on the City to integrate real-time bus arrival technology into its LinkNYC program today.
The LinkNYC program is a new communications network that is replacing the city’s pay phones with state-of-the-art kiosks called Links. Each Link is equipped with free services including high-speed Wi-Fi, phone calls, a tablet for maps and city services, and device charging. The program will deliver 7,500 wi-fi consoles to city streets across all five boroughs within the next several years.
Lander is pushing for each kiosk to include real-time bus arrivals in order to reduce costs and expedite service to commuters. Park Slope is already set to receive 12 digital bus clocks, or “count down clocks,” as part of the city’s initiative toward enabling passengers to know when their ride would arrive.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) already has a GPS tracking system available for passengers known as Bus Time, that allows riders to use their phones to determine how many stops away their bus is.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., today, Sept. 25, at the corner of 7th Avenue & 9th Street, in Park Slope.
Nadler Denounces Graham-Cassidy Health Care Repeal Bill
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan) denounced the Graham-Cassidy Health Care repeal bill last week, which Senate Republicans are proposing in their latest attempt to get rid of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
This latest bill to repeal and replace Obamacare, would block-grant federal health care funding to the states which will include changes to Medicaid expansion, tax credits, employer mandates and cost-sharing subsidies and will allow states to ease coverage requirements. A block grant is a fixed amount of money that the federal government gives to a state for a specific purpose. If Medicaid was turned into a block grant, the federal government would set each state’s Medicaid spending amount in advance.
The bill is the last chance Senate Republicans have at making changes to the US healthcare system before Sept. 30, the last day in which Republicans can pass a repeal bill with only a 50 votes, instead of the necessary 60, due to special budget rules. If the legislation were to get 50 votes, Vice President Mike Pence is expected to break a tie in favor of the bill.
“This bill would eliminate all health insurance subsidies and all funding for the Medicaid expansion and replace them with a block grant that is woefully underfunded for the actual costs of providing care. States like New York—which followed the law, expanded Medicaid and set up their own insurance marketplaces—would end up with massive cuts in funding, while states that didn’t follow the ACA and refused to expand Medicaid would see a massive influx of federal funding,” said Nadler.
“The ramming through of this horrible bill, coupled with the threat to allow the ACA marketplaces to fall into chaos if it doesn’t pass, makes it clear that the GOP is perfectly happy to play politics with people’s lives,” added Nadler.
Mosley Holds Emergency Public Safety Town Hall In Response To Recent Shootings
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Height) will hold a public safety town hall in response to the recent shootings in Crown Heights, later this week.
The most recent shooting, was that of 20-year-old Donovan Frazier. On Sept. 17, Frazier was gunned down outside of a corner deli around 4:30 a.m. after purchasing a soda. Frazier was shot several times in the chest before succumbing to his wounds at Kings County Hospital.
At the event, members of the community will have the opportunity to speak with and hear from New York Police Department (NYPD) officials, the Brooklyn DA’s office, and the local Neighborhood Coordinating Officers regarding current issues and concerns in the community, as well as public safety measures that are being taken in an effort to ensure the safety of each and every resident. Additionally, the community will also hear from violence-interrupters from Save Our Streets (S.O.S.), Guns Down, Life Up (GDLU), and Lay the Guns Down Foundation to learn what steps are being taken to work with gang members in and around the community to mediate in an effort to help squash ongoing beefs, and calm tensions.
“In light of the most recent tragedies, it is imperative that we hold this community discussion regarding public safety concerns, violence prevention strategies and updates in the North Crown Heights community. This community has already experienced so much pain, and after years of progress and improved safety measures, no one should have to live in fear of walking around in their own neighborhood,” said Mosley.
“While crime statistics in central Brooklyn have shown a steady decline of over the last decade, even one senseless act of violence in our backyard is demoralizing and unacceptable. We must unify against all forms of violence in a continued effort to ensure our communities remain a safe place to live, work, and raise a family,” added Mosley.
The event is slated for 6p.m. to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, Sept 27, at Kol Israel Synagogue, at 603 St. John’s Place in Crown Heights.
Greenfield Funds “Trees for Everyone”
City Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Borough Park, Midwood) announced that he is bringing more than 1,500 trees to Midwood over the weekend.
The new initiative, known as “Trees For Everyone”, in partnership with the Parks Department, will bring trees to every possible space in the Midwood area. The plan will bring the neighborhood to “planting capacity”, according to Greenfield.
The project will cost over $1.6 million and is expected to be completed by the end of Greenfield’s term. The project comes off the heels of Greenfield’s most recent achievement as the only New York City Council member to renovate every single park in their district, including last year’s extensive re-imagining of Gravesend/18th Avenue Park.
Greenfield will meet with Brooklyn Parks Department Commissioner, Martin Maher, later this week to discuss the type of trees to be planted but the seven-year Councilman is expected to push for big, picturesque specimens and no gingko trees, whic are notorious for their unpleasant odor.
“Most importantly, people like them. Trees make people happy. It makes neighborhoods nicer with greenery, shade and environmental benefits. If you want a tree in front of your house, please call us and let us know and if you don’t want a tree, please let us know. Either way, we will accommodate you,” said Greenfield.
BK Lawmakers Respond To Back-To-Back Construction Worker Deaths
City Council members Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) are sending their condolences and decrying the death of two construction workers who died last Friday.
The two separate incidents, which happened only hours apart last week saw two men plunge to their death with an additional man being taken to the hospital in critical condition. According to initial reports, a 45-year-old worker fell about 35 feet while operating a forklift cage that collapsed at 401 9th Avenue where a skyscraper called 1 Manhattan West is being built. He was found with body trauma and pronounced dead at the scene. Earlier in the day, worker Juan Chonillo, 43, of Queens, fell from the 29th story of an under-construction high-rise in the Financial District to the top of a 1st floor scaffolding, authorities said. Chonillo was found unconscious and died at the scene.
Williams, chair of the Building Committee, and Menchaca are co-sponsors of Intro.1447 or The Apprenticeship Safety Bill, which would require construction workers to complete an apprenticeship program for any construction work sites of 10 stories or larger and demolition work sites of four stories or larger.
The proposed bill is part of a larger construction safety legislation package that is looking to curb construction worker deaths and injuries. It comes as both the City Council and the construction industry are trying to deal with a rising spike with on the job construction deaths – from 17 in the city in 2011 to 25 in 2015. The bill is expected to pass at this week’s City Council stated meeting on Thursday.
“That we should grieve the loss of a second worker in one day, that their families are now in mourning, is unfathomable. That these accidents occur with such frequency is unbelievable. That more is not being done to protect those who build this great city is unconscionable.I can only hope that we as a city move quickly to change the culture and environment that undervalues workers’ safety and well-being. I continue to work to make these issues a priority,” said Williams.
“Two different New York City construction sites saw tragic reminders of this city’s failure to adequately protect workers. These preventable incidents follow more than 30 construction worker deaths during the last two years.I call for a swift and thorough investigation that leads to full accountability and criminal prosecution for everyone responsible .The time for action to protect construction workers is now. No other industry would accept such consistently high levels of danger and there is no justification for our delay imposing strict construction safety training for all workers,” said Menchaca.
Cymbrowitz Leads Meeting On Market-Rate Co-Op Housing
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach), Chair of the Housing Committee, presided over a public hearing on market-rate cooperative housing in New York State last week.
At the event, Cymbrowitz heard testimony on the current challenges facing cooperative housing including statements from Mary Ann Rothman from the Council of New York Cooperative & Condominiums (CNYC) who testified on the status of co-op housing and provided information on how her organization assists co-op boards and shareholders. Ken Jacobs, partner at Smith, Buss & Jacobs also testified as a board Member at Big Apple Community Associations Institute who focused on the patchwork of laws that apply to co-ops.
Most recently, Cymbrowtiz’ bill, A. 8261-A, that improves transparency on co-op and condominium boards was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier this month.
“Cooperative housing is unique in its structure, with tenants – who are also shareholders – owning a piece of a larger entity that is managed by a board of directors. The laws governing co-ops provide a framework for co-ops to operate within, and, depending on each co-op’s particular circumstances – including how the board of directors manages the co-op – this framework of laws can lead to a successful outcome, or it can lead to challenges and frustration,” said Cymbrowtiz.
“I’m pleased that my colleagues and I were able to engage in a useful dialogue with each of the witnesses and to gain a better understanding of the current state of market-rate co-ops in New York State,” added Cymbrowitz.
