BP Adams Unveils Over $7 Million In Funding For Parks & Rec Space
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams unveiled more than $7 million of investment from his Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) capital budget in parks and recreational space across Brooklyn yesterday.
At the event, Adams highlighted the work of teens from the Red Hook Initiative, a local community-based organization, who are leading a neighborhood-driven transformation of the Harold Ickes Playground. The Red Hook playground has been sitting underutilized as a open concrete space in a historically industrial neighborhood. Adams went on to announce that he has also allocated $1 million to the project to create a BMX bike and skate park along with a multipurpose play area at the space.
Other parks and recreational spaces included in next year’s capital budget include Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, Fort Greene Parks Conservancy, Friends of Wingate Park, New York Restoration Project, and Prospect Park Alliance.
Carroll Demands Safety Measures At Busy School Intersection
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) met with officials from the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), NYC Department of Education (DOE), School Construction Authority, and officers from the 66th and the 70th Police Precincts on Tuesday afternoon to discuss important traffic safety measures around PS 89 and IS 890.
Alongside Principal Kathryn Anderson of PS 889 and Principal Nicholas Frangella of IS 890, Carroll demanded that the surrounding intersection and perimeter of the schools be improved with safety precautions. The schools are located on Coney Island Avenue between Beverly Road and Church Avenue, a stretch of busy roadway that poses a danger to students who have to navigate the traffic to school without a crosswalk.
Earlier this month, according to reports, DOT did add “no standing” signs in front of school’s entrance and removed two parking spots to make room for buses to pick up students. However, crossing guards still remain the main source of traffic safety for students and parents traveling the four lanes of busy roadway to the co-adjacent schools.
At the meeting, DOT’s Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Keith Bray confirmed that it is currently performing a traffic study of the school perimeter and the adjacent blocks that surround the school. The study will be completed in the next three weeks, at which time DOT will make recommendations on how to calm traffic and keep the vulnerable student-pedestrians as safe as possible. While 66th Precinct representatives will provide additional traffic safety officers at drop off and dismissal times until traffic safety measures are in place.
“The schools currently have less than 200 children registered, but when at full capacity, there will be 800 children and their parents navigating this dangerous stretch of roadway. It was great that we had all the key players together. But all that talk has to translate into action and the immediate installation of street lights, crosswalks, and curb extensions. Traffic safety around our schools isn’t something that you put on the back burner. Now is the time to figure this out,” said Carroll.
Donovan Responds To Trump Tax Overhaul
Congressman Dan Donovan (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) responded to President Trump’s tax reform plan yesterday.
The plan includes proposals to: cut the top corporate tax rate dramatically, create a new top rate for small businesses, eliminate income tax filing for the working poor, simplify filing a return and create a new credit for individuals caring for elderly relatives. The proposed plan will also eliminate two taxes paid entirely by the rich, while taking away a deduction for state and local taxes that is used most heavily in some of the most wealthy, and Democrat-dominated, states, according to initial reports. Trump is hoping to adopt a new tax code by the end of the year.
“It’s been three decades since the last major tax overhaul, and President Trump deserves a lot of credit for taking this issue head-on. Tax reform will create jobs, incentivize businesses to invest in the U.S., and put more money in the pockets of hardworking families,” said Donovan.
“I’m of course concerned about the state and local tax deduction, and I’ll continue working with my colleagues as the legislation goes through the committee process. It’s important to me that Staten Island and Brooklyn residents benefit from tax relief and don’t shoulder the burden for cuts elsewhere in the country,” added Donovan.
Harris Celebrates NYCHA Improvements To Carey Gardens Homes
Assembly member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) announced that efforts to update appliances of residents living in the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) Carey Gardens apartments are nearing completion yesterday.
Harris fought to ensure the grant funding for this and several other housing improvement projects across Coney Island. Grant funding for the initiative was used to repair appliances in NYCHA apartments that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy including refrigerators and gas stoves. Other housing developments that were included in the project were O’Dwyer Gardens, Gravesend Houses and Coney Island houses. Earlier this year, Surfside Garden residents received their new appliances.
“Our Coney Island community was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy and many of our residents have had to deal with nonfunctioning appliances for far too long. Refrigerators and ovens are basic appliances that everyone should have, resources residents need to live comfortably,” said Harris.
“For too many members of our community, the effects of Superstorm Sandy are still being felt. I will continue to stand with our community and ensure that everyone has access to the resources they deserve,” added Harris.
Espinal Passes Legislation To Rein In Used Auto Industry, Protect Consumers
City Council Member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York) passed Intro No. 1539-A, in relation to the sale and financing of secondhand automobiles yesterday.
The bill will prohibit second hand dealers from requiring mandatory financing from a third party lender as a condition of the purchase; prohibit dealers from requiring consumers to purchase add-on products (i.e. pricey maintenance packages, theft protection, accident insurance, road service of club membership, etc); prohibit dealers from preparing or assisting in false information (deceptive credit applications); and require a host of new disclosures and a consumer bill of rights.
The bill will also include the first-ever citywide two day cancellation option allowing consumers time to look over their financing, loans and paperwork before fully committing to buying a used car.
Back in September 2016, Espinal alongside the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) launched an outreach and investigative effort examining consumer issues associated with secondhand auto dealers. The effort led to the introduction of legislation in March of 2017 to address recurring problems in the used car auto industry along with help from Council member Daniel Garodnick (D-Manhattan).
“Second hand auto dealers will now come to understand that while their cars may be used, our city’s consumers will not be abused. The fallout from a bad car loan could be worse than the mortgage crisis, but now vulnerable New Yorkers will have the tools they need to be to empowered and make good financial choices,” said Espinal.
Levin Applauds Passage Of Housing Protection Bills
City Council member Stephen Levin (D-Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg, Boerum Hill) applauded the passage of his bill’s Intro. 1359-A and 934-A, that would enhance the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Department of Buildings (DOB) practices and affordable housing development.
The bills were both passed yesterday at the City Council stated meeting. Intro. 1359-A would require HPD to audit buildings receiving benefits under the 421-a tax exemption program to determine whether such buildings are complying with the applicable affordability requirements. While Intro 934-A, would create a Real Time Enforcement Unit (RTEU) in the Department of Buildings (DOB).
“Our residents deserve access to affordable and stable housing, especially if the landlords received tax benefits to build those units. It’s unconscionable that landlords are receiving millions in tax breaks to provide community benefits and are instead charging rents that push New Yorkers out of their homes. With the help of this legislation [Intro 1359-A], this will come to an end.This legislation will send a strong message — hold up your end of the deal or pay the consequences,” said Levin.
“Far too many try to bypass, bend, and break the law in pursuit of profit. We cannot and will not allow unscrupulous landlords to take advantage of our community. The STS package of bills goes to lengths to provide tenants the protections they deserve. Now this specially created unit [RTEU] will greatly increase the protections available to tenants facing harassment. We want to let tenants facing harassment and displacement know that they are not alone in this fight,” added Levin.
Gentile, City Council Include Shisha In Clean Air Act
City Council member Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Bath Beach) alongside his colleagues at the New York City Council voted to include the sale and consumption of hookah and other non-tobacco products in the Clean Air Act yesterday.
Intro. 139-C, which was enacted into law during yesterday’s stated meeting, would prohibit the opening of new hookah bars by eliminating the non-tobacco shisha exemption in the Smoke Free Air Act. The Smoke Free Air Act (SFAA) of 2002 made virtually all workplaces smoke-free, while the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA) of 2004 imposed State restrictions on smoking indoors.
According to the bill, existing hookah bars who earn more than half of their revenue from hookah-related sales, will be allowed to continue to operate by creating a new permitting system operated by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. However, existing establishments would not be permitted to expand, and would have their permit revoked if they were found to be in violation of the law prohibiting the sale of tobacco.
“Today we once and for all “Clear the Air” on the dangers of hookah smoking. Authorities estimate one session of hookah smoking is equivalent to smoking 80-100 cigarettes. It has risen in popularity, especially among our youth because of the lack of regulation and an outdated Smoke Free Air Act,” said Gentile.
“No longer will shisha be laced with tobacco, no longer will minors be allowed to smoke, and no longer will communicable diseases be spread from unsterile hookah smoking paraphernalia. Any way you cut it hookah smoke is no joke; it is not a safe smoking alternative,” said Gentile.
