Gentile Denounces Las Vegas Shooting
City Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) denounced the Las Vegas shooting yesterday.
On Sunday night, a country music festival in Las Vegas became the scene of the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, with over 50 people confirmed dead and over 500 people injured. On Sunday night, Stephen Paddock, 64, opened fire on hundreds of attendees at the Route 91 Harvest Festival from one of the 30th floors at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino.
“The violence which we witnessed late Sunday in Las Vegas, Nevada was tragic and a sight we have unfortunately become far too accustomed to seeing. The horrific act resulted in the senseless killing of at least 59, with at least 500 more wounded. The victims were families and friends, just gathering to have an enjoyable time at a country music festival,” said Gentile.
“Unfortunately, this indescribable evil is something that we must somehow find the strength to overcome. We mourn for those lost, and my condolences go out to the families of the victims. We pray for Las Vegas and keep them in our hearts,” added Gentile.
Donovan Announces 2017 Congressional APP Challenge
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced that his office is accepting submissions for the 2017 Congressional App Challenge.
The competition, open to Brooklyn students, aims to develop an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. A panel of local judges from the technology and computer science sectors will review apps created by K-12 students and select a winning submission.
The Challenge submission period runs now through November 1, 2017. Winners will be chosen based on the originality, creativity, and quality of their app design. The winning app will be featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the Congressional App Challenge website.
This is the third year that Donovan’s office has hosted the Congressional App Challenge. Last year’s winner was Robert Avenoso, a Tottenville High School student who created a computer operating system with built-in programs for users. In 2015, the winning project was an app entitled “Neuron,” which created a marketplace for students to buy or sell college textbooks directly to one another.
“Programs that encourage students to pursue STEM education and activities, like the Congressional App Challenge, are critical to ensuring that our next generation has the skills needed to compete in today’s 21st century economy. This competition allows students to think big, get creative, and use their computer science skills to develop solutions to some of our nation’s challenges. I invite all interested Staten Island and South Brooklyn students to participate, and I look forward to seeing this year’s projects,” said Donovan.
For additional information about the Congressional App Challenge, students may visit https://donovan.house.gov/Challenge or contact Donovan’s Staten Island District Office at (718) 351-1062.
Cymbrowitz Expands Puerto Rico Relief Effort
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) announced the expansion of his southern Brooklyn relief effort for victims of storm-ravaged Puerto Rico yesterday.
Cymbrowitz is partnering with RUSA Russian Radio, Kings Bay Y, Shorefront Y, Assembly members Helene Weinstein and Pamela Harris, State Senator Diane Savino and City Council members David Greenfield and Alan Maisel in asking for specific goods and monetary donations to assist the victims of Hurricane Maria, thousands of whom lost their homes and worldly possessions and in many cases are still without electricity and clean water.
Unlike the previous drives organized by Cymbrowtiz, Chabad of Puerto Rico is now coordinating with the southern Brooklyn relief effort. The organization, which helps everyone in need, already has a successful ground operation underway and will be arranging transport and distribution of the items collected. The expanded drive is expected to last about three weeks.
Items being accepted for donation include: (All food items must be unexpired) wraps or tortillas, crackers, snack packs of almonds or other nuts, apple sauce minis, non-refrigerated fruit cup minis, jelly (small size), peanut butter (small size), milk (long-shelf, 8 oz. only), individual cereal boxes, instant soups (just add water), instant meals (just add water), canned goods (best if pop-up), canned beans (smallest size), canned corn (small), chuck light canned tuna or pouch (6 oz.), chickpeas, as well as cleaning supplies.
“This is an American territory where thousands of Americans are drinking unclean water from creeks and living without food, electricity, fuel and essential items – the direct result of two weeks of a completely inadequate response by the U.S. government,” said Cymbrowitz.
Donation Items can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Fridays at the Kings Bay Y, 3495 Nostrand Avenue, in Sheepshead Bay or at the Shorefront Y, at 3300 Coney Island Avenue in Brighton Beach.
Note: the Shorefront Y will be closed all day on Oct. 4th and Oct. 5th. They will also be closing at 4 p.m. on Oct. 11th and will be closed all day Oct. 12th and Oct. 13th.
Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation may do so by visiting chabadpr.com/relief.
Greenfield Holds Ribbon Cutting For Seth Low Park Renovations
Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Midwood) will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the re-opening of Seth Low Park today.
The park has undergone a $4.4 million renovation, with improved paths, fields, and landscaping as part of Greenfield’s effort to renovate all 13 parks in his district, with a $35 million investment.
Greenfield will be joined by children and administrators from the Academy of Talented Scholars, Seth Low Intermediate School, Brooklyn School of Inquiry, and Success Academy at the event as well as Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Martin Maher.
“This park is very centrally located for southern Brooklyn, near a library, senior centers, and several schools. My hope is that everyone in the neighborhood will be able to stop by and enjoy this space together,” said Greenfield.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Oct. 4, at Seth Low Park, at Bay Parkway & 74th Street in Bensonhurst.
Montgomery Hosts Discussion On New Harbor Middle School Site
State Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Boerum Hill) will host a discussion with President & CEO of the School Construction Authority, Lorraine Grillo, on the future Harbor Schools in Brooklyn, today.
The meeting is a continuation of previous discussions with Grillo on the site selection and other issues surrounding the inclusion of a brand new Harbor Middle School in the Sunset Park or Red Hook community.
The NY Harbor School serves as a major access point for public high school students into the maritime careers that are essential to a working Brooklyn waterfront. A Harbor Middle School would serve as a feeder to the NY Harbor School and expand access of maritime careers to a wider range of young people.
The event is slated for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., today, Oct 4, at at the YWCA of Brooklyn, at 30 Third Avenue (between State Street and Atlantic Avenue) on the 1st Floor in Boerum Hill.
BK Lawmakers Unite To Provide Humanitarian Aid To Caribbean
Assembly members Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Mill Basin, Gerritsen Beach, Georgetown), N. Nick Perry (D-East Flatbush, Canarsie) and Alicia Hyndman (D-Queens), joined forces yesterday to provide humanitarian relief to the Caribbean.
Last month, the Caribbean was struck by a serious of storms including hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria that have caused mass devastation and a dire need of basic supplies throughout the island region.
The group is asking for donations in the form of: blankets, non-perishable items, medical supplies, feminine hygiene products, bottled water, canned goods (cans with pop-top lids), pre-packaged dry goods, bagged rice, beans and pastas, diapers both for adults and infants, baby formula, toothpaste and toothbrushes.
“So many of our friends and family live and thrive in the Caribbean, the devastation that has occurred requires us to make sure that residents of the Caribbean are receiving all that they can to heal in this trying time. They are in need of medical supplies, food, and general supplies. As good citizens it is our obligation to help our friends and family in the Caribbean”, said Williams.
Donation can be dropped off at Williams’ District Office, at 5318 Avenue N, Suite 1, in Flatlands.
