Colton Hosts 2nd Flu Shot Event
Assembly member William Colton (D-Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) will host a second free flu shot event for members of 47th Assembly district this week.
The event, a follow up to a successful flu shot drive in September, is a preventative measure before the onset of the flu season. The flu season is generally known as the period from October to May. According to Center for Disease and Control (CDC), the best method of preventing the flu from spreading is through vaccination.
Rite Aid medical professionals will be on hand to vaccinate all attendees. The event is free and open to all members of the community.
The event is slated for 12-noon to 2p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, at Colton’s District office, at 155 Kings Highway (between West 12th and West 13th Streets) in
Schedule an Appointment to receive a flu shot by contacting Community Relations Director Nancy Tong at 718-236-1598. Availability of flu shots is first-come, first-serve.
Mayor Signs Espinal Bill Regulating Used Car Industry
City Council member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York) applauded Mayor Bill de Blasio’s signing of new legislation to combat predatory sales and financing practices in the used car industry yesterday.
Alongside the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Commissioner, Lorelei Salas, Espinal joined de Blasio at City Hall as he signed Introduction 1539 and 1540 to combat predatory practices in the used car auto industry. These new laws require used car dealerships, which DCA licenses, to post a Consumer Bill of Rights and disclose information about financing and pricing, provide all required notices to the consumer be in the language used to negotiate the contract, and provide consumers with the option to cancel their contract within two days of the sale.
DCA currently licenses 784 used car dealerships and has received nearly 5,800 complaints from consumers about used car dealerships over the past four years. The complaints range from instances of forgery on contracts to a lack of material disclosures by dealership staff. The new laws will help tackle common predatory practices engaged in by used car dealers such as deceiving consumers into loans with longer-than-necessary repayment terms and failing to disclose hidden dealer markup rates.
“Second hand auto dealers will now come to understand that while their cars may be used, our 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 empowerment tools they need to make good financial choices,” said Espinal.
Golden Announces MTA Accessibility Improvement Plan For Local Stations
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) announced a new capital plan by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to improve local stations with Access-A-Ride, Para-transit services and Handicap accessibility measures.
The announcement comes off the heels of the re-opening of the Bay Ridge Avenue R Station last Friday. The station was renovated with modern upgrades such as countdown clocks, enhanced LED lighting, WiFi connectivity, new digital displays, USB ports and an upgraded security system, as part of the MTA’s Enhanced Station Initiative.
A couple weeks prior to the Bay Ridge Avenue Station opening, Golden met with representatives of the MTA and disability advocates to discuss improvements to the Access-A-ride and the para-transit system. During the meeting, Steven LoPiano presented a detailed plan that included expanding the use of e-hail services, improvements to broker (black car) and Access-A-Ride services, upgrading the GPS system for improved tracking, implementing a new scheduling system with real-time dispatch capability and improving performance monitoring and operational transparency. Currently, 148,000 individuals participate in Access-A-Ride and para-transit system program, averaging 6.9 million trips per year.
“After many discussions with the MTA I am proud to announce that their new capital plan will include funding for ADA compliance of local subway stations. When work is completed, it will be easier and safer for commuters with disabilities to utilize the 59th, 77th, 86th and 95th Street Stations. Our community deserves a transit system that is reliable, safe and accessible for all New Yorkers,” said Golden
“In the past, I have expressed my concerns to the MTA regarding various grievances against Access-A-Ride and Para-transit system. These complaints included, long wait times, lengthy travel times, reservation problems, vehicle restrictions, and underserved areas throughout the five boroughs, especially here in Brooklyn,” added Golden.
Gentile Applauds Signing Of First Ever Hookah Smoking Regulation Bill
City Council member Vincent Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) alongside Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law the first ever regulation on hookah smoking in NYC by adding non-tobacco hookah to the Smoke Free Air Act yesterday.
Intro. 139-C, which was signed into law during a public hearing yesterday, 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.
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. Additionally, the new bill prohibits entry into hookah establishments to those under 21 years of age.
Non-tobacco shisha has been scientifically shown to be just as dangerous as smoking 100 cigarettes in one session due to the carcinogens produced and the length of time people use hookah pipes versus smoking one cigarette. According to recent data, even smoking non-tobacco shisha is a health risk that poses a danger to those who smoke but also to those that live around or work in hookah bars.The new bill is set to go into effect in six months.
“No longer will minors be allowed to smoke in these lounges, and no longer will communicable diseases be spread from unsterile hookah smoking paraphernalia. Moreover those who have been subject to secondhand smoke in and around hookah bars will be pleased to learn that new ventilation requirements in this bill address this issue. Any way you cut it, hookah smoke is no joke; it is not a safe smoking alternative and restricting minors makes the decision to smoke up to those of adult age,” said Gentile.
Donovan Reacts To Conviction Of Chelsea Bomber
Congressman Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) applauded the conviction of Ahmed Khan Rahimi, the suspected Chelsea bomber yesterday.
On Monday, Rahimi, an Afghan-born US citizen, was convicted on all charges of planting two bombs on New York City streets last year, injuring dozens of people. According to reports, the 29-year-old New Jersey Native left two explosive devices in Manhattan on Sept. 17 2016. The first bomb located at West 23rd Street went off injuring more than 30 people, while the second bomb, four blocks away was disarmed by the authorities.
The Jurors returned their guilty verdict on Monday morning on their second day of deliberations after a two-week trial at a federal court in Manhattan. According to initial reports, Rahimi faces a mandatory punishment of life in prison.
“Today’s conviction sends a powerful message to all those who wish us harm: terror will never win. Mr. Rahimi, who was inspired by ISIS’ radical ideology, sought to kill innocent Americans, but instead was swiftly held accountable for his violent actions. As New Yorkers we know that the strength and resiliency of our city will always be greater than the enemies who wish to attack our values and freedoms. Let us not forget the great work of the NYPD, whose training and skills were exemplified through the quick apprehension of this terrorist,” said Donovan.
