Cumbo To Host Bullying Prevention & Intervention Event
City Council member Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) will mark National Bullying Prevention Month with a community conversation and resource expo today.
Last month, an 18-year-old student stabbed two fellow classmates, killing one and wounding the other at a Bronx High School. The incident was the result of a two-week long argument between victims, 16-year-old Ariane LaBoy, 15-year-old Matthew McCree and attacker Abel Cedeno. Both stabbing victims were rushed to nearby hospitals where McCree later died. According to reports, officials are looking into bullying as possible motive. The suspect told officers he had been bullied since the beginning of the school year, and the breaking point came after someone threw a pencil at him during history class.
The event as an opportunity to directly connect parents and educators to citywide services provided by city agencies and nonprofit organizations year-round. Attendees will receive vital information on how to identify the signs of bullying, at-risk youth, and learn steps to intervention.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., today, OCt.23, at W.E.B. DuBois Academic High School, at 402 Eastern Parkway, in Crown Heights.
Schumer, Velazquez Demand Appointment Of Emergency ‘CEO of Response & Recovery’ To Aid In PR Relief Efforts
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-Brooklyn), alongside Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D- Brooklyn, LES, Queens) urged the White House to immediately appoint an experienced emergency “CEO of Response & Recovery” to coordinate the federal response in Puerto Rico yesterday.
Schumer believes the federal response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico has been disorganized, slow-footed, and mismanaged resulting in a humanitarian crisis. Additionally, one month after the hurricane, one million American citizens still do not have access to running water, and millions lack electricity. Schumer went on to note that FEMA alone does not have the ability to manage the disaster and is stretched too thin.
Schumer believes that an appointment of an emergency “CEO of Response & Recovery” would bring better coordination and management to federal relief efforts. Additionally Schumer, wants the CEO to have a direct line and access to the President, the Governor of Puerto Rico, all Cabinet Secretaries, members of Congress, and local Puerto Rican officials to help coordinate relief efforts and assist Puerto Rico in developing a plan for recovery and rebuilding, and executing that plan.
Schumer said an emergency “CEO” to assist Puerto Rico would: help coordinate emergency response activities among the various federal agencies, from FEMA, to DoD, to the Department of Energy, to the Treasury Department; work with the Puerto Rican government and local officials to ensure that every municipality in Puerto Rico receives all possible resources, personnel, and support from the federal government; oversee electric grid restoration, repair, and rebuilding; help facilitate timely and accurate damage assessments to ensure that Puerto Rico will receive all of the resources it needs in upcoming emergency supplemental appropriations bills; oversee disaster assistance distribution and federal contractual arrangements to ensure that there is no waste, fraud, or abuse; assist the Puerto Rican Governor and municipalities in developing long-term plans for recovery and rebuilding in a more resilient and cost effective way.
“It’s been more than a month since Maria, but 80% of the lights in Puerto Rico are still out, and American citizens are unsure about where their next glass of clean water will come from—this is just unconscionable and demands new action. That is why I am demanding the White House immediately appoint an emergency “CEO of Response and Recovery” for Puerto Rico. This person will have the ability to bring all the federal agencies together, cut red tape on the public and private side, help turn the lights back on, get clean water flowing and help bring about recovery for millions of Americans who have gone too long in some of the worst conditions,” said Schumer.
“It’s tragically clear this Administration was caught flat footed when Maria hit Puerto Rico. Everyone knew a historically catastrophic hurricane was barreling toward an island with vulnerable infrastructure, yet there wasn’t a meaningful plan in place to efficiently deploy federal resources. The result has been a sluggish response, causing additional needless suffering among the people of Puerto Rico. We can’t change what already happened, but the President can change course and put the full force of the federal government to work assisting our fellow American citizens,” said Velazquez.
Donovan Visits Puerto Rico, Reviews Disaster Response
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) traveled to Puerto Rico over the weekend to review the relief response to Hurricane Maria.
On Saturday, Donovan was joined by several other Members of Congress on a bipartisan delegation to the storm-ravaged island. While on their humanitarian trip, the delegation will travel on a military aircraft and receive briefings from military leaders, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Army Corps of Engineers on the progress of relief efforts.
According to officials, FEMA and other agencies are undertaking one of the largest response and recovery efforts in history, with projections showing housing needs three times that of Houston following Hurricane Harvey with more than 15,000 federal and military personnel on the ground in Puerto Rico.
Additionally, the 249th Engineer Battalion is in the process of executing the largest temporary power mission ever on U.S. soil ordering 50,000 utility poles and 6,500 miles of cable for power transmission and distribution. Currently, more than 640,000 people have registered for FEMA assistance, and officials estimate there is still enough debris left from the hurricane to fill seven Yankee stadiums.
“The response to Hurricane Maria has been enormously challenging and complex. Puerto Rico was in need of infrastructure improvements before the storm, and a direct hit from a major hurricane destroyed or severely damaged critical services. As the representative for a community that itself sustained serious damage after Superstorm Sandy, I look forward to reviewing the response first-hand,” said Donovan.
Eugene Hosts Street Co-Naming Ceremony For Community Educator
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Ditmas Park) dedicated the corner of Rutland Road and Rogers Avenue in honor of Lenore G. Briggs on Saturday.
Ms. Briggs, or “Mom” as she was known to her community, was born April 4th, 1928 on the island of Grenada and immigrated to the United States in 1965. From an early age she had dreams of becoming a teacher, a dream she realized both in Grenada and here in Brooklyn, where she spent over 60 years educating local youth. Lenore will be remembered for her nurturing spirit and her dedication to our young people. In Prospect Lefferts Gardens, she made an impact by establishing a day care center in her home which grew to the point she needed to establish it as an independent facility, which she called “Mom’s Center for Early Childhood Development”. By 1986, this school had become the “Lefferts Gardens Montessori School.” The school she founded helped so many students achieve their potential over the years, and has had a lasting impact in countless lives.
“Throughout her life, Lenore was committed to helping not only the children she taught, but the community she lived in. She opened her heart and her home to many in the community. Today we are celebrating Lenore G. Briggs’ memory by naming this street in honor of her achievements, and in honor of all she did for the people of this neighborhood,” said Eugene.
Lander To Host Mayoral Town Hall
City Council member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Gowanus) will host a mayoral Town Hall this week as part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s re-election efforts.
The event will give constituents of District 39 an opportunity to ask the Mayor direct questions regarding issues with housing, transportation, parking and more as members of the Mayor’s city agencies will be on hand to answer specific questions.
The event’s doors open at 6:30 p.m., the event starts at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26, at M.S. 51 William Alexander Middle School, at 350 5th Avenue in Park Slope.
Residents of the 39th Council District are asked to RSVP via email at communityaffairs@cityhall.nyc.gov or by calling(212) 788-7929. Space is limited.
Velazquez To Discuss Superstorm Sandy Resiliency
Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn, LES, Queens) will discuss storm resiliency efforts in the five years since Superstorm Sandy today.
The event will feature a talk and panel discussion on Brooklyn’s storm resiliency for small business. The panel will include NYC Small Business Commissioner, Gregg Bishop, Red Hook Winery Owner, Mark Snyder, VP & Design Engineer for Architectural Grille, Stephen Giumenta, NYC Economic Development Corp. Program Manager RISE: New York, Kristin Bell, Executive Director for Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, Ben Margolis, and Director of Brooklyn SBDC at NYC College of Technology, Small Business Development Center, Rob Piechota. Andrew Hoan, President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will moderate the event.
The event is slated for 9 a.m to 11 a.m., today, Oct. 23, at Old American Can Factory, at 232 Third Street, in Gowanus.
Williams Reacts To Shooting On Nostrand Avenue
New York City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) sent his condolences and took time to highlight the need for gun violence awareness last week in the wake of a deadly shooting in East Flatbush on Friday afternoon.
On Friday, according to the NY Daily News, a 71-year-old man fired a single fatal bullet into the chest of Mora Lyons 44, at 1844 Nostrand Avenue after the two friends had been drinking all day. Lyons later died at Kings County Hospital. The gunman was arrested after fleeing the scene and according to reports, he has not been charged.
“I offer my prayers for peace and comfort to the family of the man killed today, and for the recovery of a second man who was shot alongside him. We do not yet know what initiated this violent act, but we do know the effect. A man is dead, a man who was our neighbor, and as his life was cut short the lives of his family members are tragically, permanently shaken,” said Williams.
“This is now a permanent solution to what most likely was a temporary problem. Nothing can bring back the man who lost his life today in another heartbreaking murder at the barrel of a gun. May his tragic death remind us that that for all the steps we’re taking to end gun violence in our community, we must feel it our duty to multiply our efforts, to carry on with clarity of purpose to prevent these tragic instance of gun violence from plaguing our streets and leaving our communities heartbroken,” added Williams.
