Carroll Announces Traffic Light At Dangerous Coney Island Ave Intersection
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) announced yesterday that the NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) has agreed to install a traffic light at the corner of Coney Island Avenue and Hinckley Place to aid in traffic calming in front of IS 890 and PS 889.
The traffic light is the result of a meeting between each school principal, DOT officials and police officers from area precincts, that met late last month to address student safety issues at the dangerous intersection. At the meeting, Carroll was able to have NYC DOT Brooklyn Commissioner, Keith Bray, confirm the area was undergoing a study and that he would report back with a plan after the study was completed.
In addition to the installation of the traffic light at Coney Island Avenue and Hinckley Place, DOT will work with Brooklyn Community Board 12 to obtain approval to redesign Coney Island Avenue to remove the left turn lane and implement a painted median at Turner Place.
“I am pleased that NYC DOT has concluded that this stretch of Coney Island Avenue is too busy and dangerous to have children crossing without a traffic light and crosswalk. I am now asking that DOT move as quickly as possible to make sure that this installation takes place no later than January 2018,” said Carroll.
“It took longer than I would have liked, but I am glad that DOT is being attentive to the safety needs of the children at IS 890 and PS 889. With the help of the leadership of the schools, parents, and the community boards, we have demonstrated that we won’t stand for unsafe streets around our schools,” added Carroll.
Espinal Applauds City Move To Create ‘Potty Parity’
City Council member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York, Cypress Hills) applauded the city’s move to create a ‘potty parity’ legislation yesterday.
On Wednesday, the Housing and Buildings Committee held a hearing on Intro No. 1241, sponsored by Espinal, which would require that “new or renovated buildings that contain places of public accommodation include diaper changing tables that are accessible to persons regardless of their gender.”
In 2015 Ashton Kutcher famously spearheaded the “potty parity” movement and on October 7, 2016 President Obama signed into law the Bathrooms Accessible in Every Situation Act, requiring restrooms in publicly accessible federal buildings have diaper changing stations.
“Moms and dads should have equal access to sanitary and safe spaces to change their baby’s diapers. We know that caring for a child is not exclusively a maternal responsibility, so our public spaces should step up and provide care-taking accommodations in all of their restrooms, regardless of gender. This legislation will go a long way to foster gender equity and protect the health of our infant New Yorkers,” said Espinal.
Cymbrowitz Hails City’s Affordable Housing Plan
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach), Chair of the Assembly’s Housing Committee, joined Mayor de Blasio in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens at the CAMBA Gardens II, to applaud the city’s affordable housing efforts.
CAMBA Gardens II is one of the first affordable housing projects undertaken by the de Blasio administration, where tenants are in the process of moving into 293 brand-new homes.
At the event, the Mayor announced that his administration is on track to build and protect 200,000 affordable homes by 2022, two years ahead of schedule, and will boost production to 25,000 apartments annually with a goal of securing 300,000 apartments by 2026. Additionally, De Blasio unveiled the Neighborhood Pillars initiative, that will provide financing to non-profits and other mission-driven organizations to purchase older rent-regulated buildings to keep them affordable and keep current tenants in place.
In the 2017-18 state budget, Cymbrowitz helped craft a $2.5 billion five-year plan to ensure that seniors and families have access to affordable and supportive housing.
“Housing is fundamental to our daily lives, and every person deserves an equal opportunity to have safe, quality and affordable housing. But turning this hope into reality requires ambitious partners who share your vision — and I’m pleased that the Mayor and his administration have been such a partner” said Cymbrowitz.
“This [affordable housing] is a vitally important goal. At hearings I’ve led in Albany, I’ve heard too many horror stories about people forced to leave their rent-regulated apartments after 20, 30, 40 years because their buildings suddenly became unaffordable. This program will protect those residents who are most in need of our protection,” added Cymbrowitz.
Harris Applaud’s Passage Of New Law Protecting Domestic Violence Victims
Assembly member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) announced that legislation to help keep voter registration records confidential for victims of domestic violence was signed into law (Ch. 396 of 2017) yesterday.
Before this legislation, victims of domestic violence had to file a claim with the Supreme Court to have their voter registration records and information set aside and not be accessible to the public. However, as most domestic violence cases are handled in local or family courts, this places an undue burden on victims.
This new bill, co-sponsored by Harris, will allow domestic abuse victims to file claims with county and family courts ensuring that victims can more easily protect themselves and keep their records confidential, including absentee request forms and other records containing addresses.
The legislation is part of Harris’ bigger commitment to protecting victims of domestic violence. Earlier this year, she helped pass two pieces of legislation, A. 980, that would keep guns out of the hands of abusers and A. 946, that would allow victims to get out of certain contracts without penalty to protect themselves from perpetrators.
“Victims of domestic violence deserve to break free from their abusers and take back their lives, but all too often, their information can be tracked down. Victims should never feel too afraid to participate in our democracy, they deserve this protection,” said Harris.
Golden Announces Brooklyn’s 11th Annual Senior Idol Finalists
State Senator Marty Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) announced the finalists of Brooklyn’s 11th Annual Senior Idol contest yesterday.
The Brooklyn Senior Idol show is a popular contest that highlights the talent of the senior citizens of Kings County, while raising funds to support the Xaverian Music Department. Earlier this month, over forty Kings County residents 50 years and older auditioned from which twelve finalists were selected.
The 2017 Brooklyn Senior Idol Contestants and the songs they are performing are:
Ron DiVito – “Come What May”
Elizabeth Silva – “All or Nothing”
Lillybeth Hanson – “Try a Little Tenderness”
Nicholas DeCillis – “That’s Life”
Gagz Danzo – “Just a Gigilo”
Cary Weiner – “Don’t Be Cruel”
Randy Litz – “There Ain’t No Way We Were Anymore”
Maureen Caljean – “Get Here”
Lucille Cataldo – “Save The Last Dance For Me”
Darnley Browne – “When I Do My Best”
Don Coy – “Elvis Medley/Blue Suade Shoes/Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”
John Bonomolo – “Unchained Melody”
The winner, selected through the votes of the audience and the judges, will be awarded a $500 prize. This year’s celebrity judges include Dan Grimaldi, star of film and television, along with Reparata, of Reparata and the Delrons.
“Brooklyn is home to many talented seniors who have exhibited singing and dancing abilities at our senior centers and beyond, and I think that this year’s “Senior Idol” will again be a great success full of wonderful entertainment and fun. The previous shows have brought tears and laughter to the audience and I know this year’s show will be no different. So join us and vote for your favorite singer. This is the best $10 dollars you can spend,” said Golden.
The event is slated for 7 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Xaverian High School Auditorium, at 7100 Shore Road, in Bay Ridge.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is $10.00 at the door. ALL proceeds go to support the Xaverian High School music program
