Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move Oct. 27, 2017

News Site Brooklyn

Espinal, Dilan, Cypress Hills Community Demand End to Small Biz Ticket Blitz

City Councilman Rafael Espinal Jr.
Sen. Martin Dilan

City Council Member Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, East New York Cypress Hills) and  State Senator Martin Dilan (D-Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Cypress Hills, City-Line, East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville) today Will join the Cypress Hills community to call a halt to a ticket blitz of local small businesses.

The lawmakers and activists say a good many of the tickets are for Inexplicable Signage Issues.

Since 2015, over 80 businesses in Cypress Hills, particularly along the Fulton Street Corridor and Liberty Avenue, have received heavy fines for awning issues that were never a problem before. In the past year the violations have only intensified. The vast majority of these local businesses are owned and run by immigrant New Yorkers who are already struggling to stay afloat and cannot afford the $5,000- $20,000 they have received in unexpected fines.

In 2005 the City of New York passed a moratorium, temporarily halting enforcement of building signage violations. Yet, with no warning or any information on how to comply with the law once the moratorium would expire, the Department of Buildings DOB has issued violations to over 80 businesses in the same area of the neighborhood.

The lawmakers are calling on the City to take the following actions: 1) reinstate the moratorium; 2) offer a cure period to those in the process of dealing with the violations; 3) explore opportunities for restitution for those affected by the moratorium’s lapse.

A press conference on the issue is slated for 9 a.m., today, Friday, Oct. 27 at 3095 Fulton Street (and Hale Avenue).

De Blasio Commissioners, Lander Consult With Small Biz To Get ADA Compliant

City Council Member Brad Lander

NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop, the Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities Commissioner Victor Calise and City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) today will announce new measures the city will take to help small business owners comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

SBS offers free, on-site compliance consultations to help small business owners comply with regulations and avoid costly fines and penalties. These consultations will now cover common ADA violations and additional compliance information.

The press event is part of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s City Hall in Your Borough Brooklyn leg of his tour.

The event is slated for 9.m. today, Oct. 27 outside of the Stone Park Café, 324 5th Avenue, Park Slope.


Donovan Applauds Trump Declaring Opioid Epidemic A National Emergency

Congressman Dan Donovan

Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday released the below statement following President Trump’s formal declaration that the opioid epidemic is a national emergency.

Donovan, who was at White House during the announcement, has long been a proponent of supporting measures to battle opioid addiction, which has taken the lives of many in his district.

“With an estimated 91 Americans dying each day from opioid overdoses, it’s clear that we are facing a devastating public health crisis. Today’s speech made it clear that the administration will take all steps necessary to confront addiction head on, and I commend President Trump’s action to officially declare the opioid crisis impacting families across the country a national emergency,” said Donovan.

“Too many lives have been lost to this deadly epidemic here on Staten Island and Brooklyn, and we must continue to support local treatment, education, and enforcement initiatives. This declaration not only raises necessary awareness about addiction, it will also provide additional resources to end this epidemic and save lives. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress, as well as the Trump Administration, to implement policies that combat drug abuse, support recovery, and stop the flow of illegal drugs into our neighborhoods.”


Cymbrowitz Announces Site For National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz

Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) is encouraging residents with unused or expired prescription drugs to bring them to the 61st Precinct tomorrow as part of National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day.

Studies show that most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Cymbrowitz helped craft New York’s first legislative package to address heroin and opioid abuse. He continues to advocate for accessible and permanent drug collection sites where residents can dispose of unused prescription medications.

“Take-Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue,” said Cymbrowitz, former Chair of the Assembly’s Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee. “Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse.”

Residents can take their old prescriptions for safe disposal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 28  to the 61st Police Precinct, 2575 Coney Island Avenue in Sheepshead Bay.


Eugene Stands Up For TPS, DACA Immigrants

City Council Member Mathieu Eugene

City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, Ditmas Park) will join immigration advocates, elected officials, clergy members, and constituents on Sunday to call on the federal government to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and other countries, and to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients from deportation.

Eugene will also re-launch an online petition requesting that the Department of Homeland Security grant an 18-month extension  for both TPS recipients and to protect the DACA  Program.

The on-line petition comes as DHS next month will formally declare if it will keep the 6-month extension in place or if it will grant a longer extension to TPS recipients.

“Haiti cannot withstand an influx of over 58,000 people, who would be forced to return to the country if TPS is not extended,” said Council Member Eugene. “That is why I am asking the community to sign this petition and let the federal government know that we need to continue this humanitarian gesture. TPS recipients are valued members of our community; they hold jobs and work hard to contribute to our community, our city, and our country.

“We are also here to support the DREAMERS, young people in the immigrant community who came here with their families in pursuit of the American dream. This is their homeland, we must do all we can to ensure that their ability to receive an education and pursue their career ambitions is protected under the DACA program,” he added.

The Announcement is slated for 1:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29 outside of Holy Cross RC Church, 2530 Church Avenue in Flatbush. 


Greenfield Offers Free Legal Advice

City Councilman David Greenfield

City Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Boro Park, Bensonhurst, Midwood) is once again offering his constituents access to free legal help from the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), who will park their mobile van in front of his office on Monday.

“Everyone has legal needs, not just the rich, yet it’s often only the very rich who can afford attorney fees. That’s not right,” Greenfield said. “I love being able to offer these great attorneys’ expertise to my neighbors completely free, no strings attached.”

NYLAG lawyers provide confidential legal advice at no cost on issues such as housing, identity theft, divorce, child custody, advance planning, and government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and food stamps.

Greenfield hosted the community’s first NYLAG mobile legal assistance day four years ago, and the mobile van has made regular visits to his Boro Park office ever since. However, with Greenfield stepping down  at the end of the year to lead the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, it’s unclear whether the program will be continued at this location.

“If you have any legal question, now is the time to ask it,” Greenfield said. “If not now, when?”

The mobile van will be parked outside Greenfield’s office from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, Oct. 30 on 45th Street and 16th Avenue in Boro Park. Anyone interested in taking advantage of these legal services is encouraged to make an appointment at https://mobilelegalhelpcenter.acuityscheduling.com.

Additionally, the Councilman sponsors free immigration-related legal services in his district office twice a month in partnership with City University of New York Citizenship Now. Anyone interested in is encouraged to call the Councilman’s district office at (718) 853-2704 to schedule an appointment.