Clarke Denounces GOP’s Short-Term Continuing Resolution
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Brownsville, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay) NY-09) yesterday denounced the House vote to fund the federal government until January 19, 2018, which she voted against.
“Congressional Republicans spent an entire year fighting for special interest giveaways and against ordinary Americans. The GOP prioritized tax cuts for lobbyists, corporations that ship jobs overseas and political donors over dealing with the urgent, overdue priorities for the American people,” said Clarke.
“Republicans failed to prioritize children’s healthcare, emergency disaster funding for all hurricane- and wildfire-impacted communities, saving Americans’ pensions, and the passage of a bipartisan DREAM Act.
“Republicans have no real plan for our country and today’s vote demonstrates just how vacuous their promises are. I hope that voters will remember this in the coming months,” the lawmaker added.
AM Williams Brings Santa To PS 276
Assembly Member Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) this week hosted a pre-Christmas celebration along with the staff of and faculty of PS 276 in Canarsie for all of their kindergarten classes.
With the gym decorated in the festive colors of the month and the juice boxes, and pizza pies flowing from the new kosher Original Pizza, Williams read aloud to the wide-eyed students sitting in attendance.
With Santa assuredly preparing for the Christmas holiday, a wonderful surrogate was playing the role of Santa, Detective Dean Elmore of The NYPD Community Affairs Outreach Bureau stepped up and helped distribute the gifts and smiles to all those in attendance. Fellow New York City Police Department Officers were acting as Santa’s personal helpers and special elves to make sure that the presents were properly distributed to the students in attendance.
“In this holiday season, when so many children may not receive a present on Christmas Day, these small gifts given to all of the wonderful kindergarteners makes a world of difference in their lives. Their appreciation is not shown in words but in their pure hearted gestures of hugs and smiles,” said Williams.
Greenfield Thanks OHEL at Chanukah Celebration
City Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Boro Park, Flatbush, Bensonhurst) this week received thanks from the OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services for children and adults with developmental disabilities in Boro Park at their blow-out Chanukah party.
“OHEL is grateful for the significant funding secured by New York City Councilman David Greenfield for the new Jaffa Family Campus being constructed in Flatbush,” said OHEL CEO David Mandel. “The new OHEL campus responds to the increasing and diverse mental health and primary care needs of the community effectively under one roof.”
Greenfield made a brief speech saluting thanking OHEL staff, including C.E.O. David Mandel and Chief Administrative Officer Amy Bierig.
“I couldn’t miss a wonderful event like this, put on specifically for the enjoyment of families, by a group that does such wonderful work throughout New York,” Greenfield said. “OHEL invited me to thank me for my work for OHEL Family Campus. However, I came to OHEL to thank them for giving me the opportunity to secure millions in funding for its future. OHEL is one of the most important and vital organizations serving the Jewish community.”
Since first taking office in 2010, Greenfield has secured well over $6 million in funding for their new Jaffa Family Campus on Avenue M.
“If you give the best organizations the best resources, you can do a world of good,” Greenfield said.
Weinstein Congratulates EDC Grant Recipients
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (D-Flatlands, Sheepshead Bay), the newly appointed Chair of the Assembly’s Ways and Means Committee, was on hand last week to congratulate recipients of Regional Economic Development Council Grants.
The state grants, this year totaling more than $755 million, are awarded based on a more reliable and fair community-based and performance-driven economic model.
“The people understand the needs of their communities and know what’s best for their economy,” said Weinstein. “This bottom up approach ensures that New York State is tapping into local assets and is having the largest possible impact with taxpayer dollars.”
A wide variety of projects in New York City’s 5 boroughs will be receiving $64.8 million and included among the Brooklyn based recipients are:
- $800,000 towards the development of a 2+ acre site which would provide public access to a breathtaking panoramic view from atop a steep slope formerly inaccessible to visitors of the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.
- $1.5 million for the development and construction of a 15,000-square foot outdoor learning center at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
- $100,000 for skills training in Microsoft Office Applications for the unemployed/underemployed through the Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush.
- $100,000 to facilitate the Red Hook on the Road program at Leap Inc., which trains men and women for commercial driving careers.
- $500,000 towards the construction of the Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library Business and Career Center, which will feature free computers and IT online learning platforms, meeting rooms and co-working areas, career workshops, job fairs and business plan classes.
A full list of REDC Grant Recipients can be found at: https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/2017AwardsREDCRound7Bookletjunys.pdf
Nadler Elected Ranking Member of House Judiciary Committee
U.S Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Western Brooklyn, Manhattan) this week was elected the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, and upon doing so, gave the following remarks.
“This is a critical time in our nation’s history, and the work of the Democrats on the Judiciary Committee is more important than ever. Our efforts—to hold the Administration and those wishing to turn back history’s long arc towards justice accountable—are central to the defense of progress and democracy. We must fight to protect the rule of law, strengthen our safety and security from enemies foreign and domestic, shield Americans’ rights and liberties from encroachment, and guarantee that all people, no matter their age, race, gender, religion, ability, finances, nationality, or sexual orientation, are treated fairly and equally.
“As Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, I will do everything in my power to pursue these important goals, and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Committee in continuing the march towards justice. Together, we will fiercely defend and support civil rights and civil liberties for all Americans. It is our obligation to be steadfast in working for criminal justice reform, to be vigilant in protecting women’s rights, including the right to an abortion, promote greater equality for members of the LGBTQ community, to demand action on common sense gun laws, to support consumers and oversee antitrust concerns, and to hold the Trump Administration accountable for its destructive policies and unprecedented misconduct. This Committee has a responsibility to uphold our laws and ensure justice. My job moving forward—along with every other member of our Committee—is to advance those principles, and I look forward to taking on those challenges together.”
