Adams Seeks Apps for FY 2019 Capital Budget
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams yesterday encouraged city agencies, local schools, and non-profit organizations to apply for capital funding from his office for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19).
In FY18, Borough President Adams received a total capital allocation of a little more than $107 million, which he distributed to 245 budget investments across all 18 community districts in Brooklyn.
Highlights of last year’s allocations included $53 million toward schools focused on STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics] education and technology initiatives; $10.5 million toward affordable housing construction and preservation; and $7.8 million toward Brooklyn’s cultural institutions and libraries.
“I look forward to reviewing forward-thinking capital proposals that help Brooklynites enjoy living in a borough with lives that are full and fulfilled,” said Adams. “I take the responsibility of investing taxpayer dollars seriously, especially because I have seen the power that transformational projects can have on the trajectory of our borough. Not only are our capital investments building a future inclusive of every Brooklynite, with safe communities where we raise healthy children and families, they are charting a new and innovative course for urban planning.”
All requests for capital funding must be submitted via Adams’ online capital funding application, which can be found on his website, brooklyn-usa.org. The deadline to submit a request is 11:59 p.m., Monday, Feb. 12.
Savino Trashes Sessions For Marijuana Edict
State Sen. Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Sunset Park, Staten Island) yesterday strongly condemned U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions edict to federal prosecutors to more aggressively enforce federal laws against marijuana in states that have decriminalized its production and sale for recreational use.
“While states are fighting the scourge of dangerous addictive opioids and the havoc they are wreaking on millions of Americans, Washington continues to do nothing. Twenty nine states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to establish legal, regulated safe Medical Cannabis programs, providing real relief and real alternatives to the poison that Washington prefers, opioids. Today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions has announced he and his Justice Department will no longer respect the rights of these states or patients,” said Savino.
“We need action now. The Attorney General does not make laws, he enforces them, Congress makes law. I am calling on the 336 members of Congress who reside in states that have a legal medical cannabis program to stand up and do their job, move to pass legislation to legalize Medical Cannabis, now. I am calling on my leaders, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Dan Donovan to lead the way. Medical Cannabis was achieved in New York and other states by state legislators working together in a bipartisan way to find real relief for real people, Congress needs to do the same now.”
Lander Reminds Constituents About PreK, Kindergarten Registration
City Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) yesterday reminded constituents who have a 3- or 4-year-old at home right now that the deadline to register them for PreK and kindergarten is fast approaching.
The Kindergarten application process is already underway (deadline is next Friday, January 12). And the Pre-Kindergarten application process opens on February 5.
“Most families in NYC go to their zoned school for kindergarten, but there several non-zoned options for Pre-K and K at schools that work to foster integrated student communities. We want to make sure that all families are aware of these options,” said Lander in his newsletter.
“Bringing kids together across lines of race, class and language is one of the greatest promises of our public schools … but one that is far from being fulfilled. That’s why I’ve been working for the past several years with advocates, educators and colleagues to fight school segregation (you can read more about that broader work here). This work is urgently necessary if we believe in equality, and research shows it also results in better education for all our kids.”
Treyger, Deutsch Mourn Death of U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Mihail Golin
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst) and Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) yesterday mourned the death of U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin, whose father resides in southern Brooklyn.
Golin, 34, a Special Forces Green Beret soldier, was killed in a New Year’s Day firefight in eastern Afghanistan, the first U.S. combat fatality of 2018.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and fellow soldiers of Sgt. 1st Class Mihail Golin who died in Afghanistan on Monday while serving our country,” said Treyger and Deutsch in a joint statement. “Like so many Americans, Sgt. Golin was an immigrant, and his courage and fortitude will forever shape our great nation. Our heart goes out to Sgt. Golin’s family, including his father, David Golin, who lives in Brooklyn. It is our sincere hope that he knows how much our community values his son’s heroic service. Let us never forget Sgt. Golin’s bravery, strength, and unwavering commitment to our country.”
Donovan to Honor ROTC Cadet for London Terror Attack Hero
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) and military personnel will award ROTC Cadet and Brooklyn native Mark Kindschuh with the ROTC Medal of Valor for his selfless and exemplary actions in London on June 3, 2017.
Kindschuh, who is a student at Boston College, was studying abroad in London this past summer. While he was out with friends at a restaurant, a group of terrorists attacked pedestrians on the London Bridge and began stabbing people on the street outside the restaurant. With the attack still unfolding around him, Kindschuh ran and tended to a man bleeding profusely from the head, helping save the man’s life.
Donovan will present the medal at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8 at the Fort Hamilton Community Club, Washington Room (entrance to Fort Hamilton is at 101st St and Fort Hamilton Pkwy) in Bay Ridge.
