Adams Calls On NYCHA To Spend Savings On Boiler Replacements
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will advocate that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) take the money it saved from converting some of its buildings from oil to natural gas heating systems and put it into emergency boiler repairs and conversions into some of its other properties which has lacked heat this winter.
According to a Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) study, NYCHA utility costs fell by $48 million from 2013 to 2016, largely due to lower natural gas prices as buildings were converted from oil to natural gas heating systems.
Adams will join with NYCHA tenants today as they share their personal stories of being impacted by the heating crisis, in advance of Tuesday’s City Council oversight hearing on chronic heat and hot water failures in public housing,
Adams will further recommend efforts to better utilize existing City resources, as he admonishes the State and Federal governments for underfunding NYCHA for decades. He will also discuss proposals to expedite the bureaucratic procurement process, such as an emergency declaration and the implementation of design-build contracts, as well as greater real-time transparency and communication with residents on the progress of development repairs.
Adams and the tenants will rally on these issues at 11:30 a.m., today, Feb. 5 at the Gowanus Houses Community Center, 420 Baltic Street in Boerum Hill.
Malliotakis Hosts Presidents’ Day Essay Contest
Assembly member Nicole Malliotakis (R,C,I-Brooklyn/Staten Island) will host a Presidents’ Day essay contest for students in Brooklyn and Staten Island to commemorate the holiday this year.
Elementary school students in grades 3 through 5 are encouraged to participate and write essays about what they would do if they were president to improve our community. Each participant will receive a certificate of merit from Malliotakis and contest winners will join her for a pizza party in her office in March.
“I’m happy to announce my Presidents’ Day essay contest and encourage teachers and parents to have their elementary school students participate as a way to foster an interest in civics. I look forward to hearing from students how they would change their communities for the better,” said Malliotakis.
“At a time when political divisiveness is so evident in our culture, it will be refreshing to
hear positive ideas from our local children and hopefully get them engaged in community service,” added Malliotakis.
All essays must be received by Friday, February 23. Submissions can be sent by email to
NYSAssembly60@gmail.com
Colton Demands Cuomo Budget Increase Educational Funding
Assembly member William Colton (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) has begun a new petition to garner support for more school funding to high needs school districts in the wake of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal.
The aim of the petition is to get Cuomo to fund high needs schools who have suffered from decades of inequity and shortchanging. Colton is hoping to give these school back funding in the form of billions of dollars.
Earlier this month, Cuomo announced his proposal to scale back a spending boost for elementary and secondary education from a previously planned 4 percent jump to a 3 percent increase. According to initial reports, school aid would increase $769 million for the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year from the previously promised to increase $1.2 billion. At a PTA Meeting in Coney Island last week, Colton sounded an alarm to educators and parents to fight for the lost funds before the March 31st state budget vote and before the expected deficits take effect next year.
“We need to demand that those billions of dollars be repaid to our children. Parents need to rise up with their voices and demand it. There are many people in state government against it. They feel that with the deficit, this is the best they can do, but it is not good enough. Parents have to say it’s not acceptable. We have to put in our best effort and flood Albany with our demands and voices,” said Colton.
“Bring the high needs school districts up to the level of those well-funded school districts, so that the higher share would be everybody’s fair share. I think that’s the right commitment to make because children should be our priority. Give them the same quality, the same services, the same monies. We have an obligation to our families,” added Colton.
The petitions are available at his district office at 155 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY 11223 and also on his website: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/William-Colton
Persaud Celebrates Black History Month
Senator Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) celebrated the start of Black History Month last week.
Originating in 1926 as “Negro History Week,” historian Carter G. Woodson chose February for this celebration because the second week of the month marks the birthdays of both President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the week of recognition and celebration was later extended to the entire month of February.
“It is important to take time this month to reflect upon, and celebrate, the priceless contributions of African Americans to our community, state and nation,” Senator Persaud said. “Black History Month serves as an important reminder of our continued and shared fight for greater social and economic justice for all,” said Persaud.
“I encourage everyone to build upon the legacy of those who have paved the way before us. Let us celebrate diversity. Let us engage with our neighbor and build a community of tolerance and respect for all. I strongly encourage all New Yorkers to embrace the African American experience and take part in Black History Month celebrations and remembrances in our community,” added Persaud.
Golden’s “Survivor of the Bravest” License Plate Bill To Be Enacted
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I,Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend and parts of Sheepshead Bay, Borough Park and Midwood) announced that his legislation to create a license plate commemoration program for firefighters killed in the line of duty will be enacted this week.
Today, the State Senate will enact S. 226, that would authorize the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (NY DMV) to issue “Survivor of the Bravest” license plates. The license plate would be issued to family members of firefighters killed in the line of duty and would celebrate the sacrifice made by the firefighters in communities throughout New York State.
“The “Survivor of the Bravest” license plates will recognize the many contributions, the bravery and the valuable services performed by firefighters. These license plates would be a small token of our appreciation to the family members of these incredible public servants and recognize all those who have lost their lives while protecting New Yorkers,” said Golden.
“The attacks of September 11th took the lives of many firefighters who were called upon to rescue victims and protect New Yorkers. If adopted this session by the State Legislature, this would be another way for the families of all of New York’s Bravest to heal and pay tribute to these heroic firefighters,” added Senator Golden.
Brannan Decries Dyker Heights Senior Center Eviction Plan
Council member Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach) along with fellow elected officials and community leaders rallied outside The Angel Guardian Home in support of the Narrows Senior Center last week.
Earlier this year, The Sisters of Mercy, owners of The Angel Guardian Home, announced the closure of the building, giving the Narrows Senior Center until Feb. 2 to vacate, a date months ahead of their June lease agreement. According to reports, the building houses a daily senior program including meals. The Catholic Charities organization says it might relocate all of the senior center members to another location at 930 53rd St., which is a little over a mile away.
The building was recently sold to a secret buyer, that many believe is a developer. Shortly after the rally, on Friday, the Narrows Senior Center learned that it would be able to stay in the Angel Guardian Home until May 15, 2018 after reaching an agreement with the Sisters of Mercy.
“On this cold February day, seniors could be seeing their last day at the Angel Guardian Home. And what’s going to happen to here next week that is so important that we must send the seniors out into the cold? Nothing! The sale is not even complete! We don’t even know who is buying the property or what they plan to do with it. I will tell you one thing: we aren’t seeing any mercy today and for that the Sisters of Mercy should be ashamed. They are spitting in the face of this community,” said Brannan.
“The Narrows Senior Center should be allowed to stay here at Angel Guardian until their lease, which everybody agreed upon, runs out in June. You wanna kick us out to bulldoze this place and build more luxury condos? Knock yourself out. But we will not let you kick our seniors into the cold and whatever happens to this property, the community will be watching,” added Brannan.
