Hamilton Extends Free Lead Testing Initiative
State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) and KāMIN Health Crown Heights Urgent Care have announced yesterday the extension of their free lead testing for children initiative into February.
Thus far, the program has provided free lead testing services for more than 100 children. Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and can suffer profound and permanent adverse health effects, particularly affecting the development of the brain and nervous system. Lead also causes long-term harm in adults, including increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage.
The initiative was launched late last year in the wake of a Department of Investigation (DOI) report that proved the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Chairperson Sola Olatoye failed to do critical lead safety inspections in about 55,000 units and then falsely certified that the agency was in compliance.
“Free lead testing for children is especially important now because of the public health hazard NYCHA caused by filing false paperwork on lead inspections for four years. We must continue to mobilize as a community to ensure all parents have access to the information they need to make decisions about their children’s health. We must continue to take action and keep all our children healthy.” said Hamilton.
Testing is available for children in February regardless of insurance coverage. Due to demand, testing will be by appointment; opening hours for KāMIN Health are Mon to Fri: 8am to 10pm, Sat: 4pm to 11pm, Sun: 9am to 10pm – located at 555 Lefferts Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11225.
Carroll’s Legislation To Change Fall 2018 Primary Date Passes
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) announced that the Assembly passed his bill A8917-A, that will change this fall’s 2018 Primary Date.
The new legislation will require that the 2018 fall primary be held on Thursday, September 13 from the original Sept. 11 date, to ensure that all New Yorkers who choose to are able to participate in the electoral process.
The original date fell during the holiday of Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year, that would have prevented many voters from casting their vote. For religious Jews any form of secular work, including voting, on Rosh Hashanah is forbidden.
“New York State law requires that the state primary election be held on the first Tuesday after the second Monday in September. This year, that date is September 11th, which is also the second day of Rosh Hashanah, marking the Jewish New Year. As was done in previous years, this measure recognizes and respects the significance of the anniversary of the September 11th attacks and the Jewish holiday,” noted Carroll.
“This legislation helps to safeguard the inclusivity of our state’s electoral process by being mindful of the needs of every New Yorker,” added Carroll.
Donovan Joins Congressional Lyme Disease Caucus
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced that he joined the Congressional Lyme Disease Caucus chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-4) and Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-7)yesterday.
The bipartisan group of lawmakers works together on policies to improve research, treatment, and awareness of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. The caucus has successfully advocated for Lyme research funding through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program and actively works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the issue.
According to data from the CDC, Richmond County and Kings County had a combined total of 115 reported Lyme disease cases from 2000-2003. That number grew to 1,541 reported cases between 2013 and 2016. In late 2016, with Donovan’s support, Congress passed the 21st Century Cures Act, which mandated a Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Working Group at the CDC.
Last November, alongside Rep. John Faso (NY-19), Donovan cosponsored the Lyme Disease Research Stamp Act. The legislation creates a semipostal stamp whose proceeds go to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for Lyme disease research.
“Tick-borne diseases are only getting worse in our community. The medical field has a lot of work to do, but they need lawmakers to deliver the required resources and right policies. I thank Bob Sabatino for working with me so diligently, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues in the Lyme disease caucus to deliver solutions to this growing health crisis,” said Donovan.
Savino, NY Italian-American Legislators Announce 2018 Scholarship
State Senator Diane Savino (D-Bensonhurst, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Dyker Heights, Gravesend, Sunset Park, Staten Island) alongside The New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators announced that they are now accepting applications for college scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year.
Two Academic and Two Athletic Scholarships are offered in the amount of $3,000 each. The winners will receive their awards at this year’s Italian American Day on June 4th, in Albany and recipients must be present to accept them.
Requirements for the Academic Scholarship are the student’s grade point average, higher education interest and goals, community involvement and individual need. Students who apply for the Athletic Scholarship have to demonstrate athletic involvement, achievements and interest in continuing those activities in college.
“The Conference of Italian American State Legislators has awarded these scholarships for 15 years. The dream to pursue a higher education should not be marred by the inability to pay, and it is truly my honor to commend such well deserving students from my district,” said Savino.
To obtain an application, call State Senator Savino’s District Office at 718-727-9406. Applications are due no later than April 13th, 2018.
Golden Launches Petition To Keep Convict Behind Bars
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I,) will join colleagues and representatives of various law enforcement agencies to call on the New York State Board of Parole to deny the release of Herman Bell from prison this week.
On Wednesday, Golden will demand that Bell remain behind bars for his role in the 1971 murder of two New York City police officers.
Officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones were lured to a Harlem housing project by a bogus 911 call on May 21, 1971 where they were ambushed, shot and killed. Officer Jones died instantly from a gunshot to the head. Officer Piagentini, who begged for his life, was shot 22 times by the suspects and died on his way to the hospital.
Herman Bell, Anthony Bottom and Albert Washington were convicted of the two murders and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in 1979. A parole hearing for Bell is scheduled for the end of this month, his seventh since 2004. Bottom has a parole hearing set for June. Washington died in prison.
The event is slated for 2 p.m, Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Ampry-Samuel To Open District Office In March, Chair 1st NYCHA Hearing
City Council member Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-Brownsville, East New York) will open up her district office next month.
The newly inaugurated council woman is a former Democratic District Leader and Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Latrice Walker (D-Walker). The district office is currently in the process of being built in East New York.
Just last month, Ampry-Samuel was appointed chair of the Public Housing Committee, who will hold its first public hearing of the year today to examine the failures of the New York City Housing Authority’s (NYCHA) boilers across the City.
The joint hearing with the Committee on Oversight and Investigation entitled “The Chronic Heat and Hot Water Failures in NYCHA Housing,” comes as Ampry-Samuel discovered that 80% of residents were without heat during the current heating season.
“In discovering this recent data, I am appalled by the numbers we just received. The mere fact that 80% of NYCHA residents went without heat and hot water this winter is absolutely irresponsible. While I understand that NYCHA is undergoing financial obstacles, it is inexcusable that the residents have to endure cold nights as well as use dangerous equipment to stay warm,” said Ampry-Samuel.
“The residents of NYCHA are my top priority and during this hearing, I will demand the agency provide answers to critical questions. I look forward to hearing what NYCHA has to say about this horrific data that was presented.”
The committee meeting is slated for 10 am., today, Feb. 6, in the Council Chambers at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Ampry-Samuel’s District office is set for an early March opening and will be located at 400 Rockaway Avenue on the Ground Floor.
