BP Adams Applauds NYS Comptroller Dinapoli’s BK 2018 Economic SnapShot
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams applauded New York State Comptroller Thomas Napoli’s recent 2018 Economic Snapshot of Brooklyn over the weekend.
Over the weekend, DiNapoli released an economic overview of the boroughs recent growth that included a look the population, economic wealth and diverse makeup of Kings County. Some of the major findings, included in the report were that Brooklyn’s population has grown by
19 percent since 1980, reaching 2.6 million in 2017 (31 percent of the City’s total population) and that nearly 1 million immigrants resided in the borough in 2016 (36 percent of the population), amongst other things.
“Today, I’m pleased that his updated analysis shows that the County of Kings continues to outpace the nation with our thriving job market, burgeoning tech sector, and a cultural landscape that is the envy of the world, attracting an estimated 15 million visitors every year. I’m proud of the efforts our administration has taken to increase investment in our borough, develop emerging industries, and connect more Brooklynites to college and career success. We are the economic engine that drives New York City, New York State, and indeed America,” said Adams.
“We can’t build up buildings without building up the people who are the foundation of everything that matters to our borough’s future. Our mission is to create much-needed affordable housing, rebuild our public transit network, provide support for our immigrant small businesses, and strengthen our tech pipeline that trains today’s residents for tomorrow’s jobs. I hope the next snapshot of Brooklyn’s economy illustrates true progress in these efforts,” added Adams.
Treyger Announces Fun Day At Scarangella Park
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) announced a Two-in-One “Fun Day” at Scarangella Park over the weekend.
On Friday, Treyger invited local residents to join him at the community park for two upcoming free events: Fitness Festival 2018 and Movie Night featuring Black Panther.
The Fitness Festival will give local residents of all ages an opportunity to enjoy fun activities that are educational and promote positive health outcomes and includes a series of guided how-to classes on nutrition, yoga, dance fitness, skaterobics, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training). Attendees will also have access to fitness stations, where they can use a variety of exercise equipment and engage in core work, agility training, stretching, calisthenics, toddler training, etc.
The event will be followed by a viewing of the blockbuster hit, Black Panther starring
starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker and Martin Freeman. Both events are free and open to the public.
Treyger has secured funding totaling over $11 million, including $2.25 million in the Fiscal Year 2019 city budget, for a redesign and renovation of Scarangella Park and Lafayette Playground, located just across the street. Alongside, the NYC Parks Department, Treyger will hold community meetings to give local residents and stakeholders an opportunity to be part of the design and planning process.
“There’s no better way to spend a beautiful summer day than taking advantage of our community’s green spaces, having fun, getting active, learning how to get in shape and take better care of our health before kicking back with friends, family, and neighbors while watching a thrilling movie that everyone has been talking about,” said Treyger.
The event is slated to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 30 at Scarangella Park (Stillwell Avenue/West 13th Street between Avenues U and V) in Gravesend.
Mosley Denounces Sports Gambling Legislation
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) announced his disdain for a recent bill aimed at rewarding the National Football League in regards to betting.
On Friday, Mosley denounced a measure allowing gambling facilities to accept sports betting, in regards to its potential to create revenue for the Nation Football League. In recent weeks, the controversial sports league announced a new National Anthem policy that requires players to stand if they are on the field during the national anthem performance or experience the iconic presentation in the locker room.
The announcement comes in response to NFL player’s silent protest, or kneeling, during the National Anthem, as a way to protest racial inequality in America. In 2016, former San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick first made headlines for refusing to stand for the U.S.’s patriotic song as a way to bring attention to police violence against people of color.
“The issue of gambling facilities accepting sports betting is more complex than at face value. The NFL, which is one of the organizations that has a vested interest in such legislation, also has a history of exploiting their athletes. Considering the impact that sports gambling has to benefit the NFL, I decided to vote against the legislation,” said Mosley.
“The NFL should not be rewarded by the state legislature in light of the decisions they have made to suppress the free speech of their players of color. We must send a message that silencing people of color while profiting off them is unacceptable,” added Mosley.
Deutsch Announces Major Budgetary Wins for New York City Veterans
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Midwood), Chairman of the Veteran’s Committee, announced a $1 million dollar increase in the City’s Veteran’s Initiative last Friday.
The new budgetary victory will bring the City’s total initiative investment to $2.3 million. The initiative will fund veterans’ healthcare, job training and placement, housing assistance, social services, counseling, alternative medical treatments, legal aid, and support for Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day parades.
Additionally, Deutsch announced budgeting that 12,000 New York City student veterans will qualify for reduced-fare MetroCards, as part of the Fair Fares budget allocation. The Fair Fares initiative will fund reduced-fare MetroCards for low-income New Yorkers.
“Speaker Johnson has made it clear that New York City veterans are a foremost priority for him. He has been a steady partner in advocacy to raise our financial commitment to veterans, and I’m very honored to serve under his leadership in this new Council,” said Deutsch.
Menchaca Reacts To Fire Damage At Historic Bowne Storehouse
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park) reacted to the recent fire damage at the historic Red Hook Bowne Storehouse.
Over the weekend, the historical S.W. Bowne Grain Storehouse, on went up in flames, after a two alarm fire went off on Thursday night. The fire occurred after the Red Hook community raised alarms about recent, potentially illegal construction activity on the roof of the facility and community leaders took steps to start land marking the building. The red brick structure was built in 1886 and is an example of the Gowanus area’s rich maritime history.
According to Mencacha’s office no one was injured at the blaze and the structure was still left in tact. However, the local lawmaker wants the owner’s of the property to cease recent construction and renovation efforts to the historical site.
“While I’m reassured that there is an active fire investigation, I also call for full public disclosure of its findings about the cause of the fire. I am also calling on the Department of Buildings to make a thorough review of permits and violations at the site and to hold the owner accountable for a long series of irresponsible activities there,” said Menchaca.
“The owner of this property, the Chetrit Group, has willfully neglected it and created a local nuisance for many years. Before the fire, my office was engaged with issues like sub-standard fencing, decrepit sidewalk sheds, unpermitted construction and demolition, and illegal dumping there. I also place the owners of this property on notice: I will not allow demolition by neglect or fire to prompt zoning changes that allow residential or other non-manufacturing uses at this site in Red Hook’s Industrial Business Zone,” added Menchaca.
