CM Williams Appears In Court Following Kavanaugh Protest Arrest
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) alongside members of the National Action Network will appear in court today following their arrest during a protest of U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
In July, Williams along with six activists were arrested outside of Trump Tower as nominee Kavanaugh was announced. President Donald Trump’s SCOTUS nominee is facing sexual assault allegations stemming from an incident as a Freshman at Yale University.
After, the court appearance, the group of protesters will discuss the importance of their civil disobedience in a bid to oppose Kavanaugh’s confirmation from Senate Republicans.
The event is slated for 9:30 a.m., today, Sept. 24, at 1 Centre Street in Lower Manhattan.
Carroll Urges Residents To Attend MTA Town Hall
Assembly member Bobby Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Ditmas Park) urged local residents to attend the upcoming Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA)-sponosred town hall in which the MTA will present their Fast Forward plan to modernize the subway and bus system.
The Fast Forward plan aims to improve the city’s train and bus service over the next 10 years through updates in signal segments, station management, and the fare payment system.
MTA President Andy Byford will be at the town hall and it will give local residents an opportunity to learn more about the plan that is set to invest $8 million into the struggling transit authority.
The event is slated for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Medgar Evers College, at 1638 Bedford Avenue in Crown Heights.
Deutsch Hosts Street Co-Naming In Honor of Local Store Owner
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) hosted a street co-naming ceremony last week in honor of a local resident, Lester Kronfeld.
Kronfeld founded the iconic “Lester’s” on Avenue U and Coney Island Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, a local staple in the neighborhood.
Lester was a United States veteran who served in the Navy with distinction during the Second World War, including on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. When Lester opened his store on Coney Island Avenue in 1948, he built his business from the ground up. Lester’s mixture of humor and warmth made him a lovable figure to Brooklynites, and he grew his store into the landmark it is today.
“The corner of Avenue U and Coney Island Avenue will forever stand as a tribute to Lester Kronfeld’s legacy,” said Deutsch.
Clarke Denounces Fatal Shooting Of 16-Year-Old in Brownsville
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Park Slope, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Brownsville) and Dan Donovan (R-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island)) denounced the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Oluwadurotimi Oyebola, who was killed while playing basketball last week.
On Friday, the teen was shot at a playground at Chester Street and Sutter Avenue in the Brownsville section just before 4 p.m, according to initial reports. Oyebola was later rushed to Brookdale Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police do not believe Oyebola, who was playing basketball with some friends at the time, was the intended target. Officials are still unaware if the teenager’s friends were the intended target either.
“I am heartbroken and devastated by another senseless murder of a young man in our community. Timi, as he is affectionately known, was only sixteen years old and a high school student at Brooklyn Ascend High School. It is crucial that those responsible for this heinous crime are apprehended and brought to justice,” said Clarke.
“I urge the Brownsville community to remain vigilant and contact local law enforcement with any information that may help solve this crime. Let us keep the Oyebola family in our thoughts and prayers as they face this very difficult time of bereavement,” added Clarke.
Persaud’s Focused Efforts to Bring Services to the District
State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) is focusing her efforts to ensure that constituents of the 19th State Senate district are receiving vital information and services to improve their overall well-being.
Over the course of the last week, Persaud has hosted several events that have brought city agencies to the community including a Homeowners and Tenants Enrollment event and a mobile office hours.
Persaud in partnership with the NYC Department of Finance hosted a Homeowners and Tenants Enrollment Event at the Canarsie Library. The event provided an opportunity for homeowners to apply for tax exemptions to lower their property tax bill. Tenants who are seniors, as well as people with disabilities had the opportunity to apply for Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) or Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE). Participants who had previously registered for the appointment met with staff from the Department of Finance who guided them through the process of enrollment.
The mobile office offered constituent services as well as resources from other city and state agencies. The constituents received information about other upcoming events and took advantage of the opportunity to sign up for much needed services.
“There are many reasons why people lack pertinent information and access to basic services they need. A better understanding of the different services available and how to reach them can improve their quality of life and help them to remain empowered,” said Persaud.
Reynoso Demands NYC Legalize E-Scooters Ahead of Imminent L Train Shutdown
City Council member Antonio Reynoso (D-Williamsburg-Bushwick) will join with community members to call for the legalization of electric scooters in NYC today.
Reynoso will join with members from e-scooter company BIRD to push for legalization of the transportation alternative. BIRD is currently working with the city council to bring a scooter sharing program, similar to City Bike, to all five boroughs.
Additionally, legislation was recently introduced into the city council that would create a program that would place electric scooters for rental across the city. Electric scooters are completely motorized and do not emit any fumes, creating an environmentally sound transportation alternative.
Legalizing and embracing them can help fill the gaps in the City’s current transportation system including decreasing car usage, adding viable transportation options in areas considered transit desserts.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Sept. 24, at La Guardia Park (entrance at Corner of Borinquen Place and Havemeyer Street) in Williamsburg.
