Rivera, Rosenthal Draft Bill to Turn Down Sirens
Councilwomen Carlina Rivera (D-East Village, Gramercy Park) and Helen Rosenthal (D-Central Park, Lincoln Square) have drafted a bill that would make emergency sirens less abrasive.
The bill, which was introduced last Wednesday, would have police and medical vehicles replace the sirens they use with ones that alternate between two tones – one high, one low – over the course of two years. The bill alleges that the new sirens are just as effective, but far less of a nuisance.
“One of the most frequent noise complaints my office receives is on sirens,” Rivera said in a tweet. “I’m excited to join Helen Rosenthal in introducing a new bill to mandate emergency vehicles switch siren styles to the less invasive two-tone system.”
Brewer Welcomes Harlem Chocolate Factory to the Neighborhood
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer attended a ribbon cutting yesterday for the Harlem Chocolate Factory’s one-year anniversary.
The company, founded in 2014 by Jessica Spaulding, was originally based out of Hot Bread Kitchen’s East Harlem incubator. In February of 2018, she opened her own store in Harlem Striver’s Row. Today, the store provides the neighborhood with a diverse selection of hand-crafted, Harlem-inspired chocolates, given names like “Bodega Dreams”, “Astor Row” and “Across 110th Street”.
“What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than at a ribbon cutting for a new local business?” Brewer said in a tweet. “Congratulations on the official opening of your fabulous flagship store!”
Corey Johnson Says Good Riddance to Amazon
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) released a statement yesterday regarding Amazon’s decision to renege on their plans for a second headquarters in Long Island City.
After a flood of negative feedback, Amazon caved in, cancelled their plans to move into New York and announced that they would be looking elsewhere for their HQ2. Johnson, one of the plan’s biggest critics, said that he hopes this will serve as an example to other companies who want to take root in New York.
“I look forward to working with companies that understand that if you’re willing to engage with New Yorkers and work through challenging issues New York City is the world’s best place to do business,” Johnson said in a statement. “I hope this is the start of a conversation about vulture capitalism and where our tax dollars are best spent. I know I’d choose mass transit over helipads any day.”
