Kavanagh Questions Brooklyn Bridge Park Scaffolding
State Sen. Brian Kavanagh (D-Northwestern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) was the lead lawmaker in firing off a recent letter to Deputy Mayor Vicki Been questioning the scaffolding that has been up for nearly 18 months in Brooklyn Bridge Park beneath the Manhattan Bridge and requested a permanent solution to resolve any safety concerns.
In addition to Kavanagh, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Northern Brooklyn lawmakers U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon and City Councilmember Stephen Levin signed off on the letter.
“It is our understanding that, in March 2018, Brooklyn Bridge Park erected this temporary scaffolding in the section of the park beneath the Manhattan Bridge after debris was found in that section of the Park. While the Park was unable to determine with certainty whether the origin of the debris was from the Bridge, the subway that runs across the Bridge, or neither of those sources, this precaution seemed reasonable in light of a prior incident in which debris was known to have fallen from the Bridge. Since then, Brooklyn Bridge Park had been working with DOT and MTA to find a way to protect the Park from similar instances in the future,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Given that the scaffolding has been up for nearly 18 months, we would appreciate insight into the extent to which a safety concern persists, which entity might be responsible, and what is currently being done to resolve the matter. We urge the relevant parties to identify a permanent solution that will resolve any safety concerns and enable Brooklyn Bridge Park to remove the scaffolding,” the letter added.
There was no reported response from the city at post time.
Colton Alerts Homeowners With Green Sidewalk/Curb Markings
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Dyker Heights) announced yesterday that his office has received numerous complaints and concerns from neighborhood homeowners, asking about the meaning of the green sidewalk markings in front of their property.
Residents are afraid of potential bills from the City, similar to their neighbors who had the orange markings on their properties. This prompted Colton and his team to go out and observe the green markings on various locations.
The answer is the city’s Environmental Protection (DEP) is in the process of installing thousands of Green Infrastructures (Rain Gardens) all across New York City. These Rain Gardens were designed to have one or two curb cuts that will allow stormwater to flow in or out. The DEP believes the installation of these new Rain Gardens will reduce ponding on the sidewalks as the water will be collected and absorbed into the gardens, as well as provide summer shade, clean air, and promote biodiversity with newly installed trees and landscaping.
Although the DEP claims its staff will continually inspect, maintain, and clean the rain garden after the construction is complete, Colton noted, “the City has a reputation of not being up to par with their maintenance. As city streets vary from gradation, some homeowners fear their property will have significantly more ponding than others and will potentially flood into their homes.”
Homeowners of a one-, two-, or three-family house may request to Opt-Out from this Rain Garden construction if they meet one of the conditions below:
- A resident with a valid parking permit for people with disabilities, issued by the NYC Department of Transportation, resides in your home
- An in-ground sprinkler system has been installed in the grass strip along the curb in front of your home
If a homeowner meets one of the conditions above, they must notify DEP within 30 calendar days of receiving the construction notification letter by calling (718) 595-7599, emailing raingardens@dep.nyc.gov, or completing the Rain Garden Opt-Out Form on the DEP website https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/rain-garden-opt-out.page.
For more information about the DEP’s Green Infrastructures or for assistance regarding green sidewalk markings, please contact Assemblyman Colton’s community office at (718) 236-1598.
Clarke Decries Anti-Semitic Attack in Crown Heights
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach and Prospect Lefferts Gardens. Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza) yesterday strongly condemned a violent anti-Semitic incident that took place two days ago in Lincoln Terrace Park.
Rabbi Avraham Gopin, 64, was punched and hit with a paving stone – knocking out some teeth – as he took his morning stroll through the park two days ago, according to police and media sources.
“I am alarmed to hear of the brutal and violent anti-Semitic attack in Crown Heights that seriously injured my constituent Avraham Gopin. Mr. Gopin is currently recovering after being attacked and hit in the head with bricks, and I admire his strength. Prior to this attack, Mr. Gopin returned to Brooklyn from Israel after his father’s funeral. New York’s 9th Congressional District is no place for hate, and we must come together to denounce anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms,” said Clarke.
“The uptick in acts of hatred, intolerance, and anti-Semitism that have targeted Jewish communities throughout our nation are truly appalling- this must end. The United States government has a role to play in monitoring those who conspire and act on hate and in bringing those who commit these crimes to justice, and I plan to work with local authorities to ensure this case is addressed promptly. In light of this horrific event, I am thankful that my constituents have come together in support of the Gopin family and to remind our community that such acts of violence are unacceptable and will not be tolerated here,” she added.
No arrests have been made and police are continuing their investigation as a possible hate crime.
Rose to VA: Fix Your Website
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) is calling on the Veterans Administration to make fixes to their websites better serve the veteran community.
Rose’s call to action comes following a review of the VA websites, which found they fail to include mandatory content and links.
“This may sound like small potatoes, but veterans need to be able to easily and quickly get the answers and resources they need,” said Rose, an Army combat veteran. “This is a simple fix and one I hope will be done quickly.”
“As you know, VA’s website is a vital resource for veterans and their families,” wrote the Congressmen in a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Many Veterans Service Organizations, stakeholder groups, and others consider the website a critical source for a wide range of information. However, a review by Committee staff found that VA’s primary public website, VA.gov, does not conform to multiple federal requirements, including mandatory content and links.”
Specifically, the review found the following missing links and content:
- USA.gov, the federal jobs board, is not on VA.gov, as required by federal policy.
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) information and links regarding VA’s FOIA process is on neither VA.gov or eBeniefits.gov, which is a VA website often accessed by veterans and their family members.
- The Office of Inspector General is not linked to as required on the eBenefits site managed by VA.
Parker, Rozic Laud Bill Enactment Helping Domestic Violence Victims
State Sen. Kevin Parker (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace) and Assembly Member Nily Rozic (D-Queens) yesterday lauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signing their legislation (A.5318/S.2356) requiring companies to allow victims of domestic violence, who are fleeing their batterers and have received an order of protection, to terminate their multi-year or bundled contract with a telephone or cable or satellite company at a location they have fled without penalty.
While multi-year contracts with telephone or cable companies offer consumers better price-saving options, the fees to cancel such contracts vary across providers and can be charged to victims of domestic violence who are fleeing their abusers.
In many cases of domestic violence, it is necessary for victims to leave behind items of intrinsic and financial value and sever all ties with their offender. By allowing victims, who submit a written claim, to terminate their contracts at a location they have fled without penalty, we are strengthening protections for victims and providing tools to potentially ease the stress and trauma often associated with domestic violence.
“One of the greater callings of public service is to rise up for the vulnerable. By providing this service to survivors of domestic violence, we make the path to freedom smoother. I am proud to stand by this legislation and am hopeful that this will ease the transition for survivors,” said Parker.
“Too often, domestic violence survivors and their families face hurdles when rebuilding their lives, so it is important that we enact policy to lift them up and help them break away from cycles of abuse. I am proud to have sponsored and passed this legislation and thank Governor Cuomo for his continued leadership on this issue,” said Rozic.
This legislation builds on progress made in the Governor’s 2019 Women’s Justice Agenda to combat domestic violence and empower victims to seek justice.
