Adams Wants Rat Trap Pilot Program Expanded
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams (D) and City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) today will call for the expansion of a rat trap pilot program that uses cutting-edge technology to capture and kill rats in a hygienic, humane, and sustainable way.
The pilot program recently succeeded in catching 90 rats around Brooklyn Borough Hall.
A recent study by RentHop found that Brooklyn called in 6,500 rat complaints to 311 in 2018, the most in the five boroughs. In particular, the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Prospect Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Bushwick have reported an uptick in rat sightings.
Adams and Cornegy will discuss the issue at 11 a.m. today, Sept. 5 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Velázquez Announces Over $500k for Health Centers
U.S. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens, Lower Manhattan) this week announced that local health centers within New York’s 7th Congressional District have received federal grants to continue their Health Center Cluster and Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning projects.
“Federal health center funding is critical to supporting our medically underserved populations,” said Velázquez. “These three centers are an integral part of our local healthcare infrastructure. I am proud to see them receive funding so they can continue serving our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Those receiving grants include:
- Sunset Park Health Council, Inc. has served Sunset Park for over 40 years with comprehensive primary and dental care. HHS has awarded Sunset Park Health Council, Inc. $148,865 in funds towards their Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning project as well as $263,199 towards their Health Center Cluster project.
- Also located in Brooklyn, Opportunity Development Association, ODA Primary Care Health Center has proudly served New York’s immigrant community, offering culturally sensitive and accessible care, such as transportation assistance. Now, ODA spans five locations in Williamsburg and two summer locations in the Catskills for primary, specialty, and behavioral health care and dental services. HHS has awarded ODA $46,000 in funds towards their Health Center Cluster project.
- Betances Health Center has provided medical services to the Lower East Side since 1970 and has recently expanded into Bushwick. Notably, Betances has played an enormous role in serving immigrant and homeless populations. HHS has awarded Betances Health Center $59,925 in funds towards their Health Center Cluster project.
Persaud Gives $100K Allocation To The HOPE Program
State Sen. 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) yesterday delivered a $100,000 check to The HOPE Program to support job training and transitional employment services in Brooklyn.
“This new state funding will support The HOPE Program’s job training and transitional employment services in Brooklyn,” said Persaud, who chairs the Senates Social Services Committee.
The HOPE Program is located at 1 Smith St, 4th Floor, in Downtown Brooklyn.
OEM Holds Pet & Animal Preparedness Fair
The city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) today together with the City’s Animal Planning Taskforce, which include the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, will host a preparedness fair to help educate pet owners about the importance of preparing pets for emergencies.
OEM staff members will be on hand to distribute a range of emergency materials and share preparedness tips with pet owners. Residents will learn about the items to include in their pet’s Go Bag as well as how they can incorporate their pets in the family’s emergency plan.
Representatives from the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, FDNY, and other partner organizations will also be present.
The event comes as September is National Preparedness Month. During the month, OEM will team up with City agencies and community partners to organize and promote a number of events for the entire family, including children, older adults, and pets, as well as inform New Yorkers and their communities about the steps they can take to prepare.
The event is slated for between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. today, Sept. 5 at Union Square Park at 14th Street in Manhattan.
Colton Commends Cuomo For Continued National Grid Investigation
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Dyker Heights) said last week his office has received many expressions of support from constituents commending his and Governor Cuomo’s response to National Grid’s unjustified reasoning for refusal of service.
Currently, the energy giant has issued a moratorium on installing any new gas lines until the state agrees to allow a new major gas line to be built from Pennsylvania under the reasoning that without it, National Grid will not have enough of gas supply to get the metropolitan area through the winter.
Colton sent a letter to the New York Public Service Commission (DPS) urging them to investigate and restore service to the customers affected by the refusals.
Days later, Cuomo issued a letter directing the DPS to broaden its investigation into National Grid’s refusal of service. He directed DPS to ensure that National Grid immediately provide service to the customers who were improperly refused service, impose penalties and sanctions, and to consider alternative companies to provide gas for some or all of New York State.
“The governor has shown that he has heard the cries and the anguish from people. He has heard what was said and he is responding in a responsible way,” said Colton.
Colton also received a response from the New York Public Service Commission stating that upon completion of its investigation, the DPS “… will hold National Grid accountable for meeting its obligations to consumers and make sure that promises it has made for firm natural gas service are promises kept.”
Louis Sponsors Free Outdoor Movie
City Council Member Farah Louis (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, Midwood), together with the city’s Parks Department, tomorrow night will bring to the district a free special outdoor movie screening of “Avengers Endgame.”
“Bring the family out for an evening of food, fun and great movie watching. I look forward to seeing you there,” said Louis.
The event starts with gates opening at 7:30 p.m., tomorrow, Sept. 6 at The Wyckoff House, 5816 Clarendon Road in East Flatbush.
Maimonides to Hold Ceremony for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Maimonides Medical Center will recognize National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month with a flag-raising ceremony and speaking program tomorrow.
The program will begin with welcoming remarks from Kenneth D. Gibbs, Maimonides President & CEO; followed by an overview of pediatric cancer services and achievements from Dr. Jeffrey Avner, Chair of Pediatrics at Maimonides Children’s Hospital; Dr. Mahmut Yasar Celiker, Pediatric Hematology & Medical Oncology; and Kristen Harring, Pediatrics Senior Staff Nurse.
The ceremony is slated for 9:30 a.m., tomorrow, Sept. 6 at the Maimonides Eisenstadt Administration Building, 4802 Tenth Avenue in Sunset Park/Borough Park.
