Brannan Gets Bay Ridge Historic District, Ban On Dyker Street Vending
City Councilmember Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) yesterday saw the city council pass two measures that directly impact his district.
The first measure saw the council pass Brannan’s legislation affirming the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission’s (LPC) decision to make Doctors’ Row a Historic District. Doctor’s Row, the stretch of Bay Ridge Parkway between Fourth and Fifth Avenue, will have the facades of its buildings, some over a century old, protected and preserved under the new designation.
Doctors’ Row gained local and citywide fame over decades as a hub for medical professionals’ offices and residences. Known for its history as well as for its aesthetic beauty and consistency, the block was long championed for additional protections by local residents. Brannan heard his neighbors’ voices and was eager to support their efforts.
“From day one, I have fully supported the effort to have Doctor’s Row designated as a Historic District,” Brannan said. “Doctor’s Row has a special and ongoing place in Bay Ridge history. To residents and locals, the block was already a landmark. It was well past time that we as a city officially recognize that status.”
Secondly, the city council passed Brannan’s measure to reign in the out-of-control vending and chaos that has recently become associated with the annual Dyker Heights holiday lights.
The bill designates a vendor-free zone from Thanksgiving to December 31 in the area bordered by 81st Street & 86th Street and 10th Avenue and 13th Avenue. No longer will any food vendor be allowed to park a truck or set up for business even if they have a vending license from 2 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning.
“Dyker Heights lights started out as a local neighborhood tradition and has turned into an attraction that tourists from all over the world come to visit. While homeowners are proud of this tradition, issues like overflowing garbage cans, litter all over the street, and exhaust fumes from an ice cream truck idling outside their house for 12 hours a day, are just not acceptable. We hope this bill will allow tourists and residents alike to enjoy the holiday season,” said Brannan.
Nadler Mourns Loss Of U.S. Rep. Cummings
U.S. Rep. Nadler (D-Borough Park, Kensington, parts of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Red Hook, Sunset Park, Midwood, Western Manhattan) recalled in mourning the passing of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) at the start of the Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the Voting Rights Act.
Cummings, who represented mainly the city of Baltimore dies from complications of a longstanding undisclosed illness at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. He was 68 and had been in Congress since 1966.
“I join with everyone in mourning the loss of my great friend and colleague, Elijah Cummings. He was a man of integrity and intellect who served his constituents, his country, and the causes he believed in with passion and with grace. It is fitting that we are considering voting rights today, as Elijah was a champion of equality and civil rights on behalf of all those in society who have been left behind,” said Nadler.
“He was also a leader on government oversight and defending the rights of Congress to hold the executive—any executive—accountable. He was a true partner in these efforts and his passing is a great loss for our institution, a great loss for his constituents, and a great loss for our country. Elijah’s presence, passion and moral clarity will be missed. My heart goes out to his family, his constituents, and to all of us who will miss him so very, very deeply,” he added.
PA Williams Wants Access to Police Officers, Firefighters, Correction Officers Records
Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams yesterday called for the repeal of Section 50-a of the state Civic Rights Law relating to restricting access to personnel records of police officers, firefighters, and correction officers.
In his testimony before the State Senate Senate Committee on Codes hearing, Williams supported passage of S3695/A2513 on the measure, in which he was the sponsor of a resolution in the City Council calling for this legislation to be passed on a state level. P
Williams highlighted that if 50-A is not repealed, “public trust in our law enforcement and the NYC administration will continue to be eroded” by denying transparency and accountability.
He further stressed that “Passing this legislation does not mean that we are anti-police or that we do not very much support our men and women in blue, who are tasked with protecting us every single day. To the contrary, it is because of our support of them and better policing we know this must be repealed.”
Simon Bill Expanding TAP Eligibility Signed Into Law
Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope, Boerum Hill, DUMBO)yesterday saw Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo sign her legislation, (S.4121/A.5500) expanding eligibility for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards to students who transferred to another university as a result of a permanent college closure.
The new law allows undergraduate students enrolled in an approved two- or four-year program of study who were required to transfer to another institution as a result of permanent college closure to be eligible for up to two additional semesters of TAP. Students are eligible for this funding if credits from the closed institution that are necessary to complete the student’s program of study were deemed non-transferable or not applicable by the new institution. The law goes into effect immediately.
“When higher education institutions close, the students least able to pay for college are at a precipice — they can’t stay where they were, but the college credits they have paid for with the help of TAP are not accepted at the schools to which they hope to transfer,” said Simon.
“This law will give them a much-needed lifeline and allow them to continue their education. New York does better when its residents have real access to the education they need to compete in today’s economy,” she added.
Persaud, AM Williams To Host Empowerment Workshop
State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) and Assemblymember Jaime R. Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) tomorrow will host a Empowerment Workshop for members of the community, free of charge.
Officially dubbed, “A New You” – Empowering the Human Spirit” attendees at the workshop will receive information on how to empower themselves and others, as well as fashion and makeup tips, a free lunch and giveaways.
The workshop is slated for between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at Bayview Houses Cornerstone Community Center, 5955 Shore Pwky in Canarsie.
Political Clubs Hold Joint Charter 2019 Ballot Proposal Forum
The newly formed Unified Political Association along with the Brooklyn Young Democrats Democrats next week are holding a forum on the Charter 2019 NYC Ballot Proposals.
Come out and learn about the upcoming ballot proposal questions that will appear on the Nov 5 General Election Ballot. Hear from Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause, Amanda Ritchie, Co-Founder of Brooklyn Voter’s Alliance and L Joy Williams, President of Brooklyn NAACP for a candid panel discussion regarding Ranked Choice Voting, Elections, Civilian Complaint Review Board and other proposal questions as well.
The forum is slated for between 7-9 p.m., Monday, Oct. 28 at the Clarendon Road Church, 3304 Clarendon Avenue in East Flatbush.
