Cymbrowitz Celebrates Re-Opening of Sheepshead Bay Library
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Gravesend, Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay) will join Brooklyn Public Library officials in celebrating the grand re-opening of the Sheepshead Bay branch. The assemblyman provided $275,000 in funding for the project.
In addition to cutting the ribbon, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz will read stories to about 35 first- and second-graders from nearby P.S. 209. The branch closed for approximately five months and received a paint job, new flooring, shelving, and storage cabinets. Wall outlets, tabletop outlets and USB ports were added to help modernize the 60-year-old library.
Join the re-opening at 10 a.m., today, Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Sheepshead Bay Library, 2636 East 14th Street, in Sheepshead Bay.
Lander Shares his 2020 Goals for the City Council
New York City Councilmember Brad Lander (D-Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Columbia Waterfront, Gowanus, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Kensington) shared his 2020 goals for his work in the City Council in a campaign letter. His goals are as follows:
Pass the Reckless Driver Accountability Act: Last year 219 people were killed by traffic violence in NYC, each one of them a precious life lost and a family torn apart. I am working hard with the administration to finalize our approach to the legal and logistical challenges and design a program — that we can start this year — that will intervene with the most reckless drivers, before the next crash.
Protect Workers from Unfair Firing: New York City fast-food workers face the ever-present threat of being fired or having their hours reduced for no reason at all, forcing thousands of New York families to live in constant uncertainty and fear. Working with courageous workers, organizing with SEIU 32-BJ, I introduced legislation last year to prevent firings without a good reason. Passing the bill in the City Council this year would protect tens of thousands of workers, and establish groundbreaking new worker protection with national implications.
Reform NYC’s Capital Projects Management Process: More than half of City projects are over budget and behind schedule. We struggle to keep pace with needed investments in our city’s future, from broadband to renewable energy, to protection from storms like Hurricane Sandy, to projects you voted for through participatory budgeting. I am working to finalize and pass legislation to reform capital projects management so that we can comprehensively review the conditions of our existing infrastructure, develop a long-term plan to address capital needs, and ensure accountability as projects are implemented.
Make sure the Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning centers the goals of affordability, equity, and sustainability: Together with neighborhood groups, public housing residents, homeowners, tenants, artists, small businesses, and environmental advocates, I am working every day to guarantee that the rezoning plan meets our shared goals for Gowanus: Truly affordable housing, without any displacement. Significant improvements in public housing nearby. New schools, parks, and transit. An even stronger and more diverse “Gowanus mix” of light manufacturing, arts, culture, and people. A vibrant and sustainable community, with less pollution in the canal, more renewable energy, and more resilient neighborhoods.
Bring that smarter, more equitable, more sustainable approach to growth citywide: I believe we can get it right in Gowanus, because of decades of organizing by community-based organizations, and extensive public engagement in the planning process. But if we are going to meet our city’s collective challenges of rising temperatures and sea levels, growing population, aging infrastructure, displacement pressures, and deeply-rooted inequality, we’re going to need comprehensive planning to balance neighborhood and citywide goals, immediate and long-term needs.
Parker, Lentol Endorse Cuomo’s Proposal to Update Penn Station
Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the 30th proposal of his 2020 State of the State: creating the Empire Station Complex – a 21st-century transit complex on Manhattan’s West Side. During a speech at the Association for a Better New York, the Governor announced the plan to transform the existing Penn Station site.
Senator Kevin Parker (D- East Flatbush, Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Park Slope, and Windsor Terrace) said, “Governor Cuomo’s plans for Penn Station demonstrate true leadership. The expansion of capacity at one of New York City’s largest transit hubs will enable improved traffic flow for trains carrying millions of passengers on our rail and subway lines into, and out of, the heart of Manhattan, making travel easier for commuters and visitors alike. Connecting the station with the Farley Post Office, which mirrors the grandeur of Penn Station’s original architecture, and creating a new Empire Station Complex will infuse new energy into the surrounding area and allow neighboring businesses to maximize their potential.”
The plan calls to integrate the soon-to-be-completed Moynihan Train Hall and acquire the block south of Penn Station to create an expanded, remodeled and interconnected train and subway complex. Twenty-seven New York City leaders and elected officials have already endorsed the Governor’s proposal.
Assembly Member Joseph Lentol (D-Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Fort Greene) said, “As New York City continues to rapidly expand, mass-transit capacity must be added to accommodate additional demand. Governor Cuomo’s comprehensive plan to create a new Empire Station Complex will ease congestion for thousands of commuters and spur economic development surrounding Penn Station. I fully support the Governor’s efforts to dramatically expand transit capacity in New York City.”
Colton Honored to Participate in Three Kings Parade
Assemblyman William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) had the honor and the great pleasure of participating in Brooklyn’s Three Kings Parade on Sunday as an honored guest marching along Graham Avenue (Avenida del Puerto Rico).
“I had the pleasure to meet and march with a number of elected officials including Assemblymembers Joe Lentol, Felix Ortiz, Bronx Borough President Reuben Diaz, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Neighborhood District Leader Tommy Torres and Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello who had played key roles in supporting the Parade also marched at the Parade,” Colton said.
“Brooklyn’s Three Kings Parade keeps alive a rich and important tradition of the Hispanic Community. It tells the story of Three good Kings from a faraway land who had a vision of a great new King being born. The great Hispanic tradition depicts a traditional struggle between an evil King Herod who was acting out of selfishness, and death oriented acts committed out of fear, and the Three good Kings who were seeking to learn the truth and to honor the child born to be a great King. This religious tradition has promoted positive values in many families and become an important Hispanic family tradition. Its preservation in Brooklyn has been the important work of the Three Kings Parade Committee for decades,” Colton stated.
“I believe we need to learn more about diverse ethnic groups and their traditions. By supporting and respecting each other’s traditions there will be a better and safer place for all of us in a neighborhood. I personally expressed my deepest thanks to District Leader Tommy Torres and all the members of the Three Kings Parade Committee for their hard work in keeping this important Hispanic Tradition celebrated,” Colton added.
Colton also thanked the NYC Police Officers, who were present at the Parade for all their good work in keeping us all safe and secure.
