Adams, Ampry-Samuel Call For Robust Voter Outreach After Iowa Fiasco
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and City Councilwoman Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Bed-Stuy) today will urge the City Council to fund a robust voter outreach campaign in preparation for the implementation of ranked choice voting (RCV).
They will demand that the Board of Elections (BOE) conduct the upcoming elections with voter-marked paper ballots, instead of untested and unsecure technology, after a software glitch during the 2020 Iowa Democratic caucus last night resulted in major inconsistencies in vote reporting.
Progressives in the city succeeded last year in a major push to bring RCV to city elections, and it was reported that RCV was one of the reasons behind the tally confusion in the Iowa caucus.
Adams will call for a total of $10 million to be allocated toward outreach efforts, with a particular focus given to historically disenfranchised communities.
The lawmakers will make their case at 11:30 a.m., today, Feb. 5 at the New York City Board of Elections – 42 Broadway in LOwer Manhattan.
Eichenstein Congratulates Yeshiva Student on Presidential Scholar Nomination
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (Borough Park, part of Midwood) last week personally congratulated senior student of Yeshiva Flatbush High School Richard Sasson for being nominated to the 2020 US Presidential Scholars Program.
The US Presidential Scholars Program of 1964 was established to recognize honorable high school senior graduates. The program was extended over the following years to include students with exceptional talent in the arts and to those who demonstrate strong abilities in the technical education fields. Up to 161 students are named Presidential Scholars each year.
“I am delighted that Ricky Sasson has reached an advanced level in the nomination process following my recommendation for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program,” said Eichenstein. “He is a well-rounded scholar in academics as well as performance arts and sports, making him the ideal candidate for this program. I congratulate Ricky and his family on this incredible honor and wish him well in the coming process.”
Ortiz Calls Out Nay-Sayers after Puerto Rican Halftime Show Display
Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) lambasted critiques of Puerto Rico following pop star Jennifer Lopez’s tribute to the U.S. Island territory when she unfurled the Puerto Rican flag towards the end of the halftime show at Sunday’s Super Bowl.
“Last night, during the Super Bowl halftime show, Jennifer Lopez (JLo) promoted Puerto Rico with a Puerto Rican flag during her performance. I share Puerto RIcan ancestry with JLo, whose family is from Puerto Rico. We are very proud of our heritage.” said Ortiz.
Ortiz’s comments came on the back of Puerto Rico being hit with a category 4 Hurricane in 2017. The natural disaster caused up to $100 billion in estimated damages and left the country still trying to recover. Ortiz made mention of the fact that Puerto Rico, although not a state, is a U.S. territory ever since the Spanish- American war and should be recognized as such.
“I was saddened to learn that some people took to social media to criticize JLo for promoting Puerto Rico during her performance. They alleged that Puerto Rico wasn’t even part of the United States. That’s outrageous,” the lawmaker said.
Lentol Honors Hard-Working African-Americans
Assembly Member Joseph Lentol (Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Fort Greene) yesterday acknowledged National African American History Month and the importance of recognizing the contributions of the African-American population.
Among the black American trailblazers that Lentol are honoring this month include prominent leader of the Underground Railroad Harriet Tubman and the first African-American woman to serve in Congress Shirley Chisholm, who also happens to be from Brooklyn.
Lentol promised to continue fighting for laws that “level the playing field and reaffirm our values of freedom and justice for all” this legislative session. From enacting laws that reform our criminal justice system to expanding opportunities through projects like the Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WMBE) program, Lentol wants people to know that the New York State Assembly is working hard to ensure each and everyone has a fair shot at success.
“This National African American History Month, I urge you all to become inspired by the leaders who fought tirelessly for equality and commit to making our state a more inclusive place to live. Together, we can learn from the past and create a better future for our families,” he said.
Local Electeds Celebrate Charter School 100% Pass
U.S. Rep Yvette D. Clarke (Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Prospect Lefferts Gardens), City Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene (East Flatbush, Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Gardens), and State Sen. Kevin Parker (East Flatbush, Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Park Slope Windsor Terrace) last week celebrated with Success Academy Flatbush charter school on their academic excellence.
The school had a remarkable 100% of the students that passed both the math and English Language Arts (ELA) state test, something that’s only happened to two other NYC schools since 2013.
“I am so very moved by the work being done at Success Academy. I know it takes a village and it is so heartening to see this village tonight. It’s not very often that you’ll see a gathering like this celebrating education on a Friday night,” said Clarke. “This is the best investment of your time, energy, and resources that you can make. These kids are already on the track for leadership — The next congressperson is in this room.”
SA Flatbush opened in 2016 in a former warehouse space provided by the Department of Education. It currently enrolls 337 students, 98% of which are children of color. About 13% of students have Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and 8% are experiencing homelessness.
“I am honored to give this toast for this occasion. Let’s raise our glasses and wish for more hard work, more good results, and success, success, success always,” said Parker.
