Gounardes Calls to Bring Outdoor Dining Back
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) and Assemblywoman Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Gravesend) called to make outdoor dining permanent in warm weather months, citing how popular outdoor dining has become through the Open Restaurants Program.
“To ensure our beloved local restaurants can stay afloat and with no clear end in sight for this pandemic, the city should commit to making the Open Restaurant Program permanent. This has been one bright spot of normalcy for New Yorkers in a dark time, and so long as we can ensure the program’s safety, it’s time to keep the open seating for good,” said Gounardes.
“Local restaurants define the character and sustain the economy of our communities. Making the Open Restaurants Program permanent would help small businesses through this crisis and make our communities more vibrant,” said Frontus.
Treyger on Reopening School Proposal
City Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend) released his school reopening proposal after engaging with educators, students, and parents to provide a comprehensive, creative and flexible approach to reopening the largest school system in the nation.
“The upcoming school year will present many difficult challenges for our students. Reopening the city’s schools cannot occur without having proper safeguards in place to protect our teachers, 1.1 million students, and their families. With less than two months until the next school year, it’s imperative that the NYC Department of Education prepare and plan accordingly for any reopening consideration. The recommendations in my proposal serve as a compass to navigate the reopening process to prioritize health, safety and the well-being of our children. This plan relies on both government and education stakeholders to do their part to support a safe reopening of schools,” said Treyger.
Among some of the main tenets of Treyger’s school reopening would be starting school later in the fall, strict adherence to the CDC guidelines, and advocating for financial resources.
Rose Disproves of McConnell’s Relief Bill
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island)issued the following statement about Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s proposed coronavirus relief bill.
“This proposal is proof that Mitch McConnell wants to fire cops, first responders, teachers, and those who have been on the frontlines putting their lives on the line in the fight against COVID-19,” Rose said. “Republicans have been twiddling their thumbs for over two months and as a result, families and working Americans will pay the price.
“Millions are still out of work through no fault of their own and Senate Republicans want to slash unemployment? This is a middle finger to those struggling and falls so far short of the mark it’s disgusting, wrong, and everything people hate about politics,” he said.
Myrie on Updates and Upcoming Events
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) updates on what his constituents can look forward to and COVID-19 updates.
COVID-19 Updates:
Reopening:
- According to a new analysis by Vox, New York is one of only three states with strong enough testing and tracing programs to reopen safely. The other states are Connecticut and New Jersey.
Prospect park:
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both Prospect Park Alliance and NYC Parks have lost critical funding, and as a result the seasonal workforce is significantly smaller compared to last summer. Park greeters will engage the public and keep the park green and vibrant. Learn more at prospectpark.org/greeter to learn more and register.
Upcoming Events:
DYCD Virtual Daycamp:
- DYCD will host a 5 week, virtual and in person FREE Summer Camp for grades K-5. Imani House Inc, a non profit servicing Brooklyn has been assigned by DYCD to offer Summer Sessions at Sunset Park High School. Space is limited and if you have any questions, email LizaH@imanihouse.org.
Farmers Market:
- In partnership with GrowNYC and Harvest Home Farmers Market, NYC Health + Hospitals is opening new farmers markets at health facilities around the city, which offer fresh, affordable food and accept EBT/SNAP, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) coupons, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) coupons. The farmers market will take COVID-19 precautions and will run from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., every Wednesday through Nov. 25 at Kings County Hospital, 451 Clarkson Avenue between E. 37th and E 38th Streets.
Cooling Center:
- Find your nearest open cooling center at nyc.gov/beattheheat or call 311.
Stimulus Check:
- Reports show that as many as 12 million Americans have not received their stimulus check even though they are eligible to receive one. Mobilization for Justice is offering a free clinic to help people get access to their check. For help, call 212-417-3791.
Census Job Opportunities:
- The NYC Census 2020 office is announcing new paid opportunities to encourage New Yorkers to fill out the 2020 Census, right at their doorstep! Please click on the following positions for job descriptions and instructions on how to apply: Census Outreach Canvasser and Census Outreach Team Leader.
Bichotte Warns About Closing Rent Relief Program
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) wants to remind the public that there is a little time left to apply for COVID-19 Rent Relief Program.
“There are 3 days left to apply for the NYS COVID-19 Emergency Rent Relief Program. The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. The COVID-19 Rent Relief Program is not first come, first served. Homes Community Renewal (HCR) will prioritize eligible households with “greatest economic and social need” accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness,” she writes.
Eligible households must meet the following criteria:
- Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, household income must have been below 80% of the area median income, adjusted for household size. You can find what the 80% AMI limit for your county and household size is here: www.hcr.ny.gov/eligible-income-limits-80-ami-county
- Before March 1, 2020 and at the time of application, the household must have been paying more than 30% of gross monthly income towards rent. Gross income includes wages as well as any cash grants, child support, social security, unemployment benefits, etc.)
- Applicants have less monthly income in any month between April 2020 and July 2020 than they did prior to March 1, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
