Adams to Hold Rally for Black Voices
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will join Black Edfluencers United (BE-U), as well as a coalition of Black and Brown parents, for a rally on the steps of the Tweed Courthouse, where the New York City Department of Education (DOE) is headquartered, to demand a greater voice for parents and students of color in the school re-opening process.
More than 70 percent of students in DOE schools throughout the city are Black and Brown, yet the participants will contend that their parents were largely shut out of the conversations around re-opening schools, including the administration of blended learning and remote learning. Adams and others will call for the DOE to give these parents a seat at the table and ensure their voices are heard.
This event is slated to take place at 5:45 p.m., today, Sept. 25 at the Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers Street in LOwer Manhattan.
Colton Sponsors Flu Shots
Assemblyman William Colton (Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) announced that together with the Rite Aid Pharmacy, he has sponsored a series of free Flu Shots that took place at neighborhood community organizations like the Health Essential Association, the Chinese American Social Service Center, the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Brooklyn and the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn.
“The free flu shot events were successful, and I am glad that a number of seniors were able to get them. The flu shots are free and available to everyone. I personally took a flu shot at one of the centers and encourage people to do the same especially seniors. I believe that this year it is even more essential due to the COVID-19 spread,” Colton said.
“If any organization would like to hold such an event, then they should call my office at (718) 236-1598 to arrange a date and time. I’ll be more than happy to assist in scheduling such an event,” he added.
Persaud Updates
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (D- Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Old Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) sends daily reminders for her constituents.
Census
- The 2020 Census deadline is less than one week away and ends on September 30. Have you and your family filed your Census forms? If yes, thank you. By completing the Census, you are helping your community to receive its fair share of billions of dollars in federal funding. I urge you to take ten minutes or less out of your day and complete the ten questions for ten years of resources. Please take a moment to answer the survey today by phone at (844) 330-2020 or online at my2020census.gov. There are No immigration or citizenship questions asked. It’s fast, easy, and completely confidential.
Restaurant Opening
- Another milestone in New York City’s reopening is the return to indoor dining on September 30. Several criteria must be met for this development to be a success and ensure the health and safety of patrons.
School Reopening
- The return to in-classroom instruction in schools across New York City will commence fully on October 1, 2020. Please review the current in-person instruction dates outlined in this e-newsletter. I am urging students, parents, and educators to remain patient as the new opening date reflects the concerns many teachers and parents had for safe classroom instruction. This school year will be untraditional, but the City agencies, Department of Education, and UFT are all taking the necessary precautions to ensure and promote a learning environment focusing on the wellbeing of all families during these difficult times.
Voting
- Election Day is 40 days away and this has become the most critical election cycle in our lifetime. Please review the Election section in this e-newsletter to see important registration dates if you are not already registered to vote and how to apply for an absentee ballot if you plan on submitting your ballot by mail. You can also call my office and a staff member will gladly send you an absentee ballot application. You will also have an opportunity to vote in person during early voting or on election day, November 3, 2020.
“I want to wish all my Jewish constituents a meaningful and blessed Yom Kippur. G’mar chatimah tovah!” She wrote.
Gounardes, Brannan Unveil SLEEP Bill to Counter Loud Drag Racing
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) and City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) yesterday announced that they have partnered on legislation to combat excessive noise from drag-racers and other motorists as a result of tampering with vehicle muffler and exhaust systems.
The SLEEP (Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution) bill will increase the fine for excessive noise and require that police have decibel readers so there is no longer an arbitrary standard of what “excessive” means, but instead can be defined as 95 decibels or above. The two collaborated on the bill after hearing increasing reports from constituents about loud drag racing keeping people awake all night.
Gounardes is introducing state legislation while Brannan is introducing a City resolution.
“There is zero reason to drag race and swerve around in souped-up engines unless you’re compensating for something missing in your life. Times are stressful and the last thing families need when trying to get some hard-earned sleep is outrageously loud gratuitous noise keeping them up all night. Our legislation will curtail this anti-social and dangerous behavior and let neighbors get some sleep once and for all,” said Gounardes.
“Anyone who purposely modifies their exhaust system so it sounds like a goddamn machine gun is not only desperate for attention but also clearly overcompensating for something else. This bill will hopefully make these idiots think twice and bring some peace and quiet back to our neighborhoods at night,” said Brannan.
