Adams Calls for New COVID-19 Model of Precision
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined with Reverend Erick Salgado and a group of clergy members outside a church in Borough Park to call on the City and State to implement a precision model of enforcement for COVID-19, that would allow law enforcement to identify specific areas with high rates of non-compliance so credible messengers can flood the zone with informational materials in a variety of languages, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other resources.
The call comes in response to recent lockdown measures on areas of Brooklyn and Queens experiencing a surge in COVID-19 infection rates. Many who reside within those areas have said the lockdowns unfairly penalize many residents who were already abiding by the State’s public health guidelines.
Adams on the Passing of Joyce Dinkins
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams released the following statement on the passing of the former first lady Joyce Dinkins.
“My heart is truly heavy over the passing of Joyce Dinkins, a remarkable woman who saw the best in every one of us. I felt a special bond with our late First Lady, a mother-son relationship that filled my life with love and strength. I know that so many New Yorkers join me in paying tribute to this champion of our children and proud partner to our former mayor, to whom we offer our deepest condolences. May she rest in power, and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved her,” said Adams.
Brannan, Rose, Gounardes, statements on Cabrini Statue Unveiling
City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach), U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island), State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) commented on the Roman Catholic nun statue that was unveiled yesterday by Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo.
“I am happy to see that the hard work to honor Mother Cabrini with a statue, started at the parish of St. Frances Cabrini in Bensonhurst led by Rev. Guy Sbordone, has become a reality. The people of this parish wanted a memorial to honor the legacy of Mother Cabrini, an incredible New Yorker and Italian-American, and that is what they will get. In addition, I do believe the commission chose a perfect site, which symbolizes Mother Cabrini’s steadfast commitment to helping new immigrants settle in America,” said Brannan.
“Mother Cabrini’s unending dedication to helping others touched the lives of so many New Yorkers and helped make our City great. Her lifetime of service will always be a shining example of our country’s commitment to the less fortunate, particularly immigrants to our country. This statue will ensure her legacy continues to live on and inspire us all for generations to come,” said Rose.
“I am glad that a statue of Mother Cabrini is finally getting built so we can properly commemorate her generosity and selflessness of spirit. This is a fitting way to celebrate our city’s rich Italian-American cultural heritage and an important tribute to a great woman. I was proud to be a strong advocate for getting this done alongside our Italian-American and Catholic communities in southern Brooklyn and I particularly want to thank and recognize Roman Catholic Parish of St. Frances Cabrini for their tireless work to make this a reality,” said Gounardes.
De Blasio, Eugene Announce Plans to Transform Brooklyn Site to Homes
Mayor Bill de Blasio along with Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Park, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) announced plans to develop affordable housing in Flatbush at the site of the former Public School 90 (P.S. 90). The site will now give rise to 130 critically needed affordable homes and community development space.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates our commitment to building inclusively and equitably,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With 130 affordable apartments and educational and vocational training facilities, this project will restore this vacant historic site as a true asset for the surrounding Flatbush community.”
“As the city of New York continues to cope with an unprecedented public health crisis, we must remain focused on our obligation to make affordable housing, education, and job training a top priority for the community,” said Eugene. “We know that there is an urgent need for housing equality in Brooklyn, and this project is a significant step in helping hardworking New Yorkers live comfortably while raising their families.
“We will also be assisting our young people, who are in a very uncertain predicament right now,and we need to take advantage of resources that will create an infrastructure to empower them with the skills and confidence needed to contribute to the future of New York City.
This wonderful project will have a positive impact in the lives of so many people, including our youth who are in dire need of opportunities where they can acquire the tools for success. I want to thank Mayor de Blasio for his collaboration on this very important initiative that will be an invaluable asset in our community for generations to come,” said Eugene.
The 29,000 square foot development site formerly contained a historic late 19th-century school building, which was demolished in 2015 due to hazardous structural conditions. The City is now launching a Request for Proposals to develop the units and space dedicated to educational and vocational training program for youth, a fitting tribute to the site’s past. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) would study design, financial feasibility, environmental review, and other parameters as part of the RFP process.
