Hamilton Joins Independent Democratic Conference
Central Brooklyn Senator Jesse Hamilton yesterday announced he will break away from the mainstream Senate Democrats and join the Independent Democratic Conference.
“The Independent Democratic Conference delivers for New Yorkers: the best paid family leave program in the nation, a $15 minimum wage, and the toughest gun laws in the country. They get results. That’s why I’ve decided to join my fellow Democrats and become the newest member of the IDC,” said Hamilton.
“This conference will continue to innovate, delivering to the people who matter most, my community and our fellow New Yorkers. Standing with them, I will be a prominent voice on affordable housing, quality education, safe streets and criminal justice reform. I look forward to serving with the Independent Democrats and achieving more victories for all New Yorkers,” he added.
Joining the IDC could be a blow to the mainstream Democrats, who had hoped to forge a clear majority in the senate after today, but it is not unexpected. The IDC political action committee (PAC) contributed heavily to Hamilton’s senate campaign. Bronx Senator Jeff Klein heads the IDC, which with Hamilton now has six members, which also includes Sen. Diane Savino (C0ney Island, Staten Island).
Colton Leads Veterans Appreciation Night
As Veterans Day approaches on Friday, Assemblyman Bill Colton (Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend), City Councilman Mark Treyger (Coney Island, Bensonhurst) and Democratic District Leaders Charles Ragusa and Nancy Tong last night hosted a Veterans’ Appreciation Night at their United Progressive Democratic Club, 29 Bay 25th Street in Bensonhurst.
Colton noted that the state is home to over 900,000 veterans and has a moral responsibility to care for returning service members. Unfortunately, the battle-worn veterans tend to make up more than a tenth of the growing adult homeless population and half of them struggle against unemployment upon return, he said.
“It is important we remember the valiant members of our country who fight on both the battlefield and back at home for the freedoms and liberties our great country offer. We must always give back and honor veterans who have granted us this freedom we have come to take for granted,” said Colton.
Adams, Gentile Williams Issue Joint Statement On Illegal Conversion
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and City Council Members Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights), Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Barry Grodenchik (Queens) last week again rallied for the city to pass legislation stiffening penalties on illegal conversions.
The lawmakers made a joint statement on the issue following a recent bust in Dyker Heights, in which a two-family house that was illegally converted into a five-family dwelling was issued an immediate vacate order by the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). Frighteningly, 25 individuals were living in the property. The American Red Cross promptly arrived on scene and relocated nine individuals to a nearby hotel, with the remaining 16 individuals self-relocating. In addition to being strained by extreme overcrowding, the home had illegal gas lines that put the safety of its tenants and surrounding neighbors at serious risk.
“We have an unconscionable housing crisis that shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon without strong legislation to combat this ever-growing problem. Working together, we drafted a tough bill aimed directly at the most greedy landlords and profiteers of the most egregious illegal conversions occurring in this city, as we have here in this most recent case. In addition to establishing higher penalties and equipping DOB with strong enforcement tools to gain access to these buildings, perhaps the strongest deterrent for unscrupulous owners in our legislation is a tax lien that would be placed on the property if its penalties go unpaid, which is a common occurrence. To ensure payment of the fines and remediation of the property by the owner of the aggravated illegal conversion, the property can be sold by the City after one year if the penalty isn’t satisfied. The bottom line is this: Owners cannot fall back on the laborious bureaucratic process and a lack of enforcement on Environmental Control Board (ECB) fines in order to continue their flagrant monopoly game.
“The time is now for Intro. 1218 to be enacted in order to stem this viral outbreak of dangerous, substandard housing. This home could have easily been subject to a fire or explosion resulting in mass casualties. It is difficult not to envision first responders ambushed by confusion and hysteria when entering such a maze of subdivided units. We simply cannot allow this case to become another track on a broken record of hazards that date back decades and is only getting worse with time. We will continue to remain steadfast and committed to our bipartisan legislation reaching the floor of the City Council for an affirmative vote.”
Gentile To Host Wreath Laying Ceremony At Fort Hamilton High
In observance of Veteran’s Day, City Councilman Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) tomorrow will host a wreath laying ceremony at Fort Hamilton High School’s “Honoring Our Veterans” mural.
Gentile and elected officials will welcome attendees and the Fort Hamilton High School ROTC will conduct the Color Guard, Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Fort Hamilton High School choir will perform the National Anthem and a patriotic interlude.
Gentile allocated discretionary funds for the creation of the “Honoring Our Veterans” mural in November 2013. Groundswell, with artist Esteban De Valle, Bay Ridge community members, students, and veterans came together and contributed their time and artistic talents to create the symbolic mural. The ceremony will reflect upon the patriotic imagery of the mural and honor veterans of the past, present and future.
The ceremony is slated for 1:30 p.m., tomorrow, Nov. 9 at Fort Hamilton High School “Honoring Our Veterans” Mural (Colonial Road and 83rd Street).
Cymbrowitz Leads Electeds In Asking For Extension Of Sandy Related Public Comments
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) and other elected officials have asked the federal Army Corps of Engineers to extend the public comment period for the Jamaica Bay/Rockaway Draft Reformulation Plan, which seeks to bring storm risk management measures into shorefront areas of Brooklyn and Queens that were devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
In a November 1 letter sent to Colonel David A. Caldwell, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New York District Commander, the group of city and state lawmakers said the current deadline offered the public and community stakeholders insufficient time to comment on a project of such great impact.
“The scale and scope of such a project necessitates public input and we feel that the current November 17, 2016 deadline for commentary does not provide enough time for adequate review by civic groups, community stakeholders and residents,” the lawmakers wrote.
In addition to Cymbrowitz, who drafted and circulated the letter, it was signed by Assemblymembers Helene Weinstein, Pamela Harris and Jaime Williams; State Senators Diane Savino and Roxanne Persaud, and City Councilman Alan Maisel.
“We are requesting that the deadline be extended to no earlier than December 31, 2016 so that our constituents can voice their support or concern for a project that will permanently change our communities.”
The reformulation plan suggests a wide range of projects for shorefront communities in Brooklyn and Queens, including beach nourishment, barriers, sub-gates, and residual risk features such as a hurricane barrier at the mouth of Jamaica Bay. The plan can be viewed here.
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP Obtain $12.085 Million Settlement (Sponsored)
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin attorney Kathleen Kettles recently obtained a court order approving the settlement of $12,085,000.
This is a case involving the failure to timely deliver an infant to a first-time mother and resulting in severe brain damage to the child who is now six-years-old. This child cannot speak, walk or talk and must be tube fed. Her parents are completely devoted, but their day to day existence is filled with dealing doctor’s appointments, emergency visits, outside therapies and managing or providing her child’s need for extensive nursing services.
“I am truly in awe of this family and despite the heartache of having a child this disabled, it has been a joy to work for them. This settlement will lessen the burden on this incredible family,” said Kettles, who heads the firm’s Medical Malpractice team. Though a practicing attorney for almost 28 years, she was an RN for ten years prior to going to law school.
During the litigation, Kathy worked extensively with well known, respected experts in the fields of obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatric neurology, pediatric neuroradiology and a life care planner to prepare the case for trial. It is this attention to detail which results in an extremely favorable settlement for her clients.
“When I was a nurse, I often felt powerless to really help my patients, but as a nurse attorney, I get to help secure a child’s future and there is no greater feeling of satisfaction,” she said.
The law firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP is one of the city’s top accident and medical malpractice firms in the city and is there to represent you. To get a free consultation click Here.
