Adams Announces Partnership with South Korean Businesses
Borough President Adams will meet today with international business leaders from Seoul, South Korea in Brooklyn Borough Hall to announce the delivery of 10,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) wellness packs to local families in need, as part of a broader initiative to provide resources to New York City and highlight the bonds between the two cities as they continue to recover from the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seoul Business Agency President Young Seung Chang, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Randy Peers, andAdams will facilitate the distribution of 10,000 PPE wellness packs containing masks, sanitizer sprays, and educational games to keep children entertained and households safe during COVID-19 to local organizations and faith-based institutions throughout the borough.
The PPE packs were procured and donated by small businesses in South Korea, which was among the nations most affected during the early stages of COVID-19, but has since been praised as a “model to emulate in fighting the pandemic.”
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Aug. 12 on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Bichotte- Harris will Restore Saneness
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) issued a statement on the recent announcement of Presidential Candidate Joe Biden’s Vice Presidential running mate– Senator Kamala Harris.
“Kamala Harris is an inspired choice. A well-credentialed woman who is battle-tested on the campaign trail and in debates, she will join Joe Biden in restoring saneness and wisdom to the White House while helping to win back the United States Senate. She reflects the rising diversity of the nation and the party. We in Brooklyn are ready to roll up our sleeves and elect the Biden-Harris team this November.”
Williams- Stop Partying on Plum Beach
Assemblywoman Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) is thoroughly disappointed about the party that took place at Plum Beach yesterday.
“The efforts of so many can be thrown out of the window by just a few as the expression states you are only as strong as your weakest link,” remarked Williams.
“A simple refrain from an evening of partying can lead to a lifetime of health as well as preserve the beauty that is mere inches just off the shore in our Brooklyn waterways,” she said.
Velázquez Bill Would Help Communities Navigate Benefits
U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, Queens) has introduced new legislation to connect community nonprofit organizations to help address the needs of families and small businesses.
“For far too long, low income and underserved communities have disproportionately felt the brunt of every disaster and economic downturn our nation faced,” said Velázquez. “We have an obligation to reach out to those who are struggling and help them obtain all the aid that they are eligible for. With this bill, we are empowering underserved communities, vulnerable populations and small businesses that have not been able to apply for benefits even though they meet eligibility criteria.”
The Connecting Communities to Grant Opportunities Act of 2020 provides $200 million in funding for nonprofit organizational outreach to groups helping people and businesses apply for benefits provided by Congress under coronavirus-related legislation.
Myrie Holds Hearing on Elections in a Pandemic
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) and the State Legislature held a joint hearing on Elections in a Pandemic: A Review of the 2020 Primaries.
“With just over 80 days left until the November general election, today’s hearing made clear the significant challenges ahead of us in November,” said Myrie.“From ever-changing election procedures and inconsistent ballot instructions, to late absentee ballot deliveries and missing postmarks, the June primaries were a preview of what’s likely to be the most challenging– and important– election in recent history.”
The hearing included testimony from local and state Board of Elections officials, along with voting rights advocates, good government groups, civil rights leaders and voters from across the state. The United States Postal Service initially declined to participate but later sent written testimony.
Brooklyn Lawmakers on Hurricane Isaias
City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) demanded a comprehensive set of reforms to directly address the ongoing infrastructure challenges faced by southern Brooklyn and other parts of the city in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias, and ensure the city is better prepared for future extreme weather events.
“The widespread damage from Isaias and the ongoing recovery efforts should serve as a wake-up call to Con Edison and those in government. It’s time we started adopting proactive measures to prepare our city for the next storm. We cannot continue to wait until disaster strikes. We must take the overdue step of moving power lines underground, overhauling onerous regulations that prevent homeowners from working with private contractors for tree pruning services, and invest in real-time tools to track and map out 311 phone complaints related to tree maintenance issues. I thank Council Member Brannan and Senator Gounardes for their staunch advocacy on behalf of their communities, and for consistently pushing for common-sense resiliency measures to protect the five boroughs in an era of rapidly intensifying climate change,” said Adams.
“Let’s not forget that this recent storm hit the first week of August. We aren’t even into hurricane season yet! The combination of overhead power lines and the decimation of the Parks Department’s budget for tree pruning is proving to be a very real recipe for disaster. Not only do we need to seriously look at getting the power underground, like it is in Manhattan, but we need to take the care of New York’s trees more seriously. And if the city won’t pay for tree upkeep, we need to make it easier for New Yorkers to care for the trees on their block,” said Brannan.
“Storms happen. We need power companies and local infrastructure that can reliably handle the challenges of the future without melting down after predictable events. It is not sustainable for southern Brooklyn residents to go without power for days in the event of high winds. This means finally moving our lines underground and ensuring the maintenance of our trees. It also means holding our power companies accountable to do the job they are licensed to do. Southern Brooklynites expect more, and we need action to prepare for the next storm now,” said Gounardes.
