Job Opportunity: NYC Parks Lifeguard

New York City Parks' beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and the pools are open from late June through Labor Day.

Lifeguards work 48 hours each week and first-year lifeguards will earn a minimum of $13.57 an hour, for a weekly salary of over $650.00.

Those interested may learn more about the Lifeguard Training Program and the qualifications here: http://www.nycgovparks.org/opportunities/jobs/lifeguards

ATTENTION: LDCCH Hosts Home Buyer Workshop; 1/25; 7PM

The Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights (LDCCH)- in collaboration with Project Brooklyn Homeowners- will host a Free Interactive Home Buyer Workshop on January 25th, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 25th 2012
7:00PM to 9:00PM
WHERE: First Baptist Church of Crown Heights
450 Eastern Parkway, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11225

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU????
• Learn How to buy a home
• Learn what to look for in a home and the right questions to ask
• Learn how to qualify for a mortgage. We make sure all attendee’s fully understand the mortgage process from start to finish
• Learn what to do if they have credit challenges and the steps to repair their credit
• ON THE SPOT MORTGAGE PRE-QUALIFICATION
• FREE CREDIT REPORT AND CREDIT CONSULTATION
• Opportunity to preview homes from our inventory of 130 HOMES throughout the Brooklyn and Queens areas and speak to our team of Realtors that will be present at the work shop

To register, email Evantz Saint-Gerard at Evantz@yahoo.com or Yinery Martinez at LDCCH752@aol.com, or call 718-467-8800.

ATTENTION: Alternate Side Suspended

The New York City Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the Department of Sanitation, has suspended alternate side parking regulations today, Monday, January 23, 2012 for Asian Lunar New Year.

All other regulations, including parking meters, remain in effect.

Job Opportunity: NY Post Hosts Career Fair: 1/26

The New York Post is hosting a Career Fair--

WHEN: Thursday January 26,
11AM- 3PM

WHERE: Affinia Manhattan Hotel
371 Seventh Avenue at 31st Street
New York, NY 10001

Positions Available include: Government, Healthcare, Drivers, Sales, and Law Enforcement.

Register and upload your resume at www.catalystcareergroup.com.

ATTENTION: Snow Alert 1/19

The New York City Department of Sanitation has issued a ‘snow alert’ for Thursday, January 19, 2012 starting at 6 p.m. Current forecasts indicate trace amounts to one inch of snow.

CM James Statement On Proposal to Co-locate Community Roots Charter in PS 287

The NYT-Local has reported that the proposal to co-locate with PS 287 was approved.
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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
January 17, 2012

Contact Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES’ STATEMENT REGARDING DOE PROPOSAL TO CO-LOCATE COMMUNITY ROOTS CHARTER SCHOOL IN P.S. 287 BUILDING

(Brooklyn, NY)- “In December 2010, Community Roots Charter School (CRCS) was approved for a grade expansion, which will now serve middle school grade levels (grades 6-8). Shortly after, the New York City Department of Education (DOE) proposed to expand CRCS in its existing location in 13K067, which houses a community school, P.S. 67-Charles A. Dorsey and P.S. 369, a District 75 school. After much community push back, the DOE concluded that 13K067 does not offer the capacity to accommodate the expansion of CRCS. In December 2011, the DOE proposed to co-locate Community Roots’ middle school grades in the 13K287 building beginning in the 2012-2013 school year.

13K287 presently houses P.S. 287-Bailey K. Ashford, an existing community school serving kindergarten through fifth grade, and Khalil Gibran International Academy, an existing DOE school serving students in seventh and eighth grade. Khalil Gibran will be re-sited to Community School District 15 next Fall. With the potential available space due to the exodus of Khalil Gibran and the additional underutilized space in P.S. 287, the DOE has found sufficient space within the building to house Community Roots without impeding on the success and growth of P.S. 287 and CRCS. At capacity in 2014 with P.S. 287 and Community Roots Middle School co-located, the building utilization rate will be between 54-71%.

Much like the previous proposal, this plan is causing community unrest and conflict. It is no surprise to anyone that I do not waiver when I’m faced with a bureaucratic challenge or an issue that is undoubtedly wrong, However, I believe that there is sufficient room in the P.S. 287 facility for both schools to fit comfortably and continue to grow for the betterment of District 13 youth.

I stand with all the schools in my Council District and the families who fight for increased educational options for their children. I stand on the side of fairness and transparency. For that I urge parental and community involvement in the DOE significant changes in school utilization process. We need to stand together to grow high-achieving schools in our district like CRCS and P.S. 287. We are the answer to ensure the growth and sustainment of a progressive working environment for our children.”

Council Member Letitia James
35th CD, Brooklyn

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ATTENTION: FGA Invites FG/CH Community to CB2 Meeting for Presentation of Lafayette Traffic Calming/ Bike Lane; 1/17 TODAY; 6PM; St. Francis College

The Fort Greene Association (FGA) encourages residents to support the Lafayette Avenue Traffic Calming campaign (The Make Lafayette Safer Campaign). The campaign will be presenting to Brooklyn Community Board 2's Transportation Committee for their regular meeting this Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

FGA invites supporters to attend the meeting and help bring bike lanes to Lafayette Avenue. Attendees who wish to speak can request two minutes in the public forum at the end of the meeting. Details follow:

CB 2 Transportation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
6:00 PM
St. Francis College, 1st Floor (Boardroom)
180 Remsen Street (between Clinton and Court Streets)

If you can't make the meeting, but support traffic calming and bike lanes within Fort Greene, you can still sign the Online Petition Here!

CM James Comments On Collapse of Illegal Billboard In Williamsburg

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
January 14, 2011

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081

Council Member Letitia James Comments On Collapse of Illegal Billboard In Williamsburg
Illegal Billboard Fell Onto BQE; Highlights Need For Greater Regulation

(New York, NY)— On Friday, January 13, 2012, an illegal billboard advertising the New York Lottery fell onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) due to high winds. The collapsed billboard blocked the BQE after falling on a guardrail. It also struck a nearby car wash and body shop, severed a gas line, and damaged a vehicle. Fortunately no one was injured, and traffic resumed about an hour after the incident.

The billboard was mounted atop 421 Meeker Avenue, and fell around 2:20PM, with the billboard's metal supporting partially falling on the building itself. Gas at the building was shut off, and the FDNY confirmed a partial gas leak. The New York City Department of Buildings zoning rules prohibit billboard placement within 200 feet of highways, however many City highways are lined with illegal billboards.

"It is time the Buildings Department cracked down on illegal billboards," said Council Member Letitia James. "It is fortunate that no one was hurt in this incident, but it is time the City enforced this rule and held sign companies responsible. As long as advertisers make more in illegal billboard placement than they pay in fines, this will continue to pose a danger. I call upon the Department to inspect City billboards for legality and safety."

In 2009, a Federal District Court in Manhattan found that “the City’s enforcement of its zoning regulations has been inconsistent and less than vigorous...The billboard industry has taken advantage of this lax enforcement and has consistently ignored the regulations on billboard sign location.”

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MLK Holiday Breakfast for 500 Men Making A Difference Renovation of Paul Robeson Theatre in FG: 1/16 at 10AM

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
January 15, 2012

Contact: Amyre Loomis (718) 260-9191

MLK BREAKFAST ON MONDAY IN FORT GREENE: PARTNER WITH NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS TO HONOR DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR’S LEGACY

(Brooklyn, NY) "It is my pleasure to join 500 Men Making a Difference to provide a great service for the community over this holiday weekend by helping with renovations of the historic Paul Robeson Theater. Also, on Monday, January 16 at 10am, a Men's Breakfast will be held at 525 Waverly Avenue. All are welcome; please read below for more information. Happy Martin Luther King Birthday Holiday to all," said Council Member James.

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The Paul Robeson Theater, located at 40 Greene Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is receiving renovation assistance from the organization “500 Men Making A Difference”. The late Dr. Josephine English (former owner of the theater) had expressed interest in renovating the recently-landmarked 147-year-old space, but needed financial assistance to do so. Council Member James seeked to provide budget funding, and assist in establishing a solid management plan. Unfortunately, Dr. English passed away in December 2011 before these matters were finalized.

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500 Men Making a Difference is doing a 72-Hour Straight Renovation Project at the theater this MLK weekend. They have asked members in the community to come down and help with the removal of debris, fixing, installing and painting that needs to be done.

500 Men is working with the following sponsors:
Brooklyn Weinstein
Bedford Central Community Development Corp
BEHR Paint
Home Depot
Park Ave Building & Supply

Renovation Schedule:
-Opening Ceremony 11:00 PM Friday
-Work Start 12:00 AM Saturday
-Press conference 11:00 AM Saturday
-Party hour 2:00 AM Sunday
-Church Service 10:45 AM Sunday
-Men's Breakfast 10:00 AM Monday
-Closing Ceremony & Ribbon cutting 12:00 AM Tuesday

Shifts:
Man shift- 10 hours
You are the Man shift- 12 hour
Inhuman shift- 16 hour

Contact:
Wayne Devonish
500 Men Making a Difference Inc.
www.500MenMakingaDifference.com
wmdkaos@aol.com
917-297-2365

New York City Council Supports Living Wage Bill

**For Immediate Release**
January 13, 2012

Contact: Amyre Loomis (718) 260-9191

Statement by Council Member Letitia James About New York City Council's Support of Living Wage Bill

(Brooklyn, NY) “As we prepare to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I applaud Speaker Quinn for supporting The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, also known as the Living Wage Bill, which would standardize a living wage for employees in jobs created through tax dollar-subsidized development projects.

The bill requires future development projects that receive $1 million or more in discretionary funding from the City, to pay $10 an hour plus benefits for full-time workers, and $11.50 an hour without benefits for at least 10 years. Millions of dollars a year in taxpayer-financed subsidies are provided to private developers by the City of New York, and these employers should pay decent wages.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood with sanitation workers demanding a living wage when he was killed. The City Council now stands with the working poor of New York City in support of The Fair Wages for New Yorkers Act, as well as in honor of the moral mandate and living spirit of Dr. King.

The Living Wage Bill will go a long way to help lift families out of poverty; I thank my colleagues in the Progressive Caucus for pushing to restore progressive politics back to its core.”


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