**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
FEBRUARY 7, 2012
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Comments on the Proposed Closure of Long Island College Hospital
Interfaith Medical Center Hospital Announced Emergency Plans to Declare Bankruptcy In December
(New York, NY)— The State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center is set to propose the closure of Long Island College Hospital (LICH) in an effort to fund the network, which reportedly lost over $200 million in 2012, following a $276 million loss in 2011.
With the potential closure of Interfaith Medical Center, which serves the Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant communities, it is a particularly precarious time for LICH to have to close its doors.
On February 8, 2013, employees of LICH and Interfaith Medical Center plan to hold a joint press conference to discuss the proposed closures. Employees of both hospitals have criticized SUNY, and have suggested that the proposed closures will facilitate the transition to for-profit healthcare in Brooklyn, citing “an experimental ‘pilot program’ in the governor’s draft budget that would allow private investors to create a for-profit hospital in Brooklyn.”
“Long Island College Hospital is vital to the Downtown Brooklyn community, which it has served for over 150 years,” said Council Member Letitia James. “There is no justification for closing hospitals, instead of providing them with the resources they need to be successful. These proposed shutdowns are deeply upsetting and should concern all Brooklyn residents.”
Long Island College Hospital recently merged with Downstate, after formerly being owned by Continuum Health Partners. The Board of Trustees of SUNY is expected to propose at its meeting this Friday that the hospital be closed. By law, there has to be a Public Meeting and Hearing to begin the process. The hearing will take place today, Thursday, February 7th, from 3:00-5:00 P.M. at the Auditorium of the College of Optometry, 33 West 42nd Street in Manhattan.
According to media reports, SUNY plans to sell the property to residential developers likely to create luxury condos.
###
Council Member Letitia James’ Statement on Interfaith Medical Center: http://teamtish.blogspot.com/2012/12/cm-james-comments-on-interfaith-medical.html
Friday, February 8, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
CM James Statement on Preliminary Budget Cuts
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
FEBRUARY 1, 2013
Contact: Barbara Sherman (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Statement on Preliminary Budget Cuts
(New York, NY)— “It concerns me that Mayor Bloomberg’s Preliminary Budget reflects drastic cuts to the most vulnerable— the children of New York City— in proposed slashes to public schools and after-school programs, as well as the reduction of thousands of city-financed child-care slots. This would have a detrimental effect on the quality of our city’s education system, and to the working families who depend on child care.
The administration’s proposed budget would also result in the closing of 20 fire houses, and other essential services that all New Yorkers depend on. I will be working with my colleagues in the City Council, and other stakeholders, to ensure these vital services are not cut.”
###
FEBRUARY 1, 2013
Contact: Barbara Sherman (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Statement on Preliminary Budget Cuts
(New York, NY)— “It concerns me that Mayor Bloomberg’s Preliminary Budget reflects drastic cuts to the most vulnerable— the children of New York City— in proposed slashes to public schools and after-school programs, as well as the reduction of thousands of city-financed child-care slots. This would have a detrimental effect on the quality of our city’s education system, and to the working families who depend on child care.
The administration’s proposed budget would also result in the closing of 20 fire houses, and other essential services that all New Yorkers depend on. I will be working with my colleagues in the City Council, and other stakeholders, to ensure these vital services are not cut.”
###
CM James Commends NYPD and BK DA for Successful Gun Buy-Back Event
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
FEBRUARY 5, 2013
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Commends Police Department and Brooklyn District Attorney for Successful Gun Buy-Back Event
(New York, NY)— On Saturday, February 2, 2013 Council Member Letitia James joined Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, and Rev. Dr. Mark V.C. Taylor of The Church of the Open Door in sponsoring a Gun Buy-Back event in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
The gun buy-back event was extremely successful, collecting 113 weapons— including revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, assault weapons, and other weapons.
In addition to Council Member Letitia James, Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, the gun buy-back event was attended by a list of elected officials and representatives, including:
• NYC Comptroller John Liu
• State Senator Velmanette Montgomery
• Assemblyman Walter Mosley
• NYPD Chief Gerald Nelson
• Retired NYPD Inspector Timothy Pearson
• District Leader Jessie Hamilton
• Lee Church, representing Congressman Hakeem Jeffries
• Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Chief of Staff representing State Senator Eric Adams
“I want to thank District Attorney Hynes and his staff, as well as the NYPD, for their assistance and hard work in making this gun buy-back successful,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I would like to additionally thank those who did the right thing by turning in these weapons: you have made the first step in ridding your community of gun violence.”
###
FEBRUARY 5, 2013
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Commends Police Department and Brooklyn District Attorney for Successful Gun Buy-Back Event
(New York, NY)— On Saturday, February 2, 2013 Council Member Letitia James joined Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, and Rev. Dr. Mark V.C. Taylor of The Church of the Open Door in sponsoring a Gun Buy-Back event in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.
The gun buy-back event was extremely successful, collecting 113 weapons— including revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, shotguns, assault weapons, and other weapons.
In addition to Council Member Letitia James, Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes, and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, the gun buy-back event was attended by a list of elected officials and representatives, including:
• NYC Comptroller John Liu
• State Senator Velmanette Montgomery
• Assemblyman Walter Mosley
• NYPD Chief Gerald Nelson
• Retired NYPD Inspector Timothy Pearson
• District Leader Jessie Hamilton
• Lee Church, representing Congressman Hakeem Jeffries
• Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Chief of Staff representing State Senator Eric Adams
“I want to thank District Attorney Hynes and his staff, as well as the NYPD, for their assistance and hard work in making this gun buy-back successful,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I would like to additionally thank those who did the right thing by turning in these weapons: you have made the first step in ridding your community of gun violence.”
###
Friday, February 1, 2013
CM James Comments on Departure of Medgar Evers College President
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
JANUARY 31, 2013
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Comments on Departure of Medgar Evers College President
(New York, NY)— Under the leadership of Dr. William L. Pollard— who became president of Medgar Evers College [of The City University of New York (CUNY)] in August 2009— Medgar Evers College cut back on spending for student services. Specifically, media reports cite that professors stated a writing center for students was eliminated, and tutoring service cut back. The dismissal or demotion of professors was also sharply criticized. This followed a no-confidence vote— made in December 2010— in which a significant number of the CUNY’s tenured professors expressed serious concerns about the state of the college following the elimination of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions, a think tank run by academically pedigreed formerly-incarcerated experts focused on prison-reform policies.
Council Member Letitia James and other elected officials have supported students and faculty in their efforts to address existing issues with the Medgar Evers administration. In 2011, students presented a petition to the administration. The students were primarily concerned with actions they believed were contrary to “the mission of [the] predominately Black institution of higher learning” and “that seek[ed] to dismantle the college's community-based centers.”
“I am confident that Medgar Evers College will be able to re-focus full attention on providing their students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Council Member Letitia James.
###
JANUARY 31, 2013
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Comments on Departure of Medgar Evers College President
(New York, NY)— Under the leadership of Dr. William L. Pollard— who became president of Medgar Evers College [of The City University of New York (CUNY)] in August 2009— Medgar Evers College cut back on spending for student services. Specifically, media reports cite that professors stated a writing center for students was eliminated, and tutoring service cut back. The dismissal or demotion of professors was also sharply criticized. This followed a no-confidence vote— made in December 2010— in which a significant number of the CUNY’s tenured professors expressed serious concerns about the state of the college following the elimination of the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions, a think tank run by academically pedigreed formerly-incarcerated experts focused on prison-reform policies.
Council Member Letitia James and other elected officials have supported students and faculty in their efforts to address existing issues with the Medgar Evers administration. In 2011, students presented a petition to the administration. The students were primarily concerned with actions they believed were contrary to “the mission of [the] predominately Black institution of higher learning” and “that seek[ed] to dismantle the college's community-based centers.”
“I am confident that Medgar Evers College will be able to re-focus full attention on providing their students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Council Member Letitia James.
###
CM James Comments on Legacy of Mayor Ed Koch
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
FEBRUARY 1, 2013
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Comments on Legacy of Mayor Ed Koch
(New York, NY)— “My thoughts are with the loved ones of Mayor Ed Koch, who was an icon and a true New Yorker. His influence in strengthening New York’s then-struggling economy, and his fighter spirit was an inspiration to us all. He will be deeply missed, and remembered as a prominent figure in both New York and national politics.”
Edward Irving Koch served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977. He was New York City’s 105th Mayor from 1978 to 1989, serving three consecutive terms. After leaving public office, he remained a political figure, and enjoyed notoriety as a media personality.
###
FEBRUARY 1, 2013
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James Comments on Legacy of Mayor Ed Koch
(New York, NY)— “My thoughts are with the loved ones of Mayor Ed Koch, who was an icon and a true New Yorker. His influence in strengthening New York’s then-struggling economy, and his fighter spirit was an inspiration to us all. He will be deeply missed, and remembered as a prominent figure in both New York and national politics.”
Edward Irving Koch served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977. He was New York City’s 105th Mayor from 1978 to 1989, serving three consecutive terms. After leaving public office, he remained a political figure, and enjoyed notoriety as a media personality.
###
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
