Toni On! New York Travels to Fort Greene!

We hope that you checked-out Toni On! New York when it aired on the CW, Saturday, April 11th, at 7:30PM. Fort Greene was the focus of this episode, and viewers got a healthy dose of knowledge about the history, culture, and life of the local area.

For instance, did you know that Fort Greene Park was Brooklyn's first park?, named (like the area) after General Nathaniel Greene, an aide to President George Washington (whom he served with during the Battle of Long Island, better known as the Battle of Brooklyn) [If you want to learn more about the history of battles fought in Fort Greene, we very much suggest you contact the Fort Greene Association and Fort Greene Park Conservancy].

The area was originally meant to serve the wealthy society of the (former) City of Brooklyn, including writer Walk Whitman, former U.S. Senator and Governor DeWitt Clinton (after whom Clinton Avenue is named), and the businessman Charles Pratt (who founded Pratt Institute).

Today, though, Fort Greene is home to a diverse community of people. The show did a great job of exploring this, mentioning our neighborhood gems like Vespa Brooklyn, South-African restaurant MADIBA, and local churches such as Emmanuel Baptist and Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian.

We love Fort Greene, and although it's not uncommon to see the neighborhood recognized in the local media as a great place to live, we very much appreciate the fact that Toni On! New York paid special attention to our rich history and growing diversity in their segment!

Lastly, according to Toni On! New York, Fort Greene is the home to the most French-speaking residents in all of Brooklyn! Merveilleux! (We would've bet money that distinction belonged to our Haitian-American population in Crown Heights:)

CM James On Facebook

If you weren't aware, Council Member Letitia James is a Facebook user. If you are a Facebook user, you should add her as a friend! Local pictures, regular status updates, and these blog posts can be found on her Facebook page.

Also, please vote in the newly-created poll on the side regarding what you'd like to see us focus on over the summer. These are all ideas we've been throwing around, and it would be great to narrow it down to a few things people really care about. If you're answer is 'other', just leave your preference in the comments section.

teamtish

ATTENTION: Summer Jobs and Internships Available!

So we’re in the process of compiling information for youth who are looking for summer jobs and internship opportunities.

First we want to bring your attention to the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), which has been funded in part through Federal stimulus money. SYEP helps build knowledge about community programs and organizations, while teaching invaluable instruction and training on real-world employment. Their application should be posted on the website soon, and we encourage all interested youth to apply.

Additionally, the City of New York has a lot of job and internship information on their website. You can follow the links for internships and summer job opportunities there, but we’d suggest going straight to each governmental and City agency site listed and searching for their summer internship/employment opportunities one-by-one (the agency and departmental sites tend to be the most updated). We’d also suggest getting started on these searches as soon as possible.

The New York City Police Department offers summer programs (and other youth programs) developed with the specific goal of reducing negative youth behaviors, and improving relationships between police and young people.

Lastly, you should also check out the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services Summer Internship Program. The internships listed here are solely for undergraduate and graduate students, and many are non-paying, but they are some of the best governmental internships the City of New York offers.

Hopefully, we can start listing more summer job and internship information as we get them, specifically opportunities that are locally-based. If you are an employer looking to hire youth in the 35th Council District, please send detailed information about the position, establishment, and any requirements to TeamTish@gmail.com. Please help give independence, experience, and education to a young person in our neighborhood.

teamtish

ATTENTION: Upcoming Local Events

"Town Hall Meeting on Predatory Lending and Mortgage Fraud"

Sponsored by Representative Yvette Clarke and Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes

DATE: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
TIME: 6PM- 9PM
LOCATION: Medgar Evers College Auditorium
1650 Bedford Ave. (btwn Crown & Montgomery Streets)
Brooklyn, NY 11225

SPONSORS: Congress Member Yvette Clarke, (718) 250-2340); Kings County District Attorney Charles Hynes (718) 287-1142.
_________________________________________________
"How to Mentor Urban Young Males"

Special Remarks by Susan Taylor, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Essence Magazine

DATE: Monday, April 13, 2009
TIME: 6:30PM
LOCATION: Brown Memorial Baptist Church
484 Washington Ave. (at the corner of Gates Avenue, use this entrance.)
Brooklyn, NY 11238.

SPONSORS: Kevin Powell, Black & Male in America, Hot 97, Bed Stuy Restoration Corp., Black & Latino Filmmakers Coalition, Man Up, Mentoring USA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of NYC, National CARES Mentoring Movement, & BlackPlanet.com.

__________________________________________________
"BOOK FAIR"

DATES: April 15, 16 and 17, 2009
TIME: 10AM- 3AM
LOCATION: Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center, Main Floor Lobby
100 North Portland Avenue (btwn Park & Myrtle Avenues)
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205

_________________________________________________
"Community Fundraiser Sidewalk Sale"

DATE: Saturday, April 25, 2009
TIME: 10AM- 6PM
LOCATION: Hall Street (btwn Dekalb & Willoughby Avenues)
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205

Purpose: To benefit the Senior Citizen Luncheon (given by the 88th Precinct and Brooklyn Art Incubator)

If you wish to be a vendor, please call Florence at (718) 636-9263.

________________________________________________
"Mayoral Control of New York City Public Schools: Mend It or End It???"

DATE: Sunday, April 26, 2009
3PM
Union Temple
17 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, NY 11238

OR

DATE: Thursday, April 30, 2009
6PM
Teen Challenge Center
444 Clinton Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238

SPONSORS: Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID), The 57th Assembly District Democratic Organization, United Federation of Teachers (UFT), State Senators Velmanette Montgomery & Eric Adams, Council Member Letitia James, & District Leader Olanike Alabi.

ATTENTION: CM James Sponsors Lien Sale Help Session; 4/16; 4PM; PS 20

Following-up on the information we posted regarding the 2009 lien sale (which is, effectively, everything you'd ever need to know about the 2009 lien sale); we'd like to let you know that our office has contacted the individuals on the 2009 Lien Sale list who live within the 35th District. If you are one of those individuals, and have not yet settled your outstanding liens, we hope that you attended the April 2nd Outreach Session at the Brooklyn Finance Business Center (210 Joralemon Street, 1st Floor). If you did not, we want to make you aware of a special outreach program sponsored by Council Member Letitia James.

On Thursday, April 16, we have arranged for representatives from both the Department of Finance and the Department of Environmental Protection to come to the 35th District so you can make arrangements to begin a payment plan. Representatives from the Department of Housing Preservation and Development will also have information on low-cost loans. The information is as follows:


LIEN SALE HELP SESSION
Thursday, April 16
PS 20
225 Adelphi Street
(between Willoughby & DeKalb)
4:00-7:00pm

Please be aware that there is a similar event on Tuesday, April 21, sponsored by Council Member Albert Vann, in Bedford Stuyvesant at the Boys & Girls School, 1700 Fulton Street (Utica/Schenectady), 5:00-8:00pm.

*Note that if you are a senior, or disabled, you may be eligible for a property tax reduction that could prevent the sale of a lien on your property. Properties owned by active duty military personnel may also be removed from the lien sale.

If you do not contact the City of New York by May 1, 2009, the City will sell a lien on your property. Please see our original post for more information.

teamtish

Blogs In The District: What Matters To You

First, we want to bring your attention to The Local, which has some great information regarding Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project and Just Food. They have a job opening to work on food access initiatives. Full description can be found here.

Deadline to apply: April 15, 2009
Annual stipend: $13,548 (plus: $4,725 education award or $1,200 cash bonus at the end of year of service)
Other benefits included.

Also from The Local, there will be a public meeting regarding the 11217 post office. The meeting is at 138 South Oxford at 6PM, and will include a representative from USPS. Although the New York City Council has no authority over the United States Postal Service, most of the staff of Council Member James live in the district and can attest to the service-complaints regarding that branch. We won't be there tonight, but it would be great if someone could update us on what was discussed and the response from USPS.

Lastly, (via Clinton Hill blog) Council Member James is aware of the noise complaints regarding the mosque on Fulton between Cambridge and St. James. Our office is open to facilitating a meeting between the residents, Council Member James, and the representatives of the mosque in this regard. Please contact our office at (212) 788-7081 if you have any questions or comments.

ATTENTION: NYS Department of Civil Service and NYC Jobs Available!

We’ve been posting all the information regarding jobs that we get over here. The New York State Department of Civil Service has sent a list with its recent job openings (skip to listing below).

You can search through the NYS Department of Civil Service on your own (it includes jobs with local government as well). You can also search New York City jobs at the City website here. Lastly, if you're interested in a job that requires a civil service examination, and you're looking for study materials, please consider to going to a small/local store like the Civil Service Bookshop on 89 Worth Street before going to a mass-market bookstore. We'll be posting later regarding some of the struggles of local booksellers.

*The following jobs may be applied for on-line.

You will find application and fee payment instructions on the
examination announcements.

Open-Competitive Examination Announcements:

28-211, Animal Health Inspector
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/28-211.cfm

25-153, Health Planner
25-155, Associate Health Planner
25-154, Senior Health Planner
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-153.cfm

25-180, Beverage Control Investigator
25-183, Beverage Control Investigator (Korean Language)
25-185, Beverage Control Investigator (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-180.cfm

25-174, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1
25-177, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1 (Korean Language)
25-179, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1 (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-174.cfm

25-156, Business Systems Analyst 1
25-157, Business Systems Analyst 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-156.cfm

25-186, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Health)
25-187, Business Systems Analyst 2 (Health)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-186.cfm

25-089, Business Systems Analyst 3 (Environmental Conservation)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-089.cfm

25-141, Citizen Participation Specialist 1
25-142, Citizen Participation Specialist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-141.cfm

25-113, Correctional Facility Food Administrator 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-113.cfm

28-205, Financial Analyst 1
28-206, Financial Analyst 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/28-205.cfm

25-127, Labor Standards Investigator
25-128, Labor Standards Investigator (Chinese Language)
25-129, Labor Standards Investigator (Korean Language)
25-130, Labor Standards Investigator (Spanish Language)
25-131, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee
25-132, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Chinese Language)
25-133, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Korean Language)
25-134, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-127.cfm

25-190, Mapping Technician 2
25-191, Mapping Technician 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-190.cfm

25-192, Mapping Technologist 1
25-193, Mapping Technologist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-192.cfm

25-194, Mapping Technologist 3
25-195, Mapping Technologist 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-194.cfm

25-188, Medical Conduct Investigator
25-189, Senior Medical Conduct Investigator
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-188.cfm

25-166, Rent Inspector 1
25-167, Rent Inspector 1 (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/oc/25-166.cfm

Promotion Examination Announcements:

36-127, Agency Training and Development Specialist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-127.cfm

36-132, Animal Health Inspector 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-132.cfm

36-055, Assistant Industrial Superintendent
36-056, Industrial Superintendent
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-132.cfm

36-095, Associate Health Planner
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-095.cfm

36-097, Associate Unemployment Insurance Internal Security Specialist
36-098, Associate Unemployment Insurance Internal Security Specialist
(Quality Control)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-097.cfm

39-628, Associate Unemployment Insurance Investigator
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/39-628.cfm

00-169, Beverage Control Investigator Trainee 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/00-169.cfm

35-444, Business Document Specialist 2
35-445, Business Document Specialist 3
35-446, Business Document Specialist 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-444.cfm

35-978, Business Systems Analyst 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-978.cfm

36-128, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Health)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-128.cfm

35-980, Business Systems Analyst 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-980.cfm

35-982, Business Systems Analyst 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-982.cfm

35-986, Business Systems Analyst 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-986.cfm

35-979, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Insurance)
35-981, Business Systems Analyst 2 (Insurance)
35-984, Business Systems Analyst 3 (Insurance)
35-987, Business Systems Analyst 4 (Insurance)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/35-979.cfm

36-035, Business Systems Analyst 1 (Tax)
36-036, Business Systems Analyst 2 (Tax)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-035.cfm

36-037, Business Systems Analyst 3 (Tax)
36-038, Business Systems Analyst 4 (Tax)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-037.cfm

36-083, Citizen Participation Specialist 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-083.cfm

00-159, Correctional Facility Food Administrator 1
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/00-159.cfm

36-006, Correctional Facility Food Administrator 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-006.cfm

36-004, Environmental Chemist 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-004.cfm

36-059, General Industrial Training Supervisor
36-060, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Abatement)
36-061, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Construction)
36-062, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Garment Mfg.)
36-063, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Metal Products Mfg.)
36-064, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Optical Mfg.)
36-065, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Soap Mfg.)
36-066, General Industrial Training Supervisor (Wood Products Mfg.)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-059.cfm

00-160, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee
00-161, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Chinese Language)
00-162, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Korean Language)
00-163, Labor Standards Investigator Trainee (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/00-160.cfm

36-134, Mapping Technologist 2
36-135, Mapping Technologist 3
36-136, Mapping Technologist 4
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-134.cfm

36-138, Mapping Technician 3
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-138.cfm

36-057, Production Control Supervisor
36-058, Quality Control Supervisor
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-057.cfm

36-007, Regional Coordinator Correctional Food Services
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-007.cfm

36-114, Rent Inspector 2
36-115, Rent Inspector 2 (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-114.cfm

36-129, Senior Beverage Control Investigator
36-130, Supervising Beverage Control Investigator
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom/36-129.cfm

Open-Competitive Continuous Recruitment Announcements:

20-880, Junior Engineer
http://www.cs.state.ny.us/announ/cr_announcements/20-880.htm

20-881, Vocational Rehabilitiation Counselor
20-882, Vocational Rehabilitiation Counselor (Manual Communication)
20-883, Vocational Rehabilitiation Counselor (Spanish Language)
www.cs.state.ny.us/announ/cr_announcements/20-881.htm

Promotion Continuous Recruitment Announcements:

30-180, Environmental Engineer (Civil) 2
www.cs.state.ny.us/examannouncements/announcements/prom-cr/30-180.cfm

CM James Reports Mayor Bloomberg Stimulus-Funded Brooklyn Infrastructure Projects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Brooklyn, NY)– Council Member Letitia James is pleased to report that Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the City’s selection for infrastructure projects this week, which will receive financial backing from the $261 million of federal transportation funding, allocated through President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As chair of the Contracts Committee, and co-chair of the Infrastructure Task Force, Council Member James advocated for all infrastructure projects receiving funds, specifically the descriptions below of plans within the 35th Council District. She has held several meetings with Edward Skyler, Deputy Mayor for Operations, and has kept pressure on the Bloomberg Administration to ensure these projects were prioritized.

Infrastructure projects supported by federal stimulus funding will supplement the City’s current capital plan. The federal stimulus dollars mean that the City gets projects moving quickly to rebuild infrastructure, creating jobs for thousands of people– exactly what the New York economy needs at this time. Strategic investments in essential infrastructure will help promote necessary economic development. President Obama, Congress and the City government are delivering real change to all five boroughs - more info. can be found at www.nyc.gov.

Improvements to the Brooklyn Navy Yard - The project will reconstruct several roadways in the Navy Yard area and upgrade water and sewer systems. The new roads will allow for the reopening of the historic Sands Street gate, providing more efficient pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle access to the Navy Yard. This includes better access to the A/C/F trains, adding much needed parking, facilitating additional industrial development, and improving water conservation, storm water run-off management and landscaping. Total project cost: $35.4 million - construction bid March 2009, and estimated completion summer 2011.

Streetscape Improvements to Flatbush Avenue - This project includes streetscape improvements along Flatbush Avenue from Tillary to Hanson Place, including new street and pedestrian lights, an elevated landscaped median in the street, and new pedestrian crosswalk refuges at medians. The project also includes sewer and water main upgrades. The project will create a more pedestrian friendly atmosphere for one of Brooklyn’s major thoroughfares and support additional private development in the area. Total project cost: $23 million - construction bid April 2009, and estimated completion June 2011.

Reconstruction of Eastern Parkway - The project involves reconstruction of the roadway from Washington Avenue to Grand Army Plaza to improve the street, which is currently in deteriorated condition, and improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicular traffic. The reconstruction will reduce the frequency of future resurfacing and repair work, which can cause lane closures. The project will improve access to several cultural, recreational and educational institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum, The Brooklyn Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Public Library, and Prospect Park. Total project cost: $12 million - construction bid fall 2009, and estimated completion Spring 2012.

Citywide Sidewalk Repairs for all Boroughs - The project will repair sidewalks that are damaged by curbside trees in locations throughout the City. The damaged sidewalks cause inconvenience and safety concerns for property owners, who are responsible for the condition of their sidewalks. The sidewalk repairs, done at no cost to the homeowner, will maximize the strength and durability of the sidewalks, while minimizing the damage to tree roots. One-, two-, and three family homes occupied by the owner are eligible for this program. Total project cost: $3.7 million, construction bid spring 2009, and estimated completion summer 2010.

The City of New York’s economic plan focuses on making investments in neighborhoods that will create more jobs, as well encourage greater economic opportunity now, and when projects are completed. In order to maintain transparency and accountability when using stimulus funding, the funds allocated to the City can be followed on the “Stimulus Tracker” located at the official New York City web site.

Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

###

ATTENTION: Funding Process for Organizations/Programs (UPDATE)

We are following up on this post concerning the NYCC budget process. Please note that the deadline for expense funding from Council Member Letitia James was March, 31, 2009. Please do not send us your applications at this time. You may still apply for capital funding, as that deadline is April 24, 2009 (we may move this date up 3-4 days prior to April 24th to ensure that all paperwork is completed in time for financial analysis; in such case, we will update this blog with most current information).

The forms that would be necessary to fill-out for capital funding are available on the City Council's website:

http://council.nyc.gov/html/budget/fy2010_funding_application.shtml

Full instructions are also available at that website. Please get the applications to our City Hall office (Attention: Kate Suisman) as soon as you can, so that we can let you know if anything is missing or needs to be clarified. Please remember that submitting an application for funds does not guarantee that you will receive funding. After the City budget is passed in late June, our office will send letters to groups that receive funding.

Thank you for the work you do in our communities.

Office of Council Member Letitia James

If you have any further questions, please call (212) 788-7081. If our Budget Assistant is not available, our British intern will be able to assist you.

Team Tish: Some Recent Photos

Another round of "Recent Photos," following Council Member James' many (many) activities within the 35th District and throughout New York City.

*
CM James joins her colleagues in the City Council on February 12, 2009, at Speaker Quinn's State of the City address (helping local and small businesses, the economic state, City and State taxes, and public safety were mentioned as priorities for the Council).


CMs James and Mark-Viverito join protesters, fellow elected officials, advocates, and New Yorkers from all over in condemning the New York Post's racist 'chimp' cartooon on February 19. 2009 at NewsCorp Office Building.


CM James is joined by International Lifestyle Adviser (and our British Intern) Maudlyn Darkwa. (2/19 NY Post Rally; NewsCorp Office Building).

**

**
CM James speaks on the steps of City Hall on March 11, 2009 with ConnectNYC, an organization that addresses family-based and gender violence, on the subject of HIV/AIDS Prevention.


CM James is joined by Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes and Embora's Emory Moore at the March 29, 2009 Self-Defense Awareness Event at LIU.


CM James stands safely back as Mr. Moore demonstrates a creative attack defense (3/29 Self-Defense Awareness Event; LIU).

If you have any pictures of Tish in the district you'd like to see on the TeamTish blog, please forward them to me at aworthydavis@council.nyc.gov. Note: We try not to post pictures from media sources; and we'll give independent photographers a shout-out here.

thanks,
teamtish

*Photo courtesy of William Alatriste.
**Photo courtesy of Quentin Walcott of CONNECT Training Institute & Community Empowerment Program.