Parking Meters
The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that between August 2011 and June 2012 they will be replacing all remaining single-space parking meters with muni-meters throughout Brooklyn.
Also, effective August 9, 2011, DOT will begin increasing parking meter rates throughout Brooklyn. The new parking meter rates will be $1.00 an hour for short-term parking ($0.25 for 15 minutes), and $8.00 a day at all long-term metered spaces.
Please call the DOT Brooklyn Borough Commissioner at (718) 222-7259 with any further questions.
G-train Service
MTA/ NYC Transit will be operating shuttle buses along portions of the G subway line during 3 upcoming weekends due to track maintenance work. The 3 weekends for alternate service are as follows:
* August 27-29: G service suspended between Hoyt-Schermerhorn and Court Square F station, replaced by shuttle buses
* September 24-26: G service suspended between Bedford-Nostrand Aves. and Court Square F station, replaced by shuttle buses
* October 1-3: same as September 24-26 weekend
All weekend work will start at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and end at 5:00 a.m. on Monday. All service diversions will be noted on posters at each affected station in advance of the weekend work, and MTA NYC Transit staff will be available throughout these weekends at the affected stations to assist our customers get to where they need to go.
Please call the MTA/NYC Transit at (718) 330-1234 with any further questions.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
CM James Announced First Annual Building Bridges Bike Day; Sat. Aug. 13; Grand Army Plaza
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 9, 2011
Contacts: Jonathan A. Perez at (718) 260-9191
COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL BUILDING BRIDGES BIKE DAY THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 AT GRAND ARMY PLAZA
Building Bridges Bike Day was founded by Council Member Letitia James to work with the public and other community officials, public officials, and advocates to raise awareness about public safety. The event is taking place at the crossroads of three major bike lanes, running lanes, and pedestrian walkways, and is a symbol of the bridge between these diverse groups.
The purpose of the event is to inform the public about safety concerns, and a table and tent for the Building Bridges Bike Day will be located in the center of the Green Market at Grand Army Plaza on this Saturday afternoon. Participants will coordinate between the local riders and pedestrians to create a greater awareness of rules, regulations, and safe streets in New York City.
Starting at 11 a.m. (during peak time of the Grand Army Plaza Green Market), the Building Bridges Bike Day table will feature Council Member Letitia James, Council Member Steve Levin, Council Member Brad Lander, and the initiative run by staff of Council Member James’ Office. Following presentations by elected officials and safety advocates, ambassadors from Transportation Alternatives and Recycle-A-Bicycle will talk to riders at the market and along Prospect Park’s bike lanes. Safety information, maps, other literature and bicycle donation information will be available.
“I’ve started bicycle riding myself this summer, and my hope is that a renewed culture of respect for pedestrians and bicyclists will continue to grow as the outcome of this very important initiative,” said Council Member Letitia.
Who: Council Member Letitia James, Council Member Steve Levin, Council Member Brad Lander, Transportation Alternatives, Recycle a Bicycle, Safety Advocates
What: Building Bridges Bike Day
When: Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 11a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Grand Army Plaza Green Market between Vanderbilt, Flatbush and Plaza Street
###
August 9, 2011
Contacts: Jonathan A. Perez at (718) 260-9191
COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ANNOUNCES FIRST ANNUAL BUILDING BRIDGES BIKE DAY THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 AT GRAND ARMY PLAZA
Building Bridges Bike Day was founded by Council Member Letitia James to work with the public and other community officials, public officials, and advocates to raise awareness about public safety. The event is taking place at the crossroads of three major bike lanes, running lanes, and pedestrian walkways, and is a symbol of the bridge between these diverse groups.
The purpose of the event is to inform the public about safety concerns, and a table and tent for the Building Bridges Bike Day will be located in the center of the Green Market at Grand Army Plaza on this Saturday afternoon. Participants will coordinate between the local riders and pedestrians to create a greater awareness of rules, regulations, and safe streets in New York City.
Starting at 11 a.m. (during peak time of the Grand Army Plaza Green Market), the Building Bridges Bike Day table will feature Council Member Letitia James, Council Member Steve Levin, Council Member Brad Lander, and the initiative run by staff of Council Member James’ Office. Following presentations by elected officials and safety advocates, ambassadors from Transportation Alternatives and Recycle-A-Bicycle will talk to riders at the market and along Prospect Park’s bike lanes. Safety information, maps, other literature and bicycle donation information will be available.
“I’ve started bicycle riding myself this summer, and my hope is that a renewed culture of respect for pedestrians and bicyclists will continue to grow as the outcome of this very important initiative,” said Council Member Letitia.
Who: Council Member Letitia James, Council Member Steve Levin, Council Member Brad Lander, Transportation Alternatives, Recycle a Bicycle, Safety Advocates
What: Building Bridges Bike Day
When: Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 11a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Grand Army Plaza Green Market between Vanderbilt, Flatbush and Plaza Street
###
Friday, August 5, 2011
Afro-Punk Festival- 8/27-28; Commodore Barry Park
The Afro-punk Festival is returning to Brooklyn's Commodore Barry Park for its 7th edition on August 27-28 2011. This year has the most stellar line up yet with Cee Lo Green, Santigold, Janelle Monae, Fishbone, Toro Y Moi, Toshi Reagon and BIGLovely, Ninjasonik, Cerebral Ballzy, Gordon Voidwell, Reggie Watts, Res, Joi, Rocky Business, Straight Line Stitch.
Just added: Gym Class Heroes, Das Racist, Kenna, Tamar-kali, Bad Raddbits, Joe Jordans Experiment, Jersey Klan, Radkey, and DJ's Stack-Aly, Jillionaire, Dances with White Girls, D://BOi, dj.shErOck, toni*K!
In addition, the Nike Battle For the Streets Skate and BMX Competition, the largest street skate and BMX competition in NYC will return with the nation's top amateur skaters and BMX riders in a competition to be judged by top professionals in both sports including Nigel Sylvester and P-Rod.
* ADMISSION IS FREE *
There are some very exciting new additions to the festival this year! Over 20 of the NYC area's hottest food trucks and vendors have been brought together for the Afro-Punk Bites and Beats Food Truck Festival which will bring cuisine from around the world and the 5 boroughs to the event.
Please visit http://www.afropunk.com/page/afropunk-festival-11 for additional information.
Job Opportunity- Chase Hiring Customer Service Reps in BK
Chase bank plans to hire 1,000 new customer service staff in Brooklyn in the coming months.The bank is hosting a job fair on August 11, 2011 from 11AM- 7PM at 4 Chase MetroTech Center.
More information is here, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply online at www.chase.com/careers (requisition number 110064425).
Job Opportunity- NYPD Hiring School Crossing Guards
The NYPD is presently hiring school crossing guards. Pay for these positions starts at $9.88 an hour and rises to $12.90 after three years. Health insurance is available with 20 hours of work per week. These positions give people an opportunity to work in their communities. Applicants must be able to speak and be understood in English. No formal education or experience is required for the job. All potential guards go through a training program.
Crossing guards provide a crucial service to our communities by helping our kids get to school safely. Applications are available at all precincts. You can find more information on the NYPD website at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/careers/school_crossing_guard.shtml
CM James’ Statement Regarding Resignation of Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 4, 2011
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James’ Statement Regarding Resignation of Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith
(New York, NY)— After serving fourteen months with the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Operations Stephen Goldsmith today publicly announced his resignation from this position.
In this position, Deputy Mayor Goldsmith was integral to the development of “NYC Simplicity”, a comprehensive online system created to make City services more focused, innovative, and efficient. He was also involved with the updates to PlaNYC, the mayor’s comprehensive sustainability plan; as well as increased efficiency to the Department of Building’s construction approval process.
Deputy Mayor Goldsmith oversaw operational management during the Snow Blizzard of 2010, during which the administration failed to adequately respond to unplowed streets and overflowing garbage in many communities. At the time Council Member Letitia James, chair of the Council’s Sanitation Committee, joined many of her colleagues in chastising the administration for its poor response to the blizzard, as well as being out-of-touch with the conditions in outer boroughs. In April 2011, the City Council passed a legislative package with the intent of increasing intergovernmental communications and transparency during snow emergencies. Deputy Mayor Goldsmith was also heavily involved in the City’s contracting agreement, which has seen a number of high-profile errors related to poor management and insufficient oversight— the most visible being the CityTime disaster.
“I have always believed Deputy Mayor Goldsmith to be both hard-working and responsive,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I do not believe one man is responsible for the administration’s numerous blunders, and I sincerely hope he is not being punished for poor polling numbers. I look forward to working with Commissioner Holloway in his new capacity.”
Mayor Bloomberg has appointed Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Caswell F. Holloway to the Deputy Mayor for Operations position.
##
August 4, 2011
Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081
Council Member Letitia James’ Statement Regarding Resignation of Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith
(New York, NY)— After serving fourteen months with the administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor for Operations Stephen Goldsmith today publicly announced his resignation from this position.
In this position, Deputy Mayor Goldsmith was integral to the development of “NYC Simplicity”, a comprehensive online system created to make City services more focused, innovative, and efficient. He was also involved with the updates to PlaNYC, the mayor’s comprehensive sustainability plan; as well as increased efficiency to the Department of Building’s construction approval process.
Deputy Mayor Goldsmith oversaw operational management during the Snow Blizzard of 2010, during which the administration failed to adequately respond to unplowed streets and overflowing garbage in many communities. At the time Council Member Letitia James, chair of the Council’s Sanitation Committee, joined many of her colleagues in chastising the administration for its poor response to the blizzard, as well as being out-of-touch with the conditions in outer boroughs. In April 2011, the City Council passed a legislative package with the intent of increasing intergovernmental communications and transparency during snow emergencies. Deputy Mayor Goldsmith was also heavily involved in the City’s contracting agreement, which has seen a number of high-profile errors related to poor management and insufficient oversight— the most visible being the CityTime disaster.
“I have always believed Deputy Mayor Goldsmith to be both hard-working and responsive,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I do not believe one man is responsible for the administration’s numerous blunders, and I sincerely hope he is not being punished for poor polling numbers. I look forward to working with Commissioner Holloway in his new capacity.”
Mayor Bloomberg has appointed Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Caswell F. Holloway to the Deputy Mayor for Operations position.
##
Thursday, August 4, 2011
CM James’ Response To Mayor Bloomberg's Efforts To Bridge Disparities Between Young Black/Latino Men
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 4, 2011
Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES’ RESPONSE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG’S EFFORTS TO BRIDGE DISPARITIES BETWEEN YOUNG BLACK AND LATINO MALES AND THEIR PEERS IN NYC
(Brooklyn, NY) Mayor Bloomberg's legacy will be defined by his victories and his failures. One of his major failures can best be illustrated by his lack of investment and focus on issues affecting urban youth. Black and Latino young men represent the most disaffected and disconnected constituency in the City.
Despite repeated warnings by members of the City Council, leaders and organizations… crying out in the wilderness of central Brooklyn and other urban settings urging investment; who for too long have been dependent primarily upon religious and civic volunteers and their individual small donations - the Mayor is finally showing up late to the carnage.
The mountain of disparity has consistently been dangerously trending upward. And unfortunately, the Bloomberg administration’s response has often been short-sighted, and more focused on policing youth. Bloomberg’s stop and-frisk policy has led to the systematic humiliation and harassment of Black and Latino residents who are innocent of any wrongdoing. That response was a band aide approach to deep structural inequities.
I applaud the Mayor; I guess this initiative is better late than never. But, it does appear to look like a major ‘mea culpa’ in the final leg of his term, as he finally turns his attention (and vast wealth) to probably the most marginalized and historically ignored group of individuals, who truly needed it, and could have benefited early on from his philanthropy and administration the most.
###
August 4, 2011
Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES’ RESPONSE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG’S EFFORTS TO BRIDGE DISPARITIES BETWEEN YOUNG BLACK AND LATINO MALES AND THEIR PEERS IN NYC
(Brooklyn, NY) Mayor Bloomberg's legacy will be defined by his victories and his failures. One of his major failures can best be illustrated by his lack of investment and focus on issues affecting urban youth. Black and Latino young men represent the most disaffected and disconnected constituency in the City.
Despite repeated warnings by members of the City Council, leaders and organizations… crying out in the wilderness of central Brooklyn and other urban settings urging investment; who for too long have been dependent primarily upon religious and civic volunteers and their individual small donations - the Mayor is finally showing up late to the carnage.
The mountain of disparity has consistently been dangerously trending upward. And unfortunately, the Bloomberg administration’s response has often been short-sighted, and more focused on policing youth. Bloomberg’s stop and-frisk policy has led to the systematic humiliation and harassment of Black and Latino residents who are innocent of any wrongdoing. That response was a band aide approach to deep structural inequities.
I applaud the Mayor; I guess this initiative is better late than never. But, it does appear to look like a major ‘mea culpa’ in the final leg of his term, as he finally turns his attention (and vast wealth) to probably the most marginalized and historically ignored group of individuals, who truly needed it, and could have benefited early on from his philanthropy and administration the most.
###
Update: CUNY Rate Increase for 2011-2012 Year
More information concerning the City University of New York (CUNY) rate increase for the 2011-2012 year. Full-time resident undergraduate students at senior colleges will pay $300 more for the 2011 school year, raising the total annual cost to about $5,100 per student. Law students will pay $670 more in 2011, bringing the annual tuition up to roughly $11,400. Master’s degree students will pay anywhere from $480 to $710 more per year, depending on the program. (DNA Info)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
CM James Announces Pilot Co-op/Condo Council, Urges Finance Department To Cap Property Taxes
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 2, 2011
Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
NYC COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ANNOUNCES PILOT CO-OP AND CONDO COUNCIL FOR 35TH COUNCIL DISTRICT AND URGES THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TO CAP PROPERTY TAXES IN BROOKLYN
It has long been acknowledged that housing cooperatives and condominiums pay more than their fair share of property taxes
(Brooklyn, NY) Serious concern about the New York City Department of Finance's assessments of real property values for cooperative and condominium properties exists. Some residents have seen increases in market value of up to one-hundred fifty percent, and the resulting real property tax increases could be extremely damaging to affordable housing in many neighborhoods.
Council Member James said: “I ask that co-op and condo owners in the 35th Council District who may be experiencing increases in property taxes and other issues related to their residences, call my office. The pilot Co-op and Condo Council that I am forming has three purposes: 1. to get condo taxes capped at an affordable rate in Brooklyn, 2. to create discounted purchasing opportunities, 3. to develop green initiatives, and 4. to share information.”
Property tax rates for co-op and condos were capped at 10% (only in the borough of Queens) for the 2011 year, and co-ops/condos in Brooklyn and Citywide should also be capped. It is still unclear what the cap will be for 2012. The City Council is currently working with a panel/commission to examine the issue.
Tamara Clements, a resident of co-ops located at 149 and 153 Clinton Avenue said: “My neighbors and I want to understand how things work in the tax and real estate areas. We will support any efforts to research and speak out against built-in and structural unfairness in government, specifically as it relates to property taxes.”
The general consensus is that because co-op ownership (and condo ownership to a smaller degree) is the most accessible way for working-class people to become property owners, it is unfair that this group should shoulder a larger tax burden than traditional homeowners (whose property is more valuable overall). The goal of this pilot initiative is to cap property tax rates for these owners at a maximum of 8%, as suggested by the City Council.
“I’m certain a joint effort by co-op and condo owners to force the capping of escalating real estate taxes is very possible in Brooklyn through the formation, and work of this pilot Co-op and Condo Council,” said Council Member James.
###
August 2, 2011
Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191
NYC COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ANNOUNCES PILOT CO-OP AND CONDO COUNCIL FOR 35TH COUNCIL DISTRICT AND URGES THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TO CAP PROPERTY TAXES IN BROOKLYN
It has long been acknowledged that housing cooperatives and condominiums pay more than their fair share of property taxes
(Brooklyn, NY) Serious concern about the New York City Department of Finance's assessments of real property values for cooperative and condominium properties exists. Some residents have seen increases in market value of up to one-hundred fifty percent, and the resulting real property tax increases could be extremely damaging to affordable housing in many neighborhoods.
Council Member James said: “I ask that co-op and condo owners in the 35th Council District who may be experiencing increases in property taxes and other issues related to their residences, call my office. The pilot Co-op and Condo Council that I am forming has three purposes: 1. to get condo taxes capped at an affordable rate in Brooklyn, 2. to create discounted purchasing opportunities, 3. to develop green initiatives, and 4. to share information.”
Property tax rates for co-op and condos were capped at 10% (only in the borough of Queens) for the 2011 year, and co-ops/condos in Brooklyn and Citywide should also be capped. It is still unclear what the cap will be for 2012. The City Council is currently working with a panel/commission to examine the issue.
Tamara Clements, a resident of co-ops located at 149 and 153 Clinton Avenue said: “My neighbors and I want to understand how things work in the tax and real estate areas. We will support any efforts to research and speak out against built-in and structural unfairness in government, specifically as it relates to property taxes.”
The general consensus is that because co-op ownership (and condo ownership to a smaller degree) is the most accessible way for working-class people to become property owners, it is unfair that this group should shoulder a larger tax burden than traditional homeowners (whose property is more valuable overall). The goal of this pilot initiative is to cap property tax rates for these owners at a maximum of 8%, as suggested by the City Council.
“I’m certain a joint effort by co-op and condo owners to force the capping of escalating real estate taxes is very possible in Brooklyn through the formation, and work of this pilot Co-op and Condo Council,” said Council Member James.
###
ATTENTION: Heart of Brooklyn Cultural Institutions Open Free 8/7!
Heart of Brooklyn- a partnership of the leading cultural institutions located in central Brooklyn- is sponsoring a special day of FREE admission, contests and prizes in celebration of their 10th anniversary. For the first time, all six HOB attractions (Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Children's Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park and Prospect Park Zoo) will be open to the public free of charge on Sunday, August 7! Please read more here: http://www.heartofbrooklyn.org/free
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