ATTENTION: AM Walter Mosley and CM Tish James Host Public Safety Town Hall; 3/13; Hope City Empowerment Cntr

Assembly Member Walter Mosley and Council Member Letitia James

Present: a Public Safety Town Hall Meeting

In response to rising community concerns regarding a perceived increase in household burglaries, Assembly Member Walter Mosley and Council Member Letitia James are hosting a meeting with the Commanding Officers of the 77th, 78th, and 88th Precincts. They will report on current conditions, and there will be a question and answer period. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 6:00 PM — 7:30 PM
Hope City Empowerment Center
650 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238
(between Dean and Bergen Streets)

For more information, contact the Office of Council Member Letitia James (718) 260-9191.

CM JAMES COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT HALT OF ‘SODA BAN'

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MARCH 11, 2013

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

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES COMMENTS ON SUPREME COURT HALT OF ‘SODA BAN’

(New York, NY)— Today, the New York State Supreme Court halted the City of New York from implementing a ban on single-serving sugary drinks over 16 ounces, popularly known as the “soda ban”, which would have gone into effect on March 12, 2013. In a 37-page decision, Judge Milton Tingling “enjoined and permanently restrained” the City from exercising the ban, citing the regulations as “fraught with arbitrary and capricious consequences,” and questioning the administration’s right to implement such policy without Legislative (City Council) support.

"I have argued that the Mayor's proposal to ban sugary drinks over 16 ounces was arbitrarily punitive and would most harshly target small local businesses, and I’m glad that the New York State Supreme Court agrees,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I believe in promoting healthy lifestyle choices, and if the administration wants to make meaningful gains in this area, they can begin by seeking to meet New York State requirements for physical education (PE) in schools. Although state requirements set the minimum standard for PE in high schools at two classes per week, IBO reports show that the DOE fails to meet this standard. I believe that increasing exercise, promoting healthy food choices, and developing urban farming programs in schools has a real and lasting effect on obesity.”

Council Member Letitia James has been actively involved in the “Let’s Move” Brooklyn campaign, developed nationally by First Lady Michelle Obama; and she recently joined with Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito, the Women's City Club of New York, and the American Heart Association in calling on the NYC Department of Education to bring New York City public schools' Physical Education (PE) programs up to State requirements.

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ATTENTION: YMCA Teen Internship Opportunity

The YMCA Teen Internship Opportunity applications are now available for the YMCA Teen Career Connection, a paid summer internship program which provides opportunities for high school students to gain invaluable experience the professional world.

The chosen participants get an 8-week internship where they are placed in fields related to their career interests. In addition to their experience, the participants are provided with a $1,250 stipend, $300 for professional clothing, and 2 monthly unlimited Metrocards.

In order to qualify for the program, the teen must be available for the entirety of the program (June 28th- August 23rd and September 9th), be a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school, and live within the 5 boroughs.

The YMCA will be hosting an information sessions on the program on March 21th, 6-8 p.m. at the West Side YMCA– 5 West 63rd Street New York, NY 10023. The application closes on April 5. Go to www.ymcanyc.org for more information.

ATTENTION: Citywide DSNY SAFE Disposal Event

Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty recently announced that the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will once again hold five SAFE Disposal Events (one in each borough) to provide NYC residents with a one-stop method to safely dispose of potentially harmful household products (see www.nyc.gov/safedisposal).

The acronym SAFE stands for solvents, automotive, flammables, electronics. Materials accepted include common residential items such as auto fluids, batteries, electronics, glues, medications, paint products, and more. Only NYC residential waste will be accepted at the SAFE Disposal Events. When deciding what items to bring, residents should look for products labeled with the following signal words: DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION. Products labeled DANGER represent the highest hazard level.

Please also bring any other materials stored in your home that you know may be harmful.

Event will be held from 10 am to 4 pm (rain or shine). For safety reasons, attendees may not unload their vehicles outside of the event area. There may be extended wait times.

Sunday, April 7, 2013 
Brooklyn: Prospect Park, Park Circle (corner of Parkside Ave and Prospect Park SW)
Cars approach from Ocean Ave and Lincoln Rd.

This event will also feature an info table and the blue and green recycling mascots. If you can’t participate in this event, please keep in mind that there are options year round to handle the following items: auto products, batteries, cell phones, electronics, fluorescent lamps, latex paint, mercury devices, and syringes. See www.nyc.gov/wasteless/harmful to learn more. For additional information on the SAFE events, visit www.nyc.gov/safedisposal or call 311.

CM James Commends NYPD for Quick Identification of Hit-and-Run Suspect; Accident Claimed the Lives of Young Williamburg Family

UPDATE: Multiple media reports now state that Mr. Julio Acevedo will surrender to police.

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
MARCH 4, 2013

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

Council Member Letitia James Commends NYPD for Quick Identification of Hit-and-Run Suspect 

(New York, NY)— On March 3, 2013, a tragic car crash claimed the lives of a young Williamsburg couple expecting a child. Raizel (Raizy) and Nachman Glauber— who were traveling to the hospital in a Toyota Camry livery cab at the time of the collision— were struck by a BMW Sedan driving northbound along Kent Avenue. While the cab driver was treated for minor injuries, the Glauber’s child (a boy) was born prematurely in an emergency procedure. The baby sustained blunt trauma, and was pronounced deceased on March 4, 2013. The driver of the BMW left the scene of the collision.

By 2PM on Monday, March 04, 2013, police had identified Julio Acevedo as a suspect in the hit-and-run. Mr. Acevedo had a previous DWI arrest in February 2013, and was reportedly traveling at least 60mph when his car struck the cab carrying the Glaubers. The speed limit in the area is 30mph. Additionally, media reports state that Mr. Acevedo previously served an estimated eight years in prison on a manslaughter charge in a shooting death.

“I extend my condolences to the Glauber’s extended family at this tragic time,” said Council Member Letitia James. “I commend the police department for quickly identifying a suspect, and I join the voices calling for the suspect to be charged with a triple homicide.”

Police state that at minimum Mr. Acevedo would be charged with fleeing from the scene of a crime. Community leaders are calling for a charge of triple homicide for the suspect.

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CM James Comments on the Proposed Closure of Long Island College Hospital

**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.

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Council Member Letitia James’ Statement on Interfaith Medical Center: http://teamtish.blogspot.com/2012/12/cm-james-comments-on-interfaith-medical.html

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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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