BENSONHURST'S PREMIER NEWS BLOG

Source: Colton’s office

Local teens took to the streets on Saturday to celebrate Earth Day with a massive local cleanup, organized by Assemblyman William Colton.

The army of volunteers included members of Our Lady of Grace Teen Group, Our Lady of Grace Boy Scouts, Our Lady of Grace Girl Scouts, students from New Utrecht High School, Midwood High School’s Key and Environment Clubs, students from Brooklyn Technical High School’s Key and Red Cross clubs, students from Edward R. Murrow’s Key Club, students from John Dewey’s Key Club, students from James Madison High School’s Key Club, and members from the United Chinese Association of Brooklyn.

The kids worked their way along Kings Highway, from McDonald Avenue to Stillwell Avenue, and Avenue U, from McDonald Avenue to Stillwell Avenue, sweeping sidewalks and picking up trash with bags and other cleanup equipment from the Department of Sanitation and Home Depot.

“Our sustained Speak-Up! and Clean-Up! Campaign encourages residents to alert us about areas in need of cleaning up while mobilizing our neighborhood’s youth to get the job done. This is surely a win-win for our community,” said Colton in a press release.

It is the ninth cleanup event organized by Colton, and the initiative is the brainchild of Colton aide Priscilla Consolo.

Source: Nadler.house.gov

The following is a press release from the offices of Congressman Jerrold Nadler:

Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, reintroduced the Senior Citizenship Act in order to help elderly immigrants become citizens.  For many older immigrants without extensive knowledge of the English language, the current waiting periods and exams required for citizenship have proved onerous.  This legislation would take into account the difficulties particular to older immigrants in regard to waiting periods and exam requirements for citizenship.

“This commonsense bill would remove unnecessary hurdles for elderly immigrants who are seeking to become U.S. citizens,” said Nadler.  “The Senior Citizenship Act is designed to make it easier for seniors, who may have trouble learning English or memorizing facts about American history, to become citizens if they are otherwise eligible.  In my district in Brooklyn and Manhattan, in particular, there are many elderly immigrants who are unable to attain citizenship though they have thoroughly committed themselves to their adopted homeland.”

In order to become an American citizen, most immigrants must pass an exam on English and an exam on history and civics, among other requirements.  However, if an immigrant is over the age of 50 and has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States for at least 20 years, or at least 15 years if over the age of 55, under current law they do not have to take the English literacy test when applying for citizenship.  They do have to take the history and civics test, but it can be done in their native language.  Additionally, if they are over the age of 60 and have been a lawful permanent resident in the United States for at least 20 years, they can take a simplified version of the history and civics test in their own language.

Unfortunately, these existing exemptions do not help elderly immigrants who have come to this country recently and speak little or no English.  And, in some cases, especially for recent immigrants who are older than 75, it can be extremely difficult to memorize facts in order to pass the required history and civics exam.

The Senior Citizenship Act addresses these two problems by adding two additional exemptions to current requirements:

•  First, it would exempt immigrants who are over 65 years old and have been lawful permanent residents of the United States for at least five years from having to take the English literacy exam.  They still would be required to pass the civics and history exam, but this could be done in their native language.
• Second, it would exempt immigrants who are over 75 years old and have been lawful permanent residents of the United States for at least five years from having to take the history and civics exam altogether.

Photo by Erica Sherman

City Councilman David Greenfield believes that the lack of proper knowledge on laws and codes is the reason many small businesses are getting “gotcha” tickets and has proposed a bill to stop this.

The bill would make it so that businesses have to be provided with a guide of the laws and codes that apply to them. The bill would would have agencies sending out guides four times a year to businesses as well as posting the guide online and making updates to any changes.

Greenfield states in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

This legislation would make it much easier for business owners of all types to understand exactly what rules they need to abide by to keep the public safe and to avoid receiving fines. I have heard from so many frustrated business owners about how difficult and expensive it is to operate in New York City, so I will continue to fight on their behalf to make it fairer for all sides

According to the article, while the president of the Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue Business Improvement District, Jim Clarke, believes the bill is a good idea, he also feels sending out all the notices will be costly to the city and suggests the be done through e-mail to save money.

Domenic Recchia Source: Facebook

Councilman Domenic Recchia met with Democratic Party leaders last week to further coordinate and strategize his efforts to unseat Republican Congressman Michael Grimm, according to a report by the New York Daily News.

Earlier in the month, we reported on the targeted ad blitz campaign that painted Grimm as a Tea Party acolyte who was partly responsible for the sequester gridlock mess in Congress. Democrats believe that Grimm is vulnerable as the only Republican legislator coming out of New York City.

Recchia met with Democratic Congressional Campaign Commitee Chairman (D.C.C.C) Steve Israel, local Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Congressman Donna Edwards, a Democrat from Massachusetts. While Recchia’s people declined to discuss the specifics of the meeting, the Daily News speculated that fundraising strategies were the likely purpose.

Source: Jamie Adams via Wikimedia Commons

It appears the New York State budget will be delivered on time for the third year in a row – a noteworthy accomplishment rising out of Albany’s dysfunction. But, in getting it done, legislators have postponed decision-making on some of the more controversial topics, including an amendment on the expansion of casino gambling that could see one established in Coney Island.

City & State reports:

“I have concern with working toward an on-time budget,” Cuomo said. “We’ve had two on-time budgets. This would be the third on-time budget since about 1984. We have a number of issues on the table that are challenging, that are controversial, so we’re working very hard, and it’s going well, but am I concerned? Yes.”

New York State has a $1.6 billion gap in its $135 billion budget for 2013–14. That amount is far smaller than the $10 billion deficit Cuomo had to tackle in his first year in office, but several thorny policy and spending issues remain.

One of the most pressing issues to complete the budget early, as Cuomo and legislative leaders would like, is finding cuts to healthcare spending after the federal government reduces Medicaid payments to the state this year, as well as finding additional funds to send to the New York City school system if teachers win a reversal of a $240 million budget slash resulting from the failed teacher evaluation talks.

As legislators and the governor mull these issues, they’ve been forced to table some of the governor’s ambitious goals until later in the legislative season, including an expansion of legalized gambling, an increase in minimum wage and immigration reform.

The Assembly is full steam ahead on minimum wage – already passing a bill increasing it to $9.00, but Senate Republicans who share leadership in that house are opposed to it.

Concerns about casinos, though, are more bipartisan, with many legislators demanding that any casino legislation moving forward include locations in the language, something Cuomo is against.

According to the Daily News, the timing of casino rollouts is also in question. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver wants not only siting language included, but a provision to spread out the timetable for casino development. The first phase of casino expansion as outlined by Governor Cuomo would see three casinos established upstate, and Silver wants a waiting period of up to five years before a second round of casinos is launched.

“That way, the governor next year doesn’t say, ‘We need a billion dollars, that’s what someone would bid for a Manhattan casino, let’s do one there,’ ” Silver told the Daily News.

“It would also enhance the value of the (first) three, if you give them exclusivity for five years or some period of time,” he added. “It would make the bidding of the three more valuable (for the state) as well, if [potential operators] know they only have two others to compete with and not one in New York City.”

Silver’s Republican counterpart in the Senate, Dean Skelos, said he wants to keep all options on the table.

Daily News is also reporting that the tide is beginning to turn in both houses, as casino lobbyists up their game.

The industry “is starting to put real pressure and offer up big donations to legislators who would go the other way and support a New York City casino,” the source said. “That’s why you’re starting to see a shift in the Legislature.”

The constitutional amendment would only authorize a number of casinos to be permitted. Separate legislation would be needed to spell out the details.

Silver said lawmakers want a say in what regions are eligible for casinos, but that they do not want to get involved in the bidding process, or where specifically a casino would be located within an agreed-upon region.

The budget is due March 31, making resolution of these thornier issues unlikely until later in the legislative session, which ends in June.

Source: Jamie Adams via Wikimedia Commons

We’ve been reporting on the possibility of casinos coming to New York City and New Yorkers’ lukewarm opposition to them. As the mayoral race becomes more a thing, the question arises as to where our future mayors stand on the issue. City and State recently got the skinny on where our would-be leaders stand on bringing glitzy gambling to the five boroughs and here is the breakdown:

• City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D): While she thinks its a bad idea, if the state legalizes gambling, she said she would consider the possibility of a NYC-based casino.
• Former MTA Chief Joe Lhota (R): Supportive. He believes that the success of the Resorts World Casino in Southeast Queens speaks to the idea that New Yorkers would be excited for a casino if it was located far enough from communities.
• City Comptroller John Liu (D): He thinks its a good idea as long as its not easy to get to. He is worried about people having too easy access and gambling away their savings, so placing the casino in an isolated space, like Governors Island, appeals to him.
• Adolfo Carrión (I): Agrees with Liu. Wants the casino built somewhere on the city’s waterfront.
• CEO of Manhattan Media Tom Allon (R): Against legalizing gambling altogether.
• Former City Comptroller Bill Thompson (D): Wouldn’t support one way or the other. Believes that New Yorkers must decide themselves.

Candidates Bill de Blasio, John Catsimatidis and George McDonald were either not available to comment or declined to do so. We look forward to hearing their views well before the election.

Neighbors and school community members came together Sunday at New Utrecht High School (1601 80th Street) to celebrate the Asian Lunar New Year.

The school’s auditorium was filled to the max with people of all different age who came to support the performers and celebrate the holiday. The atmosphere was fun and lively, with food available.

Young children shared the stage with active adults, performing a blend of modern dances such as the Gangnam Style Dance and more traditional dances like the Xin Jaing Tambourine Dance.

State Senator Marty Golden hosted the event. Here are some more photos of the festivities:

Source: stuyspectator.com

While the city’s brick-and-mortar business owners continue to grouse over the mindboggling number of rules, regulations and requirements imposed by the city – and the fines they might incur – the city’s fleet of food trucks and army of street vendors can breath easier: the city has slashed in half the amount of fines that can be imposed on them.

The City Council passed a handful of new legislation last week aimed at making business easier for mobile vendors, including creating a $500 cap on the amount of fines a vendor can receive during inspections. Previous regulations capped it at $1,000.

And while street vendors and the bill’s supporters say the new laws will help spur business and employment, brick-and-mortar owners say they’re getting an raw deal, with higher fines on top of the already steep overhead of New York City rent and regulations.

Councilman Vincent Gentile is helping lead the charge against the bill, saying its passage creates a double standard.

“I hear what [business owners are] going through with city agencies trying to wring them dry with fines and they are not happy,” Gentile said in a press release.  “Why aren’t we lowering fines for the brick and mortar business owner who is already paying a premium to rent a storefront on a main commercial strip while covering business and property taxes, water bills and private sanitation?!”

According to the release, Gentile has been “banging the drum” on the issue since 2008 – though not with much success.

“The mobile food vendors of today should be held to the same standards as any brick and mortar restaurant,” he said.

Gentile is also in favor of legislation that would force food vendors to display letter grades from the Health Department, just as brick-and-mortar restaurants are required.

The following is a press release from the offices of Councilman David Greenfield:

Source: council.nyc.gov

Councilman David G. Greenfield is thanking the NYPD’s 66th Precinct and neighborhood Shomrim volunteers for their efforts to stem the rise in the number of vehicles broken into around Borough Park in recent weeks, especially during Shabbos, and is warning residents to be aware of this ongoing pattern. Over the past two weeks, a total of 18 vehicles were broken into throughout the 66th Precinct, with incidents spread out across Borough Park and the surrounding neighborhoods. Meanwhile, officers in the 66th Precinct and the four adjacent precincts have made a total of 12 arrests of individuals caught breaking into vehicles over the past month.

After hearing from concerned residents over the past few weeks, Councilman Greenfield reached out directly to Deputy Inspector Michael Deddo, commanding officer of the 66th Precinct, to discuss increasing patrols around the neighborhood and other steps to discourage criminals from taking advantage of residents, especially during Shabbos. These incidents have occurred in nearly all sections of Borough Park, and while areas like 50th Street to 60th Street between 14th Avenue and 18th Avenue have been hit particularly hard, the NYPD warns that no block is immune from this problem.

“Even though we live in a safe neighborhood, it is important to always keep our guard up and take simple measures so that we don’t make it easy for criminals to target us. I am pleased to hear that the NYPD’s focus on this issue has resulted in several arrests, which hopefully will prevent more residents from finding their valuables missing and their windows smashed. My thanks to Deputy Inspector Deddo, the officers at the 66th Precinct and Shomrim volunteers for working hard on this problem,” said Councilman Greenfield.

Individuals have been captured on surveillance footage in several cases simply walking down a block and trying each vehicle door handle until finding one that was left unlocked. As a result, it is imperative that drivers always lock their vehicles, no matter where they are parked or for how long. In addition, Deputy Inspector Deddo is urging residents to remove all items such as electronics from view, and to not leave any bags or containers visible, even if they do not actually contain anything valuable. When possible, park in well-lit, high traffic areas, and always report any suspicious individuals to the precinct or 911.

“This is one of those crimes that takes a lot of time and effort to make arrests, but we have been getting a lot of help from the community on this. The strength of the 66th Precinct is that we have a lot of eyes watching out and a lot of people who care, which makes it a neighborhood that the bad guys don’t come into. We don’t want to see the quality of life impacted for residents, so this is a huge focus for us,” said Deputy Inspector Deddo.

Councilman Greenfield and Deputy Inspector Deddo credited Shomrim members with being instrumental in alerting the precinct of suspicious activity and apprehending several suspects. Inspector Deddo also noted that the large number of security cameras throughout the neighborhood also greatly assists police in making arrests and deters criminal activity.

Residents should always call 911 if they are the victim of a crime or witness a crime in progress. They can also contact the 66th Precinct at (718) 851-5611 and Councilman Greenfield at (718) 853-2704.

Source: FArepublicans via Flickr

A new study found the Congressman Michael Grimm may not be the die-hard Tea Party conservative his opponents make him out to be. In fact, the report says he’s right smack in the middle of the nation’s ideological spectrum.

The Daily News reports:

A National Journal study released Thursday found that Republican Rep. Michael Grimm of Staten Island is at the ideological center of the House of Representatives: 217 members are more liberal and 217 members are more conservative.

In a remarkable coincidence, the lawmaker he replaced, Democrat Michael McMahon, was found to be at the ideological center in the same study of House members released three years ago.

Told of the findings, Doug Muzzio, a political science professor at Baruch College, was stunned.

“I guess if you want to know where the real heartland is, you don’t go to Iowa — you go to Staten Island,” Muzzio said.

The study is based on the votes of Grimm and his colleagues on 116 bills that indicated ideological leanings. Of course, some of those bills included those for Sandy relief, which many Republicans outside of the affected areas opposed and may have pushed Grimm closer to the center.

Still, the report is great timing for Grimm, who is about to be the target of an onslaught of online ads from Democrats, painting him as an out of touch right-wing radical, whose unwillingness to compromise will cost thousands of jobs.

The Daily News, in another article, reports:

The new ad campaign, shared first with the Daily News ahead of its release, seeks to hold Republicans like Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm responsible for the billions of dollars in automatic -many say draconian – spending cuts that are set to take effect starting March 1. The ads from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are targeting a total of 27 House Republicans.

… The new ad campaign, shared first with the Daily News ahead of its release, seeks to hold Republicans like Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm responsible for the billions of dollars in automatic -many say draconian – spending cuts that are set to take effect starting March 1. The ads from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee are targeting a total of 27 House Republicans.

The ad targeting Grimm is below:

What do you think? Grimm: Ideological Middle Man? Or Right-Wing Extremist?