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- SERVING CARROLL GARDENS, KENSINGTON, PARK SLOPE AND WINDSOR TERRACE -

The Official Word

Announcements From the Public Officials of District 39



State Senator Kevin Parker Analyzes the State's First On-Time Budget in a Quarter Century

After months of hard work and
compromise, New York passed its first on-time state
budget in over 20 years. While I am pleased that we
finished our work before the beginning of the new
fiscal year, I do have concerns about issues such as
Campaign For Fiscal Equity (CFE)  funding, Medicaid
reform and middle class tax relief that were left
unresolved.


The truth is,  this budget was as much about process
as it was about substance. It was about fixing a
broken system that I have been critical of since I was
first elected to the Senate. It was about rank and
file members, like myself, being included in the
decision-making and state leaders finding a way to
compromise for the good of all New Yorkers.
 


This year in particular,  it was important for state
government to show that it could deliver a sound and
balanced budget on-time. We did,  and both the
Legislature and the Governor should feel satisfied
that we accomplished what we were elected to do.
With that said, there were several issues, large and
small, that had to be set aside in order to complete
this budget in a timely manner. Now is the time to
take up these issues and build on the spirit of
bipartisanship and good will that was forged during
budget negotiations.
 


I want my constituents to know that there are several
positive parts to this budget, such as a record amount
of state education aid â?? including an increased
share to New York City schools; an agreement to fully
fund TAP and keep college affordable for all New
Yorkers; and funding increases for dozens of worthy
programs that positively affect the quality of life of
New Yorkers. Some of the programs marked for funding
increases include our public libraries, Breast Cancer
programs, Legal Aid services for the poor, the AIDS
Institute, affordable housing programs, speech
therapy, mental health services and dental services
under Family Health Plus.


While I was pleased to see the Legislature add $840
million in education aid to our public schools, it
falls woefully short of the mandate set out by the CFE
court case. Our first priority must be to provide all
students with a sound basic education as ordered by
the court in the CFE decision. So in that sense, we
failed to serve the needs of public school children,
particularly the thousands of students in underfunded
schools in New York City.


Further, while I voted for a plan to cap the local
Medicaid costs for counties, the legislation did not
go far enough, nor did the budget include critical
cost-saving measures necessary for future solvency. I
joined Senate Democrats in supporting the takeover of
local Medicaid costs for counties and implementing
cost saving measures to bring mandate relief to local
governments and stem skyrocketing local property
taxes. It is unfortunate that the Governor and Senate
Republicans did not fully embrace our proposals. The
reality is that New York is merely putting off some
hard decisions that are going to have to be made in
order to keep Medicaidâ??s safety net in place for the
neediest New Yorkers.
 


I am also disappointed that the Governor and Senate
Republicans are adding millions of dollars to our
state debt and raising taxes on those New Yorkers who
can least afford it. I am particularly upset that the
Governor again reneged on his promise to eliminate the
state sales tax on clothing and footwear purchases
less than $110. Thankfully, we  were able to add two
more tax-free weeks during the year and completely
eliminate the sales tax in 2006.


Hopefully,  now that the budget has passed, my
colleagues in the Senate and Assembly will use the
second half of this yearâ??s session to come to
bipartisan agreement on other important issues facing
New Yorkers. It is a great opportunity for us to move
other reform issues front and center. I look forward
to a very busy and productive Spring in Albany.



COUNCIL MEMBER DE BLASIO INAUGURATES THE PROSPECT PARK YMCA’S NEW TEEN PROGRAM AT SCHOOL FOR JOURNALISM

Media Advisory
Contact Jeremy Greensmith at (718) 768-7100 x 115

COUNCIL MEMBER BILL DE BLASIO INAUGURATES THE PROSPECT PARK YMCA’S NEW TEEN PROGRAM AT PARK SLOPE’S SCHOOL FOR JOURNALISM

On Friday, December 17th at 3:30 p.m. Council member Bill de Blasio will officially inaugurate the Prospect Park YMCA’s new teen program at the School for Journalism, formerly John Jay High School on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope.

With Bill de Blasio’s energetic encouragement and support, the YMCA began working with principal Abbie Rief over the summer to create a teen center in the school. The result is a teen center that runs every Friday from 2:45 to 6 p.m., lunchtime activity clubs that run every day and a school day program called Teen Action that provides support services and enrichment activities.

The teen center includes a range of activities that teens enjoy, designed to support their learning and give them a positive outlet for their creativity and energy. There is a mural art class; two dance classes, one led by a professional dancer and a hip-hop class led by two students; a spoken word class; and regular sports activity. The daily lunch clubs include a pregnancy prevention program, teen games and a leaders club and a computer club starting in the new year.

On Friday Council member de Blasio will see the spoken word club perform Poems about our Fathers, a series of original compositions, and peer education HIV workshop led by teenagers from the Red Hook Community Center.



ARMORY UPDATE: OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE TRANSFORMATION PLANS FOR PARK SLOPE ARMORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2004

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Take the Field Founder Richard Kahan today announced a plan to transform the Park Slope Armory in Brooklyn into a multi-purpose athletic and recreational center. Take the Field, a non-profit organization that has been rebuilding public school athletic facilities in New York City, is leading the initiative in collaboration with the Departments of Homeless Services (DHS) and Education (DOE), to convert underutilized space at the Armory into a multi-purpose athletic, recreational, and educational center. The Mayor and City Council have each committed $6 million, and the Borough President’s Office has committed $2 million. Take the Field will also contribute $2 million in privately-raised funds. Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, Council Member Bill DeBlasio, DHS Commissioner Linda Gibbs, Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and P.S. 107 Principal Cynthia Holton joined the Mayor for the announcement.

“New York City’s armories, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places, are important historical structures, closely tied to the City’s cultural and civic growth, and are untapped resources for community space,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Modeled after the successful program at the Fort Washington Armory in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, Take the Field plans to makes use of underutilized space at the Park Slope Armory to create a community asset with immeasurable benefits for Brooklynites young and old. The partnership between Take the Field, DHS and DOE creates an exciting opportunity to partner essential social services with community resources that greatly improve quality of life for neighborhood residents, and I want to thank the Borough President and the Council for their part in making this project a reality.”

“During my nine years as a State Senator representing Park Slope, and since becoming Borough President in 2002, one of my top priorities has been to return this magnificent building to its rightful status as a resource for this community,” said Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz. “This state-of-the-art facility will improve the quality of life for sports loving Brooklynites of every age from every corner of the borough and offer numerous other community services. I am proud that Brooklyn’s future sports legends will run, shoot, and score right here in Brooklyn.”

“The work done by the Take the Field organization has without a doubt had an amazing impact on New York City’s students,” said Speaker Miller. “We will now be able to bring some of that magic to Brooklyn’s Park Slope Armory. One of the best things we can do is offer a community a place to go for sports, recreation and education; now through the dedication of this organization, local leaders area students and the people of the community will have a new facility.”

“I’m proud we secured a $6 million Council allocation for the Park Slope Armory Initiative,” said Council Member Bill DeBlasio. “These funds will help convert an eyesore into a new asset for our community. After working more than two years, we will provide the children and families in Park Slope and throughout the borough with much needed facilities for athletic and community activities. Our partners in the Armory Initiative made a great play. This is a big win for our kids.”

“Take the Field’s mission is to provide state of the art athletic facilities for the public school children of New York City,” said Take the Field Founder Richard Kahan. “After Take the Field completes our current program to rebuild 43 existing outdoor athletic fields that serve over 150,000 children a year from now, more than 800,000 public school children will still lack an adequate place to play. The conversion of the Park Slope Armory begins to address this problem by providing thousands of Brooklyn public school students and the surrounding community with a new first class athletic facility.”

Take the Field’s Armory Initiative seeks to convert underutilized armories into vibrant educational and athletic centers. New York City’s armories have two distinct parts: monumental drill floors, which approximate the size of a football field (50,000-70,000 square feet), and garrisons, once offices and now partially utilized as dormitories for homeless residents. The Park Slope Armory renovation will emulate the program created by HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) and Dr. Norbert Sander at the Fort Washington Armory in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, which transformed underutilized shelter space into a world-class track and field center now serving hundreds of thousands of people. The Fort Washington Armory, which plays home to the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, often called the “fastest track in the northeast,” serves as a community center providing after-school activities and adult education in partnership with a broad range of non-profit organizations.

Since the 1980’s, the garrison of the Park Slope Armory has been used as a municipal shelter, and currently hosts a 70-bed program for homeless women operated by the Church Avenue Merchants Association (CAMBA). The size of the Park Slope Armory drill floor allows for children and adults from local public and private schools, clubs, youth and adult leagues, senior citizens groups, and the homeless populations to play a variety of different sports. In addition to track and field, the facility can accommodate basketball, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, badminton, boxing, fencing, judo, table tennis, taekwondo, handball, weightlifting, wrestling, and aerobics.

“Over the past few years, the Department of Homeless Services has undertaken a series of capital improvements to prepare the Armory for this day and this partnership,” said Homeless Services Commissioner Linda Gibbs. “By continuing to provide services to homeless women in a re-purposed site, we have every expectation that the successful mixed-use model in place at the Ft. Washington Armory will be replicated here.”

“Improved student health and nutrition through expanded sports programs and healthier school food are an important element of our ‘Children First’ school reforms,” Schools Chancellor Klein. “We are pleased that such an outstanding facility as a renovated Park Slope Armory will, with the help of Take the Field, will become available to our students.”

Take the Field has projected that the cost of the renovations at Park Slope Armory at $16 million. These funds will be used to renovate the interior of the drill floor area, upgrade the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, build new balconies and seating, provide bathrooms and lockers, and renovate the ceiling and roof areas. The construction would last two years with the bulk of the first year work involving the drill floor renovations, creation of bathrooms and locker areas, ceiling work, and installation of fire sprinkler systems. The second year construction activities would include installation of other mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and renovation of the balconies. In the coming months, Take the Field will work with the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Homeless Services to finalize facility design and define a construction schedule.

CONTACT:

Edward Skyler / Jennifer Falk (212) 788-2958

Leticia Theodore (City Council)(212) 788-7113

Mary Musca (Take the Field) (212) 521-2232



COUNCIL PREPARES TO BAN CAR ALARMS, PROTECT SLEEP

The City Council Committee on Environmental Protection held a hearing today to consider legislation that aims to limit the noise pollution created by car alarms. Intro. 81, sponsored by Council Member John Liu (D-Queens) and co-sponsored by Councilmember Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), prohibits the sale and installation of all after-market audible car alarms. Reso. 365, sponsored by Council Member Eva Moskowitz (D-Manhattan), and also co-sponsored by Councilmember de Blasio calls upon the State legislature to remove all insurance discounts for the installation of audible car alarms.

“My constituents are sick and tired of being woken up by obnoxiously loud car alarms. They are so ubiquitous that they not longer have any deterrent value,” said Councilmember de Blasio, who is a member of the Environmental Protection Committee.

Intro. 81 would limit noise pollution from car alarms, one of the worst sources of noise that the City must deal with, by completely banning the sale and installation of all after-market audible car alarms. New York City’s current law allows for the operation of audible car alarms that are activated by a remote activation device or by direct physical contact only. The law prohibits the use of audible car alarms that are motion-activated and alarms that sound for longer than three minutes. 72% of after-market car alarm installers surveyed by the Council continue to sell such alarms, despite the existing law and its ban. These after-market car alarms are often excessively loud and overly sensitive and may lead to a number of the false alarms that ring through the night. By taking the current law a step farther and banning the installation and sale of these alarms in the City, the Council seeks to further reduce the noise pollution residents suffer.

“I’m very hopeful we’ll be able to turn the car alarm ban into law this year,” said Councilmember de Blasio.

Some advocates have sought for the legislation to go further, so as to ban the operation of all car alarms throughout the City and have argued that the disarming of car alarms is a simple and easy task. However, research conducted by the City Council found that some manufacturer-installed car alarms cannot, in fact, be disengaged without disrupting the electric wiring of the automobile, and may only be accomplished with great effort, expense and /or technical concerns. Carmakers including BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Honda, and Acura confirmed that factory-installed alarms are considered part of the vehicle’s central wiring and monitoring system.

The Committee also considered a resolution sponsored by Council Member Moskowitz that would offer an auto insurance discount to only those policyholders who have installed silent anti-theft devices in their automobiles. Current State law allows insurance companies to provide discounts to any policyholder with either audible or silent alarms.

Alternatives, like Club-style brake locks and LoJack-style passive disabling systems, are more effective, while respecting the rights of neighbors to sleep at night,” Councilmember de Blasio said. “Insurance companies should not be allowed to subsidize bad sleep.”

###



Legislation to Reduce Car Alarm Noise

City Hall, NY – The City Council Committee on Environmental Protection held a hearing today to consider legislation that aims to limit the noise pollution created by car alarms. Intro. 81, sponsored by Council Member John Liu (D-Queens) and co-sponsored by Councilmember Bill de Blasio (D-Brooklyn), prohibits the sale and installation of all after-market audible car alarms. Reso. 365, sponsored by Council Member Eva Moskowitz (D-Manhattan), and also co-sponsored by Councilmember de Blasio calls upon the State legislature to remove all insurance discounts for the installation of audible car alarms.

“My constituents are sick and tired of being woken up by obnoxiously loud car alarms. They are so ubiquitous that they not longer have any deterrent value,” said Councilmember de Blasio, who is a member of the Environmental Protection Committee.

Intro. 81 would limit noise pollution from car alarms, one of the worst sources of noise that the City must deal with, by completely banning the sale and installation of all after-market audible car alarms. New York City’s current law allows for the operation of audible car alarms that are activated by a remote activation device or by direct physical contact only. The law prohibits the use of audible car alarms that are motion-activated and alarms that sound for longer than three minutes. 72% of after-market car alarm installers surveyed by the Council continue to sell such alarms, despite the existing law and its ban. These after-market car alarms are often excessively loud and overly sensitive and may lead to a number of the false alarms that ring through the night. By taking the current law a step farther and banning the installation and sale of these alarms in the City, the Council seeks to further reduce the noise pollution residents suffer.

“I’m very hopeful we’ll be able to turn the car alarm ban into law this year,” said Councilmember de Blasio.

Some advocates have sought for the legislation to go further, so as to ban the operation of all car alarms throughout the City and have argued that the disarming of car alarms is a simple and easy task. However, research conducted by the City Council found that some manufacturer-installed car alarms cannot, in fact, be disengaged without disrupting the electric wiring of the automobile, and may only be accomplished with great effort, expense and /or technical concerns. Carmakers including BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Honda, and Acura confirmed that factory-installed alarms are considered part of the vehicle’s central wiring and monitoring system.

The Committee also considered a resolution sponsored by Council Member Moskowitz that would offer an auto insurance discount to only those policyholders who have installed silent anti-theft devices in their automobiles. Current State law allows insurance companies to provide discounts to any policyholder with either audible or silent alarms.

Alternatives, like Club-style brake locks and LoJack-style passive disabling systems, are more effective, while respecting the rights of neighbors to sleep at night,” Councilmember de Blasio said. “Insurance companies should not be allowed to subsidize bad sleep.”



Councilmember de Blasio Responds to Mayor's Budget

Councilmember de Blasio reacted with disappointment to the release of the Mayor's Executive Budget proposal, which continues to propose deep cuts to important social service programs. In a statement, de Blasio said: "As chair of the Council's General Welfare Committee, I am disappointed that the budget proposes cutting $21 million from preventive services that protect at-risk children from abuse and neglect. And I am dismayed that the City is talking about
eliminating child care for more than 2,000 children." The City Council is fighting back against these cuts, and Councilmember de Blasio and Council Speaker Gifford Miller are pushing for a significant expansion of child care.

5/3/04



News from Councilmember Bill de Blasio...Getting to Prospect Park Just Got a Little Safer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 7, 2004
CONTACT: Alex Navarro – 347-277-9972

GETTING TO PROSPECT PARK JUST GOT A LITTLE SAFER

BROOKLYN, NY – Addressing neighborhood safety concerns, a new traffic light has been activated at a busy Prospect Park access point. City Councilmember Bill de Blasio brought together local leaders to mark its installation at the intersection of 11th Street and Prospect Park West in Park Slope at a ceremony on Monday morning.

“Speeding on Prospect Park West is a pressing concern for our community, and we are excited to announce that the Department of Transportation has acted upon residents’ concerns,” Councilmember de Blasio said.

“The intersection is used by children and parents with strollers going to Harmony Play-ground. Parents from around the neighborhood have let me know how important this is,” said de Blasio.“This intersection is also the primary street access point for the Prospect Park Bandshell, which draws thousands for outdoor films and concerts in the summer,” de Blasio added.

“We’re very grateful that DOT is making our neighborhood safer.” De Blasio also thanked Community Board Six for its tireless advocacy for this improvement to our neighborhood.



Announcement of Milling and Repaving Work

Our office was just notified that the City intends to begin milling and paving work in our district as follows:

Monday, 3/15/04 - 12th Street (2nd to 3rd Avenues) and 13th Street
(8th to Hamilton Avenue)

Tuesday, 3/16/04 - 13th Street (8th to Hamilton Avenues)

Wednesday, 3/17/04 - 14th Street (Hamilton to 3rd Avenues)

Milling is the process of stripping away the top asphalt layer to prepare a street for resurfacing. The milled asphalt (recycled asphalt product or RAP) is collected and reused at the City's Asphalt Plant, saving
landfill space and reducing the City's cost of materials. There is a lag time between when milling occurs and when the actual resurfacing is done since these operations are usually performed by different work crews.

Given the weather-dependent nature of this work, the above schedule may be subject to change. Paper advisory "No Parking" signs should be posted on the affected blocks the day before the work begins. Your compliance is appreciated and will help ensure that the City's forces can get in to do the work as quickly as possible to minimize its impact on our community.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office if anything further is required.



Homepage of the Community Gazette for District 39










THE OFFICIAL WORD
FOR DISTRICT 39

State Senator Kevin Parker Analyzes the State's First On-Time Budget in a Quarter Century
(Apr 08, 2005)

COUNCIL MEMBER DE BLASIO INAUGURATES THE PROSPECT PARK YMCA’S NEW TEEN PROGRAM AT SCHOOL FOR JOURNALISM
(Dec 17, 2004)

ARMORY UPDATE: OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE TRANSFORMATION PLANS FOR PARK SLOPE ARMORY
(Jul 22, 2004)

Legislation to Reduce Car Alarm Noise
(Jun 10, 2004)

COUNCIL PREPARES TO BAN CAR ALARMS, PROTECT SLEEP
(Jun 10, 2004)

Councilmember de Blasio Responds to Mayor's Budget
(May 02, 2004)

News from Councilmember Bill de Blasio...Getting to Prospect Park Just Got a Little Safer
(Apr 21, 2004)

Announcement of Milling and Repaving Work
(Mar 11, 2004)

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