Please Sign BK Speaks Petition In Support of RPPs

As Council Member James joins her colleagues in speaking in support of residential parking permits today, we want to bring your attention to a petition created by Brooklyn Speaks (civic associations, community-based organizations, and advocacy groups concerned about the future of development at the Atlantic Yards site) in support of a residential permit parking program for New York City in conjunction with local communities and their representatives.

An informal poll by Brownstoner also put the number of residents in support of an RPP near Barclay's at 83.6%.

Petition- http://www.petitiononline.com/petitions/rpp4nyc/signatures
Poll- http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2011/10/a-push-for-residential-permit-parking-near-the-arena/#more-73139

CM James On MTA's Proposal To Remove Trash Bins from Subway

Over at the Prospect Heights Patch, Council Member Letitia James has posted a short piece on the MTA's proposal to remove trash receptacles from subway stations.

Patch: http://prospectheights.patch.com/blog_posts/removing-trash-bins-from-mta-subway-stations-a-bad-idea

Clarifying A Few Points

Yesterday our office sent out a press release in regards to a local Fort Greene tire shop that is faced with having to shut down business due to over $20,000 worth of building violations.

By late afternoon, a Brownstoner post elicited various responses (including one in which we were Kanye'd).

We appreciate the lively discussion, but we'd like to raise a few points for those interested:

1). It is standard for a Council Member to write support letters to City agencies (and offer other types of support; in this case, assist in addressing violations) for struggling local businesses. (CM James has done this before, in fact, for a great little Clinton Hill pet store.)

2). Lending support to a long-time small business does not mean that a politician is anti-new-business. We happen to like coffee shops and specialty food shops throughout the District. We're passionately pro-snacking.

3). Since the subject was brought up in the comments, Council Member James is a strong advocate for Community Roots Charter School, and we have a great relationship with that school. She's all for their expansion and continued development- but not at the cost of removing resources from another school.

4). Aside from following this blog, you can always contact our staff at teamtish@gmail.com or (718) 260-9191/ (212) 788-7081 for accurate information about Council Member James activities in the community or positions.

Thanks,
teamtish

NYCC Progressive Caucus Starts Blog!

Did you know that the New York City Council's Progressive Caucus had a blog? The blog features important releases by the caucus- including responses to the NYS budget proposal, and Walmart's expansion into NYC- as well a link to the caucus' Twitter.

Council Member James is a proud member of the Council's Progressive Caucus, which seeks to create a more just and equal New York City, combat all forms of discrimination, and advancing public policies that offer genuine opportunity to all New Yorkers, especially those who have been left out of our society’s prosperity.

FG Attempted Rapist

According to the NY Times/Local Blog, a man approached a 25-year-old woman early on January 23rd at St. Felix Street and Hanson Place. When he attempted to remove her clothing she screamed, alerting neighbors, and scaring the suspect away.

The attacker is a white man, 30-35 years old, and between 5'11" and 6', with medium build and light hair.

Anyone with information should contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline online or at 800-577-TIPS.

ATTENTION: Hurricane Earl

Hurricane Earl, which carries steady winds of 135mph and quickly jumped from a Category 1 to a Category 4 hurricane, is set to touch ground in the NYC area on Friday. You have been warned. Although the New York Times blog Cityroom states that the storm won't get "any closer to New York City than 200 miles east-southeast of Far Rockaway". So that's good. Still, they note some DOB tips for staying safe.

You can track the progress of the hurricane here: http://www.weather.com/newscenter/hurricanecentral/2010/earl.html

Moving Pictures: Greed Is Good

From Monday, June 28th to Wednesday, June 30th,
and from Wednesday, July 14th to Friday, July 16th,
and from Monday, July 19th to Friday July 23rd, 2010,
the “Cooking Channel” is scheduled to film interior scenes at Flushing Avenue between Spencer Street and Walworth Street.


APPROXIMATE TIME: 7am-9pm

____________________

And speaking of nom noms, the NYT-Local reports that "Pierre Thiam, owner of the Brooklyn restaurants Yolele and Le Grand Dakar, competed against Bobby Flay in Battle: Papaya on Iron Chef America, which aired Sunday." Bobby Flay is basically the most handsome and awesome chef ever, and he should receive a Golden Globe or something for his work on Throwdown. Congrats, Pierre.

Job Opportunity- How Many Pieces of Flair Do YOU Have?

The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership brought our attention to a couple places in Downtown Brooklyn that are currently looking to fill employment positions. To give proper credit, these openings were compiled by McBrooklyn.

1). A new Applebee’s restaurant is opening in the Atlantic Terminal mall– they have job postings on Craigslist here.

2). Macy’s is hiring for at least two openings including an Assistant Store Manager as posted here and a Cosmetics Beauty Advisor as posted here.