BK Independent TV: Brooklyn's Crumbling Churches

BK Independent Television reports on churches in Brooklyn currently in disrepair and in need of work, including Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Clinton Hill (although the clip incorrectly places the church in Bed-Stuy).

Council Member James has joined her colleagues in fighting for religious organizations to retain the right to rent public school space from the Department of Education, and recently joined NY1's Inside City Hall to discuss the issue.

Job Opportunity: NY Post Hosts Career Fair: 1/26

The New York Post is hosting a Career Fair--

WHEN: Thursday January 26,
11AM- 3PM

WHERE: Affinia Manhattan Hotel
371 Seventh Avenue at 31st Street
New York, NY 10001

Positions Available include: Government, Healthcare, Drivers, Sales, and Law Enforcement.

Register and upload your resume at www.catalystcareergroup.com.

ATTENTION: NY Association of Black Journalists Hosts "First Take" Journalism Program for HS Students

The New York Association of Black Journalists is now accepting applications for its high school journalism program, FIRST TAKE. Students accepted into the program will learn how to report and produce local stories in multiple media formats from New York City’s top journalists.

The eight-week program meets every Saturday from October 1 through November 12, with an additional eighth session that meets on Sunday, November 20. Students will learn how to write news, how to produce a blog, how to shoot and edit video, and how to produce a televised newscast. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a live newsroom in Manhattan.

The program’s instructors include professionals from ABC News, The Associated Press, The New York Times, the New York Post, the Huffington Post and more. The workshop is hosted by the Journalism & Media Arts Department of Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus.

Applicants should be current high school students from the New York City area who have a strong interest in pursuing journalism careers.

Students who successfully complete the program will receive digital and printed copies of their work to begin building their own work portfolios. Also, each student will be awarded a certificate during a brunch ceremony attended by their parents and the workshop mentors.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Students who are interested in participating must complete the online application at firsttakenyc.com/apply.

For additional information, students and parents are encouraged to contact: info@firsttakenyc.com

CM James' Responds to Allegations of 2010 Blizzard Sanitation Slowdown

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
June 10, 2011

Contact: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES’ RESPONSE TO NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF INVESTIGATION - INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS OF POSSIBLE SLOWDOWN BY DEPARTMENT OF SANITATION DURING BLIZZARD OF DECEMBER 2010

Almost two feet of snow was dumped on New York City on December 26, and the Tri-state area was covered with nearly 30 inches of snow that week… Sanitation Department slowdown never verified, completely unfounded

“The report issued recently by the Department of Investigation (DOI) regarding the 2010 Blizzard confirms a significant amount of what the Council and the Sanitation Committee discovered during hearings on the blizzard of December 2010. It also brings to light a few important issues that remain unresolved, and I hope to work with DSNY to address these items in the coming months.

Above all, the report underscores the need for improved planning and transparency, which are the two primary objectives achieved by the legislative package passed by the City Council in April. DOI deserves significant credit for conducting a thorough investigation of the allegations of a slow-down, and of other factors that may have contributed to the inadequate response to the blizzard that hit New York City on December 26th and 27th of 2010.

DOI interviewed over 150 witnesses including employees from DSNY, DOT, various elected officials, and several dozen members of the public. DOI also read numerous emails, viewed photos from the public, reviewed hours of video footage obtained from the public and law enforcement sources, issued numerous subpoenas, and conferred with several different prosecutors located in New York City. A number of positive conclusions and important corrections to the record should be emphasized. Most importantly, the allegations of a slow-down were never verified and appear to be completely unfounded.

Furthermore, the vast majority of Sanitation workers were doing the best that they could under the circumstances, although even some of the best equipped plows were getting stuck because of the severe conditions - the level of personnel and equipment was commensurate with levels of recent significant storms. Although there were reports of trucks driving with raised plows, most of the reported incidents that were captured on film were circumstances where the plows were supposed to be up, and DSNY is looking into the few instances where plows appeared to be improperly raised.

When GPS was used, it appears to have been effective, and we are glad to note that DSNY is going forward with our recommendation to expand the use of GPS to all snow plows. According to the DSNY official, the Queens East 8 Garage achieved a higher percentage of streets salted and plowed during the blizzard of December 2010 compared to garages in other districts that received approximately the same amount of snow. The report does identify a number of issues that require further attention such as greater planning and coordination must be in place for sensitive locations such as hospitals.

As I pointed out at the City Council hearing on January 10th, there were significant complaints from Sanitation workers that the chains used during the storm were inadequate. The DOI report provides evidence to support this claim. According to DSNY, there were 3,760 chains that were damaged during the cleanup - about 44% of the chains used during the storm - which raises questions about whether the new chains used by DSNY are durable enough to be trusted in the future. Furthermore, a significant number of DSNY employees stated that trucks had insufficient number of chains.

Other issues cited include: the disagreement between management and rank-and-file DSNY employees regarding when to cease salting during the storm, which could have been addressed through better communication and planning, and those disagreements should be resolved before the next snow season begins. DSNY should reconsider its policy requiring that one employee stay with each and every DSNY vehicle that becomes stuck or stalled during a storm.

During a severe storm such as the December 2010 blizzard, a significant number of employees could have been reassigned to other tasks that could have expedited snow removal more directly, and the appearance of so many employees simply sitting in stalled vehicles created a negative perception of the work being done.

Finally, I also urge DSNY to review its procedures with respect to ordering the proper amount and type of snow shovels. Many lessons were learned from the 2010 Blizzard, and I am confident that when snow storms hit again this winter the City will be much better prepared to handle it in every way.”

###

Council Member James: "Sister With Attitude"

Curtis Sliwa and NY1 political commentator Gerson Borrero debate the week's top news on NY1, including perhaps the most noted moment from the New York City Council snow blizzard hearing. See video here.

NYCC Sanitation Hearing Discussed at Good Day NY; CMs Crowley and Williams Interviewed

Following CM James' appearance on Good Day NY to discuss the New York City Council's hearing on the December 26, 2010 snow blizzard, which took place yesterday at the Council's temporary hearing hall, CMs Crowley and Williams again joined Good Day NY to discuss what happened.

Council Member James regarding some of the comments made: "It is important to remember that there is a federal investigation happening at this time, and that it is not the duty (or within the jurisdiction) of the New York City Council to perform any criminal investigation of events. Nor would it helpful to feed into unsubstantiated claims."

"Instead, the goal of the Council hearing- laid out by myself before the hearing began- was to look into whether the Department of Sanitation failed in meeting its goals for snow management, and if so how the department and administration can ensure those mistakes are not repeated. It is imperative that in order to address those issues, comments and testimony be as focused as possible. In light of the administration's surprising admissions yesterday, and recent attempts to strengthen service, I feel as if yesterday's hearing was successful."

Blizzard City Council Hearing: MyFoxNY.com

Video borrowed from MyFOX 5.

CM James On Good Day NY!

Councilwoman James On Cleanup Investigation: MyFoxNY.com

Council Member James joined the hosts of Good Day New York on January 7, 2011 to discuss the administration's response to the December 26th snow blizzard.

Video borrowed from MyFOX 5.

ATTENTION: CM James Joins Fox 5's Good Day NY!

Please check-in with Fox 5's Good Day New York tomorrow (Friday) morning at 7:15AM to watch Council Member James discuss the City's snow blizzard response, expectations about tomorrow's snow, and the upcoming Council hearings.

More information about the City Council hearings will be posted shortly.

CMs James and Williams Join Community Advocates To Speak Out On Snow Sanitation

Council Members Letitia James and Jumaane Williams join Isaac Tamir of the Crown Heights Jewish Community Council (CHJCC) to discuss conditions in Crown Heights on December 28, 2010.

Anger Over City's Blizzard Response: MyFoxNY.com

CM James Shares Predictions for 2011!

Council Member James on steps of City Hall at CityTime Press Conference.

"Now that 2011 has ushered in, the following are a few predictions for the New Year--

Number one: the amount of theft related to the CityTime scandal will exceed $100 million stolen from New York City taxpayers, and will be the largest fraud on record in the City’s history (I first sounded the alarm two years ago as Contracts Committee Chair).

Number two: within the 35th Council District we are members of a united community, and therefore will provide even safer, more nurturing and stimulating environments for children, both at home and within schools. We will help the least among us, and when we see something, we will always say something in an effort to protect neighbors and ourselves.

Number three: dancing will remain in my life, for exercise purposes and as an artistic outlet. I truly enjoyed dancing to raise funds for arts education in December - http://teamtish.blogspot.com/2010/12/cm-james-dances-at-stars-of-ny-dance.html."

Council Member Letitia James

35th District, Brooklyn



ATTENTION: CM James Calls Mayor Bloomberg "Out of Touch" With Clean-up Outside Manhattan

Read the full coverage at CNN's American Morning here.

ATTENTION: Arrest In Brooklyn Salon Robber Case

Apparently the alleged would-be Brooklyn salon-robbing suspect, who broke the cardinal rule, was arrested yesterday. If you have any further information for police, please reach out to crime-stoppers.

"Never mess with a black woman when she's getting her hair done": Important Lessons For Life

In international news, today's Daily Mail has a story on NYPD Officer Feris Jones' shooting of an armed suspect in a Brooklyn beauty salon.

The NY Post also covered the story.

CMs James and Lander Speak Up On AY Plaza Design, Construction Concerns

Council Members Letitia James and Brad Lander speak at Brooklyn's Borough Hall on September 29, 2010 on Atlantic Yards Plaza design, and ongoing concerns with the development--



Video by Jonathan Barkey retrieved from Atlantic Yards Report. Read Mr. Oder's much more detailed report here.

CM James Applauds Comptroller Liu On CityTime Action

On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, Council Member Letitia James joined Local 375, DC 37, the Civil Service Technical Guild representing City engineers, architects, scientists, chemists, and other technical specialists in opposing the administration’s Citytime payroll project. From the onset, the Citytime project has been rife with accusations of administration and management errors that have seen “consultants” paid exuberant prices. Furthermore, the initial cost of the project ($68M) has ballooned to an estimated $700M over-budget last fiscal year. The current proposal is a 3-year contract that includes two SAIC contracts, and funding for ongoing operations. It would cost more than $100M.

Council Member James joined the guild in calling on a freeze to any further rolling-out of the project in terms of both additional funding and application to new City agencies. In addition, she called on a full assessment of the project to be performed as soon as possible, following the audit performed by Comptroller John Liu, to determine whether it would be most cost-efficient to return payroll duties to City workers.

Council Member Letitia James has been a long-term opponent of the Citytime project, from her tenure of Chair of the Contracts Committee where she held two hearings on the project, as well as one on the general outsourcing of service jobs to the private sector. She continues to introduce legislation concerning the City's outsourcing of service contracts that may be able to be performed by municipal workers.

Council Member James applauds Comptroller Liu on standing firm on his opposition to the project overall. The Comptroller recently announced his agreement with the administration to give SAIC a deadline of June 30, 2011 to complete all original work on the program. If that is completed, the program will receive up to $32M for maintenance and support services alone. There will be no further rolling-out of the project at this time, and if SAIC fails to meet this deadline, $3M in damages will be assessed against the City’s payment.

You can read more about the new agreement here.

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

BK Hospital Center Recognized for Quality Diabetes Care

"The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) have announced that the Brooklyn Hospital Center (BHC) Family Practice has received Recognition from the Diabetes Physician Recognition Program for providing quality care to patients with diabetes."

Read more here: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=21&id=37458

CM James Joins BK Tenants to Protest Collapsing Building

On August 17th, Council Member James joined tenants at a press conference for a building on Grand Avenue in Brooklyn to address long-standing maintenance issues, and to protect their shaky, collapsing building. The tenants noted that the building had been neglected by management for the past decade.

Read more here: Council Member Letitia James Joins Brooklyn Tenants To Protest Shaky, Collapsing Building

Council Member James Joins In Defense of Animals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Council Member Letitia James Joins In Defense of Animals To Speak out Against USDA Massacre of Canada Geese

Rally at City Hall Calls for Humane Methods

New York (August 11, 2010) - In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international animal protection organization, will be joined by New York City Council Member Letitia James, on the steps of City Hall in Manhattan on Thursday, August 12, at noon, to call for an end to the city’s contract with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to kill all Canada geese within seven miles of NY’s airports. The contract is established in conjunction with the Port Authority of New York.
Also attending the rally will be Council Members Brad Lander and Stephen Levin as well as State Senator Eric Adams, who represents the district that includes Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, where, without warning, 400 geese were rounded up and gassed in the early hours of July 8, 2010.

The Prospect Park killings sparked an outcry from local residents, many of whom knew individual geese by name, and relished them as a rare and vital link to nature. That outcry, which has now grown into a full roar of dissent, has since exposed reports of 1,700 Canada geese killed in NYC by the Wildlife Services of USDA over the past year, with plans to wipe out roughly two-thirds of the goose population in New York State. Rally attendees, including the elected officials, are vowing to see the killings stopped.

According to Council Member James, “It is tragic that 400 Canada geese were killed in Brooklyn’s historic Prospect Park. This extreme action appears to be a belated response to last year’s Delta crash into the Hudson River caused by migratory birds that entered the plane’s engines. Prospect Park’s birds lived permanently in the park, and my office has heard from constituents that believe they were not a threat to the region’s air safety, but merely sacrificed as scapegoats. Also, the fact that the killing of these birds took place without prior community or local-elected official notification is an indication that this plan was not well-developed.”
Geese populations control can be addressed through a variety of preventive and non-lethal humane methods, such as Ovocontrol, which is a USDA-approved birth control drug for use in geese.

The City and Port Authority claim that aviation safety demands the birds be killed, but ignore the very fact that cities worldwide deal with the problem of birds near airports without exterminating them. The problem of birds colliding with engines is real, but can be dealt with by employing a range of methods, including radar detection, currently not in use in NYC’s airports.

Contact Barbara Stagno 914.479.5276

CM James and Sanders Join DC37's "State of the Union" Broadcast

Below is the airing schedule for DC 37's TV show "State of the Union" for August featuring Council Member Letitia James and Council Member James Sanders Jr.

Brooklyn
Scheduled broadcasts once a month on Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT), on Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Verizon FiOS and RCN.
Upcoming Brooklyn Schedule: Thursday, August 12th, 5 pm on Time Warner Channel 34, Cablevision Channel 67, Verizon FiOS Channel 42, and RCN Channel 82.

Manhattan
Scheduled broadcasts twice a month and at other unscheduled times throughout the month on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN), on Time Warner Cable, and Verizon FiOS.
The show airs on Time Warner's Channels 34 and 56, and Verizon FiOS Channels 83 and 84. (Recently aired on Monday, August 9 at 2:30 PM on Time Warner Channel 56, and Verizon FiOS Channel 34.)

Tune in...