Pera Cafe Loses Bid For Sidewalk Cafe: Community Board 15 denied an application for a sidewalk cafe at Pera Cafe, a new Turkish restaurant and lounge at 2255 Emmons Avenue, in a near-split vote after members raised questions about pedestrian safety and the restaurant’s own track record.
Archive for the tag 'helene weinstein'
FEMA is on hand at the Miramar Yacht Club (3050 Emmons Avenue) right now until 3:00 p.m. today.
The one day FEMA Applicant Registration Site has FEMA employees that are able to assist those who need help applying, answer questions and determine next steps for those who have already applied.
The FEMA site is in response to the request made at the Rapid Repairs Town Hall Meeting organized by Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Councilman Fidler and Assemblyman Maisel.
Photo by Erica Sherman
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver introduced the New York City Hurricane Sandy Assessment Relief Act, legislation intended to provide tax relief to New York City homeowners and businesses severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy.
The legislation would allow property owners who suffered damages from Sandy to apply for property tax assessment reductions on a sliding scale. The sliding scale is based on the percentage of value lost, so the more damage you suffered, the less you would pay in taxes. Here is a breakdown of the figures.
- 50 but less than 60 percent loss in value, taxable assessed value would be reduced by 55 percent;
- 60 but less than 70 percent loss in value, taxable assessed value would be reduced by 65 percent;
- 70 but less than 80 percent loss in value, taxable assessed value would be reduced by 75 percent;
- 80 but less than 90 percent loss in value, taxable assessed value would be reduced by 85 percent;
- 90 but less than 100 percent loss in value, taxable assessed value would be reduced by 95 percent;
- 100 percent loss, taxable assessed value would be reduced to zero.
According to the legislation, the home or business owner would be required to submit a written request to the New York City Department of Finance, which in turn would determine the percentage of lost value. The New York City Tax Commission would review any assessment changes if requested by the property owner.
Local co-sponsors of the bill include Alec Brook-Krasny, Steven Cymbrowitz, Helene Weinstein and Alan Maisel.
If you are in need of some pro-bono legal aid for issues resulting from the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, head down to the Kings Bay Y on 3495 Nostrand Avenue today between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
A team of lawyers will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice on unemployment insurance, FEMA, and repairs and any other Superstorm Sandy legal questions you could think of.
The event is being put together by the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, State Senator David Storobin, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, and the Kings Bay Y.
Appointments can be made over the phone with Lora at (718) 648-7703, ext. 227. Walk-ins are also encouraged. Make sure to come prepared with any and all relevant documents you may have questions on as well.
Photo by Erica Sherman
Still need work done on your home, but having trouble finding the funds? Can’t figure out how to navigate the system’s not-so-rapid Rapid Repairs Program? Attend this town hall!
Representatives of New York City’s Rapid Repairs unit will attend a town hall meeting to answer questions and, hopefully, expedite services to our neighborhood, on Monday, December 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at P.S. 52 (2675 East 29th Street).
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Assemblyman Alan Maisel and Councilman Lew Fidler organized the event, following a meeting with Plumb Beach and Sheepshead Bay residents at Roll-N-Roaster, where it was clear that clarification of the program’s offerings for home repair was needed.
You can make an appointment for Rapid Repair service, but, first, you must have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA by going to DisasterAssistance.gov, and have a FEMA ID number.
Then, sign up for the NYC Rapid Repair services by registering online, calling 311 or visiting a Disaster Assistance Service Center and registering there.
A contractor will come to your home and assess the damage, then a work order will be created and contractors will fix the home.
Source: Allan Rosen
The MTA denied a request yesterday to restore ’round-the-clock B4 bus service to Plumb Beach just one month ahead of schedule, even though scores of residents remain stranded by Superstorm Sandy.
Bay Improvement Group (BIG) made the request through Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein earlier this week, claiming the lack of cars and mass transit options have not only made it difficult to get to work, but also to rebuild. Residents can’t shop for food and supplies or visit doctors – or even access the numerous recovery workshops that have so far only occurred outside of the neighborhood.
“A lot of people lost their cars and are stranded,” said Laura McKenna, BIG’s acting executive director. “They don’t have their own vehicles and it makes it more difficult for them to get to the subway, and we have an older population that can’t get to doctors or get groceries.”
St. Mark Church to House Group Home for Developmentally Disabled Girls: Community Board 15 gave the green light to St. Vincent’s Services to move an intermediate care facility into St. Mark Roman Catholic Church, located at 2601 East 19th Street.
The facility’s Associate Executive Director and Managing Director of Developmentally Disabled Services Janice Ashton briefed the Board on the organization’s plan, saying that 14 “profoundly disabled young ladies” between the ages of 25 and 60 will use the existing vacant rectory building – formerly a convent. All of the girls have suffered profound or severe mental handicaps from birth, and will be attended by a staff ratio of two to three clients per staff member.
“I really know these consumers and their families. We have done such a good job that many of them, they never thought they would live so long,” Ashton said. “Usually 30 to 35 [years is the average lifespan]; they’re approaching, some 60s, 50s, and in other facilities, we have 70s and 80s.”
Photo by Ray Johnson
Cherry Hill Gourmet Market opened its doors to the public for the first time last Tuesday, and you can barely tell floodwaters ever entered its storefront in the historic Lundy’s building (1901 Emmons Avenue).
“We were working night and day, day and night, 24-seven, to get back on our feet,” said owner David Isaev at a grand opening party last week, attended by Assemblymembers Steven Cymbrowitz and Helene Weinstein, Councilman Michael Nelson, and Community Board 15 Chairperson Theresa Scavo.
During the worst of Superstorm Sandy, several feet of water rushed over the Bay’s walls and barreled into the building – ruining the building’s interior, alongside tens of thousands of dollars worth of items and equipment. Cherry Hill provided the video below to Sheepshead Bites, showing the damage after the water receded.
Keep reading and view the video, featuring a cameo with Paul Randazzo or Randazzo’s Clam Bar.
From the offices of Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein:
FEMA representatives will be at the Kings Bay Library 3650 Nostrand Avenue, (between Avenue W & X) on Friday November 23 from 10am – 2:pm to assist individuals who suffered damages as a result of Sandy. Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and Councilman Lew Fidler asked FEMA to come the library to help assist Sheepshead Bay residents who are not able to travel to the other FEMA Brooklyn sites. This temporary recovery center at the Kings Bay Library, is a one-stop shop for eligible storm survivors to get help as quickly as possible.
Individuals do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to register with FEMA. Here are some alternatives: They may apply for FEMA assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 1-800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Individuals may also register online at: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by smart phone at m.fema.gov.
City Councilman Lew Fidler. Photo by Erica Sherman
Residents in the 46th Councilmanic District and beyond, who suffered property loss or damage from Hurricane Sandy, are invited to attend a public meeting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be participating in.
Citizens affected by the superstorm can gain more information and have their questions answered during the session organized by Councilman Fidler in cooperation with Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein and State Senator John Sampson, at the Kings Bay Y, Wednesday evening, November 14, at 7:00 p.m. The Kings Bay Y is located at 3495 Nostrand Avenue between Avenue U and Avenue V, across the street from Perry’s Diner.
Fidler stated:
“We live in a coastal area so our community was directly wounded by the recent storm. Therefore, I am absolutely dedicated to bringing in every resource possible to help our community fully heal. Since the storm, I’ve secured generators, clothing, trucks of food and needed supplies and continue to work hard to see the restoration of basic services. But information on available aid is also needed, which is why these meetings are so important.”
Another meeting, also organized by Fidler, will be held outside of our area tomorrow night, November 13 at 7:00 p.m., in cooperation with Assemblyman Alan Maisel and State Senator John Sampson at the Canarsie HES, 9502 Seaview Avenue, at the corner of East 95th Street, near St. Jude’s Church.
For additional information, contact Fidler’s office at (718) 241-9330. The councilman noted that, due to high call volume, busy signals may be encountered, but he and his staff remain available to help.
