With the influx of Sheepshead’s latest liquor establishments, Sheepshead Bay’s thirst for a frosty brew need not be quenched.
Senators Marty Golden (R) of Bay Ridge (aka the bar capital of Brooklyn) and Sheepshead’s Steven Cymbrowitz (D) fearing the decline of the mom-and-pop liquor store and the heightened teen accessibility to booze, united the unlikely pair in an effort to oppose Governor Paterson’s proposal to “legalize win sales in 19,000 new outlets.”
Although no one can predict how fast the Bay would be running to 7-11 for an ‘85 Merlot, is there any real reason to increase the amount of places one can buy alcohol to begin with? According to the World Health Organization, 1.8 million deaths a year are attributed to alcohol usage, 1/3 of that alone being accidental. That’s not to mention the staggering rates of drunk driving in Sheepshead Bay.
With the State Liquor Authority having “only 38 inspectors statewide regulating 70,000 license holders,” Cymbrowitz notes that “To increase the inspection team’s workload by almost one-third is a recipe for disaster.”
We can already buy beer in corner stores and grocery stores have a less than humble selection of beer and prepackaged frou-frou drinks. Maybe a staggering four blocks seems like a ways away up in Albany, but down by the bay, our cup runneth over. Enough already.
Related articles:
Cymbrowitz Blasts Gov On New Booze Plan
Sheepshead Bay Is Sauced
Our local politicians are putting your tax dollars to work by organizing various community events and happenings to help increase to quality of life for residents. Two such events will be occurring on Friday, December 11.
Senator Marty Golden with JASA (Jewish Association for Services for the Aged) will be providing a trained geriatric social worker at his office at 3604 Quentin Road between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. The social worker is open to all Marine Park and Community Board 15 residents. If you have questions contact the senator’s office at (718) 238-6044.
Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz will be hosting a traveling community office by way of traveling van in front of the Kings Highway Library, 2115 Ocean Avenue between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
From Senator Golden’s office:
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C, 22nd District) today is announcing the kick off of a holiday troop drive to support our heroes this upcoming season.
Senator Marty Golden, a member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Military and Veteran Affairs stated, “What better way to say thank you to those brave men and women that are currently serving in the Armed Forces by making sure that this holiday season, they have the personal items necessary to enhance their quality of life overseas. May we continue to remember that it is our military who has allowed us to live in freedom and to celebrate our holidays amongst family and friends.” Continue Reading »
A distinction to be proud of? We think not.
Sheepshead Bay’s two state senators – Carl Kruger (D) and Marty Golden (R) – remain the only Brooklyn-area representatives standing against gay marriage in New York.
Of the nine members of the Brooklyn delegation to the State Senate, seven have publicly stated support for same-sex marriage rights, according to a survey by NY1. The majority of state senators from all five boroughs and Westchester support the bill, as do the majority of residents statewide, according to one poll. Continue Reading »
Beginning this week, State Senator Marty Golden is adding two new days of office hours at his office located at 3604 Quentin Road. Golden’s staff will now be available to the community to address concerns and complaints, or to seek information, on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The office currently operates Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments will be made to accommodate those that cannot visit the office during these set hours of operation.
Due to the New York State budget cuts Senator Golden’s office at 3610 Quentin Road was forced to close after six years of providing services to the community. In order to contact the office or make an appointment, you can call (718) 238-6044 or e-mail Senator Golden at golden@senate.state.ny.us
Know your body! Senator Golden is partnering with SHARE to work in the community to reduce the mortality rate of ovarian cancer in New York City. Providing information about ovarian cancer will lead to early detection, and the senator’s office will also be providing information on all types of cancer effecting women.
Date: Monday, October 19, 2009
Time: 7:00 PM
Place: Our Lady of Grace Auditorium
385 Avenue W (corner of East 2nd Street)
For more information
call State Senator Golden’s Office
718-238-6044
or
the SHARE Ovarian Cancer Hotline
1-866-537-4273
Today the area’s elected politicians are meeting with MTA officials. On the agenda? The B train.
One full week after the B train kicked off its two-year hiatus – though it’s three weeks if you count the unannounced termination of service before that – the area’s leaders are gathering at Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein’s office on Nostrand Avenue with MTA officials. In attendance are Councilmen Lew Fidler and Mike Nelson, Assemblymen Weinstein and Maisel, State Senators Carl Kruger and Marty Golden, as well as Community Board Chairperson Theresa Scavo. An invite has also been sent to Congressman Weiner’s office.
The gang of seven-ish is hoping to press the MTA to seek alternatives to the current plans, which will see the B train running local until late 2011.
“We want to hear from them on what they want to accomplish. They’re inconveniencing a lot of people,” Fidler said. He added that he’s looking for assurances that they’ve looked into alternative plans. “There’s got to be a better way. I’d like to hear there’s an option that’s more convenient for the public.”
Assemblyman Maisel said he hoped the gang could gain some ground with the agency by airing the community’s grievances. However, he also noted the MTA isn’t required to accomodate the group’s demands. “They’re called the authority for a reason,” he said, and pointed out that the authority system has been a troubled one for decades.
As the only unelected party in the group, Theresa Scavo was more blunt with her assessment. “I don’t think anything’s going to get accomplished,” she said. “I think they’re basically going to ignore us.”
Sheepshead Bites will check in later with the pols to see how it went. Stay tuned!
[from State Senator Marty Golden's office via GB.net]
What to know anything and everything about swine flu in the schools? Attend this meeting!
State Senator Marty Golden With the New York State Senate Minority Taskforce
The Senators will be obtaining testimony from high level City and State officials on Health Preparedness in Schools and how it relates to the Swine Flu.
The Hearing will be held:
September 17, 2009
10 am to 2 pm
Cort Club
2648 Gerritsen Avenue
at Devon Avenue
Please contact 718-238-6044 with any questions.
I never really considered writing the MTA itself as an effective strategy to halt the two-year termination of B express service beginning in September. It just seemed that they’d never listen to me or anyone else who doesn’t control their budget. But one reader, Cat Consequence, sought out the MTA’s online complaint form to let them know what he thought of the changes. Surprise of surprises – the MTA wrote him back. So now I’m urging all of our readers to flood the complaint form. But don’t just flood it, post a copy of your complaint – and their response (if any) – in the comments section. If we’re all receiving canned responses it’ll become obvious pretty quickly. Once again, here’s the link to the MTA’s complaint form: http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/mta_nyc.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php
In other B train news, neither Community Board 15 Chairperson Theresa Scavo nor State Senator Marty Golden have received a response to their letters to the MTA president, but they did urge patience. Joan Byrnes, Director of Community Relations for Golden, said that it would be hard for them to justify a tougher campaign against the MTA’s B train plans without more outcry from the community. Golden, we remind you, is a state senator and has a vote when it comes to the MTA budget. To date he has received just two or three complaints. So I’m again asking for you to contact your state senators immediately.
State Senator Martin J. Golden
718-238-6044 - golden@senate.state.ny.us
State Senator Carl Kruger
718-743-8610 - kruger@senate.state.ny.us
We told you this morning that Community Board 15 Chairperson Theresa Scavo wrote the MTA, and now we’ve found out that State Senator Marty Golden has followed suit. Joan Byrnes, Director of Community Affairs for Golden, left a copy of the letter as a comment to our original article about B service termination. We’re putting it up front for everyone to see:
August 10, 2009
President Howard H. Roberts Jr.
MTA New York City Transit
2 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
Dear President Roberts, Jr.,
The recent news of the cuts in service on the B line for two years has caused great concern and disappointment within my district. I have seen complaints on the local blogs and have received them at my office as well. I hope that we will be able to work together to accommodate the riders of this line. While they are thankful to have the repairs take place, the everyday necessity of their commute continues to exist, and the extreme nature of these cuts is causing a major disturbance.
I ask that you consider the possibilities available before making such a cut that will severely inconvenience thousands of riders. Making express service possible during rush hours is the best way to calm the concerns of the people. Two years is too long to deny the residents a service they count on and continually pay into! I sincerely urge you to find a middle ground so that the MTA and the commuters on the Brighton line can both benefit.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further please contact my Director of Community Affairs, Joan Byrnes at 718-238-6044 or jbyrnes@senate.state.ny.us. I remain,
Sincerely Yours,
Martin J. Golden
