State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz welcomed four hundred local senior citizens to a luncheon celebrating the end of summer, and connect them with area services.
The August 26 event brought together residents of Chinese, Russian, church and synagogue senior centers for a morning of lunch, music, dancing and giveaways. Representatives from the Social Security Administration, NYC Human Resources Administration and My Turn (a Kingsborough Community College program that enables senior citizens to take tuition-free classes), were on hand to provide information.
After Brooklyn Tea Party activists failed to get a response from Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz regarding the Sheepshead Bay mosque – primarily because it’s not in his district – the group fired off another open letter. This time their target is Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, who represents the blocks around the proposed mosque site.
Much of the letter’s contents remain the same, though its tone is notably more aggressive. The author, Brooklyn Tea Party President John K. Press, points out the assemblywoman’s absence at the June 12 rally, and tries to head off a presumed response to “deny jurisdiction.”
There are a few new tactics recommended in this latest letter, too. The Tea Party is urging Assemblywoman Weinstein to publicize the “need to know about the foreign funding” so they can assure compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act, a 1938 statute that requires persons acting as agents of foreign principals to disclose the relationship. They’re also asking the local pol to put pressure on Community Board 15 (which has no say unless there is a request for variance or special permit), and to seek government relief by pursuing eminent domain on the property.
Brooklyn Tea Party activists issued an open letter to Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz, calling on the Sheepshead Bay politician to create obstacles for the proposed 2812 Voorhies Avenue mosque.
John K. Press, president of the Brooklyn Tea Party, writes:
The Board and Standards and Appeals Chair, Meenakshi Srinivasan, has promised to render, “decisions that respect the character and context of neighborhoods.” A large proportion of the residents on Voorhies are Jewish. Having an organization that preaches hate against Jews move into the neighborhood would greatly disrupt the neighborhood character and quality of life for the current residents.
I implore you to step into this process in any way you can to slow down the permit granting process. This will allow you time to vet the buyer. And, if the concerns about the MAS prove baseless, we recognize that they should be welcomed as good neighbors.
But the focus of the letter’s opposition to the Sheepshead Bay mosque revolves around its connection to the Muslim American Society, not development issues, and includes links to the http://www.adl.org/main_Anti_Israel/Muslim_American_Society.htm about anti-semitic themes in MAS.
A staffer from Cymbrowitz’s office said they are mulling over an official response, but nothing has been decided yet. Cymbrowitz’s district ends at Voorhies Avenue and East 23rd Street; the proposed mosque will be in Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein’s district.
“[The Assemblyman is] dedicated to his community, as opposed to what’s happening other places, in terms of focusing his efforts,” the staffer told Sheepshead Bites.
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz’s office reported today that his third annual blood drive was a “big success.”
People may have noticed the big ol’ bloodmobile – a.k.a. the New York Blood Services donation van – parked on the corner of Sheepshead Bay Road and Emmons Avenue. And good thing, too, because the office said they collected 25 pints of blood, potentially saving as many as 125 lives.
We’ve said before how important donating blood is, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to do so in our neighborhood. So if you haven’t donated recently (or ever), next time you see a donation truck, stop in, roll up your sleeve, and save a life.
And for those who did stop by yesterday – good on you. Thanks for your service, and hopefully you’ll do it again when you become eligible in 56 days.
After months of complaints from residents and business owners, the Sanitation Department is adding corner litter basket collection along Sheepshead Bay’s commercial streets, according to Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz’s office.
Beginning July 1, Kings Highway, Avenue U and Sheepshead Bay Road will receive extra attention from the department.
“Not only did the overflowing corner baskets look awful, but they were a magnet for additional trash and an open invitation for vermin,” Cymbrowitz said in a press release. “It was getting so bad there was hardly a corner that was spared from this urban blight, and adding insult to injury, the mess would frequently sit on the corner for several days until the regular collection truck came by.”
The additional service announced by Cymbrowitz’s office won’t restore that frequency of service, but does promise improvements. In addition to the residential drive-bys, basket trucks will pick up from Avenue U, Kings Highway and Sheepshead Bay Road twice a week. Residential trucks will also devote a portion of their shift solely to basket cleanings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Business owners say the cleanup will be an improvement, but doesn’t go far enough.
We’ve written before about the need for blood donations, and how it’s a simple, quick way to save a life. Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz is organizing a blood drive, so you have the opportunity once again to turn over some sangre. Cymbrowitz’s drive is also accepting appointments, so make one today to make your visit even more hassle-free.
From Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s office:
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Sponsoring Local Blood Drive
TRADITIONALLY, BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE LOW DURING SUMMER MONTHS
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz is sponsoring a blood drive in conjunction with the New York Blood Center, Thursday, July 8th, between 12 Noon and 6:00 pm outside his community office [1800 Sheepshead Bay Road]. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are appreciated. Most people between the ages of 17 and 70 may donate. Please call Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office at (718) 743-4078 to either make an appointment or for more information.
Over the years that Steven Cymbrowitz has been in the State Assembly, I must’ve walked past his 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road office hundreds – if not thousands – of times. And yet, a little piece of community culture that adorns his window always seems to go under my radar.
Since November 2003, Cymbrowitz has been using his storefront window as a “walk-by art gallery” for student artists. Every month during the school year, a new exhibit goes up by students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade classes, all from local schools.
“Assemblyman Cymbrowitz believes that art is an important component of a student’s education and every child should be encouraged to expresses themselves artistically,” said Oswalt Heymann, the chief of staff for Cymbrowitz.
Each exhibit follows a theme given to the teacher about issues that would be of interest to children. This month’s show came from eighth graders of Mrs. Davis’ class at I.S. 238.
Now, if you’re wondering how Georgia O’Keeffe is of interest to 14-year-olds, well, you’ll understand when you’re older…
This is not Cymbrowitz's mobile office. This is me procrastinating.
From Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’s office:
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ Mobile Community Office is Coming to the Midwood Library
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ mobile community office will be visiting the Midwood branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, Friday, June 4th, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Staff members will be on hand to help community residents with problems, answer questions and discuss local issues. The library is located at 975 East 16th Street, between Avenues I and J. For additional information please call (718) 743-4078.
Earlier today we reported about Community Board 15′s rejection of a special permit application to reduce the number of required spaces at 1501 and 1401 Sheepshead Bay Road. During the meeting, the architect flashed these artist renderings of the 1501 Sheepshead Bay Road location. The left two images are the view from Avenue Z, while the right picutre is the view from Sheepshead Bay Road.
As we’ve reported, the Avenue Z side is the entrance and exit to the garage. The buildings next door on Avenue Z (not pictured) are one story, and on Sheepshead Bay Road they’re two stories.
We’re not quite sure how true to scale the renderings are. The clearance between the subway tracks and the building is about 12 feet, according to the developer. Here’s a photo of that space now – the property is only the fenced in area:
Residents, board members and local politicians chewed out a developer’s plans to construct a nine-story, 115 foot tall building wedged between Sheepshead Bay Road and Avenue Z at this week’s meeting, amidst concerns about parking, traffic and safety.
The board voted unanimously to turn down a request for special permits to reduce the amount of parking required for two buildings by the same owner. The special permits sought to combine the parking for both buildings (1401 Sheepshead Bay Road and 1501 Sheepshead Bay Road), and reduce the number of required spaces by 40 percent.
But the height, location and car capacity of the new building, as well as the developer’s own statements to the Board of Standards and Appeals, came under attack during the Tuesday night meeting.
“When we bring up downzoning in this area, this is the kind of project we’re talking about,” said a representative for Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz.
