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Brooklyn Political Roundup, October 11: Capano supports state constitutional convention

In Public Service From The Political Staff Of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

October 11, 2017 By Paula Katinas & John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Reform Party Chairman Curtis Sliwa (left) and City Council candidate Bob Capano (center) discuss the constitutional convention proposal outside a candidates’ forum on Fort Hamilton Parkway and 99th Street in Bay Ridge. Photo courtesy of Bob Capano 
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The New York State Conservative Party has come out against the proposal to hold a New York State Constitutional Convention, labeling it as a waste of taxpayer money. But Bob Capano, the Reform Party candidate running for Bay Ridge’s City Council seat, said he thinks it’s a good idea.

“Like the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 that led to the world’s greatest example of democracy, a state constitutional convention is the best opportunity for reform because it would be called for, and run by the people directly. New York state needs term limits, and we know the career Albany crowd will never impose term limits on themselves, and this is exactly why we need a convention. We also need initiative and referendum, and to ease ballot access,” Capano told the audience at a recent candidates’ forum sponsored by the Bay Ridge Council on Aging.

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Menchaca on Board with New York Harbor School

Councilmember Carlos Menchaca is voicing his support for plans to build a 640-seat middle school in Red Hook to serve as a New York Harbor School location.

The site, 21 Delavan St., which is located close to Red Hook’s Atlantic Basin maritime facilities, is currently occupied by a low-rise manufacturing building.

“Red Hook’s rich maritime history, access to the harbor and need for public schools make it an ideal location for the New York Harbor School. I pledge my full support for every step in this site’s community engagement process and all City Council land use requirements. I applaud my colleagues for upholding our vision for the Harbor School, and I encourage local residents to stay actively involved in creating a world-class educational facility here,” Menchaca said in a statement.

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Malliotakis to Co-Host Pet Adoption Event

Assemblymember and GOP Mayoral candidate woman Nicole Malliotakis (R-C-Bay Ridge-Staten Island) is joining forces with the animal rights group Pet Lovers United Together as One (PLUTO) to host a pet adoption event at the Third Avenue Festival on Oct. 15. The adoption location will be on the corner of Third Avenue and 74th Street from noon to 3 p.m.

“The good folks at PLUTO do such an amazing job providing foster care for these animals, and this is a great way to help them find permanent and loving families,” Malliotakis said.  

All animals available for adoption have been spayed or neutered and are up-to-date on all vaccinations, Malliotakis said. For more information, visit plutorescue.petfinder.org. 

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Harris Calls Trump Administration Decision Reprehensible

Assemblymember Pam Harris (D-Coney Island-Dyker Heights, Bay Ridge) is calling the Trump administration reprehensible in the wake of a controversial rollback of Obamacare contraception coverage announced Oct. 6.

The new directive from the White House allows virtually any employer to opt out of covering the health insurance costs relating to a worker’s birth control methods if the employer cites religious freedom as a reason for the denial of coverage.

“I find it absolutely reprehensible that this federal administration is seeking to disregard the progress we’ve made on women’s health care issues.  Regardless of where they work or who they work for, all women deserve access to contraception coverage. This is another instance of a decision on women’s health being made by men. Simply put, this is an attack on women and we must stand up against it,” she said.

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Richardson Offers Cancer Prevention Tips 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Assemblymember Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights-Prospect Lefferts Gardens) is urging women to get a mammogram and take other preventative measures.

“With the start of fall and the drop in temperature, I advise all families to keep track of their health. It is vital to remember that our bodies need to be treated like well-oiled machines. Specifically, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Center for Disease Control reports that Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in women, affecting about 12 percent of U.S. women,” she said. 

Richardson passed along some tips to her constituents on how to stay healthy, which include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night, avoiding exposure to radiation and chemicals that can cause cancer and breastfeeding children, if possible.

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Dilan Praises Post-Hurricane Unity

State Sen. Martin Dilan (D-Williamsburg-Bushwick) spoke out about efforts by Mayor Bill de Blasio to send relief supplies to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

“Many of us have been in a dark place this week. To see New Yorkers coming together for the people of Puerto Rico and the victims of Hurricane Maria is a welcome ray of hope. It is an important gesture for us all. It’s proof that we can make an impact and that there is no shortage of people who will come when asked for help,” he said.

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Jeffries Blasts GOP Budget

U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn-Canarsie-Coney Island), a member of House Democratic leadership and the Budget Committee, has slammed the Republican House’s new proposed federal budget, describing it as the newest front in the Republican war on the middle class. 

“House Republicans are determined to visit cruel and unusual punishment on the American people by presenting a budget that is reckless, regressive and reprehensible. It’s a budget that will hurt working families, middle-class folks, senior citizens, the poor, the sick, the afflicted, veterans and rural America,” Jeffries said. “It’s a budget that will eradicate the social safety net, end Medicare as we know it, rip away health insurance from 23 million Americans and impose billions of dollars of life-altering debt on younger Americans. It’s outrageous!”

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John Quaglione Marches in Bensonhurst Columbus Day Parade

Republican City Council nominee John Quaglione proudly marched in the Federation of Italian-American Organizations’ Brooklyn Columbus Day Parade on 18th Avenue in Bensonhurst on Saturday. The parade dates back to 1981 and moves along Cristoforo Colombo Boulevard, which was named after the explorer. U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, state Sen. Marty Golden and New York state Assemblymember Ron Castorina also attended.

Also marching in the parade were Councilmember Vincent Gentile, Democratic City Council nominee Justin Brannan and District 47 Assemblymember William Colton (D-Gravesend/Bensonhurst).

In support of what Quaglione called “the strong Italian roots of the 43rd District,” he attended a wreath-laying ceremony on Sunday in Manhattan’s Columbus Circle, hosted by the Columbus Citizens Foundation. He was there with representatives from the Department of Sanitation Columbia Association, the FDNY and NYPD, along with actor Tony Lo Bianco and Bay Ridge community leader George Prezioso They were there to support the statue of Columbus at Columbus Circle.

“This wreath-laying ceremony is in honor of Columbus and all Italian Americans. We will not let them take that statue down,” said Quaglione.

On Monday, Quaglione joined the NYPD Detectives Endowment Association (DEA) at their NYC Columbus Day festivities. The DEA has endorsed Quaglione for City Council.

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Justin Brannan Holds General Election Kickoff Rally

With the general election a little more than a month away, on Sunday, Democratic City Council nominee Justin Brannan held his official general election campaign kickoff in By Ridge. He also announced endorsements from U.S. Rep. Grace Meng and New York state Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou, who are the first Asian-American women to represent their respective districts.

Meng is currently serving her third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is the first Asian-American member of Congress from New York state and serves as a Democratic National Committee vice chair.

In 2016, Niou was elected to the New York State Assembly, where she helped form New York state’s first-ever Asian Pacific American Legislative Task Force. The group focuses on advancing issues impacting New York’s Asian-American community.

“I am deeply honored to have the support of Congressmember Meng and Assemblymember Niou. I am inspired daily by their advocacy, actions and leadership on behalf of all New Yorkers and am humbled that each has put their faith in me to deliver for my neighbors and stand with them in the important battles ahead,” said Brannan.

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Councilmember Mark Treyger Makes the Grade Again, Earns UFT’s Endorsement 

City Councilmember Mark Treyger, who is seeking re-election to represent the 47th District (Gravesend-Coney Island), received the endorsement of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT). UFT represents New York City teachers, education professionals and support staff, touting 200,000 members and 60,000 retirees.

“As a former teacher at New Utrecht High School, Mark Treyger has an understanding of the issues facing our schools and has demonstrated his commitment to bettering our schools and their infrastructure. Mark is a leader and has a record that shows he can get things done,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew.

“I am so honored to have the UFT’s support and as a former member and educator, I know the important work the UFT does for the community. During my first term, we were able to bring about positive changes to our schools through increasing funding and addressing overcrowding and infrastructure concerns by adding seats to P.S. 101 and P.S. 97 and removing temporary boilers. I am proud to stand with our teachers and students and will continue to advocate for them at the City Council,” said Treyger.

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Republican City Council Candidate Ray Denaro Receives Endorsement from 51st Assembly District Leader Avery Pereira

While incumbent 47th District Councilmember Mark Treyger picked up an endorsement from the United Federation of Teachers this week, his Republican opponent Ray Denaro received his own endorsement from 51st Assembly District Leader Avery Pereira.

Pereira said that Denaro would be “a voice for the wonderful people of his district, not the special interests.” Denaro has often criticized his opponent on social media for his abundant donations from PAC’s and unions while having a lack of resident donations.

Denaro most recently posted an article regarding the dumping of 7.2 million gallons of only partially treated ground water into Coney Island during the next two years. In the post, he stated, “The position of the City Council is to represent and protect the neighborhood, especially in cases of pollution and contamination of our homes such as this. Not only should our current councilman be ashamed, but we all should be angry.” 

 

 

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