Brooklyn Political Roundup, December 13: Lawmakers react to Port Authority bombing

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

December 13, 2017 By Paula Katinas & John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Police officers stand guard inside the Port Authority Bus Terminal in the wake of Monday’s pipe bomb explosion. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

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Lawmakers react to Port Authority bombing

Brooklyn lawmakers reacted to the pipe bomb explosion in a subway passageway near the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Dec. 11 with a mixture of anger that the incident took place and gratitude that no one was seriously injured.

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, issued the following statement immediately after the bombing:

“Thank God there weren’t more injuries or fatalities from this morning’s terror attack. The response by NYPD, FDNY, NYC Emergency Management and other first responders should give all New Yorkers confidence — they’re the best in the world. We are winning on the battlefield but we must constantly remain vigilant at home against ISIS-inspired or directed attacks. New York City remains the world’s top terror target, but fully resourced city, state and federal anti-terror authorities will continue to save lives by preventing and responding to threats.”

Assemblymember Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights-Prospect Lefferts Gardens) called the bombing a reprehensible act.

“It is vital that we remain vigilant amidst deplorable acts of this nature, without allowing it to destroy our way of life,” said Richardson, who is on the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. The committee oversees institutions like the Port Authority.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, while praising first responders, also called for calm in the wake of the attack.

“I’m grateful for the diligent response of the NYPD, FDNY and all of our first responders to today’s pipe bomb explosion at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, an incident that we are blessed did not result in more serious damage. New York City remains the safest big city in America because of their bravery and hard work each and every day. New Yorkers know all too well that terror-minded individuals have our city in their sights, but we know that no matter how they may try to shake us, they will never, ever break us. As we learn more about the suspect of this attack, including his connections to Brooklyn, I urge everyone to respect the ongoing investigation and not fall victim to the kind of divisive behavior that terror seeks to spread,” Adams said in a statement.

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City Council approves Treyger’s anti-bully bill

“Bullying can take a significant physical, emotional and psychological toll on students and families. As a former educator, I saw firsthand how bullying can disrupt a child’s developmental and educational progress,” said Councilmember Mark Treyger, offering his view on bullying as a former high school teacher.

“We have seen too many tragic endings to cases of bullying across our city, particularly as social media becomes a larger part of our children’s lives. Bullying is a complex issue that requires multilevel interventions, both at school and at home.”

Treyger (D-Coney Island-Gravesend-Bensonhurst), co-chairman of the Council’s Brooklyn Delegation, released that statement after the council unanimously passed legislation he sponsored to crack down on bullying in schools.

Under his bill, the Department of Education (DOE) will be required to collect and report data every six months regarding the bullying in city schools. DOE will also be responsible for tracking whether or not schools are adhering to regulations mandating that parents or guardians be quickly notified of bullying incidents.

DOE’s reports will include statistical breakdowns of student-to-student bullying, harassment, intimidation, bullying complaints, notices about bullying incidents sent to parents or guardians, the length of time it takes for parents or guardians to receive notices, students who have experienced more than two incidents of bullying in a school year and the number of times follow-up action had to be taken.

All data will be disaggregated by individual schools and school districts, according to Treyger.

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Hamilton sponsors lead-testing bill

In the wake of the scandal involving the alleged failure of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to test apartments for lead paint, state Sen. Jesse Hamilton is sponsoring a bill to make it mandatory for children to be tested for lead poisoning.

Under Hamilton’s bill, parents seeking to enroll their children in kindergarten, second grade or fourth grade would be required to provide the school with proof that they have had their youngsters tested for lead poisoning.

The local school district would be required to create a pamphlet to educate parents about the importance of lead testing.

Hamilton (Crown Heights-Park Slope-Sunset Park) noted that many apartment houses in New York City were built before lead-based paint was outlawed in 1978. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends that children be tested at ages 1 and 2 and again before age 6.

“Every child growing up in NYCHA housing deserves to be free from hazardous lead that can negatively impact their growth and development. Every parent raising a family in NYCHA housing deserves to know that their apartment is not poisoning them.

“With this report and the legislation we advance, we mandate meaningful transparency and independent oversight to give families in NYCHA housing the assurances they need. Your health and well-being matter. As someone who grew up in NYCHA housing myself, I know it is our duty to ensure NYCHA lives up to its responsibilities to every NYCHA resident,” Hamilton said in a statement.

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NYC Reform Party wants to abolish Public Advocate

The New York State Reform Party says they will lead a fight to abolish the New York City Public Advocate.

“The NYC Public Advocate position has just become a taxpayer funded method to run for Mayor,” said Reform Party Chairman Curtis Sliwa. “With no oversight or subpoena power, the public advocate is a press conference machine at public expense. With problems exploding at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the Department of Corrections, the Public Advocate has no investigative role into resolving these problems. With a staff of dozens and a budget of more than $3 million per year, the position needs to be abolished.”

The Public Advocate’s role is to act as a watchdog, representing the public and their concerns regarding governmental policies. In New York City the public advocate is the second-highest ranking elected official and the first in line to succeed the mayor. Former NYC Public Advocate Mark Green unsuccessfully ran for mayor. Current Public Advocate Letitia James is the first African American woman to hold the citywide office.

Gristedes Supermarket manager Bob Capano, who was this year’s Reform Party candidate in the 43rd City Council District (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst) said, “I have been calling for the elimination of the public advocate since 2009 because it is a waste of taxpayer’s dollars. It duplicates the services of councilmembers, borough presidents and community boards. We don’t need it.”

As the 2009 Republican nominee for the 43rd Council District, Capano made eliminating the position a key part of his campaign.