Brooklyn Political Roundup for March 21: Grimm applauds firing of ex-FBI Deputy Director McCabe

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

March 21, 2018 By Paula Katinas & John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm. AP Photo/Kevin Hagen, File

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Grimm applauds firing of McCabe

Republican Michael Grimm, who is mounting a challenge to fellow GOPer U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Bay Ridge-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island) to try and win back the congressional seat he resigned from in 2015, is no fan of the F.B.I.

Grimm issued a statement in the wake of the firing of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

“The firing of Andrew McCabe is the first time I’ve seen true justice on the federal level since the corrupt witch hunt I personally endured,” stated Grimm, who pleaded guilty to a charge of federal tax fraud. “The FBI and DOJ’s highest echelon of political appointees needs to be cleaned out and this was a necessary step in preserving the faith we all have in the nation’s premier law enforcement agency and its brave rank and file.”

Attorney General Jeff Sessions fired McCabe on March 16.

Grimm served in Congress from 2010 until 2015. He is running in the Republican Primary against Donovan, who won the congressional seat after Grimm’s resignation. – PK

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Harris returns to spotlight

Assemblymember Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island-Dyker Heights-Bay Ridge), who was indicted earlier this year on corruption charges, has been keeping a low profile since her legal troubles became public. But that might be changing.

This week, Harris issued a press release touting bills passed by the state Assembly aimed at improving conditions in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings that she said she helped pass.

The assembly’s budget plan would provide $200 million in funding for NYCHA to make repairs to heating systems in its buildings and upgrade weatherization features.

Another bill would streamline the process by which repairs and renovations are done on NYCHA properties.

“It’s clear that there is still so much more we must do for NYCHA residents. These measures will go a long way to ensuring children are safe from the dangers of lead-based paint and tenants are protected from unsafe living conditions,” Harris said in a statement. – PK

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Eugene reminds voters about participatory budgeting

Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (D-Kensington) is reminding his constituents in the 40th Council District that its time for Participatory Budgeting in New York City again.

“Participatory Budgeting Vote Week in New York City is rapidly approaching. From April 7- 15, you will have an opportunity to vote for neighborhood improvements in the 40th District that will provide a tremendous benefit to the community for years to come,” Eugene wrote in an email to his constituents this week.

Under Participatory Budgeting, everyday New Yorkers get to vote on which proposed capital budget projects will get funded in their neighborhoods. Each City Council member who takes part in the program sets aside between $1 million and $2 million out of the city budget. Voters get to decide from among several proposed projects, usually school computer upgrades, street light repairs and tree plantings.

Eugene, who is one of several Brooklyn Council members to take part in Participatory Budgeting, will hold a training session on Tuesday, March 27, at Brooklyn Law School, starting at 6 p.m.

For more information on participatory Budgeting, email [email protected]. – PK

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Yeger, Treyger join de Blasio at gun protest

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Members Kalman Yeger and Mark Treyger joined students outside Edward R. Murrow High School in Midwood last week for the National Student Walkout to protest gun violence.

“You are making so clear to this whole country that you are sick of the violence, you’re sick of the madness, you’re sick of the slaughter, and you won’t stand for it,” de Blasio told the students.

The protest took place on March 14, one month to the day of the massacre in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in which 17 students and teachers were killed.

“I’m a parent. It is an incredible thought, the idea that a parent can send their child to school and not know if their child is coming home. We should never have to talk about 17 sets of parents who’ll never see their kids again,” Yeger (D-Borough Park-Midwood-parts of Bensonhurst) said in a statement.

The demonstration lasted exactly 17 minutes, one minute for each of the Parkland victims.

Treyger (D-Coney Island-Gravesend-Bensonhurst), a graduate of Edward R. Murrow High School, is chairman of the Council’s Education Committee. – PK

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Golden, Malliotakis blast parole board

Republican Bay Ridge lawmakers state Sen. Marty Golden and Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis denounced the decision by the New York State Parole Board’s decision to release cop-killer Herman Bell.

Bell was convicted in the 1971 murders of Police Officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones.

“Sadly, the governor’s appointed members of the New York State Parole Board have proven to be out of touch by giving the green light to release unrepentant cop killer Herman Bell from prison. The parole board has greatly failed the State of New York by ignoring the pleas of the distraught family, elected officials, law enforcement and concerned citizens,” said Golden, who is a retired police officer.

Malliotakis charged that the state’s justice system reached an all-time low with the decision to let Bell out of prison.

“Herman Bell’s heinous crime which was both premeditated and without provocation, would earn him life in prison without parole today. It is unconscionable that this murderer will be able to walk our streets again. The lack of respect shown by members of the parole board, who are all appointed by the governor, in making this decision is absolutely outrageous and a total disgrace. My heart breaks for the families of Police Officers Joseph Piegentini and Waverly Jones,” Malliotakis said. – PK

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Malliotakis to serve as New York State Chair of National Foundation for Women Legislators

Assemblymember Nichole Malliotakis (R-C-I-Brooklyn/Staten Island) was named New York state director of the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) for 2018.

Founded in 1938, NFWL is a nonprofit organization that works with female lawmakers across the country at local, county and state government levels. They hold seminars. forums and networking to encourage women who hold elective office to seek leadership roles within their legislative bodies and work on finding bipartisan solutions to issues.

As a state director, Malliotakis will serve as a contact person for elected women in New York, and work to bring more elected women the opportunities and resources that NFWL has to offer. This year, she is concentrating her efforts on recruiting a co-chair to help expand the presence of NFWL within the state.

“I want to thank the NFWL for selecting me to coordinate their efforts in the state of New York,” said Malliotakis. “I am honored to serve my colleagues as State Director and will focus on growing the membership of this remarkable organization and encourage women to step into elected positions across our state.”

Malliotakis served as director of NFWL in 2017 and will continue to hold this office through the end of 2018. – JA

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Kings County Conservative Party holds annual brunch in Bay Ridge

The Kings County Conservative Party held its annual brunch on Sunday, March 18 at the Bay Ridge Manor.

The Brooklyn Chapter of the Marine Corps League received the Ronald Reagan Memorial Award. State Sen. John DeFrancisco was the event’s keynote speaker. He was joined by Manny Alicandro, who is seeking the Conservative and Republican Party nominations for New York state attorney general.

Attending the event were New York State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, Brooklyn Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar, U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan, State Sen. Marty Golden and Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis.

Malliotakis also received the Conservative Party’s “Profile in Courage Award” on March 19 at this year’s legislative reception in Albany. She was honored for her fortitude in standing up to Mayor Bill de Blasio during her mayoral bid last year.

Long presented her with the award and praised her for “challenging the status quo of New York City politics by adhering to her conservative values throughout last year’s mayor race.”

Malliotakis thanked the Conservative Party for their support. “I will continue to fight for the issues I brought up during the campaign, particularly the need to reform our property tax structure, the need for transit, and address the increasing rates of homelessness and mental illness in our community,” said Malliotakis. – JA

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Golden opposes Manhattan Beach solar roof plan

State Sen. Marty Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) is opposed to placing a solar roof over the parking lot in the Manhattan Beach Public Park and Beach.

Golden joined with Community Board 15 and the Manhattan Beach Community Group in opposing in opposing the planned solar roof.

“The required 24-hour lighting in a parking lot only yards away from many homes will have a negative impact on the quality of life in the community,” Golden said.

“We are concerned that around the clock lighting could potentially invite overnight problems. In addition to the potential late night problems, the canopy will cover an area equal to five or six city blocks, restricting water views for the community.”

Golden also believes that the many additional pillar structures required to hold the canopy will increase the likelihood of accidents within the structure. Additionally, the pillars would reduce the number of parking spaces from those presently available.

“The Manhattan Beach Public Park and Beach is very well maintained and is a heavily utilized recreational area all year round,” said Golden. “The community is adamantly against this project and I join them in hoping we preserve the current state of this beautiful park.” – JA