Good Morning, Brooklyn: June 29

June 29, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Share this:

BROOKLYN IS A KEY ENERGY STOP: Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm will be in New York City and parts of Brooklyn, including the Pfizer plant on Flushing Ave. on Tuesday, June 29, to tout President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. She will participate in a ribbon-cutting at 630 Flushing Ave. for the Revel Electric Vehicle Charging Superhub, as part of a focus on investments to build a clean energy economy that creates millions of well-paying jobs and delivers environmental justice to disadvantaged communities.

Secretary Granholm will also join a South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Walking Tour with Brooklyn-based UPROSE, a nationally recognized organization that promotes resiliency and sustainability through several educational and artistic programs.

✰✰✰

FIGHTING HATE CRIMES AND VANDALISM: Governor Cuomo has directed the state police hate crimes task force to assist with investigating an incident of anti-Semitic graffiti in Bay Ridge. A tree in front of an 85^th Street home was spray-painted with a swastika, and discovered on Sunday, June 27.

The governor, in thanking members of the community — some reports credit City Council Member Justin Brannan — for quickly getting the graffiti removed, sent a clear message to the perpetrators: “The more you try to divide us and spread hate, the more New Yorkers will come together and stand up for one another against the hate that you are trying to fuel.”

✰✰✰

COLTON: “NO MORE CUNY CUTS”: After securing a hard-won series of educational grants, the City University of New York (CUNY) system again faces cuts in funding in the mayor’s proposed $98.6 billion city budget, but at least one elected official is protesting loudly. Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) expressed outrage with the Mayor’s Executive Budget plan to cut $67 million in CUNY funding, saying that the monies are crucial in helping low-income families attain a college education and succeed.

Urging the City Council to reject these cuts, Colton pointed out, “On the state level, we fought hard to win the increase in TAP eligible grants, the 20% increase in opportunity programs, the rejecting of tuition increases, and more critical maintenance capital grants for CUNY.”

✰✰✰

MARRY INVENTION AND MARKETING: Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo earmarked more than $9 million available to establish the Carbontech Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program, to support scientists who have breakthrough innovations in building New York as a hub for carbon-to-value technology. The Carbontech Entrepreneurial Fellowship Program will provide support services to researchers at universities or other institutions to commercialize the technologies they produce.

Monday’s announcement supports Governor Cuomo’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050, as outlined in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

✰✰✰

DEMANDING SAFE CORRIDOR FROM GUN VIOLENCE: After seven shootings over a 10-day period wreaked tragedy in East Flatbush, the 67^th Precinct Clergy Council “GodSquad” has joined elected officials, and anti-violence community organizations to push for the creation of a safe corridor in Central Brooklyn. The coalition will join the family of 30-year-old Nigel Clarke, the latest fatality, for a press conference to demand a comprehensive summer plan by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to address the major uptick in East Flatbush shootings.

During the press conference, scheduled for Tuesday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m., advocates will also urge the City for an increased allotment of summer jobs for youth in Central Brooklyn, as part of creating safe communities and providing more resources for them this summer.

✰✰✰

GODSQUAD ANNOUNCES SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM: The 67^th Precinct Clergy Council GodSquad (see above) is also providing summer employment opportunities for more than 60 promising youths in Flatbush. Partnering with The NYC Department of Youth and Community Development’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), GodSquad will enable 30 youths, ages 16-21 to participate in a work-based experience during July and August; and will match their interests and provide enriching career exploration, help foster leadership, networking and develop numerous skills.

Thanks to another partnership with the Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI) on the City Cleanup Corps paid internship initiative, more than 30 young people will be paid to work 40 hours weekly for 8-10 weeks, with application information forthcoming.

✰✰✰

MINI-SUMMER CAMPS: Children in Fresh Air Summer Spaces, which was launched last summer in response to the pandemic, will enjoy supervised outdoor summer activities in their neighborhoods, where they can laugh, smile, learn new skills, play and make new friends. Fresh Air staff, including young adult counselors, will supervise arts and crafts, sports, STEM activities, music, reading, hula hoop contests and even dance parties!

In Brooklyn, Fresh Air Summer Spaces are at: Prospect Place from New York Avenue to Brooklyn Avenue in Crown Heights; 6th Avenue from 44th Street to 45th Street in Sunset Park; and Dumont Avenue from Thomas Boylan Street to Strauss Street in Brownsville. FreshAir.org offers more information.

✰✰✰

STEELPAN VIRTUOSO AND CARIBBEAN PIRATES: The Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra (BCCO) — an impassioned group of dedicated amateur and professional musicians who perform the great masterpieces of the orchestral repertoire, will close its month of community festivities with a program that culminates in rousing highlights from “The Pirates of the Caribbean.” Opening the program is steelpan virtuoso Khuent Rose.

All members of the community are invited to bring their lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets to the Old Stone House at 336 3^rd St. in Park Slope on Wednesday, June 30, in time for the 7 p.m. concert.