Brooklyn Boro

What’s News Breaking: Wednesday, July 28, 2021

July 27, 2021 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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LEGAL AID SOCIETY SUES NYPD:  The NYPD is being sued over its alleged refusal to grant access to its special expense budget (“SPEX budget”). The Legal Aid Society filed an Article 78 petition today in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against the New York City Police Department on the grounds that the NYPD is legally required to grant access to budget records. The Legal Aid Society submitted its initial Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request last fall to bring transparency and greater public understanding to the murky landscape of electronic surveillance technologies that the NYPD allegedly has disproportionately used against Black and brown communities.

This litigation comes after FOIL requests and later appeals were denied. The NYPD cited the sensitivity of the records and claimed that complying with the FOIL request would be unduly burdensome.  

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OLYMPICS, BROOKLYN-STYLE.  Brooklyn has its own Japanese-themed Olympics celebration, one that’s culinary.  With the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in full swing, Industry City has launched its own array of festivities and an “Olympic Village” of food and activities at a diverse roster of restaurants and bars for visitors as they root for their favorite teams and enjoy special menu items from vendors representing every corner of the world, with deals honored through the August 8 closing ceremonies. Olympics fans can head to Gumption Coffee, featuring Australia’s Kangaroo Kooler; or WakuWaku, a traditional Japanese izakaya that serves traditional dishes like the Claypot Rice Dish and Olympics Dessert, among many delicacies.

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Screenings are offered of the Olympic Games, as well. Team USA is represented by fan-favorite Frying Pan Brooklyn, an all-American bar featuring cocktails made with Kentucky bourbon and local New York State honey.

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RALLY TO PROTECT BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN: The Brooklyn Botanic Garden holds a community rally this morning, a day ahead of the New York City Planning Commission’s hearing on the 960 Franklin Avenue Rezoning proposal. The 11 a.m. rally is part of the Garden’s continued fight against a real estate development that would cause harmful shadows over this world-famous botanical and educational center. Nearly 60,000 residents have signed Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s petition rejecting the developer’s application.

Speakers to include BBG president Adrian Benepe, Municipal Art Society president Elizabeth Goldstein, Garden staff, and local gardeners. Others who rely on the Garden for respite, education, and community will be in attendance to show their support against this harmful rezoning.

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REVITALIZING CENTRAL BROOKLYN: Edwin’s Place, a new 125-apartment affordable and supportive housing in Brownsville, was officially declared completed on Tuesday at a ceremony with Governor Andrew Cuomo. Building on the Governor’s Vital Brooklyn initiative to revitalize Central Brooklyn, one of the most disadvantaged areas of the state, Edwin’s Place has 88 of the apartments reserved for formerly homeless individuals and families, including veterans. 

Edwin’s Place was also built in accordance with the state’s policy of supporting a sustainable, green and affordable development, with a design that features continuously insulated walls; triple-glazed windows; a green roof; and a roof-top photovoltaic solar array — all contributing to reduced energy use.  

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COMMUNITY INPUT REQUESTED: The New York State Independent Redistricting Commission is seeking input from community’s residents as it embarks on this process of redrawing district maps, in the wake of the 2020 U.S. Census results. The Commission asks in particular how residents feel about the current lines outlining their district, and what aspects or issues the IRC should understand about their community.  Residents can sign up to participate in, stay updated, and even create their own maps, via www.nyirc.gov. 

These meetings are the first and best opportunity for New Yorkers to give public comment before the Commission begins drawing the first round of district maps after the Census Bureau releases its data on August 16.

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RESPECTING AN HISTORIC ARTIFACT: A rare cuneiform tablet bearing a portion of the epic of Gilgamesh will be returned to its country of origin ؅— modern-day Iraq —thanks to a Brooklyn federal judge. U.S. District Judge Ann M. Donnelly of the Eastern District-NY entered an order on Monday forfeiting a rare, Sumerian poem known as the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, which entered the United States contrary to federal law. An international auction house sold the tablet to a leading arts-and-crafts-dealer to display at a Bible museum, until law enforcement agents seized the artifact two years ago.

“This forfeiture represents an important milestone on the path to returning this rare and ancient masterpiece of world literature to its country of origin, said Jacquelyn M. Kasulis, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

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9/11 VICTIM COMPENSATION DEADLINE NEARS:  New Yorkers and their families who may have 9/11-related health issues are urged to register with the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund ahead of the Thursday, July 29 deadline. U.S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand on Tuesday clarified for the public that registration differs from filing a claim; and that, according to guidance from the Victim Compensation Fund, (vcf.gov), registration preserves the right to file a claim in the future, and identifies the person as a potential claimant.

The World Trade Center Health Program and September 11th Victim Compensation Fund runs through 2090 to cover the lifespans of all exposed, including the children who were in school in downtown Manhattan on 9/11 and during clean-up and have since experienced, or will experience, adverse health effects that are linked to the attacks.

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WORST LANDLORD WATCH LIST SHOWS PROGRESS: At least some landlords who have been on a watchdog list are taking steps toward repair at some of the badly-maintained buildings throughout the city. Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams has released the findings of the first-ever mid-year analysis of the Worst Landlord Watchlist, a supplement to the annual list which is intended to demonstrate the regression and/or progression of the landlords featured. Across all buildings on the watchlist, there was a 2.65% decrease in the average number of open violations when comparing the mid-year analysis average and the 2020 watchlist average.

Historical data also indicates that spring and summer months show a general reduction in violations. as frequent issues such as heat and hot water outages become less prominent. The 2021 list, released in December, will demonstrate a more complete picture of progress or regression by property owners.


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