Good Morning, Brooklyn: Thursday, January 27, 2022

January 27, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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MORE SECURITY FUNDING FOR FAITH GROUPS: The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – applauded Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s proposal to double funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to $360 million to better protect synagogues, other houses of worship and other nonprofits at risk of terror attacks. In addition to Wednesday’s press conference with Sen. Schumer, the Orthodox Union and other major American faith groups sent a letter to President Biden calling upon him to double NSGP funding for synagogues and other houses of worship.

Senator Schumer’s announcement comes in the wake of the recent hostage-taking at a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas.

The OU’s Nathan Diament speaks alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at a press conference in Manhattan on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, to call for an increase in funding to $360 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
Photo courtesy of Orthodox Union

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END TO WITHHOLDING TRANSCRIPTS: State University of New York Board of Trustees has ended the practice of withholding transcripts from students with outstanding balances effective immediately, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this week. As part of the resolution, the Board of Trustees also authorized the SUNY Chancellor, or a designee, to review all debt collection practices and make any appropriate policy changes, rulemaking, and other modifications in line with the new policy. SUNY follows State Finance Law, as well as State Division of the Budget guidance, SUNY Regulations and Policy, and a Memorandum of Understanding between SUNY and the New York Attorney General.

Last August, the City University of New York (CUNY) had announced a temporary hold on the same practice.

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NAVY YARD WORKFORCE PROGRAM Community Board 2’s Economic Development & Employment Committee will be given a presentation and public Q&A with Rashell Paling, assistant vice president of hiring & training for the Workforce Development division of Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation. The presentation is part of the committee’s monthly meeting, taking place via Zoom next Tuesday, Feb. 1.

The Economic Development & Employment Committee is the Board’s liaison with related city agencies such as the Department of Small Business Services, and the Human Rights Commission.

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TALK ON ZERO WASTE GOALS: Likewise, Community Board 2’s Health, Environment & Social Services Committee, convenes remotely Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m. for its monthly meeting, including a presentation and public Q&A with representatives from the Brooklyn Solid Waste Advisory Board (BSWAB) regarding their work toward achieving Zero Waste.

According to Community Board 2’s website, “The Health, Environment & Social Services Committee advocates for mental health services, sanitation and refuse collection, environmental concerns including sewer maintenance and repair, air pollution, toxic waste, and liquor licensing issues. The committee is also responsible for matters concerning social services, the disabled, the homeless, and senior citizens.”

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MCGUINNESS BLVD. REVAMP: North Brooklyn’s industrial businesses will have the opportunity during a virtual meeting next week (Friday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon) to provide feedback and pose questions to NYC Department of Transportation and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher (D-50^thDistrict) regarding planned redesign and safety improvements along McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint. The city plans to fully redesign the corridor, with a commitment of $39 million in capital funding.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Hank Gutman in June 2021 announced both immediate and long-term safety improvements to McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn, after schoolteacher Matthew Jensen was killed in another instance of traffic violence.

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DEDICATION OF RENOVATED CATHOLIC CHARITIES CENTER: This afternoon, Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens will dedicate the newly renovated Community Outreach Center at 191 Joralemon St. in honor of long-standing benefactor Robert C. Golden. The new and improved community outreach center is a one-stop-shop to critical support for emergency food assistance, homelessness prevention, children, youth and family services, senior programs, mental health programs, immigration assistance, and community outreach.

A native of Bay Ridge and beloved community leader, Robert Charles Golden was an alumnus of St. Anselm’s School and Xaverian High School, both in Brooklyn. He was the executive vice president of Prudential Financial, active in the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn and received many honors.

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YOUTH WORKFORCE PROGRAM: The Campaign Against Hunger has opened the application process for some of its Youth Workforce Programs. TCAH’s Youth Workforce Department offers a paid internship of 14 weeks for young people ages 16-24, either not currently working or in school. Participants work for 10 hours each week and attend a five-hour workshop on Wednesdays for training and personal development. (More info: https://www.tcahnyc.org/).

Youths must be able to work for at least 20 hours each week and attend a bi-weekly workshop for training and personal development. The application deadline is March 4.

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VACCINATION CLINIC IN WEEKSVILLE: The Bureau of Brooklyn Neighborhood Health announces several vaccination and testing clinics available in Weeksville. Among the sites: Kingsborough Houses, 1880 Pacific St., Brooklyn, NY 11233. Next clinic date is Saturday, Jan. 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be given to any person 18 and older. Boosters are also available.

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IPS NEWS: REP. MALLIOTAKIS’ ‘CRIME DOESN’T FLY’ ACT: U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-11^th District) introduced the Crime Doesn’t Fly Act, legislation that prohibits the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from accepting warrants for the arrest or deportation of illegal immigrants as valid proof of identification at aviation security checkpoints. Her bill is in response to TSA’s confirming to Congress last week that the agency is accepting as valid forms of identification what the Bay Ridge Congressmember calls illegal immigrant arrest warrants.

“Allowing illegal immigrants, particularly those with arrest and deportation warrants, to board domestic or international flights is a public safety and national security risk of the highest extreme and against the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. My legislation ensures those actively wanted by law enforcement don’t fly,” said Malliotakis

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NEW STATE DIRECTOR OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION: Calliana S. Thomas has been appointed as the Director of the New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. Ms. Thomas joins the team with extensive experience in gun-violence prevention, project management, leadership, and youth development services.

The OGVP will identify and bring together key partners in the community and law enforcement to identify steps that can be taken to curb gun violence in New York State.

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NAVAL SERVICEMAN FROM BROOKLYN: U.S. Navy Retail Services Specialist Seaman Phinnigan Edwards (pictured at right), from Brooklyn, NY, and Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Sethsimon Bayot, from San Diego, restock the storeroom in the Lincoln Mall aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Groups conduct dual carrier operations to advance Joint Force interoperability while demonstrating the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Joint Force routinely seeks opportunities to operate in support of peace and stability for all nations.

Specialist Seaman Apprentice Jett Morgan.
Photo courtesy of Navy Outreach

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BIKE TOUR RETURNS IN FULL FORCE: Registration for the 2022 TD Five Boro Bike Tour officially began yesterday, after a delay earlier this month due to the rise in COVID Omicron variant cases in the city. After the 2021 TD Five Boro Bike Tour was capped at 20,000 registrants and notably delayed until August, this year’s Tour is scheduled in the spring on Sunday, May 1st and planned for full capacity, with 32,000 cyclists riding (See story, page 1).

The Five Boro Bike Tour, with TD Bank as main sponsor, has Mayor Adams’ endorsement: “As a regular cyclist myself, I encourage every New Yorker who can to grab a bike, and I hope this event will motivate more of our neighbors to give it a try,” he said.