Good Morning, Brooklyn: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

February 15, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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FLATBUSH CENTRAL HELPS REALIZE VISION: Flatbush Caton Market has been revitalized with a new brand: Flatbush Central, the New York City Economic Development Corporation has announced. Flatbush Central offers upgraded amenities, expanded space for food vendors — inclusive of a Caribbean-themed food hall, shared commercial kitchen, bar, and lounge — and new programming to engage entrepreneurs and the broader community in building connections and celebrating the cultures of Flatbush and Central Brooklyn.

Flatbush Central’s rebrand was inspired by a desire to fulfill the vision of the market’s founder – the Honorable Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, a former NYC Council member and the mother of U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-9^thDistrict). Dr. Clarke sponsored the market’s creation to build an institution for Caribbean people in Flatbush through the incubation of Caribbean businesses.

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REFUNDS FROM COVID TESTING LABS: New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office has recovered more than $400,000 for New Yorkers who paid for expedited COVID-19 tests, but received their results later than the promised timeframe. ClearMD Health refunded 1,198 consumers more than $182,000 and Sameday Health refunded 3,110 consumers more than $230,000. The State Attorney General’s office reported also that these companies also corrected their advertising and instructed employees to provide accurate information concerning turnaround times.

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MEDICAL ACCESS FOR INCARCERATED PERSONS: Brooklyn Defender Services, The Legal Aid Society and Milbank LLP have rebuked the Department of Correction for what they allege is defiance of a court order to make sure incarcerated persons can keep their medical appointments. The statement was made after city data showed that the DOC failed to facilitate 6,792 appointments for incarcerated New Yorkers to medical care in city jails for January 2022, an insignificant change from December 2021’s rate of 7,070 missed appointments:

Recognizing that DOC’s failures are far-reaching, the court certified a class that includes all people in NYC Department of Correction (DOC) jails who have been or will be denied access to medical care because of DOC’s failures, and has designated Legal Aid, Brooklyn Defender Services and Milbank as class counsel.

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STATE’S BRIDGES IN DISREPAIR: Nearly 10 percent of New York State bridges — the most-travelled of them within the five boroughs — are structurally deficient, according to a report from American Road & Transportation Builders Association on crumbling transportation infrastructure released earlier this year, and reported on in The Patch. Among these are on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, a freeway on Route 907C and Sheepshead Bay Road.

The industry report showed that of 17,555 bridges in New York State, only six do not currently need repairs.

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TRUMP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DEEMED UNRELIABLE: Following an accounting firm’s report last week that the Trump Organization’s Statements of Financial Condition from 2011 through 2020 are no longer considered reliable, State Attorney General Letitia James has filed a cross reply in her office’s ongoing legal action. Her cross reply compels Donald J. Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Ivanka Trump to appear for sworn testimony as part of the office’s ongoing civil investigation into the Trump Organization’s financial dealings.

The Office of the Attorney General asserts that the Trump parties have failed to address in any way — much less rebut — the facts alleged in OAG’s 113-page supplemental petition laying out in detail the numerous misrepresentations in the Statements of Financial Condition.

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CB 18 WELCOMES TWO OF BROOKLYN’S PRESIDENTS: Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Randy Peers, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, will be guest presenters at Community Board 18’s regular monthly board meeting, being held in hybrid format tomorrow evening. Because the meeting room on Bergen Ave. can accommodate only 70 members of the public under the allowable occupancy, those wishing to attend should register via the Community Board’s website.

Community Board 18 serves several neighborhoods in eastern and southeastern parts of Brooklyn, including Canarsie, parts of Flatbush, Bergen Beach, Marine Park and Mill Basin.

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IPS NEWS: CONGRESS MEMBERS SPONSOR RESUME WORKSHOP: U.S. Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-7), Hakeem Jeffries (D-8), and Yvette D. Clarke (D-9) are sponsoring a Virtual Resume Building and Career Opportunity Workshop in partnership with WorkForce 1 and the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. The workshop, for which the social media link is https://www.facebook.com/RepJeffries, takes place tomorrow, Feb, 16 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

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IN-PERSON JOB FAIR: Breaking Ground is holding a job fair to announce openings it has available throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. More than 15 categories of positions are available, from case managers to facility maintenance supervisors, engineers, housekeepers, housing advocates, intake and eligibility specialists to office managers. More information on the fair, taking place next Wednesday, February 23, at the Prince George on East 27^th St. in Manhattan, is available via www.breakingground.org

Interested applicants should register and arrive in business attire prepared with copies of their resumes.

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Chief Petty Officer Paul Jones,
Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Manvir Gill

IN MILITARY SERVICE: Chief Petty Officer Paul Jones, a Brooklyn native, is serving the U.S. Navy aboard one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. Jones, who joined the Navy 17 years ago, and serves as master-at-arms, reminisces, “Born in Brooklyn, and raised there until I was about eight, I learned the importance of perseverance and being able to adapt,” said Jones. “I think everyone who lives in New York learns that nothing can hold you down. There’s always a way to succeed and achieve your dreams. I still have family in Brooklyn and enjoy going back to visit occasionally.”

Aircraft carriers are often the first response to a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) represents the first major design investment in aircraft carriers since the 1960s.

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IPS NEWS: MAYOR ADAMS’ FIRST HASIDIC SENIOR STAFFER: Joel Eisdorfer, a political activist and long-time friend of Mayor Eric Adams, has been appointed a senior advisor to the mayor, the Torah-based newspaper Hamodia reports. Eisdorfer, who becomes the first Hasidic — and third Orthodox Jew — to join the Adams administration’s senior staff, is a resident of and served on Adams’ staff when the latter was Borough President.

Eisdorfer has also served on the Borough Park Jewish Community Council and on Community Board 12, among other roles.