Good Morning, Brooklyn: Tuesday, March 1, 2022

March 1, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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LOVE CANAL ATTORNEY LITIGATES AGAINST GOWANUS REZONING: A bombshell lawsuit that an environmental advocacy group announced yesterday throws the Gowanus rezoning into question. The community coalition Voice of Gowanus filed a new lawsuit yesterday, vigorously attacking what it declares to be “the profoundly illegal rezoning, highlighting multiple violations of federal and state environmental law.” Joining the lawsuit, which goes beyond what any other recent neighborhood rezoning challenges have alleged, and sets out multiple causes of action, are the Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus (F.R.O.G.G.) and area residents.

Attorney Richard Lippes, a veteran of the Love Canal and Three Mile Island environmental legal battles, who serves as counsel to Voice of Gowanus, says the suit rises to another level because of the unique cocktail of health and safety risks and ongoing environmental injustice not addressed by government officials in Gowanus.

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U.N. EXPELLING ‘OPERATIVES’ FROM RUSSIAN MISSION: The United States yesterday informed the United Nations and the Russian Permanent Mission to the United Nations that the process has begun to expel 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission. According to U.S. Mission to the United Nations Spokesperson Olivia Dalton:  these individuals “…have abused their privileges of residency in the United States by engaging in espionage activities that are averse to our national security. We are taking this action in accordance with the U.N. Headquarters Agreement.

Dalton pointed out, “This action has been in development for several months.”

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DIVESTING NY’S PUBLIC FUNDS FROM RUSSIA: All New York State agencies and authorities are to review and divest public funds from Russia following Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked attack on the sovereign nation of Ukraine, according to an Executive Order that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed on Monday. “Russia has chosen to attack democracy and we will stand with Ukraine as we condemn these atrocities,” Governor Hochul said. “Our state will not permit its own investment activity, whether directly or indirectly, to aid Russia as it commits these human rights violations.”

“New York State is home to the largest Ukrainian population in the United States, remains engaged with the Biden administration and is prepared to support refugees of the crisis and welcome them to the state,” said the governor.

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FILMING FOR TV SHOW: Filming for a television show “Ramy Season 3” will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, March 2 and 3, around Sunset Park, within Community Board District 10, according to an announcement released yesterday from that Community Board. The NYC Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting issued permits for the show’s production team to shoot scenes at the following locations, including a Chinese restaurant around 8^th Ave. and 64^th Street, and in and around a basketball court at Leif Ericson Park, with filming outside also taking place on 66^th St. between 8^th and 9^th avenues.

Accordingly, parking requests have been submitted for several locations, including, 8th Avenue between 63rd and 65^th streets; 65th Street between 7th and 9th avenues; 64th St. between 8th and 9th avenues; and 66th Street between 8th and 9th avenues.

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AG DEMANDS REASONS FOR HIGHER CON ED BILLS: New York Attorney General Letitia James took action to protect consumers from unexpectedly high energy bills from Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. She requests in writing an explanation for the unexpected spike in utility bills last month that affected thousands of New Yorkers primarily in New York City and Westchester County. Many New York City consumers filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) saying that their Con Edison bills for January 2022 were significantly higher than they were in the prior billing cycle, even with no increase in electrical consumption.

Attorney General James also requested a description of anticipated rate increases for the next year, and the anticipated reasons for such increases; a commitment to communicate clearly with consumers in writing concerning significant rate increases, including by providing a clear and conspicuous explanation in bill inserts and website; and a reminder about affordability options, among other points.

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IPS NEWS: BILL TO PROTECT DISABLED SENIORS: U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, has joined with a colleague in Tennessee to introduce legislation that would prohibit discriminatory practices against individuals with disabilities who need Long Term Services and Supports, The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act would codify existing law and strengthen the right of Americans with disabilities to receive Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) in the setting of their choice, including a prohibition on government entities and insurance providers from denying coverage for home- and community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require LTSS.

Despite the Supreme Court’s landmark 1999 ruling in Olmstead v. L. C. that public entities must ensure individuals with disabilities have access to home- and community-based care as an alternative to institutionalization, people today continue to be forced into institutions, including nursing homes and psychiatric hospitals.

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SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH BALLET: Brooklyn Ballet, a unique and interdisciplinary dance company now in its 20th year, presents Sonic Relief, an unprecedented evening of dance that bridges ballet and street dance with culture, activism and history, later this month at the Mark O’Donnell Theater. This program of collaborative works will welcome poet Jasmine Mans, most recently published in New York Times Magazine’s award-winning “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story.” The inclusive company explores the Black narrative from the past, present and future under the direction and artistic vision of Lynn Parkerson.

The Mark O’Donnell Theater at The Actors Fund Arts Center is located at 160 Schermerhorn Street.

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IPS NEWS: PUBLIC ADVOCATE’S STATEMENT ON MASK MANDATE LIFT: NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams expressed concern over the lifting of city and state COVID-19 safety measures. “…The decision to lift safety measures that have helped to protect New Yorkers amid new waves and new variants needs to be guided by the science, not the calendar.”

He added, “Given my continued concerns about removing masking requirements in schools before properly assessing any increase in spread following the winter recess, I am relieved the mayor is taking time to account for this risk before following the governor in changing policy, and urge him to provide clarity, transparency, and clear communication on what standards determine a shift. It is also critical that any change comes alongside addressing problematic, pervasive issues with ventilation in schools.”

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CATHOLIC DIOCESE LIFTING MASK MANDATE: The Diocese of Brooklyn, responding to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement on Sunday, that the NYS School Mask Mandate would be lifted as of tomorrow, directed that Catholic Academies and parish schools will make face coverings an individual choice for school personnel and a parental choice for all students. The change takes effect on Wednesday, March 2.

“We respect all faculty, staff, and parents of differing opinions, and we understand the concern on both sides of the issue. No individual, faculty, staff, or student will be discouraged from wearing a face covering at school and face coverings will remain a recommended mitigation strategy,” said a letter from Diocesan schools’ officials sent to parents states, pointing out that other preventive strategies, including proper ventilation, physical distancing, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, will continue.

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IPS NEWS: WAIVING PARKING REQUIREMENTS: Councilmember Lincoln Restler, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and other Brooklyn elected officials yesterday called on developers and the Department of City Planning (DCP) to eliminate requirements for off street parking in new construction in transit-rich Brooklyn neighborhoods. The advocates want to instead prioritize a livable, walkable city with more affordable housing.

The officials signed a letter calling on DCP to ask all residential developers to add special permits that would fully waive parking requirements for any rezoning projects in transit-rich areas as a measure to reduce car use and ownership.