What’s News, Breaking: Monday, June 12, 2023

June 12, 2023 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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STATE LAWMAKERS APPROVE WEIGH-IN-MOTION PROGRAM
FOR OVERWEIGHT TRUCKS USING BQE

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS AND BQE — A bipartisan bill to implement the first-in-the-nation Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) program for overweight trucks traveling the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has now passed both houses of the state legislature. Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon said on Monday that their bill (S6246/A6225), which now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature, will enable the launch of the WIM program that electronically tickets illegally overweight trucks, which have caused significant damage to the BQE and particular to the triple cantilever underneath the Promenade. The bill passed the Senate with bipartisan support and passed the Assembly unanimously.

The BQE, which was constructed in sections from 1937-1964, is jointly owned by the State of New York and the City of New York, the latter being responsible for the section below Brooklyn Heights, including the cantilever, and the elevated highway in Downtown Brooklyn.

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MISSING WOMAN IN FLATBUSH

FLATBUSH — Police are searching for missing woman Xiv Ping Joang, 49, who was last seen on the night of Thursday, May 18, leaving her Linden Boulevard residence. She is described as being 5’7″ and 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, and was last seen wearing a black jacket.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

Missing woman Xiv Ping Joang. All tips given to police are strictly confidential.

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GOVERNOR LAUNCHES NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM
FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES

A new $10 million Commercial and Industrial Accelerated Efficiency Program that Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday, June 12, will help large energy-intensive entities reduce their consumption of fossil fuels. The program is open to commercial building owners whose energy expenditures are at least $1 million annually and industrial companies who spend at least $500,000 on energy annually. The program will work with the companies on their energy efficiency and electrification actions and will provide up to $5 million per project that is proposed to be completed and operational by 2025.

Applications are due by 3:00 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2023. More information about the program is available on NYSERDA’s website.

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FIRE DEPT. WILL PROMOTE 100 PERSONNEL
AT TUESDAY CEREMONY

FLATLANDS — Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh will preside over a ceremony promoting 80 Fire and EMS Officers and 20 civilian employees on Tuesday morning, June 13. During the ceremony, which the Christian Cultural Center on Flatlands Avenue is hosting, six Battalion Chiefs will be promoted to Deputy Chief; 15 Fire Captains will be promoted to Battalion Chief; 25 Fire Lieutenants will be promoted to the rank of Captain; 26 Firefighters will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Moreover; one EMS Deputy Chief will be promoted to EMS Division Commander; four EMS Captains will be promoted to Deputy Chief; and three EMS Lieutenants will be promoted to Captain. The ceremony can be viewed live on the Department’s website.

Civilian promotions include First Deputy Commissioner Joseph Pfeifer as well as employees from the FDNY’s Legal Affairs, Public Information, Fire Communications, Fire Inspectors, and Human Resources Bureaus. The newly promoted members will be assigned to units throughout New York City.

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NY LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY MARKS 50 YEARS
OF PRESERVING ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES

BOROUGHWIDE — Erasmus Hall Academy, Green-Wood Cemetery, Center for Brooklyn History, and Weeksville Heritage Center are just a few of The New York Landmarks Conservancy’s memorable preservation successes in Brooklyn, over the past 50 years. Founded in 1973, the New York Landmarks Conservancy’s critical work has saved major public buildings, brownstone blocks, irreplaceable religious institutions, and much more through a range of financial and technical programs including its Sacred Sites grants, Historic Properties Fund, Nonprofit Technical Assistance Grant Fund and its Emergency Preservation Grant Program. Moreover, the Conservancy’s advocacy has helped promote hundreds of new landmarks and dozens of distinctive neighborhoods, supported preservation tax credits, produced innovative economic reports on preservation, and fought zoning and planning efforts that threaten historic areas.

As part of its 50th Anniversary year-long celebration, The New York Landmarks Conservancy also launched “50 at 50,” an extraordinary interactive, online exhibition featuring highlights from the Conservancy’s most iconic, memorable successes. The Conservancy also produced a lively summary of its 50 years in an online and print magazine that Architectural Historian Anthony Robins compiled.

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‘SUMMER STREETS’ EXPANDS; BROOKLYN ROUTE
WILL BE ALONG EASTERN PARKWAY ON 8/26

CITYWIDE — “Summer Streets” is expanding to all five boroughs and doubling to a car-free 20 miles, Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced on Monday, June 12. The popular program, taking place on five Saturdays in July and August, marks the most ambitious season since Summer Streets launched in 2008. The Brooklyn Summer Streets, on August 26, will travel along Eastern Parkway, from Grand Army Plaza to Buffalo Avenue, connecting Prospect Heights and Brownsville along the same route as the Caribbean Day Parade — one of the city’s most popular annual events — and nine days later, on Labor Day.

Last summer, more than 500,000 people walked, ran, cycled, or played on Summer Streets. The five-borough Summer Streets program builds on Mayor Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda” and game-changing $375 million investment in creating vibrant, accessible public spaces across the entire city.

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BISHOP BRENNAN LEADS LITURGY OF REPARATION
FOR DESECRATED CHURCH WITHIN DIOCESE

ASTORIA — The leader of Brooklyn and Queens’ Roman Catholics on Friday offered a Mass of Reparation for a church in Astoria that had been badly vandalized on Monday, June 5. Bishop Brennan led the congregation of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Astoria in prayers for Penitential Rite and blessed the altar, the prayer chapel, the walls, and the faithful with Holy Water —rites that are necessary following the desecration of a church — before Mass can be held again. Bishop Brennan also led prayers for the man who had vandalized the church and who has since been taken into custody.

The acts of vandalism — including the dumping of consecrated hosts and violent self-flagellation with the Monstrance which holds the sacrament during Benediction devotions — were serious and offensive enough to the sanctity of the church building that divine worship had not been permitted since Monday evening when the incident occurred. The clergy, including the pastor, Father Vincent Chirichella, welcomed parishioners and students from St. Joseph Catholic Academy at the Mass of Reparation.

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NYC DAs & HOUSING GROUPS: MAKE DEED THEFT ILLEGAL NOW

STATEWIDE — Calls are mounting for the Legislature to make deed theft punishable as a criminal offense before the session ends, City & State reports. The theft of home titles by scammers has been especially prevalent in Central Brooklyn as property values have increased over the past decade. All five NYC district attorneys along with a coalition of groups including New York Communities for Change, New York Housing Conference and New York Legal Assistance Group sent a letter backing the bill to state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Attorney General Letitia James joined several legislators in introducing such a bill last month.

“(The) lack of meaningful repercussions emboldens scammers, who have stolen millions of dollars in property and promise from some of the most at-risk communities in New York with impunity,” the letter reads.

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NOT EVEN A FORMER PRESIDENT IS ABOVE THE LAW, REP. DAN GOLDMAN SAID ON TRUMP’S INDICTMENT

BOROUGHWIDE — Rep. Dan Goldman (D-10 ) issued a statement late Thursday on the indictment of former President Donald Trump by Special Council Jack Smith: “Once again, a grand jury has found probable cause to indict former President Trump, this time on seven counts related to his possession of, and refusal to return, national security materials. This country was founded on the principle that we are a government of laws, not people, and that no person, not even a former President, is above the law,” Goldman said. He praised Smith as a career prosecutor of the utmost integrity, adding, “And despite the surefire attacks that will come his way from Trump’s supporters, I am confident that the Special Counsel has considered only the facts, evidence, and the law — without fear or favor, as he swore to — in deciding to pursue these charges.”

“This case should be litigated in the court of law, not the court of public opinion and most definitely not the halls of Congress,” Goldman said.

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POLICE STILL SEARCHING FOR DOMINO PARK ATTACKERS

WILLIAMSBURG — NYPD is still searching for two men suspected of brutally attacking a 24-year-old man in Domino Park at 3:50 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. According to a police report, the men were engaged in a dispute when the suspects stabbed the victim once in the back and then kicked him multiple times. The men fled on foot southbound on Kent Avenue. The victim was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in stable condition by EMS.

The first individual is described as a male in his late 20’s with a light complexion and goatee, 5’5” tall and 150 pounds. He was last seen wearing a green baseball cap, black hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and white sneakers. The second individual is described as a male in his late 20’s with a light complexion, 5’5” tall and 165 pounds, with braided hair and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, blue sweatpants, and white sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

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BILL TO EASE EARLY VOTING AND REGISTRATION PASSES BOTH HOUSES OF STATE LEGISLATURE

ALBANY — The “Golden Day” bill that Brooklyn Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-44) sponsored, and now headed for Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk, provides for conditional registration of voters during early voting. The bill aims to facilitate New Yorkers registering to vote during the early voting period, and builds on Assemblymember Carroll’s work to modernize New York’s election system. The bill, which has also passed the State Senate, establishes a mechanism for enabling New Yorkers to register at an early voting site on the first day of early voting and then to cast a ballot, all in one visit. Eligible people who appear on the first Saturday of early voting can use same-day voter registration procedures, without the need for additional steps.

Moreover, the bill requires the elections authorities to offer unregistered eligible persons the opportunity to complete a registration affidavit, and then can cast an affidavit ballot.

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NEW YORK LAUNCHES NEW PAY RATE FOR APP-BASED RESTAURANT DELIVERISTAS

CITYWIDE — New York City has now set a precedent in minimum pay rates for app-based restaurant delivery workers, Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga announced on Sunday. When the new rate is fully implemented, the city’s more than 60,000 delivery workers — who currently earn $7.09 per hour on average — will see their earnings jump to at least $19.96 per hour. The pay rate will be $17.96 initially when it takes effect on July 12, 2023, and will increase to $19.96 when it is fully phased-in on April 1, 2025, and will be adjusted annually for inflation.

Apps have the option to pay delivery workers per trip, per hour worked, or develop their own formulas, as long as their workers make the minimum pay rate of $19.96, on average.

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HOCHUL LAUNCHES CRACKDOWN ON UNLICENSED WEED SHOPS

STATEWIDE — Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office announced on Thursday that the state is launching a multi-agency effort to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops and weed trucks. Officers from the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance will inspect storefront businesses, issue violations and order unlicensed activity to cease. Hochul said unlicensed vendors have undermined the state’s effort to generate social equity funds for underserved communities — but some licensed vendors claim the state has bungled its rollout, allowing rogue weed dealers to fill the void.

Fines could go as high as $20,000 a day for the most egregious conduct, a release from the Governor’s Office said. A new law also created a tax fraud charge for businesses that are failing to collect or remit the required cannabis taxes.

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NYU TANDON EXPERT ON TRAFFIC INFORMATION WINS SPOT IN MARQUIS WHO’S WHO

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Jingqin Gao, Ph.D., has been included in Marquis Who’s Who, a volume of bios for noteworthy persons who are prominent in their respective fields, from medicine, law to arts. Dr. Gao, Assistant Director of Research at NYU’s C2SMART University Transportation Center, specializes in traffic engineering and transportation solutions.

According to her NYU C2SMART profile, Dr. Gao focused her doctoral dissertation on an ubiquitous NYC problem: double parking, and among her solution projects are Off-Hour Deliveries, Taxi GPS analysis and a Manhattan traffic model.

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NY COURT SYSTEM SUPPORTS BILL REQUIRING TOWN AND VILLAGE JUDGES TO BE ATTORNEYS

ALBANY — The Office of Court Administration now supports a bill that would require judges in town and village courts to be attorneys, reports the New York Law Journal. Lucian Chalfen, OCA spokesman, said that while the administration previously abstained from a position on the issue, it now “substantively supports” the proposed requirement that attorneys preside in these smaller municipalities, and that the courts cease using the services of judges who aren’t also lawyers.

The State Senate on Tuesday passed this bill, titled “An act to amend the uniform justice court act,” (S139-B/A1358-B), which is currently in an Assembly committee.

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STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, IF PASSED, WOULD RAISE JUDICIAL RETIREMENT AGES

STATEWIDE — The retirement age for judges in several of the state and county judges could rise to 76 if a constitutional amendment passes the NY State legislature before it adjourns on Friday, June 9, reports Spectrum News’ State of Politics. The constitutional amendment, which has advanced this week with the State Senate approving the first passage, would raise the mandatory retirement age from 70 years old for state judges to 76 for the Court of Appeals judges, justices of the Supreme Court, and judges of the Court of Claims, County Court, Surrogate’s Court, Family Court and Court for the City of New York.

Under current law, judges must retire by the end of December of the year in which they reach their 70th birthday, although judges on the Court of Appeals and State Supreme Court can apply to an administrative review board to continue serving past that time.

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REP. NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS HONORED AS NYPD’S CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

BAY RIDGE — The NYPD’s Honor Legion, the department’s oldest fraternal organization on Thursday, June 8, named Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-11/southwestern Brooklyn) its Citizen of the Year for her steadfast support of the nation’s law enforcement officers. Rep. Malliotakis has secured nearly $6 million in Congressional funding for the NYPD, allocating $350,000 for Critical Response Command K9-training and equipment, $550,000 for personal protective equipment, $1 million for patrol response vehicles, $2 million for forensic equipment and $2 million for Fixed Plate Reader Systems. Malliotakis’ latest funding request to Congress includes $2.2 million for the replacement of out-of-date tasers and belt-work trauma kits.

Rep. Malliotakis has supported several pieces of pro-police legislation, including a resolution expressing support for local law enforcement officers.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (holding frame) is named Citizen of the Year at the NYPD Honor Legion event. Photo: Office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.

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REP. GOLDMAN HOLDS FORUM ON LGBTQIA+ PERSONS AND HEALTH

Rep. Dan Goldman (D-10/western Brooklyn) on Friday, June 9, hosted a forum on the state of LGBTQIA+ Health in New York and across the country. During the event, held at the NYC Health + Hospitals Judson Center in lower Manhattan, Congressman Goldman convened medical leaders, community advocates, and elected officials to highlight the high-quality health care services that NYC Health + Hospitals provides for New York’s LGBTQ+ community. Congressman Goldman and Admiral Levine also discussed the Biden Administration’s priorities in advancing LGBTQ+ mental and physical well being, including strengthening the Affordable Care Act’s Non-Discrimination Provisions, providing resources to transgender kids and their families, protecting access to gender-affirming care, and fighting to pass the Equality Act.

They also discussed the ongoing threats LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially youth, face to their health and well-being, including from legislative proposals that would strip them of access to healthcare and other civil rights.

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BROOKLYN-BORN NAVAL OFFICER TOOK PART IN RECENT FLEET WEEK

NEW YORK HARBOR — Among the participants in the recent Fleet Week New York, held annually right before Memorial Day, was Brooklyn native and Master Chief Petty Officer Hawa Prudence Riley, a 28-year-old career servicewoman. Riley, who joined the Navy almost three decades ago, today serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate aboard USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship that supports U.S. Marines in combat and provides disaster relief and medical support to those in need. Riley, who later grew up in Monrovia, Liberia, points to her Brooklyn and Liberian experiences, skills and values as being instrumental to her success in the military. “Growing up, the phrase “respect your elders in Liberia” translates for me; respect for rank regardless of age, gender or race,” said Riley, who said she joined the Navy to further her education and travel.

Fleet Week New York incorporates a series of outreach events, giving citizens an opportunity to interact with sailors and learn more about the Navy.

The amphibious assault ship, USS Wasp (LHD 1), navigates through New York Harbor during Fleet Week New York’s parade of ships, May 24, 2023, which was also the 140th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge opening. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Horacio G. Idrogo, Jr./U.S. Navy.

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NAVAL LIEUTENANT ATTRIBUTES VALUES TO GROWING UP IN BROOKLYN AND PERSEVERANCE

NEW YORK HARBOR — Also serving aboard the USS Wasp and participating in Fleet Week was Lt. Kevin Smith, a native of Brooklyn and 1995 graduate of Boys and Girls High School. Lt. Smith, who joined the Navy 16 years ago, attributed his current accomplishments to the Skills and values in which he was raised in Brooklyn. “Having a strong work ethic and overcoming obstacles in my younger years have definitely helped me succeed in the Navy,” said Smith. “I’ve learned that you always have to adapt. Each command will bring its own challenges as well as rewards,” he said.

Lt. Smith serves as security officer aboard USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship that supports U.S. Marines in combat and provide disaster relief and medical support to those in need, and one of the ships offering free public tours during Fleet Week New York.

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NEW NYC LAW WILL REQUIRE SEPARATION AND COMPOSTING OF FOOD WASTE

CITY HALL — Composting food waste is now the law in New York City, since City Council on Thursday passed a bill Intro. 0244 as part of the “Zero Waste” legislative package. This bill, of which City Councilmember Shahana Hanif (D-39/Sunset Park) was a prime sponsor, requires the Department of Sanitation to create a citywide curbside organics program for residential buildings by Oct. 2 of this year, for residential properties in at least 30 sanitation districts, according to the City Council’s legislation web page. The DSNY would have until Oct. 7, 2024 to implement a curbside organics program for remaining sanitation districts.

The new law, which City Council’s website listed as “Enacted/Mayor’s Desk for Signature” also requires the Department of Sanitation to develop outreach and education materials, in particular instruct residents on how to properly source and separate out organic waste.

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NEW COMPOSTING LAW REQUIRES SANITATION DEPT. REACH ZERO WASTE & REPORT ON PROGRESS

CITY HALL — More components of the Zero Waste legislative package would require the Department of Sanitation to reach a zero divertible waste goal within the next seven years and would require the agency to submit reports on their progress. City Councilmember Sandy Nurse (D-37/northern Brooklyn) sponsored the two components: Introduction 274-A, which would establish a goal of zero divertible waste for New York City by 2030, and would require the Dept. of Sanitation to report to City Council if this goal cannot be met. Furthermore, Intro 275A requires the Department of Sanitation to report on their progress in increasing waste diversion rates, incorporating detailed information on specific materials and their recyclability.

“The Zero Waste Act is a major environmental justice victory for New York City and beyond,” said Councilmember Sandy Nurse. “These bills are an act of solidarity with predominantly low-income and communities of color living near landfills and incinerators in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania…” where the city sends its waste.