What’s News, Breaking: Tuesday, March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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‘CONGRESS OF CURIOUS PEOPLES’ SHOWCASES
CONEY ISLAND’S ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY

CONEY ISLAND — A “CONGRESS OF CURIOUS PEOPLES” DURING THE LAST WEEKEND OF MARCH WILL CELEBRATE UNUSUAL PERFORMERS IN THE CIRCUS performance and sideshow arts at one of the world’s most iconic entertainment spots. Coney Island USA, south Brooklyn’s not-for-profit arts organization, will open its doors for performances and lectures for this year’s Congress of Curious Peoples. This long-standing tradition continues with this gathering of unique individuals at Sideshows by the Seashore and the Coney Island Museum. It celebrates Coney Island’s seminal place in American popular culture and explores its artistic and spectacular possibilities through performances and discussions. The Sideshow Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the Sideshow by the Seashore Theater, with a $20 admission fee for each of the events to benefit the organization. Weekend passes and other tickets are available through their website.

One of the lectures will focus on the connections between true crime and wax museums in Coney Island on film.

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CITY COUNCIL DECLARES HOUSING EMERGENCY,
EXTENDS RENT STABILIZATION LAW

CITYWIDE — THE CITY COUNCIL ON TUESDAY VOTED to declare an ongoing housing emergency and extend the Rent Stabilization Law for three more years. The law was originally scheduled to expire on April 1, 2024. The new expiration date is April 1, 2027. To qualify as an emergency, the vacancy rate must be less than 5% of the City’s rental housing stock.

Findings from the 2023 Housing and Vacancy Survey (HVS) show a citywide rental vacancy rate of 1.41%, the lowest this measurement has been since 1968, and a significant decline from 2021 when the net vacancy rate was 4.54%, the Council said in a release.

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POLICE SHOOT GUNMAN IN EAST FLATBUSH

FLATBUSH — NYPD OFFICERS SHOT AND KILLED A MAN CHASING A COUPLE WITH A GUN down a Bed-Stuy street on Monday evening, reports Patch. Later identified as Nathan Scott, age 20, the shooter was taken to the hospital but was unable to be saved. Police officers responding to multiple 911 calls complaining of gunshots had been patrolling the area before encountering Scott shooting at a man and woman fleeing down East 57th Street. Investigators believe that the man, Jeremy Adams, may have been attempting to rob Scott prior to the chase and booked him on an unrelated robbery charge from earlier this month, reports the Daily News.

A 60-year-old bystander was also wounded in the shootout, in which shots were exchanged between Scott and police officers, damaging the patrol car as well. Police believe the bystander was shot by police but are waiting on ballistics reports.

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‘MOVE OVER’ LAW EXPANDS TO ALL STOPPED VEHICLES

STATEWIDE — GOVERNOR HOCHUL ON TUESDAY REMINDED DRIVERS of the upcoming expansion to New York’s “Move Over” law enacted last year. Starting March 27, drivers will be required to change lanes and slow down when approaching any vehicles stopped along the side of a road. The “Move Over” law was first implemented in 2010 to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles and has been expanded previously to cover hazard vehicles, highway worker vehicles and tow trucks. Under the law, drivers approaching a stopped vehicle should change into a lane not immediately adjacent to it or slow down to a “reasonable speed” if unable to safely make a lane change.

According to the governor’s office, nearly 300 drivers are struck and killed along roadsides nationally every year. Despite “Move Over” laws existing in all 50 states, more than a third of Americans are unaware of these laws.

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GOLDMAN INTRODUCES ABORTION DOCTOR PROTECTION BILL

NATIONWIDE — U.S. REP DAN GOLDMAN ON TUESDAY JOINED DEMOCRAT HOUSE COLLEAGUES in introducing the “Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act,” which would offer increased protection to healthcare providers. Goldman stated that the act is in response to red-state efforts to expand enforcement of state-level prohibitions beyond state borders. The act would block states from passing laws that target doctors in other states where abortion is legal or who make those doctors liable for providing services to patients from any other state, potentially protecting New York healthcare providers who offer these services to visitors from out-of-state. Providers would be empowered to take civil action against states and officials who violate the act.

The bill also includes a prohibition on the use of federal funds to pursue cases against abortion recipients or providers, as well as provisions that would fund grants for legal assistance and security upgrades for doctors and that would prevent the denial of insurance coverage to providers.

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NEW LEGISLATION WOULD BRING SS BENEFITS
MORE IN LINE WITH MEDICAL COSTS

CAPITOL HILL — LEGISLATION THAT U.S. SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND OF NEW YORK IS INTRODUCING WOULD INCREASE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS FOR SENIORS, helping ensure that the social safety net keeps pace with the rising cost of health care.

During a virtual press conference that she is holding on Wednesday morning, March 20, Sen. Gillibrand will point out that while Social Security benefits are adjusted annually for inflation, the benefit increases do not adequately account for increased premium, copay and prescription costs.

Gillibrand’s legislation would correct this issue with the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) calculation, resulting in higher benefits that better reflect older adults’ true cost of living.

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FLATBUSH PARISH, WITH ITS PASTOR STUCK IN HAITI,
PRAYS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO CRISIS THERE

FLATBUSH — HOLY INNOCENTS ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, IN A BROOKLYN NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A MAJOR HAITIAN POPULATION, on Monday hosted a Mass for Peace in Haiti, with Brooklyn Diocesan Bishop Robert Brennan presiding. Joining Bishop Brennan were the diocese’s Haitian priests and congregants, who offered Mass for a peaceful resolution to the current political crisis and for their loved ones facing humanitarian emergencies in that nation. The violence in Haiti hits close to Holy Innocents’ parish, as its pastor, Father Lucon Rigaud, got stuck there while visiting for his father’s funeral, the Tablet reported on Tuesday. Bishop Brennan assured the parish that Fr. Rigaud and his family are safe and doing his pastoral work via Zoom and other streaming media.

The bishop and congregation prayed also for Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Anse-a-Veau-Miragoâne, who is convalescing Stateside at a Miami hospital from injuries and severe burns sustained in an explosion last month in Port-au-Prince.

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CALLING VISION INSURANCE MIDDLEMEN ‘HARMFUL’
REP. CLARKE CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY

CAPITOL HILL — UTILIZING “MIDDLEMEN” AND VERTICAL INTEGRATION IN HEALTH CARE, PARTICULAR IN THE VISION (OPTOMETRY) INSURANCE INDUSTRY, is harming Americans, charges Brooklyn Congressmember Yvette D. Clarke (D-9). Rep. Clarke led 16 of her colleagues in a letter to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-08) — also part of the Brooklyn Congressional delegation — urging him to include the problems of Vision Benefit Manager (VBM) abuse. The letter, excerpted here, reads: “We ask for your support in advancing policies to address the negative impacts of consolidation and vertical integration in the vision insurance industry, which continue to harm American families, particularly those within traditionally underserved communities… While vision insurance is typically offered for a low premium, once consumers utilize that benefit, they’re faced with a system rigged by their vision benefit manager to limit choice, control behavior, and maximize profit at every step of the process.”

American Optometric Association president Ronald L. Benner, O.D. praised Rep. Clarke for holding the vision insurance companies accountable.

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SPECIFIC LOT NUMBERS OF TRADER JOE’S CASHEWS
RECALLED FOR POSSIBLE ILLNESS RISK

NATIONWIDE — CONSUMERS WHO MAY HAVE PURCHASED TRADER JOE’S BRAND CASHEWS WHILE TRAVELING TO A NUMBER OF WESTERN U.S. STATES should avoid eating these, due to possible salmonella contamination, warns the Food & Drug Administration, which on Monday, March 18, announced a recall. Wenders LLC of Dublin, CA, is recalling specific production lots of Trader Joe’s Nuts — 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews — (SKU Number – 37884) Lot# T12139, T12140, T12141, and T12142 for this reason. The product was sold at Trader Joe’s stores in the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, the Four Corners region that encompasses Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, as well as Idaho, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington state.

Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

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BROOKLYN’S ICONIC LUNA PARK SET TO OPEN 97TH SEASON

CONEY ISLAND — EGG CREAMS ARE A BROOKLYN TRADITION, AS IS THE BELOVED EGG CREAM CHRISTENING CEREMONY that opens each new season at Luna Park. While the park’s official seasonal reopening day is Saturday, March 23, ceremonies and festivities take place on Palm Sunday, March 24, starting at 10:45 a.m. with its annual egg cream christening of the Coney Island Cyclone Rollercoaster. Moreover, the legendary Cyclone Rollercoaster turns 97 this year, so the first 97 guests to board the Cyclone will enjoy a free ride and an egg cream treat, the classic Coney Island dessert, courtesy of Luna Park and Brooklyn Seltzer Boys.

This season, Luna Park will welcome NYC’s first sustainable electric-powered go-karts, Electric Eden Raceway. Luna Park will also be celebrating the 10-year anniversary of one of its most notorious thrills, The Thunderbolt, which is New York City’s first-ever major steel roller coaster.

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NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL AVENUES BECOME PARTNERS SHOWCASING ART

A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THIS HAPPENED on Third Avenue in Bay Ridge on Saturday, March 16. Hosting the Third Annual “Embrace Winter Art Walk” was Victoria Hofmo of the Bay Ridge Arts and Cultural Alliance (BRACA), whose mission is to support and promote the cultural richness of Bay Ridge — in partnership with the Merchants of Third Avenue. Some striking and extraordinary art took a starring role. The interactive art walk spanned approximately one mile, beginning at Consentino’s Fish Market (6927 Third Avenue) — showing artwork from the Scandinavian East Coast Museum. (See story, page 3)

The “Embrace Winter Art Walk” also celebrated the work of local artists, with displays in several Bay Ridge shops. Hofmo and the other artists explained their handicrafts to curious onlookers. Hofmo and the other artists explained their handicrafts to curious onlookers. For full slideshow and PREMIUM CONTENT click here.

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WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS HONOR ‘SHEroes’ ACROSS WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES

MIDWOOD/FLATBUSH — BROOKLYN’S SHEroes SHONE IN THE SPOTLIGHT DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, as eight women were honored for “making an indelible impact bettering our borough” at Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn’s hallmark Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony at Brooklyn College. The delegation of honorees included Audrey Walen, who won the Arts & Entertainment Award; Aasma Medhi, LMHC, receiving the Business & Entrepreneurship Award; Rona Taylor, (Community Engagement Award); Leonie Francis-Bryan, (Education Award); Nathalie Huang (Environmental Activism Award; Dr. Leslie Hayes (Health Award); Tonya Ores (Housing Award); and Rabbi Heidi Hoover, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mistress of Ceremony Ella Fredrick, a “lifelong community advocate and fearless leader of our youth,” introduced a slate of speakers that included NY Attorney General Letitia James, the first statewide elected woman of color, and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke — the first Jamaican American vice chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the daughter of Dr. Una Clarke, who was the first Caribbean American elected to the New York City Council.

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RALLY ON 86TH ST. BRINGS IN THOUSANDS TO PROTEST PROPOSED MEN’S SHELTER

GRAVESEND — THOUSANDS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TURNED OUT ON SATURDAY, MARCH 16, to protest the proposed homeless shelter at 2501 86th St. in Gravesend. Leading the rally were Assemblymember William Colton (D-47) who represents Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights; and City Councilmember Susan Zhuang (D-43) whose district includes those neighborhoods plus Borough Park and Sunset Park. Protesters holding signs proclaiming, “Help the Homeless by Creating Jobs Not Building Shelters,” “Children’s Safety First! No Homeless Shelter,” and “Yes to Affordable Housing! No to Shelters!” overflowed the intersection of 86th Street and 25th Avenue before marching along 86th Street. The site’s developer, Tejpal Sandhu of 86th Street NY LLC, is identified as the same one who originally planned to build a shelter at 2147 Bath Ave.

Assemblyman Colton alleges that the Sandhu Group makes a practice of building so-called hotels in unexpected locations and then leasing them to the city at a cost of thousands of dollars per resident per month, with taxpayers footing the bill.

Councilmember Susan Zhuang and Assemblyman William Colton joined some of the protesters for a photo before the rally began.
Photo courtesy Office of Assemblymember William Colton

Thousands of protesters overflowed into the intersection.
Photo courtesy Office of Assemblymember William Colton

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BREAKING NEWS: EPA ENACTS COMPREHENSIVE BAN ON ASBESTOS

NATIONWIDE — THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS SET A COMPREHENSIVE BAN ON ASBESTOS, a carcinogen that is still found in many household products, the agency said on Monday, March 18, according to the Associated Press. This rule, which significantly expands the EPA’S regulation beyond a 2016 landmark law that amended oversight of thousands of toxic chemicals found in everyday products, from household cleaners to clothing and furniture, will now also ban chrysotile asbestos, the last remaining ongoing use of asbestos in the United States. Chrysotile asbestos is present in the manufacture of brake linings and gaskets, chlorine bleach and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).

Although the EPA banned asbestos in 1989, a 1991 court decision weakened the agency’s ability to enforce it or address health risks. The 2016 law required the EPA to evaluate chemicals and establish protections against health and safety risks.

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BROWNSVILLE DEVELOPMENT GETS $15.4M GRANT, PROJECT WILL ALSO ADVANCE NY’S CLIMATE GOALS

BROWNSVILLE — A DEVELOPMENT IN BROWNSVILLE WILL RECEIVE $15.4 MILLION as part of a $260 million award financed through tax credits and subsidies, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Monday, March 18. The funding will create or preserve 1,852 affordable, supportive and sustainable homes in 29 developments across New York State, including a development at 1546 East New York Ave., near the junction with Eastern Parkway and Rockaway Avenue. The developer partnership, Xenolith Partners, LLC and Family Services Network of New York Inc. will build 95 apartments, including 57 with supportive services, and a health care facility. The project will receive $522,500 in CEI funds to pursue Passive House certification.

These projects are part of the governor’s overall plan to expand or protect the housing supply in every region, upgrade and modernize public housing, further local economic development initiatives, and include sustainable features that advance the State’s climate goals.

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BROOKLYN HEIGHTS SPRING EGG HUNT: MARCH 30

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — THE BROOKLYN HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL SPRING EGG HUNT for little bunnies is taking place at Pierrepont Playground on Saturday, March 30, starting at 11 a.m. sharp. (Notice the new start time.)

There will be candy-stuffed eggs, a bake sale and plenty of adorable photo ops.

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WORKING TO LANDMARK D’TOWN BROOKLYN’S ‘SIGNIFICANT’ PLACES BEFORE THEY ARE LOST

DOWNTOWN — THE DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN LANDMARKS COALITION has been named a 2024 “Six to Celebrate” winner by the Historic Districts Council for its efforts to landmark buildings and sites with significant architectural, cultural and social history in Downtown Brooklyn before they disappear. The coalition includes the Brooklyn Heights Association, the Boerum Hill Association and the Park Slope Civic Council, and has partnered with HDC. The Landmarks Preservation Commission has responded to its advocacy favorably, the Brooklyn Heights Association said in its newsletter on Sunday. Last month, LPC voted to calendar the Brooklyn Edison Building at 345 Adams St., the first step in the agency’s designation process.

“We want to make sure these places aren’t lost as the neighborhood undergoes major redevelopment,” BHA wrote.

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COUNCIL MULLS VERNIKOV PROTEST GUN ARREST SANCTIONS

MIDWOOD — THE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING TAKING DISCIPLINARY ACTION against southern Brooklyn Councilmember Inna Vernikov over an incident last fall in which the councilmember was arrested for carrying a gun at a Brooklyn College pro-Palestine rally, reports the Daily News, in violation of a new state law that makes bringing firearms to protests illegal. Although the charge was later thrown out due to the gun being inoperable, sources told the News that the Council’s ethics committee convened last Monday to discuss potentially leveling sanctions against Vernikov for violating internal rules against disorderly conduct. Such sanctions, if approved by two-thirds of the Council, could include fines, a loss of committee positions and even expulsion.

Neither Vernikov nor the committee members offered comment on the specifics of the closed proceedings.

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BROOKLYN MAN DIES AFTER GETTING PUNCHED BY TOW TRUCK DRIVER

EAST FLATBUSH — A 61-YEAR-OLD MAN GOT INTO A DISPUTE with a tow truck operator who was about to tow away his vehicle, and it ended up costing him his life. Police said East Flatbush resident Carlyle Thomas began arguing with the 30-year-old tow truck driver at a Shell gas station at 1143 Clarkson Ave. around 10:45 p.m. Saturday night when it turned physical. Thomas was punched in the face by the younger man, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. EMS transported Thomas to Brookdale Hospital Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

The tow truck driver was taken into custody and the investigation remains ongoing, police said.

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YOUNG BOERUM HILL WOMAN STABBED TO DEATH, TWIN SURVIVES

BOERUM HILL — POLICE HAVE IDENTIFIED A 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN STABBED to death in Boerum Hill early Sunday morning as Samyia Spain, a resident of Wyckoff Gardens. The victim and her twin sister were visiting an all-night deli at the corner of Fourth Avenue and St. Marks Place at about 2:20 a.m. when an unknown man attacked both women, stabbing Spain in the chest and her sister in the arm, according to police. EMS transported the victims to New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where Spain was pronounced deceased. Her sister survived and is in stable condition. There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.

A witness told NBC that the man attacked the young women after they rejected his advances.

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NY LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY ANNOUNCES MUCH-ANTICIPATED PRESERVATION AWARDS

GOWANUS TO EAST NEW YORK — SEVERAL BROOKLYN SITES ARE WINNING THIS YEAR’S LUCY G. MOSES PRESERVATION AWARDS FROM THE NEW YORK LANDMARKS CONSERVANCY at an April 10 dinner at The Plaza. The Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards, the Conservancy’s highest honors for excellence in preservation, showcase the recipients’ amazing and challenging preservation projects taking place throughout the City. The 2024 Lucy G. Moses Preservation Awards go to Powerhouse Arts at 322 Third Ave. in Gowanus, the 75th Police Precinct Station on 486 Liberty Avenue in East New York, the Ridges Residences in Stuyvesant Heights, and St. John the Baptist Church, 333 Hart St. in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Moreover, Roberta Brandes Gratz, for decades a driving force in the conversation about New York’s buildings and neighborhoods, will receive the Preservation Leadership Award in honor of her work as an advocate, author, and urbanist.