The Elements
The Newsletter of Brooklyn Community Board Seven

4201 4th Avenue                                      (718) 854-0003
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January 2016 
Quick Hits
  • Community Board 7 held its biennial election in December.  The new Executive Committee is listed on the right side of this newsletter.  Committee members will serve for the 2016-17 calendar years.
  • The American Red Cross, in partnership with the FDNY, community groups and corporate supporters is offering free smoke alarms to residents in need and providing fire preparedness education to local families through the Home Fire Campaign.  To request an appointment to have free fire alarms installed in your home, fill out ARC's Smoke Alarm Request Form.
  • The NYC Human Resources Administration, with funds from New York State, has initiated a program, The ABD Project, to better connect people who are 65 years and older and have low-income to free and low cost health insurance options.  Visit HRA's website to learn more about health coverage and care options and download fact sheets and other materials.
In This Issue
New School on 3rd Avenue Moving Forward
Another Successful Toy Drive
Issue Updates
Call to Action: Register to Vote
New School on 3rd Avenue 
and 60th Street Progressing
View from 3rd Avenue of new school site
between 59th and 60th Streets

Councilman Carlos Menchaca convened a meeting earlier this month with the School Construction Authority and Community Education Council District 20 to discuss plans for a new Pre-K through 8th grade school proposed for the empty lot on 3rd Avenue (west side) between 59th and 60th Streets and extending down 59th Street.

The school would be five stories and serve approximately 750 students.  It is proposed to be Leed Certified Silver, with separate, age-appropriate school yards for younger and older students.  The School Construction Authority is currently designing the new school and it is expected the design will be completed in the summer.

In December, the City Council approved of the location and a budget which now allows the City to begin negotiations with the private owner of the property.  Previously, the location had been proposed for a hotel.

Earlier last year, Community Board 7 approved of the site, but noted that 3rd Avenue and 60th Street is a dangerous intersection and an ambulance route and insisted pedestrian safety improvements must be implemented before the school is opened.




28th Annual Toy Drive a Great Success
Councilman Menchaca with seniors and staff
at United Senior Citizens of Sunset Park

Community Board 7 wishes to thank everyone who donated to our 28th Annual Holiday Gift Drive.  CB 7 was able to donate new toys and clothing to more than 500 children-in-need throughout the community.

The community board takes requests from community-based organizations to provide gifts for the neediest in our community.  This year, CB 7 was able to grant the requests of several organizations, including Center Against Domestic Violence - Women's Survival Space, the Holy Name Food Pantry, Turning Point, NYU/Lutheran Community Programs and Sociedad Communitaria Hermanos Unidos.

CB 7 especially wishes to thank our largest donors: LaFarge North America, Challenge EIC, the Sunset Park 5th Avenue Business Improvement District and Quilters Under the Bridge. We wish to note that every year the United Senior Citizens of Sunset Park is the largest donor to the Holiday Gift Drive and CB 7 wishes to thank all the seniors and especially executive director Grisel Amador for their generosity.


Issue Updates

Historic photo of the old 68th Precinct
on 4th Avenue and 43rd Street 













  • The MTA has begun renewal work at nine N line subway stations including 8th Avenue.  In addition to upgrades stairs, communications and lighting, the 8th Avenue station will also be made compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.  Manhattan-bound service will be suspended for 14 months.  For alternatives, please click here.
  •  Department of Transportation presented a proposal for pedestrian safety improvements on Terrace Place/11th Avenue between McDonald Avenue and 18th Street and at Terrace Place and Prospect Park Southwest at a Transportation Committee meeting on January 12.  It is expected the full board will vote on DOT's proposal at the Board Meeting on January 20.

Please share your feedback on our newsletter by contacting the Community Board.
 
Sincerely,
Jeremy Laufer
District Manager

Call to Action:


Register to Vote

By mail, in person, or online - there are many ways to register to vote in New York. No excuses - register today!

To register to vote in New York City, you must:
  • be a U.S. citizen,
  • be a New York City resident for at least 30 days, and
  • be 18 years of age by the end of the year (you must be 18 on Election Day to vote).
You must not:
  • be incarcerated or on parole for a felony conviction,
  • be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court, or
  • claim the right to vote elsewhere (outside New York City).
New York residents can register to vote  online  through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website . You will need to set up a profile with a valid NYS driver license (or non-driver ID) number and your social security number to begin.
You may download, print, and complete a voter registration form to register by 
mail  or  hand deliver  it to any  BOE office . If you do not have a printer, you may pick a form up at your local BOE office, at many NYC agency customer service locations, or call 866-VOTE-NYC (212-487-5496 if you are hearing impaired) to request one by mail.
The deadline for postmarked and in-person registration submissions is 25 days prior to the election you wish to vote in .
Still have questions about registering?  Check out these frequently asked questions.
Not sure if you're registered to vote, or if your registration is still valid? Visit the New York State BOE's online 
 and type in your name, date of birth, and county of residence to check.

Quick Links
Our Executive Committee
Daniel A. Murphy
Chairperson

Cesar Zuniga
First Vice Chairperson

Zachary Jasie
Second Vice Chairperson

Patricia Ruiz
Secretary

Gloria Rodriguez
Assistant Secretary

Daniel Pol
Treasurer

Cynthia Gonzalez
Assistant Treasurer

Kenny Guan
Sergeant-at-Arms

Ramon Acevedo
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms
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