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Brooklyn Political Roundup, October 25: Capano blasts de Blasio, Schumer endorses Brannan

In Public Service, From The Political Staff Of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle

October 25, 2017 By Paula Katinas & John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Reform Party City Council candidate Bob Capano says Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to ease traffic congestion is “bad for consumers and businesses.” Photo courtesy of Capano campaign
Reform Party City Council candidate Bob Capano says Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to ease traffic congestion is “bad for consumers and businesses.” Photo courtesy of Capano campaign
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Capano blasts de Blasio’s traffic plan

A proposal by Mayor Bill de Blasio to ease traffic congestion by banning truck deliveries during rush hour is coming in for withering criticism from Bob Capano, the Reform Party candidate for Bay Ridge’s City Council seat.

Capano called the idea “bad for consumers and businesses.”

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The plan has numerous problems, according to Capano. “Most New Yorkers would like to buy fresh produce each day when they shop. You can’t block morning deliveries. Perishable food must arrive early to maintain freshness for customers. As with most career politicians, the mayor once again shows he has no idea how more government rules and regulations affect the real world,” he said in a statement. 

Capano said that instead of banning deliveries, the city should ban bike lanes on busy streets and expand the use of so-called “smart traffic lights,” which are equipped with sensors.

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Working Families Party endorses Cunningham for City Council

Brian Cunningham, who ran against incumbent Councilmember Mathieu Eugene (D-Crown Heights-East Flatbush-Kensington) in the Democratic primary last month but lost, will still be on the ballot in November. 

Cunningham, who already has the backing of the Reform Party, has also been endorsed by the Working Families Party, a fact that he touted in a fundraising email he sent to supporters. 

“The Working Families Party is on the front lines of the progressive movement, fighting out battles for working people, immigrants and our environment. Our campaign has always been about the fight for racial, economic, environmental, immigrant and reproductive justice,” he wrote in the email.

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Treyger supported by City’s largest labor unions 

Incumbent Democratic City Councilmember Mark Treyger, running for his second term in office representing the 47th District, which includes Coney Island, Gravesend and Bensonhurst, says he has endorsements from some of the city’s largest labor unions.

Treyger has already earned the support of the United Federation of Teachers, the Transit Workers Union, the Police Benevolent Association, the Detectives’ Endowment Association and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Now he has received endorsements from 11 other unions, including the Building and Construction Trades Council, NYC Central Labor Council, Communications Workers of America, Hotel Trades Council and the New York State Nurses Association.

“It is an honor to receive the support of these organizations. Now more than ever, our local leaders need to stand with our workers and I will continue to be an advocate for fair compensation and respectful treatment for all,” said Treyger.

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Golden pushes for Access-A-Ride improvements

State Sen. Marty Golden recently met with top officials at MTA and advocates for the physically disabled to discuss ways to improve Access-A-Ride, the transportation system for the elderly and handicapped.

“In the past, I have expressed my concerns to the MTA regarding various grievances against Access-A-Ride and para-transit system. These complaints included, long wait times, lengthy travel times, reservation problems, vehicle restrictions and underserved areas throughout the five boroughs, especially here in Brooklyn,” Golden (R-C-Bay Ridge-Southwest Brooklyn) said in a statement. 

MTA officials told Golden the agency is working on a number of changes, including expanding a system in which Access-A-Ride customers are allowed to use ride sharing apps and making upgrades to the GPS systems in Access-A-Ride vehicles.

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Schumer endorses Brannan for City Council

Calling him “a real neighborhood go-to guy who gets things done,” U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) endorsed Democrat Justin Brannan for City Council this week, urging residents to vote for him in the election two weeks from now.

Schumer’s nod marks the most high-profile endorsement Brannan has received in the race in the 43rd Council District (Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst). Brannan is running against two opponents — Republican-Conservative John Quaglione and Reform Party candidate Bob Capano — in the Nov. 7 contest.

“Here in Brooklyn, we know how to stand up for ourselves and fight for what’s right, and that’s why I’m proud to endorse Justin for City Council. From great schools to safe streets to better subway service, Justin is a real neighborhood go-to guy who gets things done, and we can trust him to fight for us on the City Council,” Schumer said in a statement issued by Brannan’s campaign.

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Yeger: ‘Stop money grab!’

Kalman Yeger, the Democratic and Conservative candidate for Borough Park’s City Council seat, charged that the city is unfairly handing out sanitation summonses for litter on sidewalks in cases where the violation is a result of stray litter. 

Yeger is calling on the Department of Sanitation to cool it.

“New York City is giving out twice as many sanitation tickets as ever before.  It’s a money grab, and it’s just not fair,” Yeger said in a statement. “Meanwhile, our streets are not getting any cleaner.  These summonses are just a way for the city to make money off of hardworking homeowners and I won’t stand for it when I am in the City Council.” 

Yeger has committed to meeting with the Sanitation Commissioner immediately upon taking office to discuss how the city can reduce the number of sanitation tickets issued in our community.

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Deutsch announces sidewalk repairs

Local property owners who have waited years for sidewalk repairs may finally be getting some relief. Councilmember Chaim Deutsch, who represents Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach and Brighton Beach, has announced the start of free sidewalk repairs in the 48th District for homeowners enrolled in the city’s tree/sidewalks program. 

“For years, the city has been dragging their feet in signing with a contractor to conduct repairs,” said Deutsch. “This was simply unacceptable, and I’ve been pushing the Parks Commissioner to expedite the process, so these broken-up sidewalks can be fixed.”

Deutsch said that when tree roots lift a sidewalk, it becomes a hazard and subjects the homeowner to more difficult maintenance. He feels the city should be held to the same standard that a private homeowner is when they receive a sidewalk violation.

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Richardson touts work of SOS Crown Heights

State Assemblymember Diana Richardson (Crown Heights-Prospect Lefferts Gardens) is busy raising awareness of the work being done by the nonprofit organization Saving Our Streets (S.O.S.) Crown Heights.

S.O.S., which works to stem the tide against gun violence, is hosting a series of activities until Nov. 16 designed to allow residents to connect with their neighbors, take part in volunteer training programs and participate in workshops focusing on such issues as health care and the legal system. 

“This organization works to prevent gun violence from occurring in the S.O.S. catchment area in Crown Heights by mediating conflicts that may end in gun violence and acting as peer counselors to men and women who are at risk of perpetrating or being victimized by violence,” Richardson said in a statement.

For more information on S.O.S. Crown Heights, call 718-773-6886.

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Brannan unveils online community survey

Democratic City Council candidate Justin Brannan says he’s unveiled a new community survey on his website designed to gain input directly from residents about the issues they feel are most important and want to see addressed.

“I am a firm believer that the government leaders need to be accessible to the people they serve,” said Brannan. “I want to hear from all members of our community about the issues they care most about and how I can better address those needs. My vision for the district is one that is deeply inclusive and that means everyone should have a seat at the table, so I want to do my part to make that happen.”

The online survey can be found at justin2017.com/survey.  


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