Bay Ridge Talks & Marine Park Talks

Important topics for neighbors to meet and discuss …..Bay Ridge Talks (and Marine Park Talks too). These are being run by neighbors (I don’t know them), but I love the topics they chose and I think it’s a great idea!

See actual flyer here.

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Visit this Bus and Get a Free Hotdog – Brooklyn

On the weekends this Summer until August 26th, you can visit Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 1 on Saturdays & Pier 5 on Sundays) and get a free hotdog. More info

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Councilman Brannan Shares Playlist

It’s always nice to hear someone else’s music choices – Listen for free on spotify here

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This is Ashley. Don’t Be Like Ashley.

On a bus from Bay Ridge to Staten Island….

Most people in Brooklyn aren’t like this….but some are like Ashley.

Don’t be like Ashley – life’s too short for this nonsense.

Yes, the woman got on the bus through the back, but many bus drivers will tell women with strollers to go through the back door because it is less crowded. 

Thank you to Councilman Brannan for immediately standing up against hate.

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Finally Domestic Violence Officers Get It Right

Finally, the 68th Precinct Domestic Violence Unit gets it right.

I have seen them many places in Bay Ridge, but all very low traffic areas where most of the general public wouldn’t be….like outside fancy shops in Bay Ridge. Each time I think, “Nope….wrong spot NYPD.”

I’m not saying that domestic violence doesn’t happen in all communities, but being in the subway is one of the best places they can be to reach more woman who may need their help. Way to go NYPD Domestic Violence Unit.

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Why Does Helen Klein Allow Press Release Journalism in The Brooklyn Reporter?

Helen Klein is a fantastic writer, but as the editor of the Brooklyn Reporter, I question how she allowed Bay Ridge to receive John Alexander’s article about Senator Golden and the dead speed camera bill.  This article is incomplete and fails to provide accurate information on the current BILLS, as well as Golden’s history with speed cameras. 

If Senator Golden was serious about the speed camera bill, he would have picked up his phone and called his friend, John Flanagan to vote on Bill S06046C. Instead a press release was sent out to the news. Press release journalism hurts Bay Ridge because it makes it look like a politician has done something, when they really haven’t done anything.  

In the article in the Brooklyn Reporter, John Alexander doesn’t seem to be aware that the NY Assembly already passed Bill A07798C for the speed cameras in school zones.  If he was, then why did Alexander write: “If the bill ultimately passes in both the Senate and Assembly, and is signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, the new law would not expire until July 1, 2022.”

It appears John Alexander doesn’t want Bay Ridge to know that Senator Golden backpedaled with a  WEAKER bill – Bill S9123. Thankfully, Julianne McShane from the Courier reported about Golden’s backpedaling weeks ago.  McShane pointed out that Golden’s bill only allows speed cameras for six months and purports that stop signs are more effective than speed cameras. In Bay Ridge, we have all seen how ineffective stop signs are on streets like 80th Street and Colonial Road.

Since John Alexander didn’t name the bills in his article, we have no idea if Senator Golden is backing the original bill that the NY Assembly passed or if he is pushing the bill he, Sen. Lanza and Sen. Felder introduced right before the Senate session ended.

Recently, parent activists protested outside Senator Golden’s office for 24 hours. John Alexander left out how rude Senator Golden was to them.  While Golden didn’t meet with the parents because he had a family funeral, he thought it was appropriate to send them this tweet. Golden wanted the protesters to know that “they didn’t know how to protest” and they should look to Flanagan and Cuomo instead of him. Why didn’t he tell them or send his staff to tell them that the bill will get done?  Senator Golden deleted the inappropriate tweet, but minutes later a similar one appeared on the fake account.

John Alexander’s article failed to provide Bay Ridge neighbors with  Senator Golden’s history of blocking speed cameras. This is the reason why people are petitioning him now.  In 2013, Golden stated that the speed camera technology wasn’t proven. In 2017, a study showed that the technology has stopped people from being second time offenders of speeding in a school zone (page 14).

I find it hard to believe that any editor could allow John Alexander to leave out the real reason Marty Golden doesn’t want speed cameras.  “Golden’s Cadillac has racked up 14 violations for speeding in school zones since 2014, for a total of $700 in fines. Three of those violations have come in the first half of 2018.” (Source).  Golden benefits from this bill not passing.

At the end of June, The Post reported that Senator Golden dodged a ticket for parking in a bus stop on 86th Street in Bay Ridge.  

On June 19th, Brooklyn Reporter writer, Megan McGoldrick reported that NYPD Commissioner O’Neill came to Bay Ridge to speak to Albany politicians. Both Senator Golden and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis  voted against the NYPD Commissioner. The NYPD’s PBA which funds Senator Golden thinks speed cameras will take police officers jobs. The NYPD PBA has given nearly $20,000 to Senator Golden since 2015 (Source).  Why was this left out of John Alexander’s article today?      

I have tried speaking to John Alexander, but he blocked me after I sent him a message. Alexander should recuse himself on this topic as he wrote this in the Winter.

Other reporters gave the whole story and didn’t let the politicians press release stand as THE NEWS – seen here and here. As the editor, democracy sits in your hands, Helen. 

HELEN KLEIN PLEASE DO BETTER AND STOP THE PRESS RELEASE JOURNALISM IN THE BROOKLYN PAPER. 

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Register Your Bike with the 68th Precinct – 7/16

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Shore Road Mosquito Spraying July 11, 2018

These notices were put up yesterday for today and the spraying was done early today, July 11th and to be completed tonight (it’s for this was herbicide/weedkiller not a pesticide – on the weeds of sidewalk and cobblestones of Shore Road). 

While the spraying is necessary, the Parks Department needs to give more notice to the residents that live in that area and play there. While they may not be using a pesticide, residents should be made aware of what is in the herbicide/weedkiller. We use a mix of vinegar and water for our weed killer (on the lines between concrete slabs) because we have dogs and Bay Ridge is full of dogs. 

The spraying is going to be completed tonight.

See the full notice here.

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Bay Ridge Cares Community Project

Bay Ridge Cares is up to beautifying more of Bay Ridge. When I went to vote, I saw the beautiful kitchen they installed for the Senior Citizens. More importantly, the senior citizens were having a great time there!!  Bay Ridge Cares understands what Bay Ridge needs. If you want to support them, they have a GoFund Me page for their next project (described below)!

Bay Ridge Cares  (BRC)  partnered with the NYC Parks Department and other community organizations to help enhance the Fort Hamilton Senior Center.  The Senior Center provides recreational programs such as sports, cards, dancing, and art classes, and has hosted social events, community meals, and senior specific services for over 50 years.  Over the past year, BRC has worked to renovate the kitchen, card room and other common spaces to better reflect the positive energy and relationships being built inside.
 
Bay Ridge Cares next step is to focus on the outside of the building, which will include beautifying planters, adding seasonal banners, and installing benches and trees that were removed and never replaced. Our big project will be a community mural placed on the side of the building, which will tie into improvements that will be done to the adjacent John J Carty Park by the City.

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Paint Nite July 14th in Bay Ridge

On Saturday, July 14th  at  7:00 PM, there is a Paint Nite at Schnitzel Haus Restaurant  7319 5TH Avenue  in Bay Ridge

Regularly $65  Register here

Codes here

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Free Slurpee Day is Tomorrow 7/11

Tomorrow is 7/11 and   7-Eleven stores  are giving away free small Slurpees from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m

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Empanada Eating Contest in Park Slope 7/21

On Saturday, July 21st at 6:30 pm Empanada Loca is holding the 3rd Annual Empanada Eating Contest in front of their restaurant. The winner will eat as many free empanadas as he/she can in 10 minutes. 

Prize: $200 cash

To secure your spot, complete this form 

Empanada Loca is between Prospect Avenue and 17th Street on 5th Ave, Park Slope.

Come at  You must be over 18 unless a parent signs the waiver on your behalf. All contestants must be there at 5:45 pm to sign the waiver and get ready for the contest.

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