Community Board 3, representing the neighborhood of Bedford Stuyvesant and parts of Crown Heights, held its monthly general public meeting at 1368 Fulton Street on Monday, one day before National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.
Chairman Richard Flateau served as the moderator of the meeting. Speakers at the meeting included but not limited to New York City Council Member Darlene Mealy, the new commanding officer of 79th precinct in Bed-Stuy Captain Charles Minch, borough liaison with city Comptroller Nicholas Perry, Sasha Sealey from Council Member Laurie Cumbo's office, Oma Holloway from Children of Promise NYC, a non-profit organization helping children with incarcerated parents, Michael Reise from GrowNYC, a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainability, representative from Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright's office, representative from New York City Department of Veterans' Service and several small business owners.
This month's focus was on the homeless situation in Bed-Stuy, immigration, Valentine's Day events for seniors, job openings for Bed-Stuy residents and bike safety.
NYPD Capt. Minch of the 79th Pct. encouraged residents to contact him and his fellow officers upon seeing homeless people as the winter is closing in and the streets are not suitable for them to live on.
Nicholas Perry introduced a report from New York City Comptroller's office presenting the contributions immigrants made to the economy: immigrants earned $100 billion a year —- nearly one-third of all earned income in New York City. Comptroller's office will keep on protecting immigrants by making sure they can compete for city contracts. Immigrant Rights and Services Manual produced by the office can be accessed here:
Assemblywoman Tremaine Wright's office will hold Black and Puerto Rican Caucus Weekend in Albany during which the issue of reentry will be addressed. Also, Assemblywoman Wright's swearing-in ceremony will take place on Saturday, February 11 at Boys and Girls High School (1700 Fulton Street).
As lovebirds are getting ready to celebrate or showcase their affection, Council Member Darlene Mealy will hold a pre-Valentine's Day senior soiree on Wednesday, February 8. It will be an exciting occasion for seniors to mingle and have fun. To RSVP please call (718) 953-3097. If you or the people you know cannot make it on Wednesday, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, in partnership with Assemblyman Walter Mosley and others has arranged for a senior pre-Valentine's Day luncheon on Friday, February 10th. Please call (718) 260-9191 to reserve.
MYBASE Youth Opportunity Center (456A Nostrand Avenue) opened its paid summer internship program and called for application. Qualified applicants must be between 16-24 years old. Please call (718) 636-7596 for more information. The community board is working on directing employment opportunities at a construction site (500 Gates Avenue) to Bed-Stuy residents and asking for applications from within the neighborhood. Please call (718) 388-3900 for more information.
Michael Reiser from GrowNYC called for a higher recycling rates in New York City. Its current rate is 15%, three percent lower than rest of the country. The fight for a bike lane on Tompkins Avenue in Bed-Stuy continues. Children of Promise is calling for volunteer mentors for Project D.R.E.A.M to work with children whose parents are in prison. Please call (718) 483-9290 to find out more.
Finally, February is the Black History Month. This year's theme is The Crisis in Black Education. Acting Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez will host an event on February 28 in honor of the tradition. Mayor de Blasio's visit to Bed-Stuy has been rescheduled again to March 9.
Community Board 3 meets the first Monday of each month, 7:00pm at 1368 Fulton Street. Next month's meeting will be held on Monday, March 6.
