In a continuing effort to improve the safety and quality of life for community residents, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein was successful in having the heavy vegetation and tree branches looming over the roadway on East 40th Street removed. The area residents contacted Assemblywoman Weinstein about unsafe and hazardous conditions caused by trees from the adjacent railroad tracks. Assemblywoman Weinstein was able to convince NY Atlantic Railroad to assume responsibility and remove the trees.
At a recent visit to the location, Audrey Julien, President of the East 40th Block Association, and resident Ms. Elsa Nelson, thanked Assemblywoman Weinstein for helping to remove the hazardous road conditions, stating in a letter, “We would like to thank you for your cooperation and persistence on our behalf in requesting the cutting of the trees that were overhanging...onto East 40th Street. ...We now have a clear view of the corner and we feel safer walking...As always, we are very grateful for your cooperation in helping us make our block safe.”
Previously, Assemblywoman Weinstein was successful in obtaining over $500,000 in state funding to install high security fencing along many of the sections of the railroad tracks that intersect our community. The security fencing has made a big difference, helping to curb trespassers from entering onto private properties of homes abutting the tracks. Pictured are before and after photos of East 40th Street.
Brooklyn’s drinking water is being threatened by contamination. The state is exploring plans to drill for natural gas near the New York City watershed using an unconventional practice called hydraulic fracturing. This method has caused polluted water for residents in other states.
If the quality of our City’s drinking water is compromised, Brooklyn would need a filtration system that’s estimated to cost taxpayers as much as $30 billion and would increase our water bills. Drilling would dramatically adversely affect our health and economic security.
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein believes that New York State should take no further action in regard to approval of permits in any drinking water sensitive area anywhere in New York State until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completes its study of hydraulic fracturing and companies are required to fully disclose all chemicals used in the drilling process. Protecting the health and welfare of our citizens and the safety of our water supply is of critical importance.
Assemblywoman Weinstein is sponsoring legislation, (A8748) which would ban hydraulic fracturing near the City’s watershed.
Is Here For You
Throughout her legislative tenure, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein has led efforts in Albany to protect victims of domestic violence. Statistically, the most dangerous time for survivors is during and immediately after separation from abusers. Violence frequently escalates when batterers believe they are losing control of their victims. As such, to further protect domestic violence victims, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein is sponsoring legislation to create an "address confidentiality program." It would require the New York Secretary of State to accept mail for victims of domestic violence who have left their home as a result of abuse and who seek to keep their address confidential because they fear for their own safety or the safety of their children. This legislation, (A10180) passed the Assembly and is currently pending in the NYS Senate.
Protecting New York City Residents
The Assembly budget restores more than $475.4 million in critical funding for New York City that had been eliminated in the governor’s budget proposal. If adopted, these restorations will substantially reverse the Mayor's announced senior center closings and teacher layoffs. Restorations include:
- $193 million in school aid;
- $18.5 million in funding for New York City senior centers;
- $13.5 million for summer youth employment;
- $35 million to the MTA to subsidize student Metrocards;
- Helps patients who use Coney Island and Kings County Hospitals by assisting NYC Health and Hospital Corporation to qualify for additional federal funds.
The Assembly Budget Plan
- Rejects the governor’s proposal to freeze all expense-based aid, including transportation;
- Rejects shifting summer school special education costs of $86 million onto local school districts;
- Continues Universal Prekindergarten through the 2011-2012 school year;
- Includes funding for reimbursement of the cost of the MTA commuter mobility payroll tax for private schools;
- Keeps college affordable – rejects the governor's across-the-board cut to all TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) awards.
Assemblywoman Weinstein says “Fill out and send back your US Census form. Help our community get its fair share of federal resources for our schools, hospitals, housing, roads and government services.”
Cracking down on sex offenders who prey on our children is a top priority. Under a new law Assemblywoman Weinstein helped pass, it is now easier for families to find out if a dangerous sexual predator has moved into your neighborhood. You are able to receive free automatic e-mail updates about the presence of any Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders in the community. To sign up to receive Sex Offender Relocation Alerts via e-mail, call the NYS Division of Criminal Justice at 1-888-697-6972 or visit http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/nyalert.htm.
Assemblywoman Weinstein often contacts the NYC Department of Transportation on behalf of constituents to request review and correction of dangerous traffic/street conditions. There are many intersections in our community that are safer because Assemblywoman Weinstein fought successfully for needed traffic controls. Make your neighborhood safer, report hazardous conditions to Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Community Office.
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein recently joined some of the many constituents her office has assisted in obtaining free cell phones through the Assurance Wireless program.
Last year, over 150 people were placed into jobs through the Good Help program, a free employment referral service for Brooklyn businesses seeking potential employees. Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Office is a designated community-based recruitment and referral site for Good Help, run by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. We receive job postings, descriptions, and requirements for jobs to help Brooklyn based businesses recruit qualified candidates.
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein has secured over $6,600 in grants for 143 area residents struggling on fixed incomes to pay their electric bills. Weinstein’s office has been designated as a local Neighbor Fund Application site. This year, grants of up to $50 are available to Con Edison customers who qualify. Contact Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Community Office to see if you are eligible.
Assemblywoman Weinstein held a meeting with Department of Sanitation representatives and community leaders to discuss concerns relating to the Passover holiday. Attending were Rabbi Moshe Tuvia Lieff, Agudas Yisroel Bais Binyomin; Mr. Rafi Treitel, 63rd Precinct Clergy Liaison, also representing Rabbi Shimshon Sherer; Mr. Leiser Blau, President of Congregation Beth Moshe Shmiel, also representing Rabbi Tuvia Rottenberg; and Ben Picciotto, President of Congregation Beth Shaul U’Miriam, also representing Rabbi David Cohen.
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein was on hand at the Kings Bay YM-YWHA's Annual Chinese New Year luncheon to help present a certificate of thanks to Wei Ran Chen, a good samaritan, who, after he found a bag filled with over $2,000 in cash and checks in the street, brought it to the Kings Bay Y, where they were able to reunite the package with the rightful owner. Also present was Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director of the Kings Bay Y.
Helene Weinstein Brings the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard Bus to the Community Office on the third Thursday of every month
June 17th, 2010
July 15th, 2010
August 19th, 2010
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
at 3520 Nostrand Avenue
Apply for the Senior Half-Fare MetroCard and Receive one on the spot
Proper age I.D. (65 years and older and photo I.D. are required)