Dear Neighbor,
I hope you had a joyous and healthy holiday season. 2008 has been quite a year having to deal with New York State’s $3.5 billion deficit and at the same time neither cutting programs that are important to so many New Yorkers nor raising taxes. My Assembly colleagues and I worked diligently, during the special sessions Governor Paterson called last August and November, to craft solutions to our state’s growing financial concerns. Unfortunately in November, despite the State’s worsening deficit, the Senate Majority was not willing to participate in the process. Throughout the budget deliberations, the one thought that was paramount on my mind was that just as our state is having trouble making ends meet, so too are many of my neighbors.
As we look to a new year, I want to assure you that I know how hard these economic times are on each of us and realize that it will take a major effort to deal with the $12 billion and growing deficit. It is my hope that part of the solution will be an emphasis on programs that spur economic growth so that it will provide immediate, as well as ongoing, benefits to our state’s economy. While New York State must still forge ahead to develop its own programs to move out of this economic situation, we will need to look to Washington to be part of the solution.
It is with great expectation and hope that I await Senator Obama’s inauguration as our Nation’s 44th President. President-elect Obama brings with him a new perspective, commitment to change and the energy that will be needed to deal with the economic issues that are plaguing us.
I hope that you will read through this newsletter to learn what is happening in our community. Also, please know that my staff and I are here to help you. If you have any questions or problems — community or personal — or have an opinion on an issue, please do not hesitate to contact us. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year.
Sincerely,
Steven H. Cymbrowitz
Member of Assembly
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz hosted better than 500 local seniors at a luncheon held at Kingsborough Community College, to celebrate the end of summer. The seniors had lunch, enjoyed music and dance, and went home with gifts. Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes not only addressed the gathering, but had staffers on hand to provide financial and personal safety information and mingled with the crowd.
To make filing your taxes easier for you this year, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office has the common state and federal tax forms available. Please stop by or call the office and we will be happy to provide the form(s) you need.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ efforts resulted in the arrest of a suspected illegal tire dumper and the cleanup of the tires from residential property. Responding to a call from Joe C. of East 2nd Street, who complained that dozens of tires were being unlawfully dumped late at night in a common area behind his house, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz took immediate action contacting local Sanitation Enforcement officials who began an investigation and monitored the area. Their diligence resulted in an arrest being made. However, several weeks later, tires were once again illegally dumped, this time during daylight hours. While this perpetrator is still on the loose, the Sanitation Department’s response is to be commended. “It is important that illegal tire dumpers know that their crimes are taken very seriously and when caught, their vehicles can be confiscated and they will be subject to fines and jail,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz stated. “I also want to welcome our community’s new Sanitation boss, Superintendent Fred Tuzzolino, and thank him and his staff for showing their concern for the residents of East 2nd Street with their quick response to this recurring tire problem.”
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz has provided funding for several years to keep the Nottingham Association’s patrol car on the street. The car’s driver acts as the eyes and ears of the Police Department and the car itself, with its amber flashing roof light and distinctive signage, acts as a very visible deterrent to crime. “Government functions at its best when it works in partnership with its citizens. This patrol car is a prime example of what can be accomplished when we work together,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz explained.
Nottingham Association President Helen Rosen (2nd from left) showing Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and his Community Liaison, Roslyn Sokol, her organization’s patrol car as longtime driver, Anthony Morales, looks on.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz was not happy with what he saw after surveying the recently “completed” repairs to Sheepshead Bay’s bulkhead with Community Board 15 Chairwoman Theresa Scavo. The $14 million project replaced the crumbling bulkhead from Holocaust Memorial Park to Pembroke Street, along the Bay’s south shore. The Assemblyman was concerned with the reliability of the seals between the new installation and the existing seawall, as well as the seals between the new bulkhead caps, since he saw them separating. Compounding the problem, no thought was given to pitch the old bulkhead line to the new, which would have allowed for proper water run off. The Assemblyman also criticized the planning of the project, which did not include refurbishing the crumbling old bulkhead which still anchors the railings. In a letter to the President of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the agency responsible for this project, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz detailed the problems he found with the bulkhead installation and also stated that, “As one stands on the Shore Boulevard promenade looking out into the Bay, the new bulkhead is barely visible, but what is most noticeable is the original, crumbling old bulkhead line.”
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz is once again sponsoring a winter coat drive. This annual event has provided warm coats for hundreds of people in our community and throughout the city. Please look through your closest to see if there are any wearable coats — adult and children’s — that you no longer want. They may be dropped off either at the Assemblyman’s office or at Madelaine Cleaners, 1616 Avenue M (between East 16th and 17th Streets). After Madelaine Cleaners, which donates its services, cleans the coats, they will be given to Met Council’s Project Machson for distribution to the less fortunate. “This has been a true community effort with several of our schools, including Cunningham, PS 195, PS 255, PS 209 and Goldstein HS, already collecting coats,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz said.
PS 195’s coat collection efforts are off to a good start. Pictured around the school’s coat collection box, with several students are (L-R) Denise Steven, Parent Coordinator, Nelly Morrone, parent, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and Arthur Forman, Principal.
For the eighth consecutive year Assemblyman Cymbrowitz is sponsoring free health screenings. Keeping his constituents healthy has always been a high priority on his agenda. Last fall he provided flu shots, osteoporosis, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings, as well as a talk on flexibility. In the coming months he has scheduled other free health screenings. Please look through the list and make an appointment for those that will benefit you.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz watching as Phil Prosky receives one of the several hundred flu shots that were given in his community office last October.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz presented laptop computers to the schools of the first place winners of his Holocaust Memorial Art, Essay and Poetry Contest. The winners were selected from over 800 entries submitted by students from public and parochial schools and yeshivas. The Assemblyman has sponsored the contest since 2000 with the goal of making sure that the lessons to be learned from this horrific period in history are passed on to future generations, especially now that there are fewer Holocaust survivors to tell the stories firsthand. This year’s first place winning schools were PS 195 (elementary), Magen David Yeshiva (middle) and Goldstein High School.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz presenting a laptop computer to Magen David Yeshiva. Pictured with the students and Assemblyman Cymbrowitz are (L-R) Ms. Donna Schaer, Rabbi Baruch Hilsenrath, Principal and Rabbi David Sultan.
Did you ever hear about proposed State legislation (either Assembly or Senate) and wonder what it’s all about? Assemblyman Cymbrowitz wants you to know about a simple web tool that will not only describe the provisions of a bill, but give you the rationale behind it and the current status. It’s easy to do: Go to the Assembly’s Web site (www.assembly.state.ny.us) and click on the “Bill Search & Legislative Information” tab, located on the upper left hand side of the page, then either type in the bill number or if you don’t know it, a keyword (be sure to click on the appropriate “Keyword” or “Bill Number” button). That’s all there is to it. If you would like to try it out, you may search for this bill sponsored by Assemblyman Cymbrowitz: A.4533.
Congress has required that all TV signals be digital beginning February 17th. If you are not either a cable or satellite TV subscriber or don’t have a digital TV, you must get a converter box to be able to watch television after February 17th. Coupons are available to help with the cost. To request a coupon call 1-888-388-2009, visit www.Dtv2009.gov or call Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office.
Last November, Assemblyman Cymbrowitz visited the senior centers in his district to conduct his annual Thanksgiving Turkey Raffle — two lucky seniors at each center won gift cards to Stop & Shop for the purchase of a turkey, or anything else they wanted for their Thanksgiving table. The Assemblyman also gave 125 frozen turkeys, provided by Health Plus and Forest City Ratner, to individuals, community groups, local police precincts and fire houses for distribution to our less fortunate neighbors.
