Author: GreenpointBlog

Stephen Levin retained his City Council seat last night in the general election, and will soon begin his third term in office.

According to unofficial results from the Board of Elections website, Levin won 18,624 votes out of 21,104 total votes cast, good for 88.25 percent.

He will represent District 33, including Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Vinegar Hill, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill and Gowanus for the next four years.

Cambranes, a Greenpoint native and political newcomer with a background in marketing and communications, ran on her own “Progress for All” party. She received 2,371 votes, or 11.23 percent.

In District 34, Antonio Reynoso ran unopposed, securing another term in office. He will represent Williamsburg, East Williamsburg and Bushwick for the next four years.

PS 34 is getting a nice green boost.

The school was recently awarded a $2,000 grant to support its STEM (that’s science, technology, education and math) programs, which are all the rage these days.

The funding came from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA. They have donated to other STEM programs in New York City before.

PS 34 has really turned up its STEM education, including a brand new STEM Lab, a robotics program, an environmental club and Eco-School sustainability program.

Here’s to hoping more schools will receive this kind of generous funding to continue the important work they do by educating our students!

Councilman Stephen Levin is among 27 council members who have announced their support for Mayor de Blasio’s Fair Fix proposal.

The plan would increase taxes on the city’s wealthiest to raise $800 million annually to fix the crumbling subway and bus system. It would also pay for half-fare MetroCards for 800,000 low-income New Yorkers.

“New Yorkers don’t care about playing politics—they just want a functioning subway system,” Levin said. “To get to and from work on time, without delays and frustration, that’s not too much to ask.”

“New York City has put forth a fair plan: taxing millionaires to benefit millions of subway riders. Everyday residents of our City already disproportionately contribute to funding through tolls and taxes. Let’s push this plan forward and provide New Yorkers the basic services they deserve.”

Fair Fix would need to get through Governor Cuomo’s Albany, which seems unlikely considering the governor is pushing congestion pricing, which the mayor opposes. Let’s not forget that the mayor and governor can’t seem to get along, and are in a constant political fight to top one another.

But with 27 supporters from the City Council, Mayor de Blasio’s plan appears to be picking up momentum.

Time will tell which plan will prevail. Either way, New York City commuters are just hoping that a solution comes soon.

Mark your calendars, folks!

Be sure to celebrate the Greenpoint YMCA’s Spirit of Community Service Awards dinner at Giando on the Water (412 Kent Ave) on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30 p.m.

The honorees are Norm and Elaine Brodsky!

RSVP to Tatiana Terzuoli at tterzuoli@ymcanyc.org.

Last winter, north Brooklyn celebrated the city’s long-awaited purchase of the final 27 acres of Bushwick Inlet Park.

Now, those parcels of parkland are going to be developed.

Mayor de Blasio announced that his administration is allocating a total of $17.5 million for the remediation of development of two parcels.

50 Kent has already gone through remediation, so $7.7 million will go toward developing it into a new park.

The remaining $9.8 million will be for remediating and developing the Motiva site.

Parks will begin designing the park with community input this spring.

“We kept a promise to North Brooklyn by purchasing the final parcel of Bushwick Inlet Park, and this additional funding will allow the city to move closer to realizing the vision of a fully-developed waterfront park with beautiful views and amenities to match,” de Blasio said.

“Don’t forget, this is your park,” added Councilman Stephen Levin, “so I want everyone to be engaged in the planning process.”

The NYC local city office elections on November 7th are rapidly approaching and New Yorkers need to get informed! In order to ensure this education, Vote NYC announced the broadcast schedule for the city’s official nonpartisan Video Voter Guide ! The guide contains statements from each candidate about their stances and plans for the city. The video edition of the guide began airing Sunday, October 29th and will be on every night at 7pm (4pm on election night) from now until the election on the NYC Gov station (see channel depending on carrier below).

NYC Gov Channels and Carriers
Spectrum (TWC)…74
Verizon FiOS………..1960 HD | 24 SD
Cablevision………….74
RCN……………………….81
Over the Air (Broadcast)……….25.2

The video guide will also air on borough-based public access stations; check local listings for time and dates on BRIC, QPTV, MNN, and BronxNet.

The Voter Guide information can also be found online at voting.nyc as well as in print when it is delivered to every household with registered voters in the five boroughs.

Aspects of daily life such as affordable living and public schools will be affected by these local elections so make sure to learn about the candidates and get out there and vote!

It’s about to get spooky in Brooklyn!

This Sunday, Town Square is hosting the 14th annual Greenpoint Children’s Halloween Parade, Spooktacular Party and Zombie Nerf War.

The parade assembles at 11:30 a.m. at 176 Java Street. At noon, you’ll march down Manhattan Avenue to Norman Avenue, then loop back to Java for a spooktacular party.

For the older kids, there will be a Zombie Nerf War as well.

The parade is free to join! Be sure to put on your best costumes and have lots of fun!

Have any electronic waste you need to dispose?

Bring your unwanted electronics, such as computers, televisions, cameras, radios and other gadgets to the Grand Street BID’s e-waste recycling event on Saturday, October 21st from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Avoid getting that annoying fine and drop off your e-waste for free!

At the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, people carry flowers representing their connection to Alzheimer’s – a disease that currently has no cure.  But what if one day there was a flower for Alzheimer’s first survivor?  What if there were millions of them?   Help make that beautiful day happen by joining us for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease. This year, the Brooklyn walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 4th at Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd.

Help us end Alzheimer’s.  Join the fight for the first survivor!

Go to www.alz.org/nyc to start your own team and help us fight!  The end of Alzheimer’s starts with YOU!

Councilman Stephen Levin and Mayor Bill de Blasio are hosting a district-wide town hall next Wednesday, October 18th at St. Francis College in Downtown Brooklyn.

The event, starting at 6 p.m., will offer residents a chance to ask important questions about local projects, initiatives and issues.

Space is limited, so RSVP by October 16th at www.nyc.gov/cd33townhall.