Volume 2 Issue 9                                                                                                                                                                                   June 20, 2015
Letter from Laurie
Dear Friend,

Though the start of the summer season is officially one day away, there are several unresolved matters that must be addressed by city and state lawmakers before we close our legislative sessions in City Hall and Albany.

Between the city budget and the need for stronger rent laws, millions of New Yorkers are depending on us to act in their best interest at every hearing and meeting. We must learn to set aside our differences and prioritize the needs of our constituents daily. 

The progression of our city and state can only continue when we work collectively to pass sound legislation and implement fair policies that will enhance the quality of life for our neighbors.

Yours in Partnership,
Laurie A. Cumbo
Member of the New York City Council

Legislative Update

Council Member Cumbo is a co-sponsor of the following introductions unless noted otherwise:

 

Int. 0832-2015: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting discrimination in housing accommodations on the basis of an individual's status as a victim of domestic violence. This bill makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for landlords and other agents of real estate to refuse to sell, rent or lease, or otherwise deny or withhold an interest in a housing accommodation because of an individual's actual or perceived status as a victim of domestic violence, or as a victim of sex offenses or stalking. 

*Council Member Cumbo is a co-prime sponsor.

 

Int. 0802-2015: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a senior emergency information card. This bill would require the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) to establish, produce, and issue to qualified applicants (any resident of New York City sixty years of age or older) a senior emergency information card containing emergency contact information. DFTA would also be required to provide each applicant, along with the card, with a larger placard on which the individual would be able to fill in emergency contact and important medical information to display for easy accessibility within their home. 

 

Int. 0785-2015: A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to requiring the 311 call center to log complaints about locations without street addressesThis bill would prohibit staff at the 311 citizen service call center from declining to enter complaints or requests for service into their database for the purposes of forwarding to the appropriate agency to respond on account of the caller or texter failing to provide an address or other location that is in the database utilized by 311. In such instances, the 311 citizen service call center would be required to enter the location, whether it is an unrecognized address, intersection, or other location, into the "notes" section of the database entry, which is intended to allow the responding agency to identify the location to which the caller or texter is referring. 

 

Int. 0755-2015: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to evictions of disabled tenants. This bill would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to provide tenants with disabilities with information about legal services when such tenants are facing eviction. It would also require the Commissioner of HPD to report to the Mayor and the Speaker of the City Council on any pattern of discrimination against disabled tenants.

 

Int. 705-2015: A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to racial diversity in the workforce and leadership of city contractors. Under Section 1305 of the New York City Charter, the City's Division of Labor Services within the Department of Small Business Services (SBS) receives and analyzes employment reports from companies that contract with the City to assess whether they are complying with federal, state, and local antidiscrimination and equal employment opportunity requirements. This bill would make clear that SBS should collect data on the racial diversity of the boards of directors, officers, and other executive level employees of companies that contract with the City. In addition, this bill would require SBS to release an annual report on the employment policies, practices and statistics of city contractors, including the diversity of their directors, officers, and other executive level employees.

Cumbo Statement on Ramadan

In neighborhoods across this district, thousands of families will observe the holy month of Ramadan. As they embark on this spiritual period of fasting, prayer, and reflection, I would like to wish the members of the Muslim community a 'Ramadan Mubarak,' or happy Ramadan.  May you find strength, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Cumbo Statement on Fatal Shootings in Charleston

On behalf of New York City's 35th Council District, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families touched by the horrendous massacre that took place on Wednesday at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of America's oldest African-American Churches. This tragedy has moved people across this nation, and we share their pain. We are in disbelief that such a senseless crime could be committed on sacred ground, a historic sanctuary -- where we fellowship, worship, rejoice, and pray. We are devastated by this act of violence and hatred against innocent people.

 

We are sending a message that we will not stand nor tolerate the targeting of individuals because of their religious beliefs, racial background or cultural identity. Individuals who engage in such acts must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

 

With a heavy heart, we send prayers to South Carolina and the entire AME community. God bless them all as they begin their healing process. 

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Well Wishes
On behalf of the 35th Council District, I would like to applaud these individuals on their continued success. 

Principal Alonta Wrighton will be honored by the Association of Black Educators of New York (ABENY) as the Educator of the Year. In 2014, Council Member Deutsch, Dromm, and I honored P.S. 11 as one of two Brooklyn schools that was selected by the U.S. Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon School for its academic excellence. In addition, P.S. 11 is a New York State Department of Education Reward School for a third consecutive year.


 

The Rev. Peter W. D. Bramble will retire as rector of The Church of St. Mark after eighteen years of ministry.

Cumbo in the Press

Father's Day Pledge
 


 

I pledge to:

Never commit, condone, or remain silent about domestic violence, intimate violence, and violence in our homes, schools and communities.

 

Educate myself, and others and challenge abusive attitudes that condone disrespectful behavior or sexist and degrading language toward anyone.

 

Take action to prevent and end all forms of violence with love compassion and without judgment.

 

Love and inspire our family, friends and community; support our brothers, sisters and our youth in need of guidance

 

Prometo:

Nunca cometer, aprobar o permanecer callado ante la violencia domestica,  violencia intima y violencia en

 nuestros hogares, escuelas y comunidades.

 

Educarme y educar a otros, y desafiar las actitudes

 abusivas que aprueban la falta de respeto o el lenguaje sexista y humillante.

 

Tomar acci?n para prevenir y terminar con todas las formas de violencia,y hacerlo con amor, con compasi?n y sin juzgar.

 

Amaer e inspirar a nuestras familias, amigos y nuestra comunidid; apoyar a nuestros hermanos y jovenes, que necesitan guia 

 

To make this pledge a reality in your community,

 please contact 

CONNECT at 212.683.0015 or [email protected].

Community Meetings
Meetings are subject to change. Please call to confirm.

Monday, June 22 at 7PM
Brooklyn Community Board No. 3
Brooklyn Job Corps Center
585 Dekalb Avenue  Brooklyn, NY 
Phone: (718) 622-6601

Tuesday, June 23 at 7PM
Brooklyn Community Board No. 9
St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf
260 Eastern Parkway Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 778-9279

Wednesday, June 24 at 7PM
79th Precinct Community Council
Brooklyn Job Corps Center 
585 Dekalb Avenue Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 636-6626

Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30PM
78th Precinct Community Council 
78th Precinct - 65 6th Avenue Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 636-6410
Ongoing Constituent Services in the 35th District Office
  • FREE Immigration Services through CUNY Citizenship Now: Tuesdays 10AM - 5PM. Please call (718) 260-9191 to schedule an appointment and get FREE HELP with your immigration questions related to Naturalization and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. All services are confidential and open to any member of the community.
  • FREE Housing Legal Clinic: Second Thursday of the Month 1PM - 6PM. Is your landlord suing you in landlord-tenant court? Do you have questions about repairs, rent stabilization, overcharge, or other rental apartment issues? Meet with an attorney from the Brooklyn Programs of Legal Services NYC. To schedule an appointment, call (718) 260-9191.