A Report to the Residents of the 41st Assemby District

Assemblywoman Weinstein Delivers for the Community

Improved Security

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.

Homecare Success Story

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein often assists constituents with a variety of important services and programs. Mrs. Uchitel, age 99, a resident of Sheepshead-Nostrand Houses, thanked Assemblywoman Weinstein for helping to secure temporary 24-hour homecare assistance, allowing her daughter and son-in-law to go on a long awaited three week vacation to Israel. Ms. Uchitel will be celebrating her 100th Birthday later this year.

Honors Young Hero and Flatbush Shomrim

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joined Deputy Inspector Frank Cangiarella, 63rd Precinct CO and Chaim Deutsch, President of the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol, to honor a young boy whose bravery and courage led to the arrest of his attackers. The Assemblywoman presented the young hero and the Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol with NYS Assembly Certificates in recognition of their service to the community.

Protecting our Drinking Water

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.

Assemblywoman Weinstein
Is Here For You

Healthcare Advocacy Day in Albany

Members of Kings County Hospital Community Advisory Board (KCHCAB) met with Assemblywoman Weinstein in Albany to discuss the impact the Governor’s proposed budget cuts would have on NYC’s Hospitals. Included in the group were community leaders, Terrence LaPierre, KCHCAB Boardmember and Josephine Bolus, New York City Health & Hospital Corporation Boardmember.

Weinstein Leads Efforts Protecting Domestic Violence Victims

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.

Avenue D Lighting

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joined Terrence LaPierre, President of the Avenue D Merchants Association, Councilman Jumaane Williams and community leaders at the annual Holiday Lighting Celebration. The lighting program co-sponsored and funded by the Assemblywoman, helps beautify Avenue D making it safer and a more welcoming destination for shoppers.

Advocacy Day In Albany

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein joined Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny, and a delegation of Russian community leaders to discuss issues of concern, including affordable housing, health and social services, and the need for Russian-language election and voting materials. Members of the delegation included amongst others, Gene Borsh, Director of LOREO, Leonard Petlakh, Executive Director of the Kings Bay YM-YWHA, Dr. Igor Branovan, President of Project Chernobyl, and Nikolay Shiglik of Project Chernobyl.

THE ASSEMBLY'S BUDGET PLAN

The Assembly budget proposal addresses New York’s $9.2 billion budget shortfall through a combination of responsible spending cuts and critical budget reforms, while protecting programs and services that working families depend on and rejecting $1 billion in proposed new taxes and fees.

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.

Community Breakfast

Councilmen Lew Fidler and Jumaane Williams joined Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein at this year’s COJO of Flatbush Annual Breakfast.

Fraser Civic Meeting

At a recent Fraser Civic Association meeting, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein informed members about services available at her community office as well as her important foreclosure assistance legislation that would force lenders to maintain property after they foreclose.

Yeshiva Bake Sale

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein attended Yeshiva Lev Bais Yaakov’s bake sale which benefits the student government and had an engaging conversation with students on the school's rooftop recreational space.

Stand Up and Be Counted!

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.”

National Read Aloud Day

Assemblywoman Weinstein participated in this year’s “National Read Aloud” at PS 326 in the Flatlands community and at PS 52 in Sheepshead Bay. This year’s event, which promotes literacy, celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the modern classic, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Joffe Numeroff.

Sex Offender E-mail Alerts

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.

Honored By COJO of Flatbush

At COJO of Flatbush’s Annual Legislative Breakfast, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein received the Lena Cymbrowitz Distinguished Legislator Award, in recognition of the Assemblywoman’s “...years of outstanding and dynamic leadership, for her commitment to serving her diverse constituents with dignity and sensitivity beyond the call of duty, in the 41st Assembly District.” In presenting the award, community leader, Chaskel Bennett described many of the Assemblywoman’s accomplishments. Also pictured are Leon Goldenberg, Breakfast Chairperson, Yechezkel Pikus, COJO Executive Director and Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz and Moshe Zakheim, COJO President.

Help Us Make Your Streets Safer

Need to report a hazardous street condition?

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.

Flatlands Civic Association

At a recent Flatlands Civic Association meeting, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein informed members about services available at her community office. She also discussed her efforts to improve the safety of the community safety by providing funding to the 63rd Precinct Auxiliary Patrol for purchase of a van.

Discusses Traffic Concerns

Assemblywoman Weinstein confers with NYC Department of Transportation Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Joseph Palmieri and his staff regarding several traffic and road hazards in the district. They had convened to discuss the agency’s Gerritsen Avenue traffic calming plans.

Assemblywoman Weinstein Helps You Save Money

Assemblywoman Weinstein Can Help You Get a Free Cell Phone

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein’s Community Office helps income eligible constituents apply for and obtain a wireless cell phone, (one per household) through the Mobile Assurance Wireless program. Assurance Wireless is a Lifeline Assistance program which provides 200 minutes of local and long distance wireless services to customers each month. Contact Assemblywoman Weinstein’s Community Office for more information and to see if you are eligible.

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein recently joined some of the many constituents her office has assisted in obtaining free cell phones through the Assurance Wireless program.

Help for Job Seekers

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.

Help with Electric Bills

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.

Passover Preparations

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.

Glenwood Tenants

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein addressed attendees at a Glenwood Tenants Association meeting, describing important programs and services offered through her community office.

Celebrates Chinese New Year

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 Helps You Obtain Senior MetroCard

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)