COMMUNITY MAGAZINE May 2008

90 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE Gravesend Park Opens to Fanfare Council Member Simcha Felder and the NYC Parks Department cut the ribbon on renovations to Gravesend Park in Boro Park at 58 th Street between 18 th and 19 th Avenue, right before the Passover holiday. The park was officially re-opened with a new playground and swings, along with new plants and shrubs. The $3 million renovation was funded by Council Member Felder and Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Open just in time for the com- munity to take advantage of the nice weather, Gravesend Park will be a magnificent destination for both chil- dren and seniors,” said Felder. Additionally, Councilman Felder presented the Parks Department with a $2 million check that will be used to renovate the park’s comfort sta- tion. Renovations on the new comfort station will begin soon. Analyzing Accident Sites The Department of Transportation (DOT) will be required to improve conditions at twenty locations around the city that have had the most car accidents, thanks to legislation signed recently by Mayor. Over the last decade, the Department has improved pedestrian and traffic safety, bringing the number of fatalities in the city to historic lows. The Department is now required to conduct annual safety audits of the twenty loca- tions in the city with the most automobile crashes, inspect any loca- tion where five or more injuries involving pedestrians or bicyclists occurred during the prior twelve months, and inspect any location where a traffic crash resulted in a fatality. As well, the DOT will be required to conduct a comprehensive study of traffic crashes involving pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries, identifying trends and common factors among the crashes to aid in furthering efforts to avoid such crashes in the future. NY Cheated by Waste at Homeland Security Pork barrel projects came to light in a new review of the Department of Homeland Security spending published by Congress. The report highlighted the $22,800 purchase of an emergency response vehicle in Cheboygan County, Michigan which the county emergency management director used for his daily commuting, not emergencies. The vehicle did not even have emergency response vehicle markings. Rep. Anthony Weiner, a committee member, also documented that New York City has seen a $70 million reduction in its homeland security funding since 2005, a 35 percent decrease. In 2006 and 2007, 46 cities received money under the funding program. In 2008, the list of eligible cities has grown to 60. Rep. Weiner said that reducing the number of eligible cities to 15 will return the program to its core mission of providing funding to high- threat, high density urban areas. Congestion Tax Exemption for Volunteer Organizations Council Member Simcha Felder assured the community that volunteer organizations traveling in and out of Manhattan were not forgotten in the congestion pricing proposal passed by the New York City Council earlier this week. Community volunteer organizations applauded Councilman Felder for his efforts to accommodate them and the important work they do. Prior to his vote for the proposal, Councilman Felder reached an agreement with the Mayor and the administration that adequate accommodations be made for these important organizations. Since the mea- sure now goes to Albany for state approval, Councilman Felder sent letters toAssembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, and Governor David Paterson to continue to advocate for the volunteer organizations. “I understand the concern shown for the volunteer organizations, but want to reassure the community that I have been working with the Mayor and the administration to secure the accommodations the organizations need,” Felder said. Drug Card Saves 60% New Yorkers aged 50 and older whose income is below $30,000 ($50,000 if married) or who are disabled, can now receive significant discounts when paying for prescription medication thanks to legislation passed by New York State. State Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn), the Chairman of the State Senate Aging Committee, hailed the initiative as, a major victory in his efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs, a measure expected to save over 400,000 New Yorkers between 35% and 60% of current cost. Life in the Big City  ”  Adults from left to right, Parks Assistant Commissioner Edward Lewis, Brooklyn Parks Commissioner Julius Spiegel, Councilman Simcha Felder, NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, CB 12 District Manager Wolf Sender, NYPD 66th Precinct Commanding Officer Deputy Inspector Peter A. DeBlasio with children from PS 48 and Yeshiva Karlin Stolin Councilman Felder speaking Councilman Felder presenting a check to Parks Commissioner Adrian Benep e