Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Working to Keep Our Community Clean

Litter is the problem that just won’t go away. It is an uphill battle to keep our neighborhood clean. Assemblyman Cymbrowitz is working with the NYC Sanitation Department to address the litter issue on our commercial streets. One such effort employs students to keep Emmons Avenue clean. The young people clean the parking medians that no city agency is responsible for, pick up the added litter that summertime crowds leave behind and change the plastic liners of the area’s covered litter baskets. Residential streets should be cleaner now that homeowners have the ability to say "no thank you" to all the advertisements that are left in front of their homes. The Department of Sanitation has begun to enforce a law, that Assemblyman Cymbrowitz fought to get passed, making it illegal to leave advertisements at private houses if the owner has clearly posted a sign stating advertising materials are not to be placed on the property (contact Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ office for a sign). Homeowners wanting to report a violation should call 311.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz with students and staff from PS 370 and Lillian L. Rashkis High School surround one of the many covered litter baskets on their cleaning route in Sheepshead Bay.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Continues to Fight to be Sure EVERY School in His District Receives State Money

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz has fought hard to make sure that ALL schools in his district receive State money. While the City’s public schools received a record increase in State funding including a $622 million hike in foundation aid, private schools also received an increase in State money. The current State budget contains $139.5 million in aid for mandated services in private schools, which includes funding for instructional tools and special education. This is a 10 percent increase over last year’s allocations.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Gets Threatening Branches Cut

Steve Rosenberg of the Brooklyn Public Library’s Midwood branch on East 16th Street showing Assemblyman Cymbrowitz where branches were trimmed from large trees right in front of the entrance to his building. Library staffers were concerned that several of the big branches hanging over the library and sidewalk were dangerous. After getting nowhere with the City’s bureaucracy for several years, Mr. Rosenberg asked Assemblyman Cymbrowitz for help. In less than two weeks the Parks Department, thanks to Brooklyn Commissioner Julius Spiegel, responded, removing the threatening branches.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Gives Local Hospital a High-Tech Mammography Unit

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz has given Beth Israel Medical Center’s Kings Highway Division $100,000 towards the purchase of a digital mammography machine which is more sensitive than older units, enabling it to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, thus saving more lives. The Assemblyman was thanked by the hospital’s Vice President for Administration, Rhona Hetsrony and its Director of Community Affairs, Brad Korn, when he visited the hospital.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ Blood Drive a Success

"Each pint of blood can help as many as five people. That’s why I felt that it was important to provide community members with a convenient way to donate blood,” Assemblyman Cymbrowitz explained. He teamed up with The New York Blood Center to have its blood donation bus parked outside his community office last July. The summer months, with vacation on people’s minds, are traditionally slow for blood donations. “I want to thank everyone who donated blood. Each and every donor truly gave the gift of life,” the Assemblyman stated. Forty donors volunteered and 30 pints of blood were collected, making this blood drive one of The New York Blood Center’s most successful elected official drives.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz thanks local resident for taking the time to save lives by donating blood.

NYC Transit Says Our Station Renovations are Still on Track

NYC Transit has assured Assemblyman Cymbrowitz that major renovations to our local subway stations, which are really total makeovers, will begin this fall, despite the agency’s budget woes. The plans call for the modernization of every Q/B Line station from Avenue H to Neck Road, including the installation of elevators. The renovations will provide us with better and safer stations, however Assemblyman Cymbrowitz voiced his concern over inconvenience to riders during the construction process and was told by NYC Transit that everything was being done to reduce the impact on the riding public. In fact, temporary platforms will be constructed on some stops to eliminate the need to close one direction of the station while the work was being done. "While I welcome this overdue modernization, I want to make sure that NYC Transit not only moves ahead with these improvements, but fully understands that now, more than ever, our community is using the subway system and that every consideration must be given to the riders’ convenience and safety. I also am concerned that the subway’s neighbors, the residents living on East 15th and 16th Streets, are treated properly and experience as little disruption in their daily lives as possible," Assemblyman Cymbrowitz stated. "I believe NYC Transit knows that I intend to hold them to their promise to move ahead with these improvements."

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Hosts NYS Comptroller Visit to Our Community

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz hosted a meeting at which the State’s Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli, came to our community to talk with local residents. The Comptroller said that it was important for him to know what all New Yorkers think—that’s why he made the trip from Albany. He described the many functions of the State Comptroller’s office, including making sure the State’s money is being properly spent, profitably investing billions of dollars of State pension money and being the custodian of unclaimed funds (i.e. bank accounts, security deposits, insurance settlements, etc. that were never claimed by New Yorkers). Comptroller DiNapoli answered questions from the audience after presenting his talk and invited audience members to contact his office if they had any further questions or problems.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, with several of the over 50 community leaders who discussed local issues with the Comptroller, pictured (L-R) Pearl Siegelman, Mike Geller and Bernie Catcher.

Don’t Be Left in the Dark: Television Reception to Change in February

Many televisions will go to black next February 17th, when America’s system of television broadcasting becomes digital. If you don’t have a digital television you may purchase a converter box that will allow your current television to receive the new signal. These major changes are occurring to provide us with clearer pictures and sharper sound. If you want to keep your "old" television, converter boxes are now available that will assure your TV reception next February. Coupons are being issued (a limit of 2 per household) to help defray the cost of the converter box. To request a coupon please call 1-888-388-2009, e-mail www.dtv2009.gov or write to DTV2009, PO BOX 2000, Portland, OR 97208. If you own a new digital television or have a subscription to cable or satellite TV you will not require a converter box, your television should be already capable of picking up the new digital signal.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ Holocaust Contest Continues to Encourage Students to Learn & Think About the Holocaust

More than 800 entries were submitted to Assemblyman Cymbrowitz’ annual Holocaust Art, Essay and Poetry Contest. The entrants were students from our community’s elementary, intermediate and high schools—both public and private. The purpose of the contest is to encourage students to study the Holocaust and then express their thoughts and emotions in either art, essay or poetry form. With fewer Holocaust survivors available to provide firsthand accounts of the atrocities, it is important to find ways, such as this contest, of motivating our young people to research and understand the lessons that are to be learned from this horrible period in history. Pictured with Assemblyman Cymbrowitz, at the award ceremony, which was held during the Holocaust Memorial Committee’s Holocaust Gathering, are students from PS 209, who were first place winners.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Celebrates Flag Day by Presenting Local Schools with Flags that Flew Over the State Capitol

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz presenting an American and New York State flag, that flew over the State Capitol, to students at PS 153 on Homecrest Avenue. The Assemblyman marked Flag Day this year by presenting sets of flags to local schools. Assemblyman Cymbrowitz used the presentation ceremonies to focus attention on the importance of honoring the flag and patriotism.

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Continues to Sponsor Free Health Screenings & Flu Shots

Assemblyman Cymbrowitz is once again sponsoring a series of free health screenings and flu shots in his community office. They are provided by either Beth Israel Medical Center’s Kings Highway Division or Maimonides Medical Center. Please read through the following list and make an appointment for those you would benefit from:

NYS’ 529 College Savings Plan Now Allows More Contributors

Relatives, employers and other interested parties may now help pay for a student’s college education by contributing to a state sponsored college savings account known as a 529 plan. These plans are perfect for birthday, communion or bar mitzvah gifts. A student may now accrue more money than before by expanding who is allowed to contribute. Just about anyone may contribute to a student’s 529 account, but the contributions are only tax deductible for the account owner. Qualified withdrawals for higher-education expenses are tax free and therefore grow faster. Should a plan’s beneficiary decide not to go to college, the funds may be transferred to another family member who is going to college. For additional information about the benefits of saving for college with a 529 Plan either visit www.nysaves.org or call (877) 697-2837.