This comes from Council Member Letitia James and really seems to be a sign of the times:

Council Member Letitia James Sponsors a Lien Sale Help Session this Thursday

[This] information pertain[s] to a notice sent recently from the Department of Finance, advising property owners that the City may sell debts owed on New York City property taxes and/or water/sewer charges in a lien sale if payment arrangements are not made by May 1st, 2009

On Thursday, April 16th, Council Member Letitia James has arranged for representatives from both the Department of Finance and the Department of Environmental Protection to hold a lien sale help session in the 35th Council District, for property owners to make arrangements to begin payment plans on outstanding debts. Also, please be aware that if you are a senior, or disabled, you may be eligible for a property tax reduction that could prevent the sale of a lien on your property. Properties owned by active duty military personnel may also be removed from the lien sale. Representatives of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development will provide information on low-cost loans as well. The details are as follows:  read more »

This comes from Council Member Letitia James regarding the revelation that some of the AIG bailout money is going to other companies, including to Barclay's to meet their commitment for purchase of naming rights to the Ratner Arena:

(Brooklyn, NY) “Staggering, that is the only word for it,” said Council Member Letitia James upon hearing that controversial Barclay’s Bank is receiving money from the federal bailout of insurance giant AIG. Some of the bailout money would likely be used to meet Barclay’s $400 million commitment to purchase the “naming rights” to Forest City Ratner’s proposed 18,000 seat arena in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

“Here we have a private bank trying to use taxpayer money to put their name all over a privately-held sports arena. That is clearly not what President Obama intended the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) to accomplish. TARP is supposed to get banks lending to small businesses and homeowners, not to bail out a billionaire and his stalled mega-development,” said Council Member James.  read more »

Today was the rally calling for Bruce Ratner to put up or shut up. Brooklyn is getting tired of Ratner making promises then breaking those promises even as he demands more taxpayer money. The rally was well attended, though we came slightly late and were way at the back, so didn't really see the whole crowd.

Chris Owens, President of Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats and Brooklyn Progressive Activist, led the rally. Three groups organized the rally: Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, The Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods, and Brooklyn Speaks. MANY local politicians attended, including some who had previously been pretty solidly behind Ratner. Ratner has worn out his welcome even among his supporters.

Here are some excerpts from the press release from the three organizing groups:  read more »

Seems Councilmembers Letitia James and David Yassky are teaming up to oppose the massive tax giveaways to developer Bruce Ratner. Here's the press release:

[Councilmembers] Yassky and James to Proposed Atlantic Yards Amendment to MSG Tax Resolution

Today at the Finance Committee hearing, the committee will review and vote on Proposed Resolution 90, which asks the State of New York to end the twenty-year-old property tax exemption for Madison Square Garden. If the Council thinks subsidizing MSG is a bad deal fort the City and State, they should take another look at the tax breaks and subsidies being offered to the proposed Atlantic Yards Development: they are even worse.  read more »

Parking is always an issue in NYC. And I am sure you would like a chance to hear what's going on and to speak out to your elected officials about parking. If you live in Brooklyn, there is a forum on Residential parking you might be interested in:

RESIDENTIAL PARKING FORUM
with NYC Department of Transportation
(Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan scheduled)

Monday, February 4, 2008, 7:00 PM
St. Francis College Auditorium
Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights
Subway: 2,3,4,5 (Borough Hall); R (Court Street)

Organized by:

Council Members David Yassky, Letitia James, Bill DeBlasio
Boerum Hill Association, Brooklyn Heights Association, Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association, Clinton Hill Association, Cobble Hill Association, Concord Village, Fort Greene Association, Park Slope Civic Council, Prospect Heights Neighborhood Development Council