4 APRIL 28 – MAY 4, 2017 BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP NYC FERRY APP DEBUTS The New York City Economic Development Corporation and Hornblower, operator of the soon-to-set-sail NYC Ferry, on Wednesday, April 25 announced a brand new app to go along with the waterway service. Available in both the Apple and Google Play stores, the app allows riders to purchase oneway and 30-day passes, and provides access to maps and schedules, as well as real-time notifications and service alerts. It also allows for easy scan-and-go boarding, reducing the use of paper tickets (though ticketing kiosks will also be available at each landing). COOL-DOWN COMING TO CITY SCHOOLS Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña and members of the City Council have announced funding to equip every public school classroom in New York City with a functioning air conditioner by 2022. Approximately 11,500 classrooms across the city do not have functioning air conditioners. Installation in the first cohort of schools will begin the summer. "As a former educator, I have seen firsthand how poor ventilation and uncomfortable temperatures can negatively impact the learning process," said Councilmember Mark Treyger, a former New Utrecht High School teacher. "It makes paying attention in class and staying alert difficult for students while creating undue stress for teachers and school staff. That's why I have been advocating for air conditioners in all of our schools for some time now." Total funding for Fiscal Year 2018 is $5 million, $5.5 million for FY 2019, $6 million for FY 2020 and 2021 and $6.25 million for FY 2022. In addition, the SCA’s five-year Capital Plan includes approximately $50 million for electrical upgrades to support the equipment. LIU BROOKLYN RAISES OVER $40,000 FOR RELAY FOR LIFE Blackbird pride was on display as Long Island University’s Brooklyn campus raised over $40,000 for the American Cancer Society on Friday, April 21 at its second annual Relay for Life event. The fundraiser – which saw well over 300 attendees – included student-run entertainment. Keeping with tradition, LIU’s event also featured a Luminaria Ceremony, in memory of loved ones lost to cancer as well as a survivor and caregiver lap. The event took place at the college’s Steinberg Wellness Center on Flatbush Avenue. —Meaghan McGoldrick BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP/Photo by Jaime DeJesus Residents are concerned about the leaning gate at Bath Beach Park. Leaning fence at Bath Beach Park has residents concerned BY JAIME DEJESUS [email protected] The leaning gate of Bath Beach? Residents of the neighborhood are voicing their concern over what they believe to be a dangerous condition at Bath Beach Park as a gate near the oasis's handball court is leaning precariously and appears ready to fall. “This situation has been an issue for over a year,” said Phyllis Shapiro, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years. “I talked to people that work here from the Parks Department and they promise fix to it, but nothing has been done about it.. This very tall fence is leaning dangerous. A portion up top is no longer attached properly.” The gate is located between the basketball and handball courts, where adults, teens and even children play, and some fear that it could harm them if it gives way. “I saw six kids playing the other day and I told them to move to the other court,” Shapiro added. “I’ve been living here 44 years and I’ve never seen anything like this. The leaning is huge.” Longtime handball players at the park are also dismayed and question why the problem has yet to be fixed. “I play here often and I’ve seen it this way for a couple of years now,” said Ilya S. “It’s leaning over. They had caution tape but I don’t know who took it down. I don’t know if it’s always been as shaky, but sometimes kids see it leaning and I’ve seen then hang on to it and actually bring it down. “I don’t feel too unsafe. It doesn’t look nice though. But of course I would like it to be straightened out at the very least,” he added. “It’s been here so long, I’ve become used to it,” added fellow player Michael Herrera. Shapiro mentioned that neighbors and park employees that she's spoken with have also been worried about the situation. “I spoke to an employee that cleans the park and he said it was dangerous and put up signs to warn people, but they’ve been taken down,” she said. “Another Parks person told me if there’s a big storm, that fence could fall. I think it's leaning more than it has in the past. Why are they waiting for someone to get hurt or killed?” A spokesperson for the New York City Parks Department told this paper that it has determined that the fence is safe; however, it will be repaired. “We can confirm that the fence is stable and in no danger of falling, despite its leaning,” said Parks spokesperson Maeri Ferguson in a statement to this paper. “We expect to repair it within the next year.”
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