Ambassador Richard Bernal (left) presents proclamation to Jamaican businessman, Kevin Hendrickson. CHG
Clarke to host ‘Pardon My Vote’ panel discussion
Caribbean Life, NOVEMBER 1-7, 2019 3
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie
said on Friday that he and other
local elected officials last week gave
the New York City Housing Authority
(NYCHA) an ultimatum to conduct
repairs and address residents’
concerns at the Reid Senior Apartments
in Crown Heights, “and they
listened”, at least for once.
“On Wednesday evening, we were
visiting the Reid Senior Apartments
in Crown Heights for one of our
regular walkthroughs of the NYCHA
facilities in our district. When the
residents brought me to the second
floor, I was horrified and outraged by
what I saw,” said Myrie, representative
for the 20th Senatorial District,
which includes Crown Heights, in an
email message to constituents.
“Seven weeks after a fire had ravaged
the second floor, the tenants
were still waiting for NYCHA to repair
the damage,” he added. “The hallway
was covered in soot, the pipes
exposed, and the smell of fumes and
chemicals fresh. Nearly two months
after the fire, the conditions were still
this bad. It was unconscionable.
“We immediately reached out to
NYCHA, then got on Twitter and told
them publicly that if we did not see
a response in 24 hours, there would
be hell to pay,” Myrie continued. “By
Thursday morning, NYCHA’s crew
was at work. We went back today
and saw the hallway had been fully
cleaned up and covered with fresh
paint.”
Myrie urged residents to not to stay
quiet if they are experiencing problems
in their homes.
“Join with your neighbors, lift up
your voice, or reach out to our office,
and we will fight for our community
together,” he said.
But the newly-elected senator said
that was not the end of the fight for
the seniors at Reid Apartments.
By Nelson A. King
The United States House of Representatives
has honored renowned
Jamaican businessman, Kevin Hendrickson,
managing director of The
Courtleigh Hospitality Group (CHG)
in Kingston, the Jamaican capital, for
being “a courageous, resilient, intelligent
and loving community leader, and
as a valued member of the community
who dedicated his time to ensuring
the betterment of his employees and
customers.”
According to CHG, the US Congressional
Proclamation was signed
by Democratic Congresswoman Yvette
D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican
immigrants, who represents the 9th
Congressional District in Brooklyn.
“A continual effort to strengthen
local communities here in Jamaica is
at the heart of our business model,”
said Hendrickson in a statement. “We
take great pride in giving back to local
charities, engaging our guests to do the
same, and empowering staff involved in
community service programs.
“It is particularly gratifying to see
that our efforts have resonance within
the US House of Representatives,” he
added. “I’m truly honored to receive
this proclamation on behalf of my family,
our dedicated staff and partners.”
A veteran of 35-odd years in the
Jamaica hospitality industry, CHG
said on Wednesday that Hendrickson
owns and operates the majority of
hotel accommodations in Kingston
(870 rooms).
His CHG comprises The Courtleigh
Hotel & Suites, The Knutsford Court
Hotel, The Jamaica Pegasus and the
former Wyndham Kingston Hotel (now
in re-development).
CHG said Hendrickson’s hospitality
portfolio also includes the 512-room
Holiday Inn Resort® Montego Bay, “a
property long renowned for providing
Jamaica’s best all-inclusive vacation
value.”
“Personalized service and excellent
value are hallmarks of every Hendrickson
owned hotel, ensuring optimal
guest satisfaction,” the statement said.
“Mr. Hendrickson employs a handson
approach to maintaining the high
service levels for which his properties
are known.
“Whether greeting guests in the
lobby, overseeing new construction,
or serving on the buffet line, Mr. Hendrickson
is never above doing whatever
it takes to provide the ultimate guest
experience,” it added.
A strong believer in giving back to
the community, CHG said Hendrickson
also supports numerous charitable
organizations, including Missionaries
of the Poor, the Jamaica Cancer Society,
The Salvation Army and Food for
the Poor.
Work being done on the second
fl oor of the Reid Apartment after
NYCHA was called out.
Offi ce of Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie
US House honors Jamaican
businessman Kevin Hendrickson
NYCHA
responds to
ultimatum
By Nelson A. King
Brooklyn Democratic Congresswoman
Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) says she will
host a panel discussion on Friday in her
district, at Medgar Evers College, focusing
on voting rights for the formerly
incarcerated and currently paroled community
in New York.
The congresswoman said “Pardon My
Vote” is an educational initiative aimed
at educating New York State residents,
who were formerly incarcerated and/or
currently paroled, “on the restoration of
their voting rights through a conditional
voting pardon that was issued in an Executive
Order by New York State Governor
Cuomo in 2018.”
Celebrity guests during the panel discussion
include actress Naturi Naughton
of the STARZ Original “Power” and rapper
Casanova of RocNation.
Clarke the event is in collaboration
with NYS Sens. Kevin Parker and Zellnor
Myrie; Assemblywomen Latrice Walker
and Diana Richardson; Assemblyman
Walter Mosley; Councilwomen Alicka
Ampry-Samuel and Laurie Cumbo;
Councilman Mathieu Euguene; Chuck
Creekmur of AllHipHop.com; activist
Shanduke McPhatter of Gangstas Making
Astronomical Community Change; and
Dr. Jasmine Young, of Monroe College.
The panel discussion runs from 1:00
pm- 4:00 pm in the college’s Founders
Auditorium, 1650 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn.
/AllHipHop.com