P.O. Box 66 Ryder Station, Brooklyn, NY 11234-0066; Hot-Line & Fax (718) 336-7343
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From the Desk of Councilman Lew Fidler
46th DistrictJune 2010
As I write this column, we are in the process of negotiating the budget for the coming fiscal year. Surely, we have to make hard choices as a result of the current economic climate. We cannot spend money we do not have. We will have to cut spending in ways that do not compromise our public safety or other important vital services. As I approach budget negotiations, the needs of my constituents, most of whom are working-class folks or seniors living on fixed incomes, remains my priority.Since I sent out this year’s Budget Survey at the end of April, several hundred of you have responded. I thank you for taking the time to let me know what your priorities are, as this information will help guide me when it comes time to make difficult choices. Overwhelmingly, responses have had a common theme- my constituents feel strongly that cuts should not be made to the essential services provided by NYPD and FDNY, and real estate taxes should not be raised. I commend the Mayor for taking police cuts off the table, and the closing of firehouses has been cancelled, at least temporarily. As many of you know, I voted against the last property tax increase, and I will fight to make sure that property taxes are not raised this year.
The recent budget problems have created a situation where, as I indicated in the Budget Survey, there will be many difficult choices to make and no cut will be a desirable one. I place a special priority, however, on preserving funding for the New York Police Department and the Fire Department of New York.
The NYPD has a daunting task, protecting a city with as many diverse security interests as ours has. And our security, which includes everything from international threats to local crime, is not something that I believe we should compromise on. We must be vigilant never to cut our support of the NYPD down to a level where they are forced to reduce the number of officers or resources available and can no longer adequately serve the city.
The FDNY’s financial problems in fact go back several months, when additional funding measures went into effect to close budget gaps and prevent the closure of firehouses or release of firefighters. The truth is that any additional cuts to FDNY will likely force the Department to make closures and layoffs that the Council has tried so hard to prevent. The price for reduced response times to fires and fewer firefighters on scene is too often measured in losses of life and property. I believe we must do everything in our power to avoid that.
As always, I am here to serve and assist with any matter of importance to the community. Please do not hesitate to call my office at 718-241-9330.
Assemblyman Alan Maisel: End wage discrimination NOW!
Assembly passes pay equity legislationAssemblyman Alan Maisel (D-59th AD) announced today the Assembly passed legislation he sponsored to end gender-based wage discrimination in New York State.
“It’s appalling that New York women still aren’t receiving equal pay for equal work,” Assemblyman Maisel said. “The Assembly has passed legislation for over a decade to address this disgraceful problem, and yet it still isn’t the law in New York. It’s inexcusable and offensive.”
The Assembly bills make it easier to enforce equal pay regulations and establish a state policy of setting salaries based on comparable work.
“It’s the 21st century. Women are dominant in today’s workforce and many are heads of their households. Women work just as hard - and are just as qualified - as men,” Assemblyman Maisel said. “Wages should be based on skill, effort, experience and work conditions - not gender or skin color. Closing the wage gap is the right and fair thing to do.”
The wage gap has changed little since the federal Equal Pay Act was passed in 1963. At that time, women earned 59 cents on the dollar compared to men. As of 2007, that figure had risen to 78 cents on the dollar, showing that the gap has narrowed at the slow rate of less than a half cent per year. Historically, the wage gap is worse for African American women, who earn only 69 cents on the dollar, and Hispanic women, who earn a low 59 cents per dollar for comparable work.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2007, women’s median pay was less than men’s in each and every one of 20 industries and 25 occupation groups. Even men working in female-dominated occupations tend to earn more than women working in those same occupations.
“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this package of bills and for the governor to sign them into law, so we can finally put an end to wage discrimination in New York State,” Assemblyman Alan Maisel said. “It’s well past the time that New York women receive the income, recognition and respect that they deserve.”
Lost and FoundIf you have lost a pet or found one, we now have an outside bulletin board dedicated to lost and found pets. The bulletin board is located outside the Salt Marsh Nature Center. Come by and fill out a card. You can also include a small photo (please put name on the back). We will then post it. No phone calls please.
Pet Bulletin Board
If you have a complaint or a suggestion on how to solve a problem please call M.P.C.A. Hotline @1.718.336.7343.
We cannot offer any help if we do not know who or where to contact you.
All names/phone numbers will be kept confidential.
All Systems Go!
If you have concerns, send us an email MPCA@marineparkcivic.com or .org.
The server has been fixed and ready to go.
For the arrest and conviction of anyone who commits Graffiti VandalismRemember…
Call 911 - To report crimes in progress
Call 311 - To report past crimes and to learn more about the NYPD Graffiti Reward Program
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