State Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, who represents Brooklyn Heights and nearby neighborhoods, will have another of her “Java with Jo Anne” sessions, this one on line or by telephone only, this Thursday, July 28, from 9:30 to 11:00 am. She will be discussing many matters of local concern, inviting local residents to express their views and to bring up any topics not on her agenda. A representative of the City Department of Health will join her to discuss the monkeypox outbreak, and there will be information on how to get vaccinated or tested. There will also be an update on COVID. Issues concerning the Supreme Court’s decisions on reproductive rights and gun control are also on the agenda, along with information about the upcoming primary election on August 23, including deadlines for registration and for requesting and mailing or dropping off absentee ballots, and dates for early voting. As you may be aware, Ms. Simon is a candidate for the Democratic nomination to serve in the U.S. Congress from the 10th Congressional District, which includes Brooklyn Heights. BHB is not endorsing her, or any other candidate. We urge you to look at the qualifications and positions of each candidate and decide for whom you will vote. Meanwhile, unless and until she wins election to Congress, Ms. Simon remains a voice for the Heights in Albany
One issue of particular concern to Heights residents that is on the agenda for Thursday’s discussion is the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Ms. Simon agrees with Mayor Adams’ decision to proceed quickly with developing a long term plan for the highway, including the now crumbling part adjacent to the Heights. However, she is concerned about the decision, as reported by the New York Times, by “city officials” that “longer-term repairs, like extensive work on bridge decks and joints, will no longer be necessary” during the projected five year planning period for the new BQE. Ms. Simon, noting that “[t]he triple cantilever has been on life support since 2018″, believes it is important that the “extensive” stabilization work proceeds without delay.
If you want to participate in the discussion, RSVP by phone to 718-246-4889 or on line to the address shown on the page Andrew Porter has shared in his comment below. (Thanks, Andrew. I can’t put it in the text here, because WordPress turns it into a hot link that, if followed, goes to a Google doc that exposes my and my wife’s email addresses.) “The Zoom link (or phone number if you don’t have zoom) will be emailed on the morning of the event to those who RSVP.”
