Photo by Kathryn Kirk

Photos by Kathryn Kirk

Not to be out done, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz handed out gelt to all the kids on hand.

As usual, Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin of Congregation B’nai Avraham played host. In addition to Sen. Squadron and Marty, Council Member Stephen Levin, Council Member David Greenfield, Council Member Letitia James and Council Member Jumaane Williams attended.

Meanwhile, the wee ones at Kiddie Korner have created their own menorahs to celebrate. Check out more here.

Our man in the NYS Senate Daniel Squadron handed out candy (aka Squadron Bars) to costumed kids at yesterday’s Pierrepont Playground Halloween Parade. Brooklyn Beep Marty Markowitz was on hand as well. He amped up the crowd by mentioning Travel + Leisure Magazine had named the Heights one of America’s Most Beautiful Neighborhoods. He also made sure to note that Brooklyn has been declared the coolest city in America by GQ Magazine. And that’s when some guy yelled out, “Secede now!” Ok, that was me.

Photo: Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz at yesterday’s event. Photo: Mrs. Fink.

BHB reader Quinn Raymond submitted this report from Daniel Squadron’s Transit Forum held last night:

I attended the Transit Forum tonight that Senator Dan Squadron’s office organized. It was very well put together, and turnout was around 50 or so. Squadron himself moderated, Assemblymember Millman as well as reps from the MTA and DOT answered questions from a predominantly DUMBO crowd who were fairly riled up about the B25 going down their street. The 84th precinct and Councilmember Levin were slated to attend as well but the former didn’t show and the later didn’t arrive until after it was over. Non-panel attendees included John Dew from CB2, Dan Wiley from Rep. Nydia Velazquez’s office, and reps from numerous civic organizations.

Most of the issues raised were DUMBO-related, although people also brought up disability access concerns, and the constant friction on the Brooklyn Bridge between bikes and pedestrians. Some pointed to the numerous fundraising walks, tourists, and souvenir vendors exacerbating the problem.

I brought up the issue of the MTA’s funding repeatedly being cut and raided by Albany, which has resulted in massive service cuts and maintenance issues. I was rather surprised that few in the audience seemed particularly concerned by this and instead focused on their own immediate local concerns, not realizing that the two are related.

Senator Squadron and Assemblymember Millman both pledged to fight for additional streams of revenue for the MTA to stave off fare increases, although some in the transit community are unsatisfied with Millman’s commitment to mass transit. Squadron and Millman also advocated for the so-called lockbox legislation, which would prevent MTA funds from being raided by Albany. Hopefully there will be better results in future budget negotiations, or subway and bus service will get even worse while fares increase.

Later Squadron voiced his support for a water ferry from Atlantic Ave. He pointed that the current East River ferries are funded by the EDC (Economic Development Corporation), so the money would have to come from them.

In my opinion the reps from the MTA and DOT were precise, articulate, and forthright. Both Squadron and Millman were responsive in their answers, and they all made an effort to stay late and answer everyone’s questions. I hope they do more of these in the future, perhaps closer to the Brooklyn Heights area next time.

This just in from our man in the NYS Senate, Daniel Squadron:

Dear Friend:

Tomorrow afternoon, I will be hosting the first-ever interactive public forum on ethics reform–and I want you to join me!

Since January, we have been calling on the Republican Senate majority to call hearings on ethics reform. They have refused. That’s why, as the leading Democrat on the Investigations and Government Operations Committee, I called this ethics forum under the Senate rules.

In addition to being the first opportunity for a public hearing on ethics in two years, the forum will let all New Yorkers be part of the discussion: you can submit questions via twitter, facebook and e-mail.

Mayor Ed Koch has already expressed his plan to tweet questions –I want to hear from you too!

You can watch the forum in real time at 1pm tomorrow at www.livestream.com/nysendems, and you can submit questions starting right now via Twitter, Facebook and e-mail–just tweet them to @NYSenDems, using the hashtag #AlbanyEthics, or submit them on the facebook page www.facebook.com/NYSenDems, or e-mail them toNYSenDems@gmail.com.

As I’ve said many times, reforming Albany is a vital priority because a better state government will be more able to make a difference in the everyday lives of New Yorkers. In addition to ethics and independent redistricting, in the last few weeks of the session we must pass marriage equality, extended and expanded rent laws, and other important legislation. (Click here to watch a new video in which I join with colleagues to push for improved rent laws.)

I hope to see you around the neighborhood–and via Twitter, Facebook and livestream at the ethics forum tomorrow afternoon!

Best,

Daniel

Daniel Squadron

State Senator

25th Senate District

WPIX-TV who covered our fight against tourist helicopter noise last Spring, were back here today investigating the recent resurgence in activity.   Correspondent Monica Morales spoke to Brooklyn Bugle Media founder John “Homer Fink” Loscalzo and NYS Senator Daniel Squadron about the issue.

Earlier today, Squadron demanded that tour operators comply “100 percent” with a deal they struck with the  city last year.

One of the main concerns of Squadron and the Brooklyn Heights Association is that citizen complaints to 311 are being ignored or at the very least not being logged properly.

BHB reader/DUMBO resident @epc has set up an Google doc for residents to log their helicopter noise complaints. This shouldn’t be used in lieu of calling 311, but in conjunction with making that call. Click here for the form.

The BHA released this report outlining issues with 311:

Brooklyn Height Association, Inc.
December 8, 2010

Problems with the current 311 Complaint System for helicopters:
It is not truly part of the NYC 311 system; no reference number is given.
A test sampling of 21 phone calls to the 311 system in October 2010 shows that four were not in the final record, a loss factor of 19%.
Complaints on-line provide a space for comments but the comments are not accepted by the system when the user files the complaint and thus do not appear in the final report. The report shows “N/A”
The system makes no provision to complain about the noise from the DMH, only helicopters in flight. The roar of up to five helicopters at a time idling on the tarmac is the source of much of the noise yet the system will not accept this complaint.
The system accepts only one helicopter complaint for one instant of time. Some of our complaints lodged referenced four flybys by four different helicopters or 30 minutes of roaring noise from the DMH; all this is not reflected in the record.
Requiring the caller to listen to the script about the 311 helicopter complaint system slows down the process and is annoying.
The system is not designed to capture the 100 to 300 daily low-altitudes (i.e. below the radar, under 1500 feet) helicopter flyovers over the densely populated Brooklyn Heights neighborhood. These helicopters seem to be transient flights not originating nor destined for DMH. They are not following FAA controlled routes and are flying low over densely populated areas.

Suggestions:
Integrate the helicopter complaint system into the 311 system and provide a reference number for complaints
Correct the on-line system to record comments
Expand the list of complaint categories to include noise emanating from the DMH, time duration, multiple helicopter complaints, and transient helicopter complaints.
Remove the reading of the introductory speech about the EDC.

Daniel Squadron (Brooklyn Eagle photo) and Jesse Strauss (mcbrooklyn photo) at P.S. 8 on Wednesday

The first day of school at P.S. 8 yesterday drew many local candidates who know the power of the pre-teen vote. Or somethin’. In attendance yesterday were our man in the NYS Senate Daniel Squadron, Democratic district leader candidates Jesse Strauss and Steve Williamson as well as Democrat/P.S. 8 parent Doug Biviano who is challenging Assemblymember Joan Millman in Tuesday’s primary.

Doug Biviano

Ask State Assembly Candidate Doug Biviano about himself, and the first thing he’ll say is he’s a P.S. 8 parent who was born and raised in Brooklyn. Then, almost as if to prove it, he’ll ask the waitress at Heights Café to bring him a Brooklyn Brewery beer.

A Cornell grad, civil engineer, husband, and father of three, Biviano, 41, made a brief sojourn out to Colorado before settling down ten years ago in Brooklyn Heights. Now the superintendent at 169 Columbia Heights, Biviano, whose preppy good looks seem well-suited for a career in politics, recalled fondly his campaign for city council last year.

“It was exhausting, it was exhilarating, it was intense,” he said between sips of beer and bites of pizza. “The highs were really high, the lows were super low. Every mistake you make is amplified.”

Though he lost that primary race to Stephen Levin, who went on to win the general election, Biviano made a name for himself in the neighborhood, and even secured an endorsement from Rep. Dennis Kucinich. He’s hoping to capitalize on that reputation by running again for office, this time on the statewide level as he challenges the popular Assemblywoman Joan Millman for the Democratic nomination.

“The fix is in—they’ve perfected a system,” Biviano said, voicing the common complaint that 98 percent of incumbents seeking reelection return to Albany each election cycle. Not only does this “system” protect the incumbents, but in Biv’s view, it also hurts the people.

As an example, he pointed to a recent debate between himself and Millman, where Millman, who ascended to the Assembly in a 1997 special election, defended a colleague who had failed to disclose additional income he makes as an attorney.

“She should be defending us,” Biviano observed.

Biviano with "Millman"

Another glaring flaw in his adversary: Millman, a former educator, is not only “double-dipping” he claims by receiving both her teacher’s pension and a salary for her position in the Legislature.  He also believes she lied in the debate by claiming she could not defer the pension payments, when in fact she can.

“Instead of Joan Millman setting an example, setting the bar…she’s at the core of what’s wrong with Albany,” said Biviano.

He’s garnered some attention of late for releasing a video complaining about the lack of media attention given those challenging “the bums” in Albany, as Biviano likes to call them. In fact, he noted that the Brooklyn Heights Blog was the only outlet to approach him for an extended interview.

With negligence like that, Biviano argued, “How do they expect anybody to throw the bums out?”

Though he’s quick to drop the names of local pols done wrong (Millman, Pedro Espada, Jr, Sheldon Silver), Biviano admires relative newcomer Daniel Squadron, the State Senator who fought off longtime incumbent Marty Connor in the 2008 Democratic primary.

“How do you effect change? I think he’s struggling with that,” Biv said of Squadron. “He could potentially become a target because I think he truly wants to reform Albany. I’d like to work with him.”

In Biviano’s opinion, the biggest problems facing the 52^nd Assembly District he hopes to represent are the economy; the MTA’s budget cuts; the development of Brooklyn Bridge Park; and the lack of middle school options in the region. He favors term limits for local politicians (“Eight to ten years seems reasonable,” he said), and is open to the idea of residential parking permits.

Biviano with Kucinich in 2009

On his website, Biviano lays out his plan to fix the MTA by refinancing its long-term debt and saving more than $700 million a year in interest. He also pledges to eliminate corruption in Albany by way of “active representation of the people,” and by forcing all elected New York State and New York City elected officials to fully disclose their income.

Admittedly apolitical prior to 9/11, Biviano was stirred to attention by what he realized was “a systematic failure of leadership we have in our governments.” He believes everybody needs a good dose of civics, and that getting involved in the political process can be empowering.

Having secured his spot on the primary ballot on September 14, Biviano promised he’d be a politician people could trust. “I am beholden to nobody,” he said. “I can go up there with complete independence.”

And this might be his last shot; Biviano has no plans to run for public office again. “Not if my wife has any say,” he added, leaving the door open, of course, as any good politician should.

Brooklyn Heights resident and NYS Assembly candidate Doug Biviano has written an Op-Ed piece for the Brooklyn Paper:

Brooklyn Paper: Coupled with the state’s arcane election law, it is virtually impossible for challengers to win. Legally complicated by design, election law is used by the incumbents to throw hundreds of challengers off the ballot, resulting in 98 percent being re-elected no matter how bad of a job they are doing, no matter how badly they hurt us and the state.

Assemblywoman Millman is directly responsible for this crisis in democracy because she chairs the Assembly’s Election Law Committee, the sole chairperson who has the power to affect real reform, yet she has done nothing of substance and has not been held one bit accountable, not even for her $12,500 lulu. But has the broken election law that Millman protects knocked off challengers with the skills to fix this state? Yes.

NYS Senator Daniel Squadron writes a counter-point to Biviano:

Brooklyn Paper: So, how can we fix it? Can it even be fixed?

After 18 months in the Senate, I know that it can.

The truth is, despite ongoing frustration — on the budget, campaign finance reform, housing, buses and subways, and other issues — I do believe the senate has already achieved some important victories. We passed comprehensive ethics reform out of the legislature, including my bill to close the “Bruno Gap,” making it illegal for public officers to use government resources for outside, for-profit business.

We implemented rules reform to improve the legislative process, including a more equitable allocation of resources and a greater ability for rank-and-file members to get bills voted on in committees and before the entire house. And these procedural changes have been matched by some significant policy successes, including reform of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, new oversight of public authorities, a green jobs program, and the bill I sponsored to federalize 21 public-housing developments and bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in federal aid.

Something really did come “off” after yesterday’s news that the BHA hadn’t been filled in about the Economic Development Corporation’s reported plan to curb tourist helicopter noise over Brooklyn Heights.

Sources tell BHB that the EDC is currently reaching out to elected officials and others to begin the process of formulating a plan.  In other words, there is no plan but there’s plan to make a plan.

NYS Senator Daniel Squadron (D-SD 25) tells BHB via e-mail, “As Brooklyn Heights residents know all too well, the concentration of tourist helicopter flights at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport has raised serious concerns about safety and quality of life. I am pleased that, in response to our advocacy and the advocacy of Brooklyn and Manhattan community members, EDC is willing to meet with local officials to begin discussion on a much-needed comprehensive plan. We must act quickly to reach a solution that is safe and works for our community.”

Via e-mail earlier today, EDC spokesperson Dave Lombino told our Julie Kanfer, “We’re not going to detail any more of the ongoing discussions about helicopters at this time.”

So bottom line – EDC is thinking about having a meeting, but haven’t hit “send” on the Outlook invite. Stay tuned.

BHB photo by C. Scales

Following the Senator’s opening remarks, the audience scattered through the labyrinthine BMCC building to rooms where sessions on particular topics were being held. Your correspondent chose the session on “quality of life” issues. The moderator for the discussion began by asking everyone to introduce themselves and state what issues they wanted to discuss. The group proved to be diverse, including, for example, nightclub and restaurant owners as well as community residents concerned about crime and noise. I identified myself as living in Brooklyn Heights, and said I was interested in discussing solutions to the helicopter noise problem. Another man, who lives on the Manhattan side near the South Street Seaport, said he was also very concerned about this issue. A third attendee noted that, in addition to noise, helicopters also posed safety and security concerns.

Other issues discussed in the quality of life session included disruption and safety issues connected with construction, street closures and traffic, and film shoots. Lack of planning, as well as failure of city agencies to coordinate properly, were blamed for many problems. “If only existing rules were enforced” was an often heard refrain. Senator Squadron joined the group and listened briefly.

BHB contributor T.K. Small also attended the convention, and went to the session on transportation. He gives this report:

I sat in on the transportation session. Our group was fairly lively and the conversation was interesting. People were very steamed about the upcoming cuts to various bus lines (including me, as I use the B 51 frequently). At issue moment in the conversation, we got sidetracked into a “blame the unions” diversion. This was kind of funny in light of the presence of a Transit Workers Union representative. The union rep blamed everything on the MTA board. Some of the more substantive suggestions related to discussions concerning dedicated funding streams, such as, congestion pricing, a commuter tax, gas tax (from me), corporate sponsorship of stations and bonding. The other major topic of our group generally was in trying to make the cuts more equitable. Also, Sen. Squadron came by and joined us for a few minutes as well.

Following the breakout sessions, we went to a reception, at which Senator Squadron spoke again, then introduced U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, who talked briefly about accomplishments in Washington, especially health care. He also mentioned the helicopter issue, and said he was in communication with the Federal Aviation Administration about this matter.

BHB reader Drew Burchenal is flippin’ mad about the constant flow of tour company helicopters flying over Brooklyn Bridge Park and Brooklyn Heights every day. We recently proposed a 4 hour quiet period and no night flights and Mr. Burchenal asks for at least reduction in flights in his letter if not a total ban.  The BHA also seeks a total ban. (Our final proposal will be based on your input so please go here to discuss.)

In a letter to State Senator Daniel Squadron, City Councilmember Steve Levin and others, Burchenal says, “The helicopters zoom right overhead like a scene out of Apocalypse Now. This community has worked for 20 years to get that park going and Mayor Bloomberg, with the help of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, ruined the whole atmosphere with the stroke of a pen.”

He also created a YouTube video of the crazy helicopter traffic to bolster his case. Read his full letter and see the video after the jump.

On April 1st, 2010 Liberty Tours started operating all their Helicopter Tours from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH). The impact was immediately apparent in Brooklyn. The skies above us turned into something out of a war film. You can often see 4-5 helicopters in the air, and another 5-6 idling on the pad. On a recent trip to the waterfront I observed helicopters descending and ascending at a rate of 1 every 45 seconds. Take a look at this video to see what I mean…

Every chopper in the area affects the historic Brooklyn Promenade. The tourist choppers are the worst because they fly up and down the waterfront and leave on such a regular basis. Their incessant roar makes conversation on the Promenade unbearable. Things are even worse at the newly opened Brooklyn Bridge Park. The helicopters zoom right overhead like a scene out of Apocalypse Now. This community has worked for 20 years to get that park going and Mayor Bloomberg, with the help of the NYC Economic Development Corporation, ruined the whole atmosphere with the stroke of a pen.

The narrowness of the river, between two densely packed landmasses, is an acoustic nightmare. The sound reverberates off the tall buildings in that tight corridor and can be heard throughout Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. The roar from these choppers arrives long before you see them and stays long after they disappear. The orientation of the heliport means pilots approach low and idle low over Brooklyn. The only way they can take off is to head straight at the promenade or the park. In short, the decision to move the flights here from Chelsea was misguided.

We’ve been told by Patricia Ornst at the EDC that the tax revenue is more important than our quality of life. I hope you value our well being more than that, and can find a solution. I urge you to ask Mayor Bloomberg to reinstate Mayor Giuliani’s Ban on Chopper Tours. We all know that tourists will come and spend money in this city with or without helicopter tours. If that is off the table, then reduce the flights to a small window during the day. The bottom line is this, no flight path along that East River corridor is acceptable. As long as tourist tours land at DMH, there are going to be noise issues in Brooklyn Heights, in Dumbo, on The Promenade, and at the new park. The only solution to the noise problem is a reduction in the number of flights.

Yesterday, NYS Senator Daniel Squadron took to the floor in support of the state’s ultimately failed bill in support of marriage equality.

“It’s such a small bill, just a couple of pages,” he said. “But it’s a very powerful bill.” Squadron goes on to describe his recent marriage, which he described as the “most powerful and moving experience in my life.” In the end, the bill was voted down 38-24.

Squadron sent out this e-mail to his supporters:

Today was capped with a grave disappointment for me, as marriage equality was defeated on the floor of the Senate. I voted, and argued, and fought for passage of the bill. I am deeply disappointed that we did not win marriage equality this afternoon, but I am committed to winning over my colleagues, bringing the bill back to the floor, and expanding equal rights to all New Yorkers.

The Brooklyn Heights Association met with the Economic Development Corporation and the Federal Aviation Administration Friday (10/30) to voice its concern over the planned increase in tourist helicopter flights over the area.   BHA Executive Director Judy Stanton tells the Brooklyn Paper they left the meeting with a “lot less than expected.”

Brooklyn Paper: A decade of complaints about the existing noise led to the Oct. 30 meeting with the Economic Development Corporation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Brooklyn Heights Association, state Sen. Daniel Squadron (D-Brooklyn Heights), Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights) and Assemblywoman Joan Millman (D-Carroll Gardens). But all that the chopper opponents learned at the confab was that there is very little accountability where helicopters are involved.

“We came out of the meeting with a lot less than we expected,” said Judy Stanton, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association.

But Squadron was happy to have been at the table, seeing it as a first step towards trimming non-essential tourist flights.

“We’re working on ending the lack of government oversight of the helicopter business,” he said. “The best way to do this will be to have helicopter companies, the EDC and the FAA at the table.”

Below: BHB/Scales; Above: BHB/Portlock

Now that the Albany legislative coup is over, our man (formerly “kid”) in the State Senate, Daniel Squadron, can finally focus on his wedding.

This weekend, Squadron will marry his longtime girlfriend, Liz Weinstein, who works in the mayor’s Office of Operations. Daniel and his staff have been very, very tightlipped about any further details surrounding the event, other than to say it’s happening and it’s happening in Manhattan.

But this much we know: Squadron was on the floor of the Senate, voting on 135 bills until 2 am Friday morning, less than 48 hours before his wedding.

The month-long coup that has ground Albany to a halt officially ended on Thursday at 3 pm, when the first regular legislative session since the coup started on June 8 was called to order. Senators then stayed on the floor until they voted on all 135 bills that had been suspended, pending the conflict’s resolution.

And before that, Squadron has been in Albany for the past three weeks — every day, including July 4 — in special sessions called by Governor Paterson.

In a New York Magazine article in January, he said that Weinstein was behind his decision to run for Senate. “I think we were both really worried about what it would mean in terms of how much time we could have together, but she was supportive.”

Best of luck to the new couple!

We called NYS Senator Daniel Squadron this morning to get his thoughts on yesterday’s state senate coup, and spokesman John Raskin says Squadron is in conference with his Democratic colleagues and can talk later this afternoon. We will keep you posted.

UPDATE: Squadron’s chief of staff, John Raskin, just sent us this statement:

“As you know, Senator Squadron supports a Democratic State Senate because it is a vital component of reaching the most important goals in our community and our city. This is no time to retreat on such long-held priorities as investing in education, improving public transportation, and creating a more transparent and accountable state government.”

This morning on The Brian Lehrer Show, State Senator Daniel Squadron  spoke about why he wants to bring a residential parking permit system to New York City. Jay Rowell, deputy director of the Chicago City Clerk’s office, and Judson True, spokesperson for the San Francisco Municipal Transit Authority, discuss how it works in their cities–and whether it’s a moneymaker.

Read about the plan to bring residential parking permits to New York in the Brooklyn Paper and Second Avenue Sagas.

State Senator Daniel Squadron’s office just sent BHB an update of his busy week in Albany, and what he’s been up to in the last month of his first legislative season. Per the email:

Just to keep you updated about this week’s news in Albany: to much fanfare, Daniel introduced two major ethics reform bills, one on Tuesday and one just this morning.

Here’s some background on the first, which reforms ethics oversight: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/senate-leader-pushes-for-income-disclosure/

…and an article about Daniel’s second ethics bill, which makes lawmakers disclose more information about their outside sources of income: http://www.politickerny.com/3860/squadron-my-form-already-public-why-isnt-yours

Finally, for the multimedia presentation, video of Daniel from two hours ago in Albany, discussing his income disclosure bill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF-Bk3FFTHQ

Riverside Apartments resident Brad Smith (at right in photo) opened today’s Willowtown Spring Fair with a short speech about the life and accomplishments of Alfred T. White, the Heights resident and philanthropist responsible for the building of Riverside and of other affordable housing complexes in Brooklyn. Listening were (right to left) State Sen. Daniel Squadron, State Assembly Member Joan Millman, City Council candidate Jo Anne Simon, and City Council Member (and Mayoral candidate) Tony Avella.

Following his speech, Smith led those gathered for the fair on a short march down Joralemon Street from Willow Place to the courtyard between the Riverside buildings and the wall below the elevated BQE, where a grove of trees and garden is threatened by the plan of Riverside’s owner to build a parking garage. There, several neighborhood residents spoke against the plan, and a panel honoring White was hung around the trunk of one of the threatened trees by Willowtown Association Board member Jean Campbell (at left in photo above) and Riverside resident Amanda Trees.

Later in the day, incumbent City Council Member, and City Comptroller candidate, David Yassky, and City Council Candidate Ken Baer, also visited the Fair.

(BHB/Sarah Portlock)

Brooklyn Heights is not a parking lot — that’s the message elected officials shouted from the steps of Borough Hall on Friday morning.

State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman recently introduced joint bills in Albany outlining a proposal to allow residential permit parking in the surrounding neighborhoods, and a who’s who of Brooklyn Heights’ political elite stood behind them to rally support.

The bill — the full text of which is here [pdf] — calls for residents to purchase permits “for a nominal fee,” Millman added later, that would allow them to park on 80-percent of residential streets throughout the neighborhood. Commercial streets would still have metered parking. The permits would arguably keep commuters who drive to work in the Heights away from the streets, and raise revenue for the city and MTA coffers, Squadron said. Under the bill, fines for illegal parking would go to the city, but the permit revenue would go to the MTA to improve the bus and subway systems.

“This plan is a classic win-win-win: it protects the community, it cuts congestion, and it provides revenue for public transit,” he explained.

The bill must first pass the state legislature before it goes to the city, and Councilman David Yassky vowed to help it sail through the Council. The specifics of how the plan would work would be up to the relevant communities, and those details will be sorted out during the public hearing process, should the bill be passed, Millman said.

As state lawmakers haggle over budget issues, our man in the State Senate, Daniel “Kid” Squadron, took to the floor to make his case.

So, the MTA board voted yesterday for subway, bus and train fares to go up, on average, 23% by this summer, but there’s still time to reverse those changes if the New York State legislature pulls through and comes up with an alternate solution. What are our representatives doing up in Albany to make sure that happens? Brooklyn Heights Blog will talk with NYS Senator Daniel Squadron and NYS Assemblywoman Joan Millman today to get those questions answered.

In the meantime, Squadron’s office sent this over, per his senior advisor, John Raskin:

What is Senator Squadron doing to avoid this disastrous proposal for fare hikes and service cuts?  EVERYTHING HE POSSIBLY CAN.  It’s an uphill battle, but he is aggressively talking with his fellow legislators every day to try to find a viable solution that can get passed quickly into law.  He has made clear that he will support even an imperfect solution if it staves off the fare hikes and service cuts.

We just got an email from NYS Senator Daniel Squadron’s office about his Brooklyn Bridge Park meeting in which he will unveil his vision for the park. Work in Albany calls, and he has now postponed this week’s meeting but added a second. The meetings are tonight, Friday, at 5:30 pm at Borough Hall, and Sunday, April 5 at 3 pm, place TBD.

The email reads, in full:

Hello everyone,

After all our efforts to reschedule Senator Squadron’s Brooklyn Bridge Park presentation, we were just thrown for another loop: as of this afternoon, the Senate has to be in Albany on Sunday to go back to work on the budget — at exactly the time we had rescheduled our meeting.

Despite our schedule trouble, we are trying to accomplish two goals at once:

1) Senator Squadron wants to present his plan as soon as possible, so that the information is public and community members have a chance to discuss it with him

2) Senator Squadron also wants to make sure everyone gets a chance to see his proposal and ask questions and discuss it with him, and worries that a meeting too soon will not allow everyone to attend

So our best idea is to schedule TWO presentations — one now and one after a little while — to give community members ample opportunity to see and digest the plan.

Please join us for EITHER or BOTH of the following meetings:

•    Friday, March 20th
5:30 p.m.
Borough Hall conference room, 1st Floor

•    Sunday, April 5th
3:00 p.m.
Location TBD

At both meetings, Senator Squadron will present his plan and answer questions from community members who attend.

Thank you for your patience as we try to give everyone an opportunity to join Senator Squadron as he presents his proposal for Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Best,

Ellen

–
Ellen Whelan-Wuest
Brooklyn Office Director
State Senator Daniel Squadron

209 Joralemon, Room 240
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 802-3818

NYS Senator Daniel Squadron will hold a community meeting on Sunday at 3 pm to outline his plan for what he wants to see in Brooklyn Bridge Park. The location is TBD; check back here for updates.

(The meeting was originally scheduled for tonight, but work is busy in Albany and Squadron wanted to be sure he’d be on time, his spokesman said.)

BHB Photo Club member JBary writes:

Brooklyn politicians and activists eulogize the death of the M and R train line. Speakers in order are:

Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President
Daniel Squadron, New York State Senator
Michael Burke, Downtown Brooklyn Partnership
Paul Nelson, Assemblywoman Joan Millman’s Chief of Staff

Video after the jump.

BHB Photo by Claude Scales

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer administered the oath of office to NYS Senator Daniel Squadron (D-SD25) in two local ceremonies on Sunday (1/25) in Brooklyn Heights and Lower Manhattan.  Squadron has vowed to be “accessible” to constituents throughout the 25th State Senate district.

BHB Photo by Marc Hermann manipulated by Homer Fink via obamiconme.pastemagazine.com

New York Magazine profiles our man in the NYS Senate Daniel Squadron this week.  And even before the paint is dry in The Kid’s Albany office, a commenter takes a swipe at him:

Really don’t like Squadron… Met him several times on the street in my neighborhood prior to the Democratic Primary and had an extremely depressing conversation with him on the topic of rent regulation. I’m much younger than him, but he had no clue about an issue that he’d made a central element of his State Senate platform and it made him sound utterly out of his depth. I’ve never been so disappointed with my elected representative as I am with him, especially because he’s now my own party’s local incumbent in a city and state that practically define machine politics.
By atekosuri on 01/12/2009at 9:45am

To his rescue, regular BHB commenter BKLYNLIFER:

I’m surprised you feel Squadron doesn’t have a clue about rent regulation. He told me (and others at a house party) that he will fight to repeal vacancy decontrol. What’s wrong with that? Or do you think we should have a free market approach?

I’m also surprised that you find him the most disappointing elected representative you’ve had — More disappointing than Marty Connor? Joan Millman? They teamed up to turn the Brooklyn Bridge Park into a development project with high rise luxury condo’s on the waterfront, instead of recreation and green space. Marty’s constituents were so “disappointed” with him that they voted him out of office. Joan’s next.
By bklynlifer on 01/12/2009at 5:14

Seriously, Senator The Kid seems to be getting enough crap from his friends according to the article so maybe lay off for a month or so?:

Now the “kid” is adjusting to a grown-up life. Just before the election, he got engaged to his girlfriend, Liz Weinstein, a director in the mayor’s Office of Operations. “I think we were both really worried about what it would mean in terms of how much time we could have together, but she was supportive,” he says of his plans to run for office. His friends, too, are experiencing some changes. “I insist that they call me ‘Senator,’ so that’s a little weird, you know, when we’re watching a football game,” he jokes. In reality, he says, although his friends find his new position “a little surreal,” they still grant him “zero respect.”

Yesterday, I traveled to Albany with Cobble Hill resident and Brooklyn Bridge Park activist Judi Francis and three members of Daniel Squadron’s staff to witness Squadron’s swearing in as the new State Senator representing the 25th Senate District, which includes Brooklyn Heights and Cobble Hill, as well as DUMBO, parts of Williamsburg and Greenpoint, and lower Manhattan. Following the swearing-in ceremony, we remained in the gallery of the ornate Senate Chamber (see photo above), where we were witnesses to a historic transition. In last November’s election, Democrats gained a 32-30 majority in the New York State Senate, where they had been in the minority since the 1960s.However, following the election, three Democratic senators, including Carl Kruger of Brooklyn’s 14th District and two from the Bronx, threatened to scuttle their party’s victory by voting for the incumbent Republican majority leader, Dean Skelos of Nassau County, instead of the leader chosen by the Democratic caucus, Malcolm Smith of Queens, thereby continuing GOP control of the Senate unless certain demands were met. Among the demands of the so-called “Gang of Three” were leadership positions for themselves and an agreement that no bill allowing marriage of same-sex couples be allowed to reach the Senate floor this year.

An arrangement was finally concluded the night before the Senate’s opening session yesterday, under which the three dissidents agreed to vote for Smith and were given various committee chairmanships, including the powerful Finance Committee chair for Kruger. When asked if the deal included an agreement on same-sex marriage, Smith replied, as reported by NY1, “There was no quid pro quo.”

Nevertheless, as the swearing-in was completed and the Senate was called to order, there was a palpable tension in the air. An earlier deal with the Gang of Three had fallen apart; there was no assurance that this one wouldn’t at the last minute. A resolution making Sen. Smith the Temporary President of the Senate for the 2009 session (normally the Majority Leader holds this office; the “permanent” President is the Lieutenant Governor, an office that is now vacant and will remain so until the next gubernatorial election in 2010) was introduced by Sen. Klein (Democrat, Bronx and Westchester) and seconded, but a substitute resolution naming Sen. Skelos to the same office was introduced and seconded from the Republican side. A voice vote was taken, and the resolution naming Sen. Smith passed. No one demanded a roll call.

Sen. Smith was then sworn in as the new Temporary President (see photo above) and assumed the office of Senate majority leader, the first Democrat in 43 years, and the first African American ever, to serve in those capacities.

Having gained control of the Senate, the Democrats now have charge of both houses of the Legislature, as well as the governorship. This has not happened since the 1930s. As a practical matter, this should make it easier for legislation to pass, provided that the Democrats are able to overcome fractiousness (their thin margin in the Senate means that it is easy for a few dissidents– witness the “Gang of Three”–to thwart the will of the majority). It means that Sen. Squadron, despite being a freshman, will have considerable influence. He has been named chairman of the Cities Committee, which has as its jurisdiction all legislation affecting cities (including New York City) in the State, including “home rule” matters. This may augur well for attempts to increase the City’s autonomy in policy matters, although any such proposals would also have to meet the approval of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

What effect it may have on matters directly affecting this neighborhood, such as Brooklyn Bridge Park, remains to be seen. Ms. Francis, who seeks a change of course back to what she describes as the original community-generated plan with ample provision for year-round recreation and no private residential buildings on park land, has been an enthusiastic supporter of Sen. Squadron and is hopeful. In any event, Squadron’s position as a member of a legislative majority is likely to mean that this community’s concerns will receive a more respectful hearing.

The PolitickerNY’s Jimmy Vielkind profiles our new man in the NYS Senate, Daniel Squadron.   So far – he’s had to stand during Governor Patterson’s State of the State address and there’s no computer in his office.  Sounds like a typical first week at any job, eh?

PolitickerNY: The New Guy’s Perspective: One of his first tasks will be working with colleagues on reforming the chamber’s rules to be more empowering (just how empowering remains to be seen, and given Squadron’s high expectations, it may well fall short) to rank-and-file members.

There will also be the challenges of establishing a Senate office and working out which staffers will do what. Now, the walls are bare, there are no computers and the only thing in the outer room on the day of the big speech was some empty donut boxes and containers of coffee.

Our new man in the NY State Senate, Democrat Daniel Squadron, was sworn into office today in Albany.  It was announced that Senator Squadron would take over the helm of the Cities Committee a post formerly held by Republican Senator Serphin Maltese.

BHB’s Claude Scales is in Albany and will be filing a report later.  For now, here’s the unexpurgated press release from Squadron:

Albany, NY: State Senator Daniel Squadron took his oath of office on the Senate floor today, ceremonially beginning his term in the New York State Senate. Squadron was sworn in with his new colleagues at the start of the 2009 legislative session; he then voted to usher in the first Democratic majority in the State Senate in 40 years.

“There could be no greater honor than serving the people of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn,” said Senator Squadron. “In this moment in our state’s history, there is no greater challenge than leading our neighborhoods and our city through tough times.  As a member of the Democratic majority and chair of the Cities Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues and the community to deliver change that makes a real difference for my constituents.”

At 29, Senator Squadron will be the youngest member of the State Senate and, unofficially, the second youngest member in history.

*The Democratic majority will be the first since 1965.

*Senator Squadron will replace two-decade incumbent Senator Serphin Maltese as chair of the Cities Committee.

*The 25th Senate District does not just include the mainlands of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn; it also includes the Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges, as well as Governor’s Island.

*There are six major languages spoken in the district (English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, Yiddish, and Polish) as well as scores of other language communities.

Though only now officially beginning his term, Squadron has been working full-time for constituents of the district since winning the primary election in September. Among other community initiatives, he has advocated for a comprehensive legislative package to address the MTA budget crisis, called for a rational City/State division of funding responsibilities for Medicaid, education and jails, testified before the City Council about the Lower East Side rezoning and school overcrowding, asked the MTA to offer a rationale and a comprehensive community process before cutting the M8 or other bus lines, protested the planned reopening and expansion of the Brooklyn House of Detention, won a commitment from the owner of Riverside Apartments in Brooklyn Heights that proposed construction would not lead to rent increases for tenants, and petitioned the Department of Transportation to address community concerns about parking changes on Kent Avenue in Brooklyn.

He has also attended countless community meetings in Brooklyn and Manhattan, met with more than 100 constituents about neighborhood issues, and forcefully advocated for Albany reform while developing a comprehensive legislative agenda for the new session.

We thought it would be interesting to compile a list of 10 people who live or work in Brooklyn Heights who we think made an impact on our neighborhood, our city, our country or the world.  We asked for your input as well and the list reflects that.

None of those named in the BHB Ten were notified ahead of time regarding their selection.  If you’re on the list (or if you didn’t make it!) we welcome your comments.

And now, the first ever BHB Ten:

1. Daniel Squadron
In defeating 30 year incumbent NYS Senator Martin Connor,  NYS Senator-elect Daniel Squadron provided Brooklyn Heights (and the NYS SD-25) with its own face of change.  While the 28 year old protege of Senator Chuck Schumer enters one of the most dysfunctional legislative bodies in the Free World this week with no seniority, he’s already keeping his promise to voters that he’d “work hard” if elected.

2. Paul Giamatti
With his Emmy Award winning portrayal of President John Adams, Paul Giamatti helped feed America’s renewed interest in Presidential politics. We’re looking forward to his performance in the upcoming sequel to BubbaHotep.

3. Tim Oltmans
Honored by the BHA in 2007, we applaud Jack the Horse Chef/Owner Tim Oltmans for keeping to his own high standards, rising above the culinary debacles unfolding a block away at the Corner of Cranberry, and continuing to excel at bringing great food, innovative cocktails and an amazing vibe to the (hopefully) burgeoning North Heights food scene.

4. Alan Fishman
While Alan Fishman made an estimated $60K an hour and a $7.5 million signing bonus in the few weeks he spent at the helm of the doomed WaMu Bank, he kindasorta redeemed himself a tiny bit when it was announced that he would refuse a reported $11.6 million severance package.

5. James Grant
BHB’s Claude Scales gets to the point, ” James Grant [had] the prescience to see the omens of the current financial crisis.” He published his fifth book, Mr. Market Miscalculates: The Bubble Years and Beyond in 2008.

6. TK Small
We hadn’t planned to be self-indulgent and name one of our own to the BHB Ten.  However, the efforts by TK Small in 2008 to save LICH, fight for voter accessibility and his countless insightful comments and blog posts here earned him a spot on the list.

7. David Yassky
Whether he’s fighting for parking permits or casting a controversial vote on term limits, our man in the City Council David Yassky seems to be at the center of everything.  The next year is a pivotal one for the Brooklyn Heights resident, he’s got stiff competition should he decide to run again for his council seat (provided term limits are really “readjusted”). If he doesn’t do that, he’ll face uncertain challenges in the race for City Comptroller.

8. Greg Clayman
A local boy and St. Ann’s alum who made good.  As one of the foot soldiers of Web 1.0 companies, Greg Clayman co-founded Upoc a mobile social networking company that pre-dated Twitter by almost a decade.  Now as EVP, Digital Distribution & Business Development at MTV Networks, Clayman is one of the innovators who are laying  the track for the entertainment and music industry’s future.

9. Simon Rich
Son of NY Times columnist Frank Rich, Simon Rich had the distinction of being a writer this year during the most watched and talked about season of Saturday Night Live in two decades. At 24, he’s the youngest writer ever at the show.  His second book  Free Range Chickens was released in 2008. He is currently working on a third book.

10. Melanie Hope Greenberg

The author of 16 books for children, Brooklyn Heights resident Melanie Hope Greenberg released her ode to Coney Island, Mermaids on Parade, in 2008.  Her work keeps art alive in kids’ homes and classrooms everywhere.