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What’s Inside
Dear Neighbors & Friends, I’m sending my best wishes to students and families for a successful school year ahead. Thank you to everyone who participated in our local school supply drives. Shout out to Gowanus Mutual Aid, Camp Friendship in Park Slope, Warren Street Houses, Fifth Avenue Committee and Joe Anne Brown for their local events - and many more. It’s inspiring to see our community come together and help students start their year off on the right foot. I am thrilled that there will be free school meals for all students starting this school year - every student is eligible for breakfast, lunch, and after-school meals. I pushed for this initiative for many years, alongside New York’s student and nutrition advocates. As you may be aware, there is also a New Cellphone & Electronic Device Policy: students must turn off and store all personal internet-enabled devices (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) from the first bell to the last bell. Please join me and your neighbors for a cup of coffee at my next "Java with Jo Anne” in Boerum Hill, Mon. Sept. 29, 9:30 AM. This is a chance to discuss community issues or current events, and to get to know my staff and your neighbors. We will gather at Squarrel Cafe, 572 Atlantic Ave, in Boerum Hill. Please RSVP here or call my office at 718-246-4889 with any questions. We would also greatly appreciate your feedback on our Java with Jo Anne events. For example - when is the best time for you to make it to Java? Is there a topic you would like to see covered? Please fill out this brief feedback form. Sincerely,
Jo Anne Simon P.S. Shana Tova U'metuka! Wishing all who celebrated Rosh Hashanah a happy, healthy, and sweet new year filled with love, growth, and sweet beginnings. Get Your Free Flu Shot on Oct. 9th. I am again partnering with NYU Langone Health and Senator Gounardes to provide free flu shots to the community on Thursday, October 9th, from 2:30pm - 7pm, at the Cobble Hill ED, 70 Atlantic Ave. Insurance is not required. Please make an appointment and register here. COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance: As autumn arrives, New York is recommending everyone get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines. While the federal government is attacking science and restricting access to health care, New York is following the research and putting residents’ health first. Vaccines are safe, effective, and the best way to protect yourself, your family and your community. The Governor recently signed an Executive Order to ensure all New Yorkers can receive the updated Covid vaccine without a prescription. The Executive Order declares an emergency that overrides recent federal actions restricting vaccine access. Learn more here. You can get the Covid vaccine for free with no co-pays regardless of immigration or health insurance status through NYC Health+Hospitals and other health centers; if you have insurance, your insurance will be billed. Find a local pharmacy or site near you that is administering the vaccine or call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692). Some sites are still waiting for the updated Covid vaccine, so check before you go. Upcoming Constituent Service Events. You can meet with my staff at our upcoming office hours at libraries across the district. We can help you navigate benefits, connect with various government agencies, or help you with questions about local issues. Come by and chat with my team. My No Vote on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Plan. You may have seen the news that Mayor Eric Adam’s plan for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) will move forward, after Monday’s last-minute Task Force vote (17 in support, 8 opposed). I voted against the plan. When the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) took over the BMT from the Port Authority, they said they would transform the BMT into “a harbor of the future” with manufacturing jobs, maritime opportunities, and economic development. This was lost early on, as EDC quickly seized upon luxury housing to pay for the port. They didn’t really consider anything else. There was only ever one proposal from EDC – which was modified and improved upon by myself and the other Task Force members – but no genuine analysis of alternatives, or exploration of the immense possibilities that the site could offer, or of the serious engineering constraints of the site. The Task Force was supposed to engage local stakeholders, yet the community most directly impacted – Columbia Street Waterfront – was excluded. A red flag, but I nevertheless entered this process in good faith, a strong proponent of an environmentally just working waterfront of maritime uses at one of the last remaining ports in the City. I was enthusiastic about playing a constructive role in this process to achieve those ends. That’s why I am terribly disappointed that this process was rushed from the start, constrained by an artificial timeline, heavy-handed, and mired in backroom deals. I also want to comment on the disheartening lack of courtesy, transparency and meaningful community engagement in this process. Throughout this process the community engagement was minimal and appeared to be done so the EDC could check a box saying they had “X” number of meetings. But when most of the people there are EDC staff, consultants, and elected officials and their staff, the affected communities haven’t been engaged. The final meeting was sprung on us last-minute for an obviously non-existent reason about the City’s capital budget deadline (which is modified quarterly), but in reality was scheduled because two of the voting members had flipped to yes and the EDC finally had the votes they needed after 5 postponements. A revised plan — which failed to address the fundamental flaws — emerged last Thursday without any conversation or review. Task Force members were instructed that there would be no more changes to the plan and no community review; this flies in the face of a democratic process. The BMT is in a highly congested transportation-starved area which is seriously lacking in sufficient water, sewer, and transit infrastructure. It’s difficult to develop given its length and narrowness along the waterfront in an area with a shallow water table and a history of increasing flooding. I have continuously asked for transportation and sewer studies and data to support this proposal but EDC insisted all will be studied during the Environmental Review process (EIS) - after a yes vote. That makes no sense. An EIS reviews impacts identified by previously gathered and analyzed data and modeling, not the other way around. In my mind, any BMT plan must reflect reality, not someone’s wish list. I support affordable housing at the site but all residential uses entail impacts that must be assessed comprehensively and transparently. With 60% luxury units, likely displacement of the existing community must be examined. I have concerns that the density of housing planned for can actually be built there which is why I pushed for a feasibility study. This is not in small part because the site lacks basic water and sewer infrastructure (expensive to build), has a shallow water table with a history of flooding (Mother Nature does not cotton to being trifled with!) and is a transit desert. The environmental challenges - only likely to become worse with climate change - also make it less likely that structures will be insurable. The plan squanders a golden opportunity to alleviate vehicular traffic and to plan for Blue Highways (our waterways). There’s nothing in this plan that is guaranteed to improve the dearth of public transit options in Red Hook or improve the stand-still traffic. Transportation impacts seemed to be a concern for many Task Force members from the get-go, but when I made a motion to add language (previously agreed to between a Task Force member and the Deputy Mayor) to the plan to help address this, the Chair denied my motion to have a vote on the matter based on by-laws which don’t exist. You can see the video clip here. I, along with others, have brought up transit concerns for months so this was incredibly disappointing. Moving this to a state General Project Plan - which has even less public input, is especially concerning given the ESD’s record of opacity. Much of the affordable housing at Atlantic Yards has yet to be delivered in large part because no feasibility study was done before the GPP was created. ESD just believed the developer’s promises and has failed to hold them accountable. BMT is moving to the same State GPP process that Atlantic Yards went through; that’s cause for concern. I have engaged with many proposals over 30 years. I have seen no evidence that this "plan" is feasible. I know what feasibility looks like and this isn't it. It’s gaslighting. There is no financial plan. There is no evidence that this plan can be built. After much consideration, research, and conversations with constituents, I reluctantly voted no. I could not in good conscience vote yes on a plan that is so fundamentally flawed. Here is the Brooklyn Eagle Coverage. Here is the Daily News Editorial against the plan noting that this tiny sliver of land with the only working container port in the area should be reserved for maritime use. You can read the joint statement that I released with other members who voted against the plan including Task Force Co-Chair Council Member Alexa Avilés; my colleague Assemblymember Marcella Mitaynes; Carly Baker-Rice, Red Hook Business Alliance; Eddie Bautista, NYC-Environmental Justice Alliance; Ben Fuller-Googins, Carroll Gardens Association; Hank Gutman, former NYC DOT Commissioner; and Jim Tampakis, Brooklyn Marine Spares International. Trump’s Polluting Pipelines Coming to NY. Unfortunately, the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) recently voted in support of National Grid’s long-term gas plan, which added in the Williams NESE pipeline at the last minute. This underwater pipeline would deliver gas from PA passed the waters of Brooklyn and New York City up to Queens. The PSC’s last-minute approval of the NESE pipeline is a stunning betrayal to New Yorkers. They have sided with the fossil fuel industry at the expense of New Yorkers’ wallets, health, and future. This decision locks us into decades of expensive, polluting pipelines, with the $1B in costs passed onto ratepayers who are already struggling to pay their utility bills. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) denied Williams a Water Quality Certificate three times in 2018 and 2019. Since then, nothing has changed about the harm this pipeline would cause to our environment, except for Donald Trump’s election and his expressed support of this and another North Brooklyn pipeline to Governor Hochul. The NESE pipeline is environmentally reckless and financially irresponsible. National Grid will not be doing this on its own dime. Williams, an energy infrastructure company based in Oklahoma, would construct the pipeline and sell the fracked gas to National Grid, which will pass those costs to New York ratepayers in the form of increased ‘delivery charges.’ I have pleaded with Governor Hochul to intervene and stop these pipelines. People are clamoring for affordability. New Yorkers should not be forced to pay more for more dirty infrastructure that will soon be obsolete, just to enrich utility shareholders. I have submitted testimony to the DEC, PSC and the Governor, and joined my colleagues in letters and rallies, as well. Read more about the pipeline here. My New Cryptocurrency Bill. The New York Times recently published an expose on the ways that Trump, his family, and his senior officials and their families are using their office to put their own personal financial gain over the needs of the public. I strongly encourage you to read this head-spinning article on their cryptocurrency company and its connections to the approval of an A.I. chip deal with the Emiratis. As elected officials, we regulate financial products and hold ourselves to high legal and ethical standards in doing so. Americans must have confidence that the President and his Administration are not using the vast powers of the office to enrich themselves. If individuals and foreign governments believe they can buy political favor through investments in Trump and his friends' company, public policy and national security will be at risk. That’s why Senator Zellnor Myrie and I introduced legislation this year banning the President, senior officials, and their families from running businesses that buy or sell virtual currencies in New York. This safeguard would help restore public trust and make clear that our government is not for sale. Summer Reading Challenge for Students. It’s that time of year! If your child participated in our summer reading challenge, please return the form to my office via email, [email protected], or mail to 341 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231. Students who read regularly during the summer break will receive a New York State Assembly Excellence in Reading certificate. Mental Health Back to School Resources. Back to school is here for parents and children, and with it comes navigating the challenges of academics, social dynamics, and personal growth. I want to highlight some relevant mental resources available for students and parents: Tips for Parents & Caregivers: Hope Starts With Us. In this episode, guest host Barb Solish from NAMI’s Office of Innovation sits down with child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Christine Crawford to talk about: Common worries parents face, Managing kids’ screen time, Modeling healthy behavior at home, & Mental health warning signs. NAMI: Back to School Resources: This website provides resources in both English and Spanish for students, parents, and teachers. From mindfulness exercises to fact sheets on recognizing mental health crises, use these resources to prepare for a healthy school year. Youth Mental Health First Aid Seminar: This course is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers how to help adolescents and teens who are experiencing mental health, addiction challenges, or are in crisis. Social Media and Youth Mental Health: A Resource Guide for Parents. Social media has both positive and negative mental health impacts on today's youth. It's essential to comprehend the distinct pressures and challenges they encounter as a result. Setting and Reaching Goals: This worksheet helps students figure out how to get what they need or want (especially when they're having trouble with mental health). This worksheet will guide students through that process so they can reach their goal in a way that feels less overwhelming. Older Adult Resources. Please view my older adult resource document, which lists organizations serving older adults, along with a description of their services and contact information. Contact us if you would like us to mail you a print-out of the resource document. If you are an older adult, a caretaker, or a neighbor in need of connections to any resources, please reach out to my office for assistance. Older Adult Resource Spotlight: NY Foundation for Senior Citizens. The Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping seniors live healthier, safer, and more dignified lives in their own homes and communities, avoiding premature institutionalization. They have an innovative Home Sharing Program that links adult “hosts” who have extra rooms or private spaces in their apartments with appropriate adult “guests” to share their space. They manage over 900 units of housing and 35 social service programs. You can call them at 212-962-7559. Housing Lotteries 558 Sackett Street in Gowanus: Apply by September 29th. This new residential building offers one and two-bedroom apartments. The eligible income for these units is between $37,612 and $227,500. Learn more and apply here. 504 Atlantic Ave in Boerum Hill: Apply by October 21st. This new residential building offers studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. The eligible income for these units is between $122,400 and $227,500. Learn more and apply here. The Carroll in Carroll Gardens / Gowanus: Apply by October 28th. This new residential development is located at 33 4th Street and offers studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. The eligible income for these units is between $38,400 and $227,500, and the lottery closes on October 28th. Learn more and apply here. Fifth Avenue Committee: The Fifth Avenue Committee has launched a new housing platform on its website. You can view details for available apartments and apply using this link. The Fifth Avenue Committee will also be hosting Affordable Housing Virtual Information Sessions to learn more about applying for affordable housing lottery opportunities in NYC. You can sign up for the November 20th session at 6pm here. My Comments to DEC on the Gowanus Citizens MGP Site. I have submitted comments on the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Draft Remedial Action Work Plan for 459 Smith Street, part of the former Citizens Gas Works site. Many constituents are concerned that this site is incorrectly classified in the Brownfield Cleanup Program when it should be in the Superfund Program. I share these concerns. National Grid, responsible for the cleanup, has intentionally delayed efforts to spread costs over time, unfairly burdening its ratepayers. This is unacceptable, and National Grid must fully take responsibility for the health and financial impacts on the community. The highly contaminated site is near affordable housing and a future school. Coal tar migration, confirmed by the DEC, does not respect property lines. We need a proper designation and enforcement of laws that consider the cleanup’s effects on our community and future generations. You can read my comments here. Public Meeting on Gowanus Soil Vapor Testing: 10/8. Join NYS DEC and Department of Health (DOH) for a community availability session on Oct. 8, 7-9 pm, at the Children’s School. They will review the community-wide investigation and cleanup activities at dozens of sites in NY’s Brownfield and Superfund cleanup programs. DEC and DOH will also discuss the 2024-2025 heating season sampling that was performed, as well as upcoming activities. DEC is currently conducting Soil Vapor Intrusion (SVI) testing in Gowanus, a process typically performed during the heating season to ensure that no contaminated vapors are infiltrating homes and to facilitate remediation when necessary. I urge all property owners who have received a testing request from DEC to authorize the agency to do this critically important testing. This step will contribute to a safer and cleaner community. State Fails to Collect Financial Penalties from Atlantic Yards Developers. BrooklynSpeaks, the coalition of community organizations that I was a founding member of, was created to hold the City and State accountable for the promises made during the Atlantic Yards redevelopment. They have put out a petition for the public to call on Governor Hochul to uphold the state’s commitment to liquidated damages for missing the Atlantic Yards affordable housing deadline. Thus far, the state has declined to collect any of the fees owed to the State and the people of New York by the developers for their failure to deliver. You can sign onto the petition here. I also sent a letter to the Governor, along with my colleagues, calling for the same. Transit Updates: Smith & 9th St Elevators: The MTA has announced that it will install an elevator at the Smith-9th Streets station in Gowanus — which is the tallest station in the system and stands nearly 90 feet above street level. I’m thrilled that the MTA has made this a priority, as the station has a long history of escalators breaking down. Adding elevators to the station is a huge win for transit equity and for the thousands of riders who rely on this stop every day. The project is part of the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan, and will help bring the subway system to 50% accessibility. Other Brooklyn stations, including Court Street, Hoyt-Schermerhorn, 36th Street and 4th Ave–9th Street, are also slated to get new elevators. Atlantic Ave Safety Improvements: I am pleased to see the new street safety improvements at Atlantic Avenue near the BQE entrance! I have long advocated for these changes, along with my colleagues and the community. The changes include: a new pedestrian island at Furman St, expansion of the pedestrian island at Columbia St, new signal timing to give pedestrians more time to cross, & and more. We will monitor the changes and be pushing for more. NYC DOT started work to repair the BQE on the bridge over Joralemon Street. Work will take place Monday to Friday, 6 AM - 3 PM, for 6 months. There are traffic impacts to Furman and Joralemon Street. High Street Station Elevator Construction: Crews have started to install a water pipe along Cadman Plaza West as part of the High Street St. escalator replacement. Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7am to 3:30pm. A 20-foot staging area will be set up along the sidewalk and part of the right lane, with two lanes of traffic remaining open. At least five feet of pedestrian access and a 50-foot clearance for the bus stop will be maintained. The staging area will be in place through the fourth quarter of 2025. Senior Luncheon. I was once again delighted to attend Council Member Lincoln Restler’s annual Senior Luncheon at Brooklyn Bridge Park. I was especially glad to see former Assemblymember Joan Millman honored, along with so many others who have dedicated themselves to strengthening our communities. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide prevention is about more than a crisis response; it’s about building hope and connection in our communities. Every life lost is one too many; together we must break down the stigma, expand access to care, and support a wide range of programs so that New Yorkers get the care they need. If you are in crisis, please call 988. To learn more about suicide prevention, please visit NAMI. NYC Climate Week Recap. I joined New Yorkers and leaders from across the country to push for bold climate action this week. I attended panels on clean energy, climate justice, sustainable AI, and connected with advocates driving real change. I spoke at the Electric Innovation Forum on electrification as a key step in decarbonizing buildings and industry, and joined a rally urging Governor Hochul to sign my bill to repeal the 100-foot rule (this would save New York ratepayers up to $200M each year and protect Mother Earth). It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet new advocates and allies working together for a sustainable future. New Deaf & Deaf Blind Museum & Research Center. It was an honor to join St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf for the opening of its new Deaf & Deaf Blind Museum & Research Center as the school celebrates its 65th year. Having started my career as a teacher for Deaf and DeafBlind students, it was especially moving to walk down memory lane through the artifacts and see a museum created for the Deaf community. I’m also proud that the state provided $400,000 in funding for ADA upgrades, so the school can continue to be accessible for all. With September marking Deaf Awareness Month, this celebration is a powerful reminder of the history, culture, and contributions of the Deaf community. Hispanic Heritage Month. This month, we celebrate the history, vibrant culture, and countless contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities. From art and history to education to video resources, there are numerous opportunities to honor and enjoy this rich heritage throughout NYC. Check out some local events and resources below.
Temporary Library Services Back in Carroll Gardens! The new Carroll Gardens pop-up library is located at 250 Baltic Street and is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 1 - 5pm, Thursdays from 3 - 7pm, and Fridays from 10am - 2pm. You can sign up for a library card, browse and checkout books, place holds, and return materials. Register to Vote. Have you registered yet? Take a few minutes today to make sure you’re registered to vote and make your voice heard in upcoming elections. To vote in the November 4th General Election, you must register by October 25, 2025, but don't delay - do it today! Changes to the U.S. Citizenship Test. Please be aware of the upcoming changes to the citizenship test. You may take the current test if you file Form N-400 before October 20, 2025. Those who file after this date will be interviewed under the new 2025 version of the test, which is longer, among other changes. In New York State alone, more than 800,000 legal permanent residents are eligible to naturalize, yet only a small fraction apply each year. You can view the new One Nation, One People: USCIS Civics Test Textbook study guide here and the 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version) here. Public Comments on NYCHA's Grievance Procedures. NYCHA plans to update its Grievance Procedures by removing the Civil Service requirement for Hearing Officers handling various tenant grievances. This change will not affect tenancy termination proceedings. NYCHA will clarify that “Subdivision B” pertains to termination proceedings, not holdover evictions, and will allow remote hearing requests. Comments on these proposed changes can be submitted until September 30, 2025, via email at [email protected] or by mailing NYCHA Public Comments, P.O. Box 3422, New York, NY 10008. Learn more here. Lunch & Learn - Aging Well with Council Member Hudson. Starting this month, Councilmember Crystal Hudson’s office will host a Lunch and Learn series on Fridays, featuring topics related to older New Yorkers. The upcoming sessions all start at 12 PM. To RSVP, please call Council Member Hudson’s Office at 718-260-9191.
New Maimonides Doctors Clinton Hill Pavilion. The modern, new healthcare destination brings together nearly 40 doctors across 14 specialties under one roof, and represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of the central Brooklyn community. You can now get primary care, ob/gyn services, and specialty care close to home. Located at the corner of Vanderbilt and Atlantic Avenues, the Maimonides Doctors Clinton Hill Pavilion consolidates three Maimonides practices—Maimonides Doctors Sunrise Medical Group, Maimonides Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Women's Health, and Maimonides Multispecialty Care—into one modern facility designed for convenience, comfort, and coordinated health care. Learn more here. Community Events & News:
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