VOLUME 67 NUMBER 31 • AUGUST 9-15, 2019
Community News Beacon in South Brooklyn Since 1953
Cops seek trio in subway assault
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WHAT’S NEWS BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY TO HELP WITH CENSUS COUNT
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Aug. 1 that NYC Census 2020, the city’s Census outreach campaign, is pumping $1.4 million into a partnership between the city and its three library systems — the Brooklyn Public Library, the New York Public Library and the Queens Public Library — to ensure that all New Yorkers are counted. Among other things, libraries will be assisting New Yorkers in filling out the Census form, which will be online for the first time in 2020. Libraries will also help get the word out about the Census to immigrant communities and host informational sessions about the importance of the Census, officials said. “Our partnership with the public library system will help all New Yorkers stand up and be counted,” de Blasio said in a statement. For more on this story, go to brooklynreporter.com
FORT HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC FIELD HAS REOPENED
The Fort Hamilton High School Athletic Field, which functions as both a school facility and as a public park, reopened on Monday, Aug. 5, after undergoing a $4.7 million facelift. The School Construction Authority laid down a new artificial turf on the ballfield, installed a new running track around the field and erected a new high-tech scoreboard, according to SCA spokesperson Kevin Ortiz. Shock absorbers were built into the turf, Ortiz said. The SCA also installed several water fountains around the field, repaired concrete curbs around the perimeter and installed a new drainage system. The construction work began in March of 2018 and was completed this July, Ortiz said. For more on this story, go to brooklynreporter.com
SUMMER STROLL TAKES OVER THIRD AVENUE
The third night of this year’s annual Summer Stroll series brought crowds to Third Avenue in Bay Ridge between 80th and 90th streets on Friday, Aug. 2. The weather was perfect with a bounty of delicious food, memorable music and entertainment, and an array of activities for kids and adults. Restaurants along the strip had bands playing and outdoor seating so strollers could stop and take in the sights. Bay Ridge’s Summer Stroll is part of DOT’s Weekend Walks program, which was created to allow communities to use streets as public spaces. The event was presented by the Merchants of Third Avenue along with State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and City Councilmember Justin Brannan. For more on this story, turn to page 2.
El Paso mass shooting hits close to home for local pol SEE PAGE 2
MARC MINDS YOUR BUSINESS
Home Reporter marketing executive Marc Hibsher (left) caught up with Walter Ochoa, proprietor of the Right At Home home care agency here in Brooklyn, at Friday night’s installment of the Summer Stroll on 3rd. Ochoa supports the event as a dedicated volunteer on behalf of the Merchants of Third Avenue Business/Civic Association. Both wlll be on hand for final Third Avenue stroll of the 2019 season, to take place on Friday, Aug. 9. Both are among those hoping that the stroll program might be expanded from four to six (or more) Friday evenings in the future — a real possibility if Merchants President Bob Howe and his Steering Committee succeed in their effort to create a Third Avenue Business Improvement District, organizers say. ebrooklyn media/Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
Columnists’ Corner:
Generally Speaking By Ted General
Common Sense By Jerry Kassar Matter of Fact By Jay Brown Focus on Bay Ridge By Chuck Otey Columns begin on page 10
Capt. Conwell Commands 68th Pct. — & the Pipes!
National Night Out was held in precincts across Brooklyn on Tuesday, Aug. 6. In Bay Ridge, one of the highlights of the 68th Precinct Night Out was the precinct’s commanding officer, Capt. Robert Conwell, playing “Amazing Grace” and “God Bless America” on the bagpipes. See page 4. ebrooklyn media/Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
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