LICH Community Meeting - Thursday 5/2 @ 7:30pm

Many months of calls, emails, protests, and community efforts have brought us great news regarding the future of Long Island College Hospital. Below is CHA President Roy Sloane's statement and community meeting announcement:

I am writing to share the gratifying news that yesterday SUNY officials announced that they have withdrawn the closure plan for LICH and have agreed to work with the commuity and our elected officials to seek a viable, sustainable plan for providing the health care services that are essential for the communities and downtown business areas served by Long Island College Hospital. We are deeply grateful to our elected officials – City Councilmembers Brad Lander and Steve Levin, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblywoman Joan Millman, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, and our Borough President Marty Markowitz – the Concerned Physicians of LICH, NYSNA, 1199 SEIU, and all of our neighboring community associations and the community activists who devoted some much time and effort to saving our hospital. 

I wish that I could say that the battle has been won, but that is far from the case. In many ways, the real work must  now begin: the task of crafting a viable, sustainable hospital that truly serves the needs of our community for the next 150 years is still before us. 

To that end, the Cobble Hill Association will be hosting a community forum on the future of LICH this coming Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. The purpose will be to update the community, discuss the next steps, and also to do a little celebrating! We have a lot of people to thank and a lot of work that remains to be done. We sincerely hope you'll be able to join us for this next, most important phase of the battle to save our hospital.

There is still a lot of work for us to do, but to get caught up to speed on what has been done, please review some of these news links before Thursday's meeting.
ABC, Crain's, Daily News 1, Daily News 2, Brooklyn Eagle, NY Post, Brownstoner, Brooklyn Heights blog

SUNY withdraws plan to close LICH

Some amazing news was just released that may save LICH yet. Thank you to the community for its support & advocacy to our local electeds and state officials.

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 26, 2013

SUNY DOWNSTATE TO WORK WITH KEY STATE STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE PLAN FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES FOR BROOKLYN

Withdraws LICH closure proposal while plan is being developed 

BROOKLYN, NY – SUNY Downstate Medical Center today withdrew from the New York State Department of Health (DOH) its proposed closure plan for Long Island College Hospital and said it would continue to seek a provider of healthcare services within the LICH community, including potentially a hospital operator.

“The financial conditions at LICH remain unchanged. LICH’s continued financial losses still threaten the viability of Downstate Medical and our world-renowned medical school. We are withdrawing the closure plan so we can work with the State and other stakeholders on a sustainability plan for Brooklyn’s only medical school and to ensure quality medical care throughout the borough. The current legal proceedings prohibit this dialogue,” said Downstate President Dr. John F. Williams, Jr.

In Search of a New Home

With so many children in our neighborhood, its clear that there is an ongoing need for schools. The following important message came recently from Susan Kuhlmann, of our local Linden Tree Preschool.

My name is Susan Kuhlmann, I am the Principal of Linden Tree Preschool in Cobble Hill. We have been in operation for over nine years with a wonderful reputation and a staple in our community. Each year we turn away hundreds of families looking for quality preschool services due to the abundance of growing families. This past July, the beautiful building our school was housed in, Christ Church at 180 Kane Street, was unfortunately struck by lightning and severely damaged. For safety reasons, the NYC Department of Buildings closed the buildings and keep them remained closed.

Our families are in need of a preschool and our nine dedicated staff members employment. As we are unable to return to the space we are looking for a new permanent home. Christ Church has plans to re-open Linden Tree sometime in the future and so it is preserving the name. However, in order to continue serving our families, staff and greater community by providing a beautiful preschool experience, myself and a colleague, Jennifer DeLuna, have formed our own LLC, Building Bridges. To do so, we are in need of a permanent location.

We require a minimum of 3000 square feet but willing to exceed that for the right opportunity. We are also willing to sign a long term lease. As you know rental space in our community is costly and difficult to come by. We have been searching for months and continue to. If anyone can help us please reach out, we need a home and can provide a nice income stream for a rental space.

We appreciate any assistance
susan@lindentreepreschool.com 
buildingbridgesbklyn@gmail.com

#saveLICH in the news again

Some promising news about the LICH closure we're hoping to avoid... Council members Steve Levin & Brad Lander sponsored a resolution calling on SUNY and the state Health Department to find a new hopsital to take over LICH so that it can remain open and fully functionally. For more on that story read the Daily News article linked to below.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/long-island-college-hospital-owner-vows-broad-search-new-operator-article-1.1326632#ixzz2RRo7SkIP

You can also watch the City Council Hearing in full here at this link.
http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/Video.aspx?Mode=Auto&URL=aHR0cDovL2NvdW5jaWxueWMucGVnY2VudHJhbC5jb20vZmxhc2gvbWVkaWFfcGxheWVyXzc5OGMuc3dmP3NlcnZlcj1ueWMtcnRtcC5wZWdjZW50cmFsLmNvbSZhY2NvdW50PWNvdW5jaWxueWMmdmlkZW9GaWxlbmFtZT1OWUNDLVBWLTI1MC0xNDEzMDQyNC0xMzI2MTcubXA0&Mode2=Video#.UXi6EpMoUfg.twitter

Cobble Hill Annual Plant Sale, Saturday May 4th

It's that time again. Check out the details on the flyer below.

By now we hope you've seen and shared the Cobble Hill Association's video asking Governor Cuomo step in and save our Long Island College Hospital from imminent closure. However, it turns out we weren't the only ones who took the campaign viral. A reader and activist in the fight to save LICH forward along this video recently, made by the sone of an Intensive Care RN at the hospital.

Squadron Community Convention, 4-28-13

Local State Senator Daniel Squadron is soon hosting his Fifth Annual Community Convention -- a chance to make your voice heard on the community and legislative priorities that will shape the future. 

Last year, hundreds of community members attended to offer input on everything from school overcrowding and park planning to transit improvements and tenant rights. Ideas discussed in small group sessions were critical in shaping his work at home and in Albany over the last year. Did he do enough? This is your chance to weigh in and give honest feedback.

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

Fifth Annual 26th Senate District Community Convention

Sunday, April 28, 2013

2:00PM to 5:00PM

Borough of Manhattan Community College

199 Chambers Street (b/t West & Greenwich Streets)

New York, NY 10013

RSVP here or by contacting his office at 212-298-5565 or squadron@nysenate.gov.

upcoming Friends of Christ Church launch

Christ Church is still hurting from the lightening storm damage it suffered months ago. Recently, many of you may have received this invite in the mail and already responded. If not, please click the image below for full details of the benefit and learn how you can help the local congregation.

Cobble Hill Park hours changed

In September, Community Board 6 gave approval to extend the closing hours of Cobble Hill Park from 9pm to 10pm. This came after requests from local residents and discussions amongst residents and the Cobble Hill Association's executive board. With spring in the air, the Parks Department has adjusted the signage to reflect those hours as they continue working hard to maintain our beautiful neighborhood oasis.


In tandem with the appreciated efforts of Parks Department staff, Cobble Hill park relies on help from many local volunteers. Stay tuned for upcoming info about opportunities to help clean, sweep, plant, and beautify the park.

LICH Rally

This morning scores of concerned parents and community residents marched loud and proud chanting 'LICH saves lives' and 'Governor Cuomo, please save LICH.' At times the crowd stretched over a block long. If you haven't already, call the Governor's office at (518) 474-8390 and demand he keep LICH open.

Where will an ambulance take your child?

Many of us have either had a baby at LICH, plan to have a baby at LICH or have taken our kids to LICH for medical care. Most if not all of us have enjoyed LICH park.  LICH is now seriously threatened as the State of New York wants to sell off this property and turn it into a high-rise condo!

This Saturday, April 13 at 10 am come to LICH park (for toddlers) on Henry St near Amity St. 

We will rally in support of LICH and then go on a stroller march to Court St.! Governor Cuomo can save our hospital - or close it.   Bring signs, your kids and yourself! We cannot let our neighborhood hospital be turned into a huge condo building. Thanks everyone- spread the word to parents. 

Do you know where the Ambulance will take you or your child?

LICH Two Minutes to Live commercial - YouTube

Please RSVP to clairektuck@gmail.com so we have a sense of how many people are coming

It's a "Good Day" to Save LICH

Dr. John Romanelli and Dr. Toomas Soora of the Concerned Physicians of LICH made a sit down appearance on Fox5's Good Day NY with Rosanna Scotto and Greg Kelly. Watch the segment in full at this link below. 
http://www.myfoxny.com/story/21930613/long-island-hospital-could-close

Fun Fact: Fox5 anchor Rosanna Scotto was born at LICH. 
Not so Fun Fact: LICH is still on life support. CALL Governor Cuomo now ((518) 474-8390) & tell him to Save LICH.

Brooklyn March to Save LICH

The Brooklyn March to Save our Hospital will start  at 1 PM, Sunday  April 7th at Coffey Park, in Red Hook (near Dwight and Verona Streets).  Join the march that will wind through the neighborhood and culminate at Long Island College Hospital.  Show your support and bring your friends and family as our community, health care providers and elected leaders demonstrate the importance of LICH to all of us.

Tell Cuomo to SAVE LICH

The Cobble Hill Association is fighting a desperate battle to save Long Island College Hospital and we need your help. We are told by doctors, nurses, and EMS workers that the extra time to take patients to another hospital is the margin of death for heart attack, stroke and accident victims. Please take a look at the TV commercial the Cobble Hill Association produced this week and distribute it to others. It will begin airing on NY 1 on Wednesday.

Here's the link to the spot on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-fCiCUg_VM

We urge you to call Governor Cuomo at 518-474-8390 to help make our voices heard. We ask you to try.  Please send this link to all of your friends and neighbors!

If you would like more facts on why this is simply a land-grab and will be a profound health care loss for Brooklyn, please go to the doctor's site at  www.lichmedicalstaff.org