Winning bids are raising questions

While our community continues to keep LICH a fully functioning hospital that properly meets the needs of our neighborhood, SUNY has put in writing the "the scheduled closure of the hospital on May 22.” Fortunately, a long battle with the support of civic groups and local electeds resulted in a new evaluation of proposals to redevelop the hospital and property and a winning bid was selected just weeks ago. Unfortunately, it now looks like that evaluation was entirely arbitrary. 

Read Dan Goldberg's investigation of the topic at the link below from Capital New York.

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2014/04/8544330/odd-math-behind-lich-bidding-process

Cobble Hill Plant Sale - Saturday May 3rd

Spring is in the air, buds are on the trees, and the Cobble Hill Tree Fund is holding its annual plant sale next Saturday at Cobble Hill Park. Stock up for the season, teach your kids to identify plants, and support a great cause in the community. See details on the flyer below or contact chtf@cobblehilltreefund.org for more info.

Become a Leader of the Cobble Hill Association

Since its inception over fifty years ago, the Cobble Hill Association has been a strong , effective community organization that works with local residents and elected officials to ensure the highest quality of life in Cobble Hill. From creating and maintaining our coveted Cobble Hill park to preserving the historic character of our brownstone buildings and fighting for needed health care services, the Cobble Hill Association unites the neighborhood and now welcomes your fresh ideas with an open call for nominations to form its new Executive Board of officers for the 2014 - 2016 term.

The Cobble Hill Association's Nominating Committee invites all interested residents to join an open meeting on Monday, April 28th at 8:00 pm in the Cobble Hill Community Room at 250 Baltic Street, just off Court Street. 

Come with questions and ideas, so that the committee can discuss your potential for filling one of the seven positions on the executive board.

President -- leads meetings and represents the CHA in an official capacity at civic meetings, hearings, etc.
First VP -- serves as chief of staff for President
Second VP -- heads up events and social activities
Treasurer -- controls the CHA's finances
Recording Secretary -- keeps meeting minutes
Corresponding Secretary -- responsible for the general correspondence and the meeting notices of the organization
Membership Secretary -- encourages new members, & maintain database of existing membership

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about becoming a leader of the Cobble Hill Association's executive board, please send them to: CobbleHillAssociation@gmail.com

Demystifying Landmarks, Tuesday 4/29

A friend at the Brooklyn Historical Society just shared news of this upcoming event. One week from today, you can attend "Demystifying Landmarks: A Panel Discussion at Brooklyn Historical Society." It's a topic that comes up often in our own Cobble Hill historic district so why not brush up on the ins and outs of the zoning designation that characterizes so much of Brownstone Brooklyn.

Tue, Apr 29, 6:30pm
$5/Free for BHS Members
Reserve tickets>>
You own a brownstone or live in a landmarked district, but what happens when you want to make a repair or change? Learn about what the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission does, what your neighborhood association can do, the research resources Brooklyn Historical Society can provide, and your neighbors’ experiences. Panelists include Tom van den Bout, architect and former Brooklyn Heights Association President, William Neeley, Jr., Deputy Director of Preservation at NYC Landmarks, Elizabeth Call, Head of Reference and User Services at BHS, as well Prospect Heights homeowner Leslie Feder and a local building manager. This panel will give attendees practical tips on how to navigate a construction or renovation project through the Landmarks approval process.

Senator Squadron 6th Annual Community Convention - 4/27

Each year, local State Senator Dan Squadron hosts a community convention seeking input from his constituents on nearly evEry category under the sun. This year he'll have sections devoted to arts and culture, zoning & neighborhood preservation, civil rights / economic & social justice, parks, transportation, campaign finance, public & affordable housing, economic development, education, disaster relief, hospitals and healthcare, and more. In addition, the Sixth Annual 26th Senate District Community Convention featuring keynote speaker Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Come out and make your voice heard on all of the legislative and community priorities that shape our district and our state.

Sixth Annual 26th Senate District Community Convention
Sunday, April 27, 2014

2:00PM to 5:00PM

Seward Park Educational Campus
350 Grand Street (between Ludlow and Essex Streets)
New York, NY 10002

RSVP at the link below.

http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/rsvp-senator-squadrons-sixth-annual-community-convention-sunday-april-27th

Vote this weekend - Participatory Budgeting

Our area's City Councilman, Brad Lander, sent out the below reminder that this is a big weekend to help decide which of many great ideas should get funding prioritization from his office.

This is the big weekend for Participatory Budgeting, and we want you to take part by voting on how $1 million of City funds will be spent in this neighborhood. Voting is Saturday and Sunday.

Vote Dates Saturday, April 6, 10 AM - 7 PM Carroll Gardens Library 396 Clinton St (at Union St) PS 230 Lower School425 McDonald Ave (between Church Ave & Albemarle Rd) Old Stone House 336 3rd St (Washington Park) Sunday, April 7, 10 AM - 5 PM Beth Jacob Day Care  1363 46th St (at 14th Ave) Kings Bay Y at Windsor Terrace 1224 Prospect Ave (at Vanderbilt St) Park Slope Armory YMCA 361 15th Street (between 7th and 8th Ave) Carroll Park House Carroll St and Smith St

Can we count on you? Pledge to vote as part of participatory budgeting.

Any district resident can vote, ages 16 and up.

There are 13 items on the ballot – read and watch videos about all of them here – covering many of the needs of our neighborhoods. You can vote on improvements for district schools, upgrades to our parks and projects to green our environment and make it easier and safer to get around the district.

We just wrapped up early voting at my office. It’s been very exciting to watch people stream in, sit down with their ballots, and consider carefully what they want to vote for.

Participatory budgeting truly is a community driven process and we are about to complete the third year. From the start, your neighbors have taken ownership of participatory budgeting, coming to brainstorming meetings, joining participatory budgeting committees, and helping spread the word about the vote. They did so much more than our office ever could have—and it is satisfying to know that the winning projects truly reflect the community's needs and interests.

Now it is your turn to get involved. Participating is important, but it's also easy and fun.

Hope to see you at the vote.

Brad