Thursday, February 24, 2011

A guest writer from Florida, who dreams of moving to NYC, speaks!

Hello from CORD!

Today we are very pleased to feature a guest writer, Krista Peterson, from Florida, who is dreaming of moving to New York City one day! We include her brief bio before her piece. Enjoy!
CORD

"My name is Krista Peterson. I am currently living in Florida but dream of moving to New York. I am an aspiring writer with a passion for the health and safety of others and our environment. I am an advocate for the Go Green movement and love to help spread awareness & the benefits of this lifestyle to society. I am 23 years old & working on getting my bachelors degree. I enjoy doing hot yoga in my spare time."


"Community Preservation in the Face of Chemical Hazards"

"As workers wipe the final traces of the former HYPERLINK "http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40990993/40982943" Deutsche Bank building from the New York Skyline, residents in the Manhattan area can rejoice in the removal of this painful 9/11 reminder and continued threat. Besides reiterating the obvious global dangers our nation faces from terrorists, the presence of this building, shrouded in protective plastic, also reminded residents of the environmental dangers resting just below the surface of some of New York’s structures. Besides finding the remains of 9/11 victims scattered over the room of the damaged building, crews also found toxins like asbestos, lead and mercury, delaying the cleanup of the structure as leaders decided how to remove these toxins."

"With the HYPERLINK "http://epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/gowanus/" EPA’s addition of the Gowanus Canal to the Agency’s Superfund National Priorities List, neighboring areas might experience a similar level of protective action. Besides the well-known toxins present in the canal itself, including industrial and sewage runoff, buildings in the surrounding area present a constant threat to citizens, especially as improvements are made that can release previously contained toxins."

"Asbestos, in particular, represents a great threat when disturbed, which allows its fibers to release in the air to be inhaled or swallowed. Leading to a lethal cancer, HYPERLINK "http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/mesothelioma-symptoms" mesothelioma symptoms can lie dormant for up to five decades. Furthermore, these symptoms generally appear relatively mild, mimicking other illnesses like pneumonia, which allows the disease to progress into its later stages before treatment is sought."

"Learning about the specific risks, like mesothelioma, these chemicals pose gives residents greater influence over the nature of renovation taking place in a community. In an area with such a unique character, like Carroll Gardens, preservation of those characteristics is undeniably essential to both its history and identity. However, like any successful community movement, without knowing the issues developers and leaders will use to justify their actions, the HYPERLINK "http://carrollgardenspetition.blogspot.com/2009/11/another-one-of-your-neighbors-speaks.html" voice of citizens deserving the greatest share in the discussion over development will be drown out by approaching jackhammers. Indeed, city leaders and developers respect and recognize detailed petitions detailing the drawbacks of proposals and alternative suggestions."

"One useful strategy is to point out the problems brought on by the demolition of older structures, as exemplified by the Deutsche Bank building. Dangerous materials, like asbestos, can permanently be contained through enclosing or encapsulating the product, providing a permanent barrier between the toxin and the outside air. As a cheaper and safer alternative, residents can point to the numerous economic and safety benefits of renovations that seek to improve the community through minor safety adjustments that don’t threaten the unique fiber of the community. By pointing out the high rate of disease, including HYPERLINK "http://www.mesotheliomasymptoms.com/" mesothelioma symptoms, seen throughout New York after the 9/11 attacks, city legislators are sure to be open to discussions regarding how to safely restore communities while simultaneously preserving their historical integrity."


Krista Peterson


Monday, February 21, 2011

"Brooklyn Civic Alliance Coming!"

This just in to CORD:



"Dear Community Member,

Our first meeting of civic groups from around Brooklyn brought a wide range of neighborhoods. I am hopeful that we can create a strong, new, independent voice to defend the homes and communities of Brooklynites. "

"If you would like more information to to attend, please email Ed Jaworski at coachedj@aol.com"



"Brooklyn Civic Alliance Coming!"

"An alliance of civic groups from across Brooklyn is forming. Following up an "exploratory" session attended by representatives of 30 neighborhood associations last month at Brooklyn College, organizers are preparing for a second meeting scheduled for February 28th. And they're looking for even more community groups."


"We hope to significantly increase the number of groups that attend on the 28th," said Raul Rothblatt, Executive Director of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance, the organization which is facilitating the initial meetings. "We are interested in attracting representatives of civic groups from all of Brooklyn's neighborhoods-from the center right out to the borough's borders-to work together, when needed."


"Brooklyn is a big place, and many of our neighborhoods are facing the same challenges. An organization that lets us share skills and information, and to rally behind each other when the call goes out, that's really needed," said Jim Vogel of the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods."

"Attendees generally considered the first meeting successful, in terms of numbers, enthusiasm, and the opportunity to see other community activists."

"Prior to our first meeting, I spoke to the president of the Queens Civic Congress, and she said that approximately 15 groups attended its first meeting over a dozen years ago. Now, it has 100 member associations," said Ed Jaworski, president of the Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association. "The interest is there, so we look forward to launching a Brooklyn civic alliance before too long."

"It was a good first meeting" said activist-attorney Norman Siegel. And Sal Lentini, president of the Ditmas Park Association, said he thought that the meeting "was very informative, and in many ways, necessary. It showed that many of us are willing to work together to get more of a voice for Brooklyn."

Organizations interested in sending representatives to the meeting on Monday, February 28, 7 p.m., should contact Raul Rothblatt at rrothblatt@gmail.com, or 646-498-6093."

###

Raul Rothblatt

Executive Director,

Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance

rrothblatt@gmail.com

646-498-6093

Ed Jaworski

President,

Madison-Marine-Homecrest Civic Association

coachedj@aol.com

718-375-9158, cell: 347-661-6960



"At our first meeting, groups from around Brooklyn agreed that this is the time to form an umbrella group. Please stay tuned for more exciting developments. "

Sincerely,

Raul Rothblatt & Ed Jaworski



Sunday, February 20, 2011

***VERY IMPORTANT!! EPA INVITES PUBLIC TO HEAR GOWANUS CANAL REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION REPORT THIS WEDNESDAY!

EPA invites you to a public information meeting
on the
Gowanus Canal Remedial Investigation Report


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites you to attend a public information meeting to discuss the findings of the investigation, conducted by the EPA, to determine the nature and extent of contamination in the canal. The meeting will be held on:


Wednesday, February 23, 2011
from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
in the auditorium of
P.S. 32
located at
317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, NY


Copies of the remedial investigation (RI) report are available at the:

Carroll Gardens Library
396 Clinton St.
Brooklyn, NY


The RI is also available online at:
For more information about the meeting or other site related issues you can contact Natalie Loney atloney.natalie@epa.gov or (212)637 3639.



Natalie Loney
Community Involvement Coordinator
212-637-3639 telephone
212-637-4445 fax

Friday, February 4, 2011

January 31 CAG Meeting



Last MONDAY night the CAG (GOWANUS CANAL Citizens Advisory Group) met at the American Can Factory building for the most recent of the general meetings. Attendance was not great. There were approximately half of the current CAG members present as well as several members of the community, press and local official's representatives.
The evening included an update on the EPA's plan to present their Remedial Investigation report. We understand that the EPA will be coming to the community sometime in February via a public forum to discuss the findings included in the report. We will let you know of the exact date, time and place as soon as that information is made available to us. The Remedial Investigation report will be a detailed account of all of the EPA's testing and is therefore the blueprint by which they base their cleanup procedural plan.

EPA’s Public Meeting on the RI will be Wednesday, February 23, from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at PS 32.

The RI is in the process of being posted on EPA’s website along with a fact sheet about the RI. Volume 1 is already up, but it may take a little while for the appendices and fact sheet to be posted, so check back.

For RI documents go to: http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/gowanus/

The CAG spent a good deal of time looking over some of the committee work that has been going on in the last month. For example, the Operating Procedures Committee's framework draft was presented to the CAG for their review. The Operating Procedures Committee has been working toward developing what Facilitator Jeff Edelstein referred to as the "constitution" governing the CAG.
CAG members were and are encouraged to offer any and all suggestions that they may have to improve the draft document. From that draft document and the suggestions made by the CAG members, the constitution will be more fleshed out and the CAG will then have the mechanisms and procedures in place necessary for their work to continue.
A discussion regarding voting procedures was part of the conversation. Members were asked to think about the pros and cons of voting versus consensus. What is best for a group such as the CAG which serves in an advisory capacity only?
The Real Estate Committee's Information Gathering Proposal was discussed in a rather lively manner. After all was said and done, it was decided that the whole proposal should go back to the Real Estate Committee for further discussion before any action is taken.
There was also a discussion regarding the development and dissemination of a Frequently Asked Questions document to answer some of the questions that the community is asking regarding the Superfund process. A list of preliminary questions were distributed and a charge to each committee to come up with questions pertaining to their areas was put forth.
CORD wants to hear from you! Help us ask the questions that YOU want the answers to.
What are your questions about the Superfund? Do you have any concerns regarding the cleanup? Do you have any questions about the process in general?
Please feel free to submit them to CGCORD@gmail.com
We will not identify you unless you wish us to. If you wish your general address to be mentioned as part of the question and nothing more, we will do so.
What is important is not WHO asks the question but the question or concern itself. If something is bothering you or you are just plain curious....ASK AWAY!
As we have said so many times before....the CAG allows everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in this important event----
Come to the meetings when you can...and when you can't....please stay involved via this newsletter....talk to us via email....we WILL bring your questions, comments, concerns and opinions to the meetings for you.
We are always happy to hear from you.

CORD HISTORY:

With the "Protect Our Homes" petition, CORD was formed in May, 2007. This petition arose as an overwhelmingly negative response to the coming of the over-sized 360 Smith Street Development at the corner of Smith Street and Second Place (Aka Oliver House; aka 131 Second Place). This petition, which had well over three thousand signatures, led to a new zoning text amendment in summer of 2008.

To: Our Elected Officials, Community Leaders, The MTA:
(MAY, 2007)

We the undersigned Carroll Gardens homeowners and residents, are appalled by the "as of right" ruling which allows owners and developers to erect buildings in our neighborhood with no regard to the impact they will present to our quality of life and the value of our homes........

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?crlgrdns