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Government

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Judge Rules SUNY Board Acted Illegally on LICH Closing

March 15, 2013

The Times reports that New York Supreme Court Justice Johnny Baynes, who earlier extended a temporary restraining order against SUNY’s shutdown of Long Island College Hospital, has ruled that the SUNY board acted in violation of New York State’s open meetings law, and vacated the board’s decision to close LICH. According to the Times:

The trustees’ use of a vague notice, a “skeletal statement of purpose in the written agenda,” and the timing of a two-hour closed executive session on Feb. 7, the day before the public vote, “seems intentionally designed to shield the purpose of the meetings from the general public and obstruct the transparency required by the Open Meetings Law,” the decision said, noting that the trustees “are not unsophisticated.”

The story also quotes a SUNY spokesman as saying that “the ruling hinges on a procedural technicality” and that “the board Would move swiftly to fix the problem.” If, as expected, the board again votes to close LICH, the plan must then be submitted to the State Department of Health, which could refuse to approve the closure, as it did a plan by LICH’s former owner, Continuum Health Partners, to close LICH’s obstetrics and pediatrics departments just over four years ago.


Source: Cobble Hill Blog
http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/8216

From the Web

News

Markowitz on LICH Closing: “A Serious Mistake”

February 8, 2013

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz testified before the Assembly Health Committee at Brooklyn Borough Hall today. Here’s the transcript of his testimony:

This morning’s unanimous vote by the board of SUNY Downstate to shut down LICH is simply unacceptable. Closing LICH jeopardizes the health and well-being of thousands of Brooklynites and will have serious effects on our economy.

LICH provides essential medical treatment for thousands of Brooklynites with chronic conditions and those seeking emergency care—without it, they will lose their lifeline.

Comptroller DiNapoli’s audit claims that LICH is underutilized, yet according to several reports, including a study by the New York Nurses Association, LICH averaged a 90 percent occupancy rate. And in 2010, LICH delivered more than 3,000 babies, and treated over 4,000 infants in its neo-natal unit and nearly 2,000 heart patients.

The statistics clearly show that LICH is not underutilized.

Furthermore, the New York Nurses Association also found that in 2012 there were well over 120,000 patient visits to LICH. Roughly 20 percent of those were emergency room visits, meaning without LICH, one out of every five patients would have had to go elsewhere, losing valuable time in the process. And in life threatening situations, every second counts.

And the hospital’s hard working staff has clearly proven their capabilities and dedication as they are essentially operating with half the required resources. The facility has been staffed and budgeted for no more than 250 beds, yet the hospital has more than 500 beds!

Sadly, these 2,000 dedicated doctors, nurses, and hospital staff are in danger of losing their jobs. Many of these employees live in Brooklyn, so closing LICH would have devastating economic consequences that would ripple across Brooklyn. And right now, the last thing we want to do is hurt our already fragile economy.

In the debate on LICH’s future, we cannot ignore the simple fact that the real estate value of the LICH property is estimated at $500 million dollars. It raises the serious concern that this hospital may be viewed more valuable closed than open. But whatever profits SUNY might gain from real estate will be more than offset by the loss in jobs and valuable medical service to our community.

It’s plain to see that closing LICH would be a serious mistake, so I call on SUNY’s board to rethink this rash decision and continue working to find alternative solutions that would ensure that Brooklynites do not lose critical medical services.

BHB file photo by Claude Scales



Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55136

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, News

Daniel Squadron On LICH Closing: ‘Our Fight Isn’t Over’

February 8, 2013

State Senator Daniel Squadron has put up his dukes over Friday morning’s confirmation that Long Island College Hospital will be shuttered by the SUNY Board of Trustees and sold for real estate development.

In a statement, he insists: “Our fight isn’t over. As I said yesterday, SUNY’s plan essentially turns a $63 million state grant into a subsidy for a massive real estate deal that will cut essential services without any community benefit. It should be no surprise that our community and Brooklyn will feel looted with this result. DOH has an opportunity to ensure the needs of this community and all of Brooklyn are met—and that’s precisely what we will urge it to do.”

Squadron testified at Thursday’s public hearing, in which community leaders and locals bemoaned the closing of the 155-year-old facility, at 339 Hicks Street in Cobble Hill.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55066

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Events, News, Real Estate

Sparks Fly At Thursday’s LICH Public Hearing

February 7, 2013

At Thursday’s public hearing with the SUNY board in Midtown Manhattan, sparks were flying over the closing of Long Island College Hospital in Cobble Hill, with contentious exchanges between Councilman Brad Lander, SUNY Chairman Carl McCall and state Sen. Eric Adams.

Among accusations: whether SUNY’s acquisition of Long Island College Hospital was a transaction driven by real estate rather than medical considerations. Lander: “Was there a good faith effort to integrate LICH into the [larger medical] system, or was there some attention being paid to several hundred million dollars, possibly 500 million dollars, in real estate?”

After the hearing Thursday afternoon, the board is expected to act on a recommendation that it close LICH in a closed door session. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle is reporting on today’s events.



Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/55016

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Tale of the Tweets: Brooklyn Heights Library Hearing

January 29, 2013

The Friends of the Brooklyn Heights Branch Library held a Trustees Meeting on Tuesday night addressing the impending sale of the building. As previously reported, it was  announced on January 15 several BPL branches would be impacted as the system shifts to digital media and services. The current Brooklyn Heights’ Cadman Plaza branch will be closing and be “temporarily relocated.”  

The Brooklyn Eagle was on at the hearing and live tweeted highlights. (The “star” of the evening was apparently Josh Nachowitz—pictured here—the library’s VP for Government and Community Relations.)

Brooklyn Heights Library Hearing 1/29/13

Storified by Brooklyn Bugle· Tue, Jan 29 2013 17:59:52

Hearing on closing ["temporary relocation"] of Brooklyn Heights library and permanent biz library move is on.http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/library-block-plans-sell-brooklyn-heights-branch-building-gets-hearing-tuesday-night …Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Corrected link to Eagle’s library story: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/library-block-plans-sell-brooklyn-heights-branch-building-gets-hearing-tuesday-night ••• Live tweet of Friends of BH Library trustees meeting will begin shortly.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
While BH library remains open, weekly booksale (which benefits the library) will continues, Noon-2 pm on Fridays.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Josh Nachowitz, VP Govt and Community Relations, begins: "The BPL has no intention of going anywhere … of abandoning Brooklyn Heights."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Brooklyn Public Library’s ability to serve Brooklyn Heights is handicapped by limitations of current building. #BPLBrooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Brooklyn Public Library’s ability to serve Brooklyn Heights is handicapped by limitations of current building. #BPLBrooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: "We hv been faced w/very severe infrastructure issues with this building" A/C cannot be repaired; wld cost 3-1/2mil to replace.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: #BPL is "looking at ways to partner w/pvt sector developer who can bld a brand new state of the art branch library on this site."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: It’s a lengthy process that wld begin fairly "soon."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz downplay biz library, says biz libr not designed for dtown biz cmty and #BPL has been thinking of movg it for long time.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
First question to Nachowitz: "On whose authority" does library seek to impose giant new bldg on BHeights cmmty?Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Confirmed by Friends’ secy: A/C was renovated in 1993 and it broke first summer. [It’s malfunctioned ever since.]Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Bldg needs 3-1/2mil for a/c, 9+mil for infrastructure fix. Planned library replacement isan "opportunity for this community."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Q: "How long will we go w/o library serv while they’re doing all this stuff?" Nachowitz promises temp loc but "can’t tell you" how long.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz: Other option: bldg will close. "If we don’t do something w/ this building we will not be able to provide library services."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
During 20 yrs when a/c’s been broken, why hasn’t it been fixed? Nachowitz says, essentially, tht Bklyn Heights was low #BPL priority.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz denies #BPL has made it a priority to craft real estate deals — except for Brooklyn Heights branch.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz asked if #BPL would rule out doing biz w/ Forest City Ratner. A: "Absolutely not."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Audience member calls plan to transfer ownership of library site "from public to private" "sad and tragic." #BPLBrooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz said temporary space "ideally" would be a physical space. Doesn’t discount a Bookmobile.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Retired #BPL librarian points out that biz library’s dtown locaiton is much more accessible than Grand Army Plz branch.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz asked what other fundraising options #BPL looked at to avoid developer "bait and switch." Says raising pvt $ is "very difficult."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Councilman Levin rises to defend the process and calm nerves. "The comty does hv a very substantive role in whatever happens."Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Levin urges #BPL to "come up w/ solutions that provide a continuity of service" in coming summer.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Levin says process would be different than at Atlantic Yards and BBridge Park.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Nachowitz says zoning allows for 10 FAR (roughly 10x lot size), about a 170,000 sq ft bldg (incl 15,000 sq ft for library).Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BHA Exec Dir Judy Stanton asks Nachowitz to promise to consult w/ "very small" group from community.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BHA Exec Dir Judy Stanton asks Nachowitz to promise to consult w/ "very small" group from community.Brooklyn Daily Eagle
From library hearing, that’s a wrap. More from reporter Mary Frost @BklynEagle website in the morning: http://www.BrooklynEagle.comBrooklyn Daily Eagle
@BklynEagle All yr followers now craving nachos. "Thus began The Great Brooklyn Nacho Stampede of 2013."Carrie

Photo via Brooklyn Daily


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/54669

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights, Events

Brooklyn’s Chanukah Menorah Beams At Borough Hall

December 11, 2012

Monday evening, December 10, in celebration of Chanukah, Brooklyn Borough Prez Marty Markowitz joined Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin of Congregation B’nai Avraham and Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, along with Paul Amit, a parent from Kiddie Korner, and other officials to light Brooklyn’s 29-foot menorah in front of the Supreme Court building in Columbus Park/Borough Hall Plaza.

Musical entertainment was provided by Yanky Flusberg and Kiddie Korner, and Markowitz handed out Chanukah gelt candy coins to celebrants. (Photo: Kathryn Kirk)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/52704

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

Follow-Up: Nate Silver Nails All 50 States In Prez Election Prediction

November 7, 2012

After BHB reported Tuesday about Brooklyn Heights area resident/NY Times’ 538 Blog guru Nate Silver’s prediction that “President Obama has a 90.9% probability of winning reelection” and his profile in Tablet, it appears the statistician/strategist correctly called every single state in last evening’s election—after being needled for weeks by political commentators who ridiculed his method for forecasting election results.

Poynter.org rounds up news reports from the likes of Slate, Huffington Post, Forbes, Newsday, Time and more. (Photo: Penguin Press)


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51537

From the Web

Nor’easter Coming

November 6, 2012

As if Sandy wasn’t enough, some more rough weather is expected starting tomorrow evening and going into Thursday. The 84th Precinct Community Council has these suggestions:

The National Weather Service is forecasting a Nor’Easter storm to hit our area late Wednesday night into Thursday bringing with it possible 40-50 mile per hour winds and 2-4″ of rain. Tidal surges of 4-5′ are also possible.

While New York has seen its share of these types of storms in the past, its arrival just about one week after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of our City is cause for us to take pause and ensure some basic preparations are made – especially in tidal areas.

We ask that you ensure loose items or debris around your home are secured, and any tree limbs that were affected by Sandy be removed or secured.

Stock up on essential food and water supplies if possible, and fuel your vehicles when you can (we know the lines are long!)

Make a plan – ensure family members know how to contact each other and where to meet should communication be difficult.

Check your flashlights and make sure they have a supply of batteries.

If you use candles, use them with care – keep them away from any flammable objects (curtains etc) and never use them unattended – particularly when sleeping.

Do not use your stove or oven to provide heat – Carbon Monoxide is deadly and open flames are even more dangerous.

Most importantly, check on your neighbors – especially the elderly and infirm – now, more than ever, New Yorker’s need each other.

We are here if you needs us – our Community Affairs Bureau command center is open 24/7 at this time to answer any questions you may have. We can be reached at 646-610-5323 or 718-610-5323 or via email: communityaffairs@nypd.org

We’ll keep you informed about weather developments.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51315

From the Web

Nor’easter Coming; May Bring Snow

November 6, 2012

As if Sandy wasn’t enough, some more rough weather is expected starting tomorrow evening and going into Thursday. The forecast: Showers in the morning becoming steady rain in the afternoon. High near 40F. Winds 25-35 mph. Rainfall near a half an inch. Evening: Windy with rain, then a mix of rain and snow late. Low 36F. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph. The 84th Precinct Community Council has these suggestions:

The National Weather Service is forecasting a Nor’Easter storm to hit our area late Wednesday night into Thursday bringing with it possible 40-50 mile per hour winds and 2-4″ of rain. Tidal surges of 4-5′ are also possible.

While New York has seen its share of these types of storms in the past, its arrival just about one week after Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of our City is cause for us to take pause and ensure some basic preparations are made – especially in tidal areas.

We ask that you ensure loose items or debris around your home are secured, and any tree limbs that were affected by Sandy be removed or secured.

Stock up on essential food and water supplies if possible, and fuel your vehicles when you can (we know the lines are long!)

Make a plan – ensure family members know how to contact each other and where to meet should communication be difficult.

Check your flashlights and make sure they have a supply of batteries.

If you use candles, use them with care – keep them away from any flammable objects (curtains etc) and never use them unattended – particularly when sleeping.

Do not use your stove or oven to provide heat – Carbon Monoxide is deadly and open flames are even more dangerous.

Most importantly, check on your neighbors – especially the elderly and infirm – now, more than ever, New Yorker’s need each other.

We are here if you needs us – our Community Affairs Bureau command center is open 24/7 at this time to answer any questions you may have. We can be reached at 646-610-5323 or 718-610-5323 or via email: communityaffairs@nypd.org

We’ll keep you informed about weather developments. Update: MSNBC reports that the storm may bring “a few inches” of snow and wind gusts up to 50 MPH to the New York City area. Coastal flooding is not expected to be nearly as severe as with Sandy. Still, the storm will likely hamper recovery efforts.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51315

From the Web

Brooklyn Heights

It’s Election Day! Where To Vote? Find Out Here!

November 6, 2012

Polls are open today, Tuesday, November 6, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To make sure you know where your polling place is, go to the City of New York Board of Elections website and plug in your address here at the top right of the homepage. It works! The site also offers iPhone and Android phone apps, if need be.


Source: Brooklyn Heights Blog
http://brooklynheightsblog.com/archives/51318

From the Web