First we must thank Mark N. & Eddie B for hooking us up with 2 great locations to host our events. Without the space, we would have been crammed up in our little office…

Next, we would like to thank everyone who came out, all the neighborhood groups that showed up, and all the local politicians that came to support our progressive neighborhood agenda. We would especially like to thank Bakeri for their delicious donation of pastries for our Forum event. Additionally, we would like to really thank CM Levin for coming and participating in both the Town Hall meeting and the Saturday Forum; So cool to have local politicians who like to participate in grassroots activism and take the time to listen and learn form their constituents.

We also need to thank all the other community groups that came out and participated! A big round of applause to GWAP for their amazing workshop on the North Brooklyn waterfront. And of course, Lincoln Restler — our District Leader– gave a great presentation on the power of participating in local politics and Frank Lang from St Nicks joined NAG in a really juicy presentation on Affordable Housing.

And of course, we couldn’t do anything without all the power that our volunteers bring to the mix. As always, set-up & clean-up and everything in between was so great thanks to the helping hands of our NAG board and our volunteer crew. Huge hurrah to our intern Claire Harvey who has rocked out a month in the office, doing so much of the heavy lifting to make these events possible. We will miss her as she returns to Toronto this week

Stay tuned! We look forward to releasing a “report” with all our findings from your report cards and breakout brainstorming sessions…

Town Hall Meeting

Thurs Feb 2, 2012. 7-9pm
160 N 5th — Holy Ghost Ukranian Church

Neighborhood Forum

Sat Feb 4, 2012. 12-4pm
110 Kent Ave [@N8th]
Ground floor of NAG office bldg.


If you could give the neighborhood a grade,what would it be?

Join new and long-time community members as we discuss the crucial issues in Greenpoint and Williamsburg, things like affordable housing, tenant rights, homelessness, transportation, safe streets, public schools, development and city infrastructure, open space, parks, and environmental justice.

NAG will be presenting a Community Report Card talking baout where we’re at and where we’ve been on these issues. Community members can then discuss and decide on the main issues that are the most important right now; the issues that need action to make our neighborhoods more livable.

After selecting our community’s most important issues,  come out the following  Saturday to the State of the Neighborhood Forum  to discuss how we are going to take action and make changes in our neighborhoods!

Some loft tenants–formally called New York City Loft Tenants (NYCLT)– have put together a website in order to help us all come together and get organized. www.nyclofttenants.org

NYCLT is organized by loft tenants for loft tenants to educate newcomers, advocate for tenants’ rights and improve the new Loft Law. It is an invaluable resource for all of us who are in the throws of the loft law application process (even if you are still just thinking about filing…). If you are a loft tenant you must check it out (and while you are at it, join the google group!!) NYCLT is reaching out to all tenants in commercial buildings to join the NYCLT and get involved protecting residential and live/work spaces. If you know anyone  living in a commercial loft building, tell them about this new resource and NYCLT.

The site is built and maintained by loft tenants, open to collaboration from all of us.  It has news, updates, and announcements. There is a growing FAQ section where you can find out what the Loft Law is and how it affects you, guides that help you decide whether or not to apply and tell you how to apply, and what you need to know after you apply for Loft Law coverage. Plus a calendar so you can see everything that’s happening with the Loft Board and other tenant advocacy groups and where you can show up and make a difference.

Check out the calendar NOW because there is a great Meet n’ Greet scheduled with the Loft Board for Dec 7th! If you are a loft tenant, this event needs to be at the top of your to-do list (along with the Loft Board Meeting the following day!)

Paul Steely White delivers letters to the NYPD

Today, Transportation Alternatives announced the launch of an investigation into the NYPD’s traffic crash investigation practices. Joined outside One Police Plaza by the friends and families of dangerous driving victims and concerned New Yorkers, advocates delivered more than 2,650 letters to NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, demanding the NYPD hold dangerous drivers accountable. The probe is being launched to shine a light on the Police Department’s failure to recognize traffic violence as a public safety crisis. From 2000 to 2009, more people were killed in traffic than murdered by guns in New York City. The NYPD must take these fatalities as seriously as other preventable deaths and devote the necessary resources to save lives.

Friends & family of victims demand justice for their loved ones.

This is a real issue on the streets of Greenpoint & Williamsburg. Our neighborhood has a large cluster of bicycle deaths, and has seen 4 cyclist killed in just the last few months. All the cases raise questions about how the police in our neighborhood investigate and deal with crashes. However, Mathieu Lefevre’s case is especially harrowing.  In late October, Mathieu was run over on his bicycle and killed by a flatbed truck at the intersection of Meserole Street and Morgan Avenue in East Williamsburg. The driver of the truck left the scene of the crash, parked nearby and never returned. As with all fatal crashes, the NYPD’s Accident Investigation Squad reported to the scene. Just a few days later, the investigation was closed. The NYPD then announced an all too common conclusion: the driver who killed Mathieu Lefevre would not be charged. Not with leaving the scene of the crash. Not with failure to exercise due care while driving. Not any charges at all. 

Erika reminds us that every life is precious

Among those present at today’s rally was Erika Lefevre, the mother of slain Brooklyn resident, Matheiu Lefevre. Below is the powerful statement she read at the rally, which raises some serious questions for those of us who live and bike within the 90th precinct:

Thank all of you who have come to express your support.

I never expected to be standing in the same spot today where I stood over a month ago, asking the NYPD to please release the information it has about the death of Mathieu. In that month, we have made many requests to the NYPD for information, including Freedom of Information requests. But we’ve gotten almost nothing.

We have received an NYPD accident report. But the small amount of information in the report seems to contradict earlier statements by the police. The report raises more questions than it answers.

Back in October, the press quoted police sources as stating that Mathieu went though a red light. There is nothing in the report about this, and the NYPD detective investigating the case told me there is no evidence at all about the light.

Also in October, the press quoted police sources as stating that Mathieu was riding nest to the truck when it hit him, in the driver’s blind spot. But the report clearly shows that the truck was behind Mathieu and rear-ended him.

So here are my questions:

• Why did unnamed NYPD sources originally tell the press that Mathieu went through a red light, when there is no evidence of that?
• Why did the NYPD originally say Mathieu was riding next to the truck when it struck him, and then issue a report showing Mathieu was rear-ended?
• How can the truck driver have rear-ended Mathieu and not known he had done so?
• Why did the NYPD rush to accept the driver’s story that he didn’t know he killed someone, when the investigation is still ongoing?
• Why haven’t we been given access to the coroner’s report, the videotapes that NYPD says they have, and the other evidence of what actually happened? How much longer will this take? Six months? A year?

We appreciate that NYPD has a difficult job in trying to investigate this crash and determine what happened,” said Mrs. Lefevre. “We want NYPD to take the time it needs to conduct an unbiased, thorough, professional investigation. But NYPD has caused us great pain with their mishandling and withholding of information, and their rush to clear the driver of any wrongdoing

Today, I am asking NYPD to stop leaking misinformation to the press about crash victims. That only hurts the victims and their families, and makes the NYPD appear unprofessional and biased. NYPD must also stop stonewalling our Freedom of Information requests, and let us have the videotape and other evidence they have told us they have. Six weeks after Mathieu’s death, we have a right to know what happened. By getting accurate information out in a timely way, people will be able to make sense of these terrible crashes, and it will make the streets safer for everyone.

My son is dead; he cannot speak for himself. Nothing I can do will bring him back.But one thing I can do is to speak out about how this case has been handled by the NYPD, and about how changes would affect the lives of future victims, cyclists and pedestrians. Lives can be saved if the laws are enforced, thus making the streets safer for everyone.

Every life is precious.

Scan of original police report for Mathieu Lefevre

Mathieu's ghost bike memorial

Juliana Berger demands justice for Mathieu

Another powerful statement read by Juliana Berger, a friend of Mathieu’s.

Between 2001 and 2010, 1,745 pedestrians and bicyclists have been killed in New York City traffic and 142,485 have been injured. There is nothing “accidental” about the majority of these crashes; 60 percent of fatal pedestrian and bicyclist crashes with known causes are caused by driver’s dangerous and illegal behavior. Yet the NYPD refuses to enforce traffic laws that are already on the books.

“It’s the NYPD’s job to keep dangerous driving in check by holding reckless drivers accountable, but they are simply not taking that job seriously. Their cavalier attitude to the epidemic of lawless driving is absolutely unacceptable. We are going to hold the NYPD to task on behalf of the victims of dangerous drivers by launching a comprehensive investigation of the department’s practices,” said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives.

Join the fight to hold lethal drivers accountable for their lawless actions.  Click this link and learn how you can TAKE ACTION AND SUPPORT JUSTICE FOR MATHIEU LEFEVRE

The transportation action group at NAG plans to attend the next 90th Precinct Community Council to demand answers for Mathieu, his friends and family, and our community.  Email for more info nag.bklyn@gmail.com or check our facebook page for event info. (Event will be posted once we have a date for next Community Council meeting)

Don't let loft living become just a thing for the ad campaigns. Organize TODAY!

Reminder! Our monthly mixer & meeting for loft tenants is tomorrow. Same great times, but we have moved locations. The Summer was great in the backyard at the Greenpoint Church but these cold months mean we need to move indoors and there just isnt room for us at the church. SO, we have moved to the Southside, thanks to the wonderful folks at The Woods, who have opened up their great space to us.

Join our Monthly NAG Loft Mixer & Meeting

Last Wednesday of the Month

The Woods. 48 S4th

730-8pm: Meet n’ Greet for First Timers

8-830pm: Presentation

Next meetings: Wed Dec 28th & Wed Jan 25th

This is a critical time for loft tenants to join forces as proposed rent increases are still on the table.  Thanks to many of you, we have the Loft Board’s attention and it is essential to maintain and increase this level of presence and involvement.

Come to the meeting at 730pm to ask questions about the application process, specific building questions, and get general overviews of the law and the application process.

Bring your roommates and neighbors.  This is where we organize and get everyone up to speed on the current status of Loft Law Rules while sharing ideas about how to overcome current obstacles facing loft tenants. At 8pm we will switch gears and discuss the latest happenings at the City Council Oversight hearing and and the most recent Loft Board meeting. We will introduce you to the amazing new loft tenant advocacy group and discuss upcoming public meetings and whatnot. Let’s keep up this momentum.  This is our time to effect change with our presence and consistent involvement.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS for the next Loft Board meeting. They are in the middle of the day so it is impossible for some people to attend but we need as many bodies in the room at every meeting to hold the Loft Board accountable. They are voting on rent increases and the like and we need to keep up the pressure!

Thursday, December 8^th, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. NYC Loft Board Meeting @ -22 Reade St. New York, NY

While we cannot speak at this meeting, we need to show a strong presence which will mean increased visibility to the Loft Board that is currently writing the rules about YOUR loft!

Change You Want To See Gallery. circa April 2008

The good news is that they have a lease on a new space on the Greenpoint waterfront and are gearing up for another year of education, activism, and events in the neighborhood. But they need our collective support. Check out their awesome video for their even more awesome kickstarter campaign.

No Space has always been an integral part of the North Brooklyn artist/activist community. Become one of their kickstarter supporters (before Dec 3rd!!)

We would like to thank Not An Alternative for all the amazing things they have done for and in the neighborhood. Their first major effort involved a series of projects aimed at challenging the 2005 rezoning and gentrification of our neighborhood. Now, 7 yrs later, they find themselves being displaced, like countless other spaces, businesses and residents around here over the years.  Get a glimpse at all the great programming and actions at their not an alternative flickr page and contribute to their kickstarter campaign to help fund their first year of programming in their new space.

Not An Alternative Waterfront Parade & Festival. Spring 2005.

Not An ALternative Waterfront Parade & Festival. Spring 2005

Not An Alternative Waterfront Festival. Spring 2005

photo by nyc streets @flickr.com

photo by nyc streets @flickr.com

After giving thanks for such an amazing and vibrant community that we live in, now is a great time to get involved and attend a community meeting!

At CB#1 Transportation Committee meeting, the NYC DOT will be making 2 important presentations. First we will see the final masterplan for the Brooklyn Greenway. Then they will host a discussion on possible locations for the new Bike Share program. Add your important voice to the discussion…

photo by nyc streets @flickr.com

Thurs. Dec 1st. 6:30PM

AGENDA:

• ( 1. ) Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Master Plan Final Presentation by: Mr. Ted Wright, Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, Project Manager, NYC DOT.
• ( 2. ) NYC DOT’S Bike Share Program and discussion on possible locations- Presentation by: Mr. Jon Orcutt, Traffic Planning, NYC DOT.

photo by nyc streets @flickr.com

New Kings Democrats held its True Blue celebration of the Brooklyn reform movement. The highlight of the evening (for us, at least) was the award presented to NAG’s extraordinary organizer, Ryan Kuonen. Ryan was honored for her work on behalf of NAG, the Southside CSA and the Greenpoint Soup Kitchen.

Joining Ryan on the list of honorees were Bill Lipton, Deputy Director of the Working Families Party and Ana Maria Archila, Oona Chatterjee and Andrew Friedman of Make the Road New York.

NAG congratulates Ryan and thanks NKD for making such a great choice.

(photo by Aaron Short)

Come out and join  in the fantastic 16th Annual Williamsburg Halloween Parade!

Costumes • floats •  Bring your own musical instruments!

Gather at 6:30,  March at 7

McCArren Park at Bedford & N.12th

Check out this flickr set from the 2005 parade – Williamsburg Halloween Parade