Quicklink: From The New York Daily News
Filed under: 11222, Criminal Activity, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
Those of you who were wondering what the helicopter action was in the wee hours this morning (I was), methinks this may very well might be the reason. YIKES!
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part III: Flooded At 400 McGuinness
A lass named Laura opines:
My husband took these photos of the shelter. They can’t say they weren’t warned. As I’ve said before, a shelter should be a safe place.
Not only do I agree, I find it sad that our city’s homeless have been (once again) rendered homeless. Closing on a (somewhat) related note, has anyone heard what is going on regarding the respite shelter slated to hours our local homeless? Per our City Councilman, Steve Levin, at the last 94th Precinct Community Council Meeting this was to open November 1st. Now I am hearing November 15th. Given that we have just received our first taste of wintry weather I (and I imagine a fair number of my fellow Greenpointers) are quite concerned as to when this wonderful (and long overdue) endeavor will commence.
If anyone has the 411 on what’s going on please share via comments or email at: missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Your identity will remain anonymous if you so desire. Thanks!
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Grand Opening Ceremony For 400 McGuinness?
If the above missive is any indication it would appear there not only will be one but our Mayor will be present.
Here’s the deal folks: whether or not you are for this facility the fact of the matter is we as residents of this community had a right to know it was open. In fact, the operators of this shelter were required to notify both our Community Board and elected officials when this came to pass. This did not happen. Rather, a temporary Certificate of Occupancy was secured, an emergency was declared and this facility was quietly and conveniently opened while Community Board 1 was on summer break.
The issue at hand is one of transparency. One would hope we as citizens/tax payers would be entitled to this from our civil servants. Obviously this is not the case.
Quicklink: An Update Regarding 400 McGuinness
Given the fact this facility is slated to open this upcoming September I feel compelled to pass along this item from the New York Daily News. Follows is a passage I found particularly intriguing:
“Transient residencies are allowed in certain types of manufacturing districts,” he said, noting that 20 beds in the dormitory shelter will be specifically set aside for Greenpoint homeless…”
I for one think this is a splendid step in the right direction— but it does pose some questions. For example: how are these beds going to administered? Taking into account the fact a great many of our community’s homeless are Polish speakers, certainly a Polish speaking staff member will be required. I suspect I speak on the behalf of many of my neighbors (be they for or against this facility) when I write that I want BRC to provide us with a concrete “plan of action” as to how our homeless will be accommodated (Think: outreach, substance abuse counseling, etc.). Methinks this is not too much to ask.
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