Here are reports from Garry Pierre-Pierre, founding editor of the Haitian Times, and reporters Rachel Pratt and Ron Howell about what’s going on in Haiti—and in Brooklyn—since the earthquake.

–On the Rise With aid slow to reach starving population, food prices skyrocket

–Forced to flee, desperate residents leave in exodus, but with hope of return

–Haitians welcome TIPS status

–New York stands up

Found in Brooklyn has video from a press conference at Freddy’s Bar where councilmember Letitia James gave a rousing speech denouncing the priorities of Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Patterson, Brooklyn Borough President Markowitz and “other elected officials,” whose work with real estate developers resulted in last week’s eviction of 88 homeless families in the dead of winter.

From the EPA’s press release:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites you to attend a public information meeting to discuss community involvement tools available for the Gowanus Canal site. Topics covered will include the formation of a Community Advisory Group (CAG), Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) and Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC).

When: Thursday, January 21,
Time:7:00PM – 9:00PM
Location:P.S. 32 – 317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn, NY

Brought to you by The Feldman family from their weather tower in Park Slope.

The 33rd district’s new councilman, Stephen Levin, sent out this press release (his first as councilman) yesterday about the manhole explosions in Brooklyn Heights.

The explosion yesterday that caused three manhole covers to shoot from the ground and a small gas leak on Joralemon Street is being investigated by National Grid and others and monitored by the office of Councilmember Stephen Levin. The explosion was caused when a gas line installation, conducted by a company contracted with National Grid, hit MTA electrical lines and resulted in an electrical explosion.  All street and subway closures, as well as evacuations, have ended.  Thankfully, no one was hurt.

“I am working with other local officials as well as National Grid to remediate any damage and ensure that this kind of incident does not occur again. I am relieved that no local residents were hurt but remain very concerned that this explosion, which could have seriously injured residents, even occurred,” said Councilmember Levin. “I am pleased that National Grid and the MTA are working around the clock to repair the damage and have fully restored service. In addition, I will be working with the Department of Transportation to ensure that Joralmeon Street and Willow Place are fully restored to their condition prior to this incident, including the replacement of all Belgian blocks. My top priority, however, remains the safety of residents and ensuring that this does not happen again. I also commend the FDNY, NYPD, and OEM on their swift and diligent response to the explosion.”

For questions or concerns, feel free to contact Councilmember Levin’s office at 718 875 5200. And, as always, if you smell gas, call 718 643 4050, which goes to National Grid’s emergency area for immediate investigation.

Here are two reports from Rachel Pratt and Gary Pierre-Pierre, editor and publisher of the Haitian Times, the English language weekly located in Brooklyn, which serves New York’s 500,000-strong Haitian community:

People didn’t believe this was the big one

On Sunday mass was about the dead

Brought to you by The Feldman family from their weather tower in Park Slope.

Three manhole explosions rocked Brooklyn Heights on Sunday. Here is an excerpt from an account featured on the Brooklyn Heights blog:

I live on Willow Place not far from the explosion site — we were allowed back into our building app 5:15/5:30 pm. Two teams — fire dept and gas co? — came into our place to check for gas/carbon monoxide. However, a neighbor further south on Willow Place had not yet been let in — there were still “dangerous readings” of some sort in his house. Some Joralemon St residents were held back as well.

I think the explosions actually started a little before 1:00 pm — I can tell from the call log on my cell phone. The first explosion was deafeningly loud. I had also noticed , about 10:00 am this morning, that workmen were ripping up the street at the house being renovated on Willow Place-right next to the MTA substation/power station. I debated coming over to them to complain — my understanding was that it was National Grid putting in a gas line for the long-abandoned house, and it’s illiegal to do non-emergency work on a holiday or weekend. (You need special permits.) Since the jackhammering started c. 9/10 am, rather than the usual 7 am, and since it stopped pretty quickly, I didn’t complain. Why alienate a new neighbor?

Back in 2007, Debbie Almontaser, an educator, interfaith activist and spokesperson for the Brooklyn Muslim community, was selected as the founding principal of the Khalil Gibran International Academy, a middle school that was designated as New York’s first Arabic public school.

Around that time, she was interviewed by the New York Post and asked to comment on a group called  Arab Women Active In The Arts And Media (AWAAM), who made a t-shirt with the word intifada on it. Almontaser made clear that she had no connection with the group other than the fact that she sat on the board of the Saba Association of American Yemenis, which provided AWAAM free office space.

She was, however, asked by the Post to define the word intifada. “The word intifada,” Almontaser explained, “basically means ‘shaking off.’ That is the root word if you look it up in Arabic. I understand it is developing a negative connotation due to the uprising in the Israeli-Palestinian areas. I don’t believe the intention is to have any of that kind of violence in New York City. I think it’s pretty much an opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society … and shaking off oppression.”

For that statement, Almontaser was scolded in public by Randi Weingarten, the president of the United Federation of Teachers.  Weingarten told the New York Times, that intifiada was “something that ought to be denounced, not explained away.” New York City Public Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein announced that Almontaser’s resignation was in her school’s best interest. Mayor Michael Bloomberg was all for it.

People who knew Almontaser, and her good work as an educator, community activist and one of the founders of Brooklyn’s annual Children of Abraham Peace March, which brings together Jews, Christians and Muslims, were outraged.

The New York Post reported:  “‘Intifada’ Principal Resigns.

A supportive front-page article in The New York Times on April 28, 2008 was a vindication of sorts.

In September 2009, a judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Almontaser, who accused school officials in federal court in Manhattan of violating her right to free speech by forcing her to resign over a newspaper interview they had sanctioned.

U.S. District Court Judge Sidney Stein found that Almontaser’s comments in a 2007 interview with the New York Post were “pursuant to her official duties,” and therefore not protected by the First Amendment. He also rejected an allegation that school officials also had violated her right to due process.

The court of appeals argument in Debbie Almontaser’s case will be held today: Tuesday, January 19 at 10 a.m. in the Ceremonial Courtroom, 9th Fl, US Courthouse, 500 Pearl St, off Foley Square.

For those who support Almontaser and are outraged by the injustice against her should come to this court hearing. A  large turnout will send a strong message to the court.

Court Info:
TUESDAY JANUARY 18TH (10AM)
500 Pearl Street, 9th Floor (off Foley Square)
New York, NY
www.kgia.wordpress.com

Here is the full text of the speech Brad Lander gave after his swearing in on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at the Picnic House in Park Slope.

This has been a truly humbling and extraordinary hour.  As my kids would say: “Awesome.”  I find myself in awe of – deeply inspired, but also a bit daunted by – the full range of today’s performers, speakers, and guests.

Of the creativity and soul of Ravi Coltrane, the Bangladeshi Institute for the Performing Arts, the Urban Bush Women, and the MS 51 Choir.  Let’s hear it for them one more time.

Of the civic commitment and visionary leadership represented by Marty Markowitz, Chuck Schumer, Bill de Blasio, John Liu, Yvette Clarke, Nydia Velazquez, Anthony Weiner, Jerry Nadler, and the other public officials here today.  I am truly honored by your presence, and humbled by the example you set.

I stand in in awe of the life-long pursuit of equality and compassion represented by my friends Rafael Cestero, Michelle de la Uz, Steve Flax & Kali Ndoye.  I especially appreciated their words about Haiti; our hearts – and our contributions, and our pledge of service in the days ahead – go out to people there in the face of this unimaginable tragedy.

And of having taken the oath of office from Fritz Schwarz, who chaired the Commission that wrote the City Charter that I have just sworn to uphold.  As Meg said, an oath is a profound act, not something I take lightly. Continue reading Exclusive: Brad Lander’s Inaugural Speech →