Friday, May 24, 2013

ACHUDUS IN KLAL YISROEL



I would like to thank everyone who turned out to show their support for me last night at the Orchidëa in Borough Park. I don't know what to say other than that I was overwhelmed and exceedingly grateful for your generosity and your sincere support. It was beautiful to see quite literally every faction of our community and beyond come together from the largest Chasidic groups to the Sephardic community.

I don’t deserve praise. Being there for a fellow Jew—whether it’s a Jew in our community or Bolivia or Gush Katif—this is our obligation. This is what Hashem wants from us. I am only grateful for these opportunities.











Thursday, May 23, 2013

YeshivaWorldNews: Not Yeshivish. Not News.

It has come to my attention that YeshivaWorldNews is up to its old tricks. It’s not difficult to create new names, new “Dov Gordons” and to even get someone to now claim responsibility for what they will write. There are people who, sadly, will do anything for money.

The YeshivaWorldNews scandal site is now targeting Chaim Israel of Agudas Israel in anticipation of a possible primary run against David Greenfield. They will create rumors and, sadly, sink to any depths to achieve their agenda which has nothing to do with informing Haredim of genuine news.

I do not respond to YeshivaWorldNews or its illiterate graffiti artists who masquerade as reporters. But I want to make it clear to anyone who is interested that I have not endorsed anyone nor encouraged anyone to run in any forthcoming elections.

I have never been shy about stating what’s on my mind nor praising those that deserve praise. I have never shied away from defending my community or the ideals that we hold dear. If I want to endorse someone, I will certainly do so here and to legitimate media outlets, as I have always done.

Dov Hikind
Member of Assembly

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

DOT COMMITS TO REMOVE PARKING METERS IN BORO PARK, MIDWOOD SAYS HIKIND

BREAKING NEWS
FROM ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

May 21, 2013
Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release
718-853-9616 (office)



HUNDREDS OF NEW PARKING SPACES
AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is pleased to announce that hundreds of additional parking spots are expected to be available in Boro Park and Midwood this summer. This morning, the Assemblyman spoke to Joseph Palmieri, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner of NYC’s Department of Transportation, regarding the removal of outdated coin-operated meters as soon as possible.

 “Last year the City of New York installed Muni Meters throughout our district,” Hikind explained. “One of the advantages of these new meters is they allow for more parking spaces as such spaces are no longer designated by proximity to individual, physical coin meters. Unfortunately, the continued presence of these meters causes motorists in our district to continue parking as if designated spots still exist.”

After surveying the neighborhood, Hikind’s staff had estimated that the wasted space between parked cars would allow for an additional 40 parking spots on 13th Avenue in Boro Park alone. When taking into account the other main thoroughfares in the community—including 16th Avenue, 18th Avenue and New Utrecht Ave.—there are literally hundreds of new potential parking spots available in the community.

“I am grateful to Commissioner Palmieri for taking care of our community so quickly,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “The removal of physical parking meters, which now serve no purpose, will not only benefit our community by providing us with much-needed parking for residents, but it will also benefit the City as additional parking on streets with Muni Meters will translate into additional revenue.”

HEALTH DEPARTMENT, LEADERS OF ORTHODOX JEWISH COMMUNITIES ADVISE FAMILIES TO BE VACCINATED TO STOP ONGOING MEASLES OUTBREAK

Portions of today's Dept. of Health Press Release


Delaying Vaccination Puts Young Children At Risk For The Disease

Doctors Urged to Report Measles Cases

May 21, 2013  The Health Department announced today that it has identified 34 cases of measles in Brooklyn – 27 in Borough Park and 7 in Williamsburg – and is urging families to make sure all persons in the household, including young children, are vaccinated. Doctors are urged to be vigilant and promptly report suspected cases to the agency. All 34 cases involved adults or children who were not vaccinated at the time of exposure due to refusal or delays in vaccination. Some infants who are too young to be vaccinated also contracted measles after being exposed to older, unvaccinated family members. Measles is highly contagious and can spread easily to unprotected individuals through airborne transmission.
“Children should be vaccinated against measles when they are 12 months of age,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “Vaccinating children will protect them and help protect infants who are too young to be vaccinated by reducing their risk of exposure. Delaying a child’s vaccination increases the risk of contracting measles and infecting others.”
As many as one in three children with measles develop complications such as diarrhea, ear infection or pneumonia. Infants under one year of age, people who have a weakened immune system and non-immune pregnant women are at highest risk of severe illness and complications. Three people infected in this outbreak have had complications. People who contract the measles virus can spread the infection for four days before developing a rash, and for four days after the rash sets in.
Measles vaccination is required for admission to the City’s schools, colleges and daycare centers. The first measles vaccine dose should be given at the time of the child’s first birthday, with the second dose being administered at 4 to 6 years of age. In New York City, approximately 91.5% of children between the ages of 19 and 35 months have received at least one measles vaccine.
“This has the potential to become a serious epidemic and we commend the Health Department for their swift response in dealing with it,” said Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Boro Park Community Council. “At the same time I urge all Boro Park residents to check with their physicians, make sure all immunizations are up to date and follow any other relevant instructions so that together we can contain this outbreak.”
“It is imperative for parents to vaccinate their children against very preventable diseases such as measles, mumps or rubella,” said State Senator Simcha Felder. “There is no reason anyone – child or adult – should become ill from these or other diseases when medical science has developed a means to prevent such infections. While parents have the right to refuse to vaccinate their children, their decision cannot and should not impinge on the health and well-being of others in their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.”
“Our most precious commodities are our children that’s what life is all about,” said Assemblyman Dov Hikind. “People need to take the dangers of this disease seriously and protect themselves and their families from tragedies that are avoidable. The measles vaccination saves lives.”
About Measles:
Measles is a viral infection characterized by a rash, fever (101 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit), cough, red eyes and runny nose. The illness typically lasts five to six days, with a rash that begins on the face and then moves down the body, including the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Complications from measles can include ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, miscarriage, brain inflammation, hospitalization and even death.
Protect Yourself and Your Family from Measles:
  • Babies should receive the first measles shot when they turn 1.
  • Vaccinating older children is the best way to protect children who are too young to get the shot.
  • If your child is over 1 year of age and has not had the measles shot, it is important to get the child vaccinated as soon as possible to prevent measles.
  • Two doses of measles vaccine are required for full protection. Children usually get the second measles shot at 4 to 6 years of age before going to school.
  • Older children and adults who have not received two measles shots may be at risk of infection.
  •  
·         Vaccinations are very safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the shot was given. 
  • Be sure that you and your family are fully vaccinated prior to international travel. Outbreaks are occurring in Europe, including the United Kingdom. Measles is found in many parts of the world, including Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Ask your doctor about vaccinating your children. You can also call 311 to find out where your child can be vaccinated.
For more information on measles, visit nyc.gov.
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#017-13

MEDIA CONTACTS:  (347) 396-4177
Jean Weinberg/Veronica Lewin: 
PressOffice@health.nyc.gov

HIKIND SEEKS TO ADD HUNDREDS OF PARKING SPACES TO BORO PARK, MIDWOOD



NEWS FROM
ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

May 21, 2013
Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release
718-853-9616 (office)


HIKIND SEEKS TO ADD HUNDREDS OF PARKING SPACES TO BORO PARK, MIDWOOD

CALLS ON DOT TO
REMOVE USELESS PARKING METERS

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is attempting to bring hundreds of additional parking spots to Boro Park and Midwood by having coin-operated parking meters, which are no longer in use, removed from community streets. The Assemblyman has called upon Joseph Palmieri, Brooklyn Borough Commissioner of NYC’s Department of Transportation, to remove the outdated meters as soon as possible.

“Last year the City of New York installed Muni Meters throughout our district,” Hikind explained. “One of the advantages of these new meters is they allow for more parking spaces as such spaces are no longer designated by proximity to individual, physical coin meters.
Unfortunately, the continued presence of these meters causes motorists in our district to continue parking as if designated spots still exist.”

Hikind’s staff  surveyed the neighborhood and estimated that the wasted space between parked cars would allow for an additional 40 parking spots on 13th Avenue in Boro Park alone. When taking into account the other main thoroughfares in the community—including 16th Avenue, 18th Avenue and New Utrecht—there are literally hundreds of new potential parking spots available in the community.

“The removal of physical parking meters, which now serve no purpose, would not only benefit our community by providing us with much-needed parking for residents, but it would also benefit the City as additional parking on streets with Muni Meters would translate into additional revenue,” Hikind explained.
 

Monday, May 20, 2013

AN INVITATION TO DAVID GREENFIELD TO CLEAR HIS NAME


This weekend, the print edition of City & State, a publication that’s read and respected by all elected officials, published a disturbing story about the website YeshivaWorldNews and its political commentator Dov Gordon. City & State revealed that Mr. Gordon, who has praised NYC Councilman David Greenfield in the most glowing terms for three years, is, according to several sources close to the Councilman, none other than David Greenfield himself.

Councilman Greenfield refused to speak with City & State regarding this matter. Instead, he issued a statement through a spokesperson denying the allegations and attacking the witnesses, which included his former chief of staff and campaign manager.

On Saturday evening, on my radio show, I invited Councilman Greenfield to come on my show to clear up this matter once and for all. If he is not connected to the “Dov Gordon” Back Room Deals column that has been responsible for endless character assassination upon not only myself but other elected officials; if he is not behind three years of endless adoration ad nauseam regarding his own performance as an elected official, then Councilman Greenfield should have no problem discussing these charges brought by City & State and his former staff members. If it is actually someone else paying YeshivaWorldNews to attack community members and organizations, such as Agudath Israel of America, then David Greenfield should be as eager as I am to bring the truth to light.

David Greenfield has been a guest on my show before. I reiterate my invitation to do so again. The opportunity to sit and discuss this matter as our constituents listen in should hold no fear.