Today was the official groundbreaking ceremony for Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards, which former slave traders Barclays has the naming rights for. I was going to try and make the protests against this ceremony to mark the destruction of Central Brooklyn, the increased sewage load on an already over flowing sewage system and the increased gridlock in an already over crowded road system. But I couldn't skip work today. So I missed it. From what I hear, not that many elected officials made the groundbreaking either...perhaps realizing how unpopular the traffic, street closings and sewage overflows are going to be. And maybe when taxpayers realize how much people like Bloomberg, Marty Markowitz and Vito Lopez are making us pay for Ratner to make money, people will like it even less. But now the damage begins.

Here is the statement from Councilmember Tish James on the groundbreaking:

“He, who has money, has power, influence, and ultimately politicians.  read more »

The Brooklyn Downtown Star just came out with their endorsements. Among them are endorsements for Josh Skaller for the 39rd City Council race, Tish James for the 35th City Council race, and John Liu for Comptroller.

Here's what they have to say about Josh Skaller:

The district must have a progressive-minded council member, capable of fighting for reform, who also understands the importance and distinct needs of the district’s more conservative and less affluent southern belt - an area made up of the neighborhoods of Windsor Terrace, Kensington, and Boro Park.

The job calls for a liberal but open-minded person of integrity, intelligence, and sound judgment. The job calls for Josh Skaller, whom this paper is endorsing for City Council...

Skaller, an outspoken civic activist for the past decade, has established a broad base of support through his commitment to a brand of progressive but pragmatic politics, a rare combination.  read more »

For me the 35th City Council is one of the easiest. In this case there is an excellent incumbent running for re-election, and she is NOT one of the incumbents who voted themselves a third term despite the clear opposition of the voters. Councilwoman Letitia James is one of the very few Council members who actually has integrity and who actually cares about the community she represents.

For example, Tish James is one of the Council members who have been helping to get school supplies to children of homeless families through Project Back to School. A surprisingly few Council Members are helping with this effort, but Tish James is one of them.

Here are a handful of the things she has done (taken from Wikipedia):

[Tish James] established the Urban Network, a coalition of African-American professional organizations aimed at providing scholarships for young people.

In 1994, James championed the Primary Health Case Development Bill in the City Council, which expanded day care resources for working families across the city.  read more »