Assemblymember Hears Local Issues

By COLlive reporter

State Assembly member Diana Richardson met with a group of young Lubavitch residents of Crown Heights on Wednesday to hear concerns and open a dialogue with the Chassidic community.

Diana Richardson represents the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn, which includes the neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Wingate and East Flatbush.

In an informal setting at the CHYE offices on Empire Boulevard, about 20 members of the Chabad community, including businessmen and leaders of organizations and local Shuls, gathered at an event organized by community activist Yaakov Behrman.

The event opened with a Dvar Torah by Rabbi Shea Hecht.

Ms. Richardson then related about her background, noting that she is a self-made success and native of Crown Heights, and reviewed the work she is accomplishing in the district, serving on various committees ranging from economic development to mental health issues.

Richardson expressed her sympathies to the Brikman family and the entire community on the recent violent stabbing of Leiby Brikman. She told participants that she is staying abreast of the situation, to make sure that all that is possible is being done to ensure that an attack like that does not happen again, and that the attacker is caught. She is also working to make sure that people with mental health issues receive the help they need, since many of the recent attacks have been perpetrated by individuals with mental health issues.

Richardson also related that she is supporting a plan being championed by Crown Heights Councilmember Laurie Cumbo, that the Community Board supports as well, to extend parking pre-payments on Kingston Avenue so that residents can park there on Fridays and leave their cars parked until after Shabbos, thus freeing up a large amount of available parking.

Richardson’s remarks were followed by a question and answer session, in which residents brought up concerns in the community.

Issues that were raised included recent violent crimes in the neighborhood, leading residents to question whether the attacks were random or racially motivated hate crimes, and traffic flow issues in the neighborhood.

Another discussion revolved around the sale of a large part of the Crown Heights Armory, with residents expressing concern that the current plan to sell a third of it as condos may not leave enough for the community’s needs for a recreational center.

“Diana was interested in hearing what the locals are concerned about, what needs solving,” said Warren Berke, a member of community board 9 and volunteer for Richardson. “The main resolution of the meeting is that residents must take an active role in the community. If you have a problem – get in touch. If the community board doesn’t know what’s on people’s minds, we can’t make a request to solve it.”

The meeting ended with the resolve to continue these events, and to encourage members of the community to get involved, whether by submitting their complaints or by attending the Community Board meetings.

“By working together, we can integrate and include the Chabad community in the economic and other development in the community,” Berke said. “Ultimately, we are stronger when we work together for change.”

Assemblywoman Richardson was pleased with the dialogue and looks forward to continuing to meet with the community.

“I look forward to more meetings like the one held last week, as they are a vital aspect of improving the quality of life for all residents living in the 43rd assembly district” Richardson told COLlive. “I will continue to work together in partnership with the Chabad community to ensure that their needs are met and that their issues are adequately addressed.”