Court Street Merchants Association, Inc The Voice Of Court Street
509 Court Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231 • Fax: 718-875-0998 • www.courtstreetmerchants.org
Minutes of 04/01/09 General Meeting at Montessori School
Meeting began at 8:15pm with CSMA Executive Committee Members in attendance:
Vincent Mazzone, Joanny D′Amico, Angela Vita, Lydia Buffington
Absent: Mike Polanski
John Hayer Jr. mentioned that the annual Carroll Gardens Easter Procession would take place as usual on Good Friday. He also mentioned that on Saturday, May 2 there would be a walking tour taking place along Court Street – with stops at several Mom & Pop businesses.
Citibank manager, Nikhil Gadkari, mentioned the availability of small business loans through a partnership with NYC Small Business Services. He also mention that the Carroll Gardens branch would be hosting events and taking on a more “neighborhood feel”.
Robert Zuckerman announced the opening of his campaign headquarters on Court Street in his bid for a City Council seat.
Angela Vita reported that the layout for the Court Street Directory has been completed and that it in the process of being forwarded to the printer.
Lydia Buffington reported that:
On Sunday, May 3rd, the annual SpringFest will take place on Court Street. All Court Street businesses are encouraged to participate and help enhance the event.
Partitions to save the B75 bus route, slated to be discontinued due to MTA budget constraints, have been mailed.
Information on prevention tips to avoid crimes related to impersonation of utilities workers is available at her office – GCCDC, 509 Court Street.
Vincent Mazzone reported that:
On Saturday, May 2nd the Friends of Carroll Park will be hosting their annual Spring Fair – an event for children. And on Sunday, June 14th the first of a series of Kids’ Concerts will take place.
Windows Brooklyn may not physically be able to accommodate all of the requests received by our members to participate in this year’s exhibit scheduled to begin on June 6. They are committed to the task and doing everything possible not to disappoint anyone.
Sign-up sheets notifying the 76th Precinct that permission has not been given to anyone to decorate (graffiti) your property are now available on our website.
Once again the matter of forming a BID has been tabled. This time, pending information from the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services concerning how assessments – and changes in assessments – are being made to real estate owners in Business Improvement Districts. And there’s still the issue of possible “misuse of funds” which may have occurred several years ago.
Page 2
Deanna Bitetti, on behalf of Congresswoman Yvette Clark, spoke about Women’s Business Outreach network, a program to assist women business owners with startup, financing, permits, etc. Ms Bitetti also spoke about the existence of tax incentives, town hall meetings, and other programs. And finally, Ms Bitetti announced that the Congresswoman supports both the Economic Stimulus package and the Employee Free Choice Act.
Vincent Mazzone responded to Ms Bitette that he was personally outraged by Congresswoman Clark’s support of the Employee Free Choice Act – a bill he believes to be both offensive and deceitful. Furthermore, he urged the Court Street Merchants Association and its members to hold politicians accountable for how they vote on issues related to Small Business.
The meeting ended at 9:45 p.m. Next general meeting will be held in June – exact date to be announced.
Minutes respectfully submitted by,
Mike Polanski, Secretary
|