The Day: Real Estate Issues in Council Race, A Missing Teen and Local Street Paving

Some local teens enjoy shooting hoops at Fort Greene Park. What sports do you play in the nabe, and where do you play? (Photo by Francisco Daum)
Some local teens enjoy shooting hoops at Fort Greene Park. What sports do you play in the nabe, and where do you play? (Photo by Francisco Daum)

Good morning, Fort Greene and Clinton Hill.

We hope you enjoyed the first weekend in August. We saw that some of you shopped at sidewalk sales or spent time reading in Fort Greene Park. How did you spend your weekend, locals? Share your photos with your neighbors by posting them in our Flickr group.

Heat waves seem to be behind us, at least temporarily: The first full week of the month will bring comfortable weather to the nabe, with highs in the low 80s and high 70s, according to the National Weather Service.

  • In a district that has seen its share of construction – namely the construction of the Barclays Center and other development spurred by gentrification – real estate has become a central issue in the 35th City Council district race, City Limits’ Brooklyn Bureau reported. Of the four candidates running for the council seat, Laurie Cumbo is the only one to receive a significant real estate contribution – from the Jobs for New York Political Action Committee (PAC) – a backing that could have both positive and negative consequences for her campaign, the site reported. Cumbo “respectfully asked” Jobs for New York to stop spending on her behalf, but thanked the PAC “for its excitement and belief in this campaign and I look forward to working with its various constituencies as your next City Council Member,” according to the site. But when fellow candidates criticized her response, Cumbo changed her approach, issuing a press statement saying, “I appreciate their belief in my campaign,” leaving out the “various constituencies” reference, the site reported. Jobs for New York did not respond to Brooklyn Bureau’s queries about whether it would stop spending on Cumbo’s behalf.
  • The NYPD has reported that Zenobia Jenkins, 15, is missing from her Clinton Hill home. She was last seen leaving her home on Lafayette Avenue near Classon Avenue on Monday, June 29 at 4 p.m. Police describe her as a teen with brown eyes and straight black hair, who is 5-foot-1 inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. Anyone who has information about Jenkins’ whereabouts is encouraged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), submit tips online or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
  • The Department of Transportation will pave local streets at night this week. Tomorrow and Wednesday, the department will pave Fulton Street, from Flatbush Avenue to Hanson Place. If you’ve parked your car on any of these streets, remember to move it to another block. If your car is still there when the DOT begins work, it will be relocated within three blocks. If your car is relocated, the DOT recommends calling (718) 222-7285.