Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman
  Albany Office: Room 510 Capitol, Albany, NY 12248, (518) 455-5426
District Office: 341 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231, (718) 246-4889
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JOAN L. MILLMAN 		52nd ASSEMBLY DISTRICT

November 2003 Community Report

Millman Comments on Piers 6-12 Study


As the Assemblywoman representing Piers 6 - 9b and the adjacent communities, I am invested in the future of the Red Hook Marine Terminal and the future of the surrounding neighborhoods. I have been a participant in the community working group to comment on the study the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the NYC Economic Development Corporation are conducting on Piers 6-12. I continue to support the progress of the community working group, whose aim is to retain a strong maritime presence. However, I have been disappointed that, when asked, the Port Authority has been unresponsive to the requests for information made by Community Board 6 and others attempting to better understand the impact of this study on the future of these piers. I have expressed my concerns to both the Port Authority and the Mayor's office about some of the unintended consequences this study has provoked.

I am committed to seeing Pier 6 become a part of Brooklyn Bridge Park and to ensuring a comprehensive community planning process to determine the best programming for the pier. As a long time stakeholder in the future of the park, I am confident that there is near unanimity of opinion on this matter and that it indeed will happen. In conjunction with the park, I am also fully supportive of continuing the Brooklyn waterfront greenway along the perimeter of the waterfront. It is of the utmost importance that this study takes a comprehensive look at the port, in relation to other major port studies taking place, including the Comprehensive Port Improvement Plan, and the Cross Harbor Rail Tunnel Environmental Impact Statement. It is also imperative that we retain the container port on Piers 9-11, at least until there is an operational container port in Sunset Park. The container port provides necessary maritime transport and economic development for our communities. I am committed to maintaining a working waterfront, and developing innovative ways to mitigate our dependence on truck transport of goods.

I am hopeful that the guiding principles established through the working group and other community input submitted will have a significant impact on the outcome of the Port Authority and EDC's study. In addition, I would like to commend the creators of Waterfront Matters Web site for developing a mechanism for community input.


Millman Brings NYU Dental Van to Gowanus and Wyckoff Residents
(Free Dental Screenings For Neighborhood Children)

Dental practitioners and community residents join Assemblywoman Millman in front of the NYU dental van.

Assemblywoman Millman recently sponsored the Pediatric New York University Dental Care Van's visit to the Gowanus and Wyckoff houses. On Saturday, October 25, 2003, free dental screenings were given to children by the Dental Van's expert practitioners and qualified students.

The New York University Dental Van is a dental office on wheels provided by the New York University's College of Dentistry. An experienced pediatric dentist and other NYU health care providers used state of the art equipment to conduct examinations. Children who used the Dental Van also received a complimentary bag filled with dental supplies. Millman concluded, "Children are never excited about going to the dentist, but hopefully this event developed a greater awareness about the importance of good dental hygiene."


Millman Chairs Roundtable
Focus On Gender Gap in Science and Technology

Assemblywoman Millman introduced the panelists at the Roundtable on Women and Technology in New York City
On Thursday, October 9, Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman hosted a roundtable discussion to examine the gender inequity patterns in science and technology careers.

The roundtable participants included representatives of the New York Software Industry Association, the New York City Dept. of Education, the School of Education at Brooklyn College, Pace University, the Consortium for Workers Education, the National Council for Research on Women, the New York Hall of Science Educational Department, the Girl Scouts of USA and others.

The roundtable exposed alarming statistics showing that women are under-represented in science and technology careers. Millman stated, "We have learned about the encouraging and impressive gains especially at the high school and college level, but women still receive a relatively small proportion of computer and engineering degrees and are still under-represented in the technology workforce and still earn less than men in these fields."

New York State needs a technologically sophisticated workforce that does not leave anyone behind. Assemblywoman Millman concluded, "The bottom line is we need to create a culture in which girls have equal access and opportunity to education, jobs, and equitable pay. Undeniably, science and technology play a critical role in our country's future, and women must play an important role in this future."


Assemblywoman Millman Sponsors Fingerprinting and Photo ID's For Area Children

Assemblywoman Millman joins Dave Martin of the NYSCOPBA in fingerprinting a young student.
Assemblywoman Millman sponsored a child identification event that provided complimentary photo ID's and fingerprinting for over 300 area youngsters. Millman stated, "Child safety comes first; with these identification kits parents have taken an important step in protecting their children." The event, held at Public School 58 on October 24, 2003, and in collaboration with the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Associations (NYSCOPBA) used digital technology to create identification pamphlets. The 76th Precinct, under the direction of Community Affairs Officer Michael DeMartino, conducted the fingerprinting which was merged with the photo ID pamphlet. The identification kits were provided by Keyspan.


Office of Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman
341 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 246-4889

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