Does MTA Construction Endanger Jobs?

An F train at the Church Avenue F and G subway station. Photo: Jonathan Percy

In reports and articles about the economy we tend to focus on the unemployed and the underemployed. But with a scarcity of jobs on the market and a surplus of workers looking to fill them, keeping a job once you get one is critical.

A June article from Business Insider listed absenteeism and bad time keeping as the #4 most common reason that employees are fired.

As part of the MTA’s Viaduct Rehabilitation Project, a series of repairs that will continue through fall 2012, service on the F and G subway lines have been repeatedly disrupted throughout Brooklyn. One area in particular that depends on these two lines for service to and from Manhattan is Kensington. On Thursday morning I spoke to several commuters waiting for the trains that would take them to work. I wanted to find out just how much issues with train service affected their daily commutes.

Laura, 26, from Kensington on how train delays cause her frequent problems:

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/383/files/2011/10/Commuting_Laura.mp3|titles=Commuting_Laura]

Nancy, 51, discusses how she’s learned to pass the time during her long commute:

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/383/files/2011/10/Commuting_Nancy.mp3|titles=Commuting_Nancy]

Phillip, 47, from Flatbush is pretty forgiving of the MTA despite the occasional strain on his commuting time:

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/383/files/2011/10/Commuting-Phillip.mp3|titles=Commuting Phillip]

Natural sound from the Subway platform:

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/383/files/2011/10/Commuting-Natsound.mp3|titles=Commuting Natsound]

 

Kensington and Windsor Terrace Parents and Kids Gather For Safety Awareness Night

Parents and kids from the Kensington and Windsor Terrace neighborhoods in Brooklyn met at P.S. 130 tonight to address issues of safety for both children and adults. The meeting, which included presentations by the NYPD’s 72nd precinct as well as Democratic Councilman Brad Lander, featured a mix of official and grassroots organizations. It was organized by members of the Friends of Greenwood Playground, a local community group.

According to Dari Litchman, a member of the FOGP and tonight’s emcee, the event was originally scheduled after the murder of 8-year-old Leiby Kletzky in July, but was repeatedly postponed due to scheduling conflicts. As a series of sexual attacks against women have continued however, the group decided that the event should go forward. Continue reading

Participatory Budgeting: How Will It Affect Kensington’s Economy?

Photo courtesy of samuelalove

As discussed in articles from The New York Times, and the Daily News, Brad Lander, City Councilmember for the 39th district in Brooklyn, which includes Kensington, is bringing “Participatory Budgeting” to his constituents. The initiative, tried previously in Brazil as well as in Chicago in the United States, allows members of the community to have a direct say in how $1 million dollars in discretionary funds will be spent. Meetings have already begun throughout the district to pitch ideas and elect the neighborhood delegates who will ultimately craft the final proposals for spending the money. Residents will vote on the potential options.
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