New York State Senator, Roxanne J. Persaud, kicked off the holidays with the 19th District’s First Annual Small Business Saturday, on Nov.27, to help merchants in their fight, to rebound as New York opens after almost two years of the coronavirus pandemic.
The afternoon holiday market on the pedestrian plaza, outside Capital One Bank at Rockaway and Glenwood Road, was filled with excitement, entertainment and a determination by merchants, to return to their economic boom, this festive season.
Sen. Persaud felt pleased about the partnership with the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and Mark Kerr, president of Rockaway Parkway Merchants Corridor Association Inc. and owner of Sylk Cove Lounge.
Including a Financial Literacy Event, an Artist Showcase, and Sunset Festival of Lights, the festivities that concluded with cocoa and cookies and holiday music, brought much attention to the district, in which, her office has been working to engage business owners while assisting them to rebound, as New York continues to open, as the city work to control Coronavirus pandemic.
The politician said the event was to inspire residents to shop local, and she was honored to partner with other community agencies, to bring back vibrancy to the area, while thanking merchants, whom she had visited, and encouraged to give back to the community.
Sen. Persaud, who also welcomed, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Randy Peers, Assembly Member Jamie Williams, District Manager, Sue Ann Partnow, and others, said she is committed to addressing the needs of residents of elderly homes, and schools, in the district, and is constantly working with the New York Department of Sanitation, to clean up the community, that has become polluted, like many other parts of the New York.
However, she was critical, about contractors who make it a habit of dumping garbage, late at nights, after a day’s work.
“We continually clean away the garbage, but the dumping would continue the next day,” said Sen. Persaud, noting that her office has partnered with the community to beautify the curb outside storefronts, and will continue to work hard to keep areas clean.
The politician said her duties took her outdoors throughout the pandemic, addressing food insecurity, though a Thursday, weekly food and PPE distribution, for the last two years, adding that this will continue if the pandemic is in effect.
The politician who will be seeking another term in the 2022 election, encouraged residents, who say they don’t see her, to get out into the community where she always hosts events. Such outreaches are published in a weekly newsletter. https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/roxanne-j-persaud.
She also stated that her district — the largest in New York, is diverse, and all residents are important and entitled to all services available, while reminding families to become fully vaccinated, wear a mask,and stay safe during the holidays.
Organizer of the event, Noreen Medas, said the partners work constantly to beautify the community, that won first and second prizes at a Greenest Block in Brooklyn, hosted by the Botanic Garden competition.
She applauded the merchants for partnering with Sen. Persaud and the (BCC) to host the Small Business Saturday, noting it was amazing, and spoke of Twilight in Canarsie being one the most beautiful events in the community.
“We will be doing a lot more to light up Canarsie. We will build bigger and stronger as a collective community, and with merchants,” she said.
Jennifer Viechweg-Horsford, constituent liaison, office of Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, Amar Dyal, Consulting Group, Inc. and Danette Hyatt – Hyatt & Co. Consulting LLC, Chase Bank, the 69th Precinct, Fresh Creek Nature Preserve My time Inc., The Mystic Media Live and the
The Newton Foundation and others, facilitated the event.
Residents left with gift certificates, holiday presents, PPE, and merchandise from the Senator Persaud’s office.
