COMMUNITY BOARD THREE RETURNS UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP
Board Members and Community Pays Tribute to the Legacy of Tohma Faulkner
By Keith L. Forest

The mood at Community Board 3’s monthly meeting was somber. The usual joyful welcome back hugs shared by those returning from the 2 month summer recess was replaced by long, tender embraces as board members, and the community at large tried to come to grip with the lost of one of their fearless leaders, Tohma Faulkner. Her empty chair adorned in memory of her passing was a reminder of the enormous lost CB3, family, friends and the village of Bedford Stuyvesant will eventually have to face. For Ms. Faulkner was a proud citizen of this beloved neighborhood. A true gate keeper and eloquent states women quick to defend her beloved community by any means necessary is gone.

CB3’s newly elected chair Henry Butler respectfully kicked off the meeting by asking for a moment of silence in honor of Ms. Faulkner. After serving two (2) years on the board, Mr. Butler like so many of us was personally vetted by Ms. Faulkner permitting him to personally testify how “no one could question her commitment, determination and drive for the betterment of the citizens of Bed Stuy.” His words were echoed by Rev. Robert Waterman who like Chairman Butler reflected on Ms. Faulkner’s unswerving persistence and straight forward approach to protect and nurture the community she loved. Rev. Waterman, who heads the transportation committee, reminded the attending audience how Tohma life as a servant reminding us all that “community work is not about us, but the people we work for and serve.”

As the meeting proceeded numerous community leaders and elected officials gave greetings while offering their heart felt condolences including City Councilwomen, Leticia James and Darlene Mealey; NY State Assemblyman, Hikeem Jeffries; and Councilman All Vann. Captain Moriello from the 81sts Police Precinct was on hand to thank the community for its outstanding efforts in helping assist fellow police officers in policing the area stating that overall crime in the area has dropped 11%.

After the tributes and praises, CB3 got down to business. Agenda items included an informational presentation from the Economic Development Committee (EDC), chaired by Richard Flateau. The committee will host its 4th annual Bed Stuy Alive! Taste, Strut, Tour, Shop, Rock, Run Festival, in October. Ms. Faulkner was the founder of this event which celebrates the culturally enriched neighborhood of Bed Stuy by encouraging economic empowerment and community pride. The Housing Land Use Committee Chairperson, Doris Pinn later introduced Deb Howard, Executive Director for Pratt Area Community Council (PACC). Ms. Pinn and her colleagues who are seeking a letter of recommendation gave an informative presentation for its Gate Avenue affordable cooperative,. The new development, located at 566 Gates Avenue will feature 34 moderately priced green designed units.

Other agenda items included a presentation by Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation’s Workforce Development program which is offering formally paid job training and career development skills for 18 - 24 year old formally incarcerated Bedford Stuyvesant male residents. The Health, Hospitals and Social Services Committee, chaired by Tyquana Henderson, introduced Nini Rubin and Barbara Williams who gave an informative presentation on Cobble Hill Health Center’s Adult Day Care Center scheduled to open at 822 Lexington Avenue.

Upcoming Events:
Bridge Street Development “First Investors Program” 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM every Tuesday, beginning September 9 at 456D Nostrand Avenue. For additional information and to reserve a seat, call (718) 636-6924

Bed Stuy Alive! Taste, Strut, Tour, Shop, Rock, Run, Street Festival, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM< href="http://mybedstuy.blogspot.com/">mybedstuy.blogspot.com seeks to celebrate the people and places that make up this great community while addressing issues such as gentrification, predatory lending and other ill norms that seek to exploit, discredit and harm the area and its people.