Assemblyman Colton Updates - Fall and Winter 2019 Community Issues

Sep 15, 2026

A community update covering multiple initiatives and policy concerns attributed to Assemblyman William Colton during Winter 2019. It addresses the ongoing fight over SHSAT and gifted & talented programs, including support for expanding gifted classes across school districts and circulating petitions. The update also highlights city actions on sidewalk violations caused by city trees, recognition of veterans and community cleanups, support for a Mother Cabrini monument, and local resources such as reduced-fare MetroCard services.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

SHSAT and Gifted & Talented Programs

Petition to Oppose Eliminating SHSAT

City Policies on Sidewalk Damage from City Trees

Review of Existing Violations and Liens

Community Service and Recognition

Veterans Day Ceremonies

Community Cleanups

Awards and Community Events

Civic Initiatives and Local Resources

Mother Cabrini Monument Support

Reduced-Fare MetroCard Services

Winter 2019 Assemblyman William Colton Fighting for Us and Our Community ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON CONTINUES FIGHTING FOR SHSAT AND GIFTED & TALENTED PROGRAMS Assemblyman Colton wants to inform parents that the fight for SHSAT and gifted & talented programs is not over. The Assemblyman believes there is a strong attempt to eliminate SHSAT test while attempting to lull parents into stopping their protest. Colton said “the attack on the SHSAT is an attempt to distract from the DOE’s failure to provide gifted classes in all neighborhoods in the city. Therefore, it continues the policy utilized under this and prior city administrations to deny gifted education to middle and early school aged children in those very school districts where it is claims children are being underrepresented in the specialized high schools.” Colton called on all parents to demand the expansion of gifted school classes in every school district so that every child including gifted children will receive their right to the quality education. ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON IS CIRCULATING A PETITION TO OPPOSE PLAN TO ELIMINATE THE SHSAT AS CRITERIA TO SELECT THE HIGHEST SCORING CHILDREN FOR ADMISSION TO SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOLS Colton warned the parents not tobe fooled into thinking that the fight is over, it’s far from being over. We demand more specialized High Schools and more Gifted & Talented programs in the early grades and in the middle schools to better prepare students for the SHSAT. Please contact my office at 718-236-1598 or stop by the office to pick up petitions. ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE CITY WILL NO LONGER ISSUE VIOLATIONS TO HOMEOWNERS FOR SIDEWALK DAMAGES CAUSED BY CITY TREES Colton is pleased that after decades the City has finally decided that it will no longer issue violations to homeowners for sidewalk damage caused by City trees. In addition, the City will stop imposing liens on one, two, and three family properties that have sidewalk damage caused by City trees. The Department of Transportation will be reviewing all existing violations to determine which were caused by City trees and cancel the liens on all the properties that meet the criteria. “I am grateful that Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie was instrumental in reaching this agreement with the City administration as a result of many concerns in the Assembly Members’districts,” said Colton. 155 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY 11223-1026 • 718-236-1598 Room 733 LOB, Albany, NY 12248 • 518-455-5828 • [coltonw@nyassembly.gov](coltonw@nyassembly.gov) ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON ALONG WITH ARI KAGAN, BRIAN GOTLIEB AND HIS COMMUNITY RELATIONS DIRECTOR NANCY TONG AT ONE OF HIS COMMUNITY CLEANUPS ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON SUPPORTS BUILDING MOTHER CABRINI MONUMENT “Sister Frances Xavier Cabrini came to the United States in 1889. She founded 67 institutions within 35 years, including orphanages, schools, and hospitals dedicated to caring for the poor, uneducated, sick, and abandoned. Her institutions were spread out in places all over the United States, including New York, Colorado, and Illinois. Sister Frances Cabrini has been known as the Patron Saint of Immigrants. The iconic Sister Frances Cabrini monument is well deserved to be built in our city,” Colton stated. The organization named She Built NYC was rejecting the public’s choice to build the statue of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, even though it has received 219 votes – more than any other nominee.“I appreciate Governor Cuomo for now stepping in and taking a position that he will set up a commission for building Mother Cabrini Statue,” Colton added. My office is circulating a petition for anyone who is in support of building the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Statue. Please feel free to contact my office at 718-236-1598 or visit my office for more information to make your voice heard. ASSEMBLYMAN COLTON CEREMONY HONORS OUR VETERAN HEROES Veterans Day is officially observed on November 11th. These outstanding individua

FAQs

What position does Assemblyman Colton take on the SHSAT and gifted & talented programs?

Assemblyman Colton says the effort to eliminate the SHSAT is not over and calls for expanded gifted & talented programs so children can access quality education.

What change does the update say the city will make regarding sidewalk damage from city trees?

The update states the city will stop issuing violations and stop imposing liens on properties with sidewalk damage caused by city trees, with the Department of Transportation reviewing existing cases.

What reduced-fare MetroCard help does Colton’s office provide?

Eligible seniors can apply monthly at the community office to receive a temporary Reduced-Fare MetroCard the same day with proof of age and required identification.

Sep 15, 2026

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