Council Member Cornegy Bids Farewell To Bed-Stuy, Crown Heights

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Starting in January, Brooklyn's District 36 will have someone other than Robert E. Cornegy Jr. at the helm in City Council for the first time since 2013.

The council member, like many local elected officials this year, has reached his term limit and will step down at the end of 2021 after eight years representing the district, which includes Bed-Stuy and northern Crown Heights.

His very tall opening in City Council will be filled by local organizer Chi Ossé, who ran unopposed after beating out five candidates in a primary race for the district.

On Wednesday, Cornegy bid farewell to the district with one of his signature grocery giveaways, which started during the coronavirus pandemic, and left a parting gift in the form of a 105-page neighborhood resource guide.

“It is an incredible honor to serve Bed-Stuy and northern Crown Heights in the New York City Council,” the council member said.

The resource guide includes information about arts and cultural organizations, anti-violence resources and services for small businesses, houses of worship, seniors, mental health and the LGBTQ community.

"This Resource Guide will help you connect with the incredible people and institutions we have all around us," Cornegy said. "Now it is time for me to pass on my duties as Council Member to others. As you read these words, I feel blessed to know our community is in good hands—yours."

Patch has been covering the council member since his days as a district leader in Brooklyn and has been there for all the ups and downs of Cornegy's tenure. As it comes to a close, we're looking back on some of the stories that marked his time in office:

HBCU Battle Of The Bands Returning To Bed-Stuy Next Week

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Brooklyn Council Member Cornegy Misused Office For Borough President Run, Complaint To Council Charges

By Claudia Irizarry Aponte, THE CITY February 18, 2021 Councilmember... Read more

Bed-Stuy Councilman Robert Cornegy Reveals Coronavirus Battle

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — A prominent Brooklyn politician recently reemerged in the public eye after a month-long battle with the new coronavirus. Councilman Robert C. Cornegy, Jr. fell... Read more

100-Year-Old Brooklyn Veteran Set Up With Free Air Conditioner

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Mr. Been is having quite the summer. The longtime Bed-Stuy resident started the season celebrating... Read more

Half Bed-Stuy Homes Seized By 'Racist' Program Returned: Cornegy

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — The city has given back half of the District 36 properties it claimed through Third Party Transfer, a program critics say targets New York's black and brown homeowners,... Read more

NYC Councilman Breaks Glass Ceiling As World's Tallest Politician

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN — All City Councilman Robert Cornegy had to do to break a world record was stand up ... and be measured. The Bed-Stuy city... Read more

Biggie News For Clinton Hill: Rapper Gets His Own Basketball Court

CLINTON HILL, BROOKLYN — A Clinton Hill basketball court will be renamed to honor the late Notorious B.I.G., a Brooklyn city councilman announced Tuesday. “Happy to finally be getting this... Read more